Ministry Employment Opportunities

If you are interested in ministry opportunities in the local area please contact the Chaplain at (618) 537-6962. The Chaplain's office maintains a listing of ministry employment opportunities and scholarships and loan resources for students interested in ministry.

Students interested in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church can visit their website.

Scholarship and Loans

Ministry Scholarships and Loans


McKendree University provides several opportunities for support for students planning to go into the ministry. These include: the Bothwell Scholarship and the Wagner Loan/Scholarship program.

Bothwell Scholarships


The Bothwell Scholarship program is named for Ms. Marian Bothwell, who created the trust that supports this endowed scholarship. Bothwell Scholarships provide tuition assistance for full-time students at McKendree University who are preparing to enter some form of full-time Christian Ministry. Formal ordination is not required, but the student must be working toward a career that involves serving others through a church or other Christian organization. The scholarship cannot support students who intend to pursue an essentially "secular" career (business, teaching, nursing, etc.) in a "Christian" manner.

The amount of support available through the Bothwell program depends on the number of people who apply each year. All students who qualify receive a minimum of $2,000 per year for their junior and senior years. Additional funds (up to full tuition) will be allocated based on financial need.

To qualify for a Bothwell scholarship, students must have completed at least 60 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) by the beginning of the semester for which funding is sought. Scholarship recipients must also maintain at least a 2.5 GPA at all times, and must pursue at least a minor in Religious Studies.

Application forms are available from McKendree University Campus Ministry by contacting the University Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null at blwilkes-null@mckendree.edu.  Applicants are required to outline their plans for ministry and to obtain recommendations from denominational or local church leaders who are familiar with their plans. Application materials must be received by May 15th for Fall enrollment, or December 1st for Spring enrollment. Applicants must also complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) form available from the Financial Aid office. Failure to meet these deadlines will disqualify students from receiving scholarship funds.

Wagner Loan/Scholarship Program

Background
The Clarence O. Wagner Endowed Loan Fund was established through the estate of Helen Smith
Wagner. Ms. Wagner’s last will and testament (Article IV) contains the following language with
regard to the use of this bequest:

Said bequest is made for the purpose of creating and maintaining a loan fund to be
known as, “The Clarence O Wagner Loan Fund” and the income therefrom shall
be used for loans to ministerial students of the Protestant, Catholic or Jewish
faiths.

The said loans are to be made available on such terms and conditions as may be
established by the President of said McKendree University, or such other authority
as may be designated by the Board of Trustees for such purpose; however, all
loans shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of the said
institution. All applications for loans shall be made in writing, on forms prepared
by the proper authorities of the said institution.

The herein bequest is made by me in memory of my father and mother, Reverend
Samuel Stephen Smith and Carrie Gott Smith.

It is the intent and purpose of the bequest made herein that only the income
therefrom shall be used for the purposes herein contained and all loans made are
to be repaid on such items and conditions as may be imposed thereon by the
authorities identified herein.

As directed by the terms of Ms. Wagner’s bequest, McKendree University’s administration, with
the approval of the Board of Trustees, establishes guidelines to effectively use these funds as the
donor has designated. These guidelines outline criteria for a student’s loan eligibility, loan award
process and award limits, and loan terms. Guidelines may be amended as needed by the
University’s administration with approval of the Board of Trustees.

Loan Award Process and Award Limits

The amount available for loans each year is determined by the Vice President for Administration
and Finance in coordination with the President’s Cabinet. Students will apply for the Wagner Loan and be selected by the University Chaplain and the Director of Financial Aid. Students must sign a Loan Agreement form and will be provided truth in lending documentation as required by law. The University may award loan amounts each term up to the cost of tuition and fees, less all other academic institutional financial aid received in that term. Names of loan applicants will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Request for approval will be initiated through the Committee on Financial
Affairs and Endowment. 

Eligibility
• Student must be enrolled full-time on the Lebanon campus at McKendree University
• Student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Student must be in good academic standing at the University
• Student must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Student must participate in at least 60 hours of assigned ministerial activities during the
semester in which they receive the loan



Application

Application forms are available from McKendree University Campus Ministry by contacting the University Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null at blwilkes-null@mckendree.edu.  Application materials must be received by May 15th for Fall enrollment, or December 1st for Spring enrollment. Applicants must also complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) form  available from the Financial Aid office. Failure to meet these deadlines will disqualify students from receiving scholarship funds.

Other Ministerial Scholarships

McKendree University administers several smaller ministerial scholarships (less than $1,000 per year) that are allocated among qualified students at the discretion of a scholarship committee. Qualifications for these scholarships vary. Students who apply for Bothwell or Wagner funds are automatically considered for these funds. Other interested students should obtain a general scholarship application from the McKendree University Financial Aid office (618-537-6828) and enclose a letter asking to be considered.

Non-Ministerial Scholarships


McKendree University offers a wide range of scholarships for which any student (including ministerial students) may apply. The most significant of these is the Presidential Scholarship program, which offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 per year to full tuition for freshman and from $1,000 to $2,000 per year for transfer students. To qualify, incoming freshman must have earned a 3.4 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or a score of 25 on the ACT or a rank in the top 20% of their graduating class. Transfer students must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA at the college level. Freshman are more likely to receive funds if they apply during the fall semester; transfers may apply at any time. For more information about how and when to apply, contact the McKendree University Financial Aid Office (618-537-6828).

McKendree University also offers a matching funds program for students from United Methodist churches. The John Wesley Scholarship program will add an additional 50% to any scholarship support that a United Methodist church provides for one of its students who enrolls at McKendree. A letter of application (including a pastoral recommendation) is required. Contact the McKendree University Financial Aid Office (618-537-6828) for details.

Other United Methodist Loans/Scholarship Programs


Other information regarding United Methodist loans/scholarships can be found at www.gbhem.org on the loans/scholarships tab.