An endowed scholarship at Western Theological Seminary can be created with a minimum investment of $25,000.  Gifts may be given at one time or over a period of years.  Scholarships may be funded through gifts of cash, stock, personal property, or estate plans.

En-dow’-ment:  money or property given for the permanent use of an institution 

As an endowed fund, the principal of your scholarship will be invested and remain intact, with earnings used to fund scholarships annually.  This assures that scholarship assistance will be available for many years to come.

Can I name a scholarship after someone?

We want you to name the scholarship after someone!  Western Theological Seminary values the story behind each named scholarship, and we have compiled short biographies on most of our scholarships.

Can I designate who will receive the scholarship?

Many donors give guidelines or preferences for awarding their scholarship. Examples include:

• Students from a certain church or classis
• Students preparing for a certain area of ministry
• Students of a particular race, gender, or ethnic background
• Merit award for academic excellence
• Students with physical disabilities

Will I meet the recipient?

Each year, scholarship benefactors receive a letter of introduction and thanks from their student recipient.  You also will be invited to a luncheon to meet the student recipient(s) of your fund.  We encourage relationships between benefactors and the students, and we try to grant the same scholarship(s) to the same student throughout his or her seminary education.

Donors are making a difference!  90% of Master of Divinity students receive financial awards funded through scholarships. 

Yes, I’m interested! How do I begin?

Contact your regional representative directly or the Advancement office at 616-392-8555  (advancement@westernsem.edu).