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 of 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 the McKendree University Financial Aid office
(618-537-6828). 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 (also available from the Financial Aid office)
by February 1st. Failure to meet these deadlines will disqualify students from receiving
scholarship funds.
Wagner Loan/Scholarship Program
The Clarence O. Wagner Endowed Loan Fund was established through the estate of Helen
Smith Wagner. The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to students
wishing to pursue ministry in the Christian or Jewish faiths. Applicants must intend
to pursue a career as a member of the professional clergy (pastoral ministry, education
ministry, music ministry, or youth ministry).
Unlike the Bothwell program, the Wagner program is open to students at any stage in
their undergraduate careers (including part-time students), with preference being
given to freshman and sophomores. No demonstration of financial need is required.
Applicants must give evidence of their intention to enter the professional ministry,
and must maintain a 2.5 GPD at McKendree University at all times.
The Wagner program combines the features of a loan fund and a scholarship program.
Qualifying students may borrow up to the full cost of tuition plus room and board
in any year they are enrolled at McKendree. Loans accrue interest at the rate of 5%
per year, with repayment deferred until graduation. If the student enters professional
ministry either immediately after graduating from McKendree or after attending seminary,
all interest on the loan is immediately forgiven. The loan is the scheduled for repayment
over a ten-year period with no interest. After five years of regular payments, the
remaining five years of the loan (half the loan value) will be forgiven and no further
payment required. Students may apply for Wagner funds whenever funds are needed, but
the usual time for applications is the beginning of each semester. Application forms
are available from the McKendree University Financial Aid office (618-537-6828).
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.
