Board of Ordained Ministry

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BOM Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance for Ministerial Students

The Board of Ordained Ministry, working with the Missouri United Methodist Foundation, provides financial assistance to ministerial students for educational expenses. Funds are limited, and a finite number of awards are distributed each year. Therefore, students must apply each year to be considered for assistance, and there is no guarantee that a student will receive an award. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for any of the awards described below, a student must be recognized as having a serious vocational interest in professional ministry in Missouri by a Missouri District Committee on Ordained Ministry and/or a Missouri District Superintendent. It is strongly recommended that a student be a certified candidate for ministry in Missouri. (See paragraphs 310 and 311 in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2012.) Students should contact their District office to discuss the candidacy process. Additional eligibility requirements for specific awards are described below.

While most financial assistance is directed to students enrolled in seminary, a limited amount is available for undergraduate students who are under appointment by the conference to serve a local church as a “student local pastor.” If you have any questions about your eligibility status, contact your District Superintendent.

 

Application

Applications are accepted during the spring for the following academic year. New applications become available in January from the Conference Center, the District offices and online at the Conference website at the Forms Section.

The application must be completed and returned to the Conference Center. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 30. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Applications are reviewed and decisions made in mid-summer, and students are notified of the decisions by late August. Funds are not released until the student’s enrollment is verified each semester. 

In general, one half of the award is distributed in the fall semester and one half is distributed in the spring semester. If a student’s enrollment status decreases from that reported on the application (e.g., a student drops to half-time from full-time), the award will be reduced proportionately if not yet released, or a refund will be requested from the educational institution. Awards cannot be increased. Typically, checks are issued jointly to the student and the educational institution and delivered to the registrar of the institution.   

Awards Summary

The number and amount of awards may vary depending on funds available and the number of students applying. Award decisions are based on many considerations, including student financial need, academic achievement, and academic and vocational progress. Students must reapply each year for consideration.

Missouri Conference Student Aid (MEF) Grant

Seminary and church-appointed undergraduate students
Students will be considered for this award who:

  1. are enrolled in a college, university or seminary approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church; and
  2. are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “certified candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment.

In addition, undergraduates must be appointed by the Missouri Conference to serve a local church as a “student local pastor.” Grants are available for full-time study (nine hours or more), and one half of the full-time amount is available for half-time study (six to eight hours). Full-time grants may be given for a maximum of four years from the date of the initial grant, and a combination of full-time and half-time grants may be given for a maximum of six years from the date of the initial grant.

Missouri United Methodist Foundation Seminary Scholars Grant

Seminary students only
Students will be considered for this award who:

  1. are enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church;
  2. are pursuing the degree of Master of Divinity or its equivalent;
  3. are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “certified candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment;
  4. intend to be ordained into the full-time ministry of The United Methodist Church in Missouri; and
  5. intend to serve at least five years in full-time ministry in Missouri after ordination. Grants are available for full-time (nine hours or more) or half-time (six to eight hours) study. Currently, full-time grants are for $3,000 and half-time grants are for $1,500. A student is eligible to receive a maximum of $9,000 within six years of the initial grant.

Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry Seminary Grant

Students will be considered for this award who:

  1. are enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church;
  2. are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “certified candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment;
  3. intend to serve in some professional capacity in the ministries of The United Methodist Church in Missouri; and
  4. intend to serve at least five years in ministry in Missouri. Grants are available for full-time study (nine hours or more), and one half of the full-time amount is available for half-time study (six to eight hours). Full-time grants may be given for a maximum of four years from the date of the initial grant, and a combination of full-time and half-time grants may be given for a maximum of six years from the date of the initial grant.

Stella Kahrs Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created by Stella Kahrs, who was a member of the Smithton United Methodist Church. Currently, each scholarship is in the amount of $500. Students will be considered for this award who:

  1. are enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church;
  2. are recognized by one of the District Committees on Ordained Ministry and/or one of the District Superintendents in the Missouri Conference as either a “certified candidate” or a person evidencing appropriate vocational potential and commitment; and
  3. intend to be ordained into the full-time ministry of The United Methodist Church in Missouri.  Preference for these grants will be given to students from Smithton UMC and the Heartland South District. The full amount of this award is distributed in the fall semester following enrollment verification. 

For more information, contact your District Superintendent, the Missouri Conference office, or the Missouri United Methodist Foundation.