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Student Financial Services

Seminary Grants & Scholarships

George Fox Evangelical Seminary(GFES) offers several financial assistance programs for its degree-seeking students. Loans are a primary source of financial aid for seminary study. A limited number of need-based and academic-based grants and scholarships are available in some programs. Check with your financial aid counselor for more information. All students in need of financial aid are encouraged to apply.

Several scholarship/grant programs are available for eligible students. Unless otherwise specified, students must be enrolled full time with 8 hours or more for each semester to receive a scholarship or grant.  Students may apply for these scholarships via the Seminary Scholarship Application.

The Clapp Scholarship is awarded to master of divinity students.
The Julius Clifton Bruner Scholarship Fund was established by Iris J. Bruner in memory of her husband for graduate theological education.
The Ketterling-Schlenker Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist students demonstrating financial need. Preference is given to students from North Dakota, Montana, or the Midwest.
The Clara and Harlan Macy Memorial Scholarship was established by family members to help seminary students going into pastoral ministry.
The Chuan Cheng Morrisey Missions Memorial Scholarship Fund is awarded to students preparing for cross-cultural ministry (preferably with Chinese) or to Chinese students preparing for cross-cultural ministry to non-Chinese.
The H.W. and Wilma Ogden Scholarship is awarded to Free Methodist students in the ministry program at the seminary.
The Richard Parker Scholarship was established by Jeannette Parker in memory of her husband. It is awarded to students in the master of divinity, master of arts in Christian ministries, or master of arts in theological studies programs.
The John and Emma Pike Scholarship is awarded to master of divinity students committed to full-time pastoral ministry upon graduation.
Earnings from the Arthur T. Shelton Scholarship Fund are awarded to students coming from the states of Oregon and Washington.
Earnings from the Lydia C. Sundberg Memorial Fund are awarded to international students who will return to their homeland, or students planning to enter missionary service.
The Glenn and Allee Yoder Memorial Scholarship was established in 1993 by their family for the educational advancement of Christian students.

Eligibility for all of the above scholarships is based on evidence of financial need and is limited to tuition only. If a student's enrollment status changes, the amount of the scholarship may be decreased accordingly. A student may not be on academic probation more than one semester to maintain eligibility. Awards are limited to the amount of funds available and to seminary courses taken for credit only, not audit courses or off-campus courses and seminars.

Church/University Matching Grants:

The Church University Fellowship Award Program was established to partner with churches who offer scholarship programs to assist their students who attend George Fox University. Students must be full time to receive this match. For students starting in the Fall, their participating church must submit an application and payment in full postmarked by August 1, indicating the designated student and amount contributed.  For students starting in the Spring, their participating church must submit an application and payment in full postmarked by December 1, indicating the designated student and amount contributed. Qualifying students may receive up to $600 of matching funds ($300 for Fall and $300 for Spring). See Church Match Program Description/Application for matching policies. A new application is required each academic year that the church desires matching funds for the student.

Seminary Sponsored Aid:

GFES Grants are awarded annually. Students must submit a FAFSA to be considered for GFES Grants. FAFSA results must be received by the University by May 1. These grants are based on requirements such as full-time enrollment, need and GPA. Be sure to check the details related to each grant/scholarship.

Seminary Multiethnic Scholarships are awarded to current and prospective students who are U.S. citizens and ethnic minorities. These scholarships are based on need.
Partners in Ministry Grants are provided for all spouses enrolled in the partners in ministry certificate program. Scholarships are limited to one course per semester. Scholarships will be applied only to those courses in the program. Submission of the FAFSA is not required for this grant.
Pastor and Teacher Enrichment Grants are available for full-time pastors, Christian educators, and mission personnel not pursuing a degree program, for courses taken on an audit basis. Submission of the FAFSA is not required for this grant.
Seminary Grant
The Seminary Grant is available to all students whose federal financial aid form determines need and who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Also, the federal financial aid form results must be received by the Student Financial Services by May 1. All new entering seminary students will be considered on need only, but the cumulative GPA must also be maintained with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA to continue receiving the Seminary Grant.
Seminary International Student Award
All international students will be awarded an International Grant based on 20 percent of the tuition for a full load of 8 hours. Students must maintain at least 8 hours per semester and can receive 20 percent of any credits over 8 hours, as well. It is the student's responsibility to let Student Financial Services know if taking more than 8 hours. All international students must apply for admission by May 1 of each year in order to receive the International Grant.
Seminary Research Scholars and Teaching Assistants
Several seminary students are selected each year to serve as research scholars and teaching assistants for full-time faculty. Prospective research scholars and teaching assistants should make application for the position with the endorsement of the faculty member by May 1 prior to the academic year. Qualifications for the position are considered. An applicant must be a registered student. Though not required, a research scholar is typically in her/his second or third year of study. Research scholars and teaching assistants are considered student employment positions. Remuneration will be at the established university student employment rates.
Seminary Student Employment
Several seminary students are selected each year for campus employment assignments at the Portland Center of George Fox University. These positions vary throughout the year depending on the staffing needs. Both financial need and qualifications for the position are considered. Applications are available from the Portland Center admissions office. A campus employment student must be a registered student. Remuneration will be at the established university student employment rates.

 Other Scholarship Programs for Seminary Students:

Information and applications for the following scholarship programs may be obtained by contacting the appropriate denominational and conference offices directly.

Brethren in Christ Church Scholarships: A $500 annual tuition scholarship is provided students of the Brethren in Christ Church.
Evangelical Church, Pacific Conference: The Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Church offers financial aid to its ministerial students who are attending the seminary and who are under the guidance of the conference Board of Ministerial Relations. Both basic tuition scholarships and service-grant loans are available.
Evangelical Men Scholarship: The Evangelical Men of the Evangelical Church (Pacific Conference) grant an annual tuition scholarship to a student of their choice.
Free Methodist Church Scholarships: Tuition scholarship assistance is provided for all Free Methodist students who meet the standards determined by the denomination through the John Wesley Seminary Foundation.
Higbee Memorial Scholarship: The Oregon Conference of the Free Methodist Church is custodian of a scholarship fund for Free Methodist students. The fund is in honor of Dellno Higbee.
Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church Scholarship: A limited number of Friends students may receive tuition scholarship assistance from allocated funds set apart for this purpose by Northwest Yearly Meeting.
Paul T. and Vera E. Walls Foundation Scholarships: These scholarships are designated to provide assistance to seminary students who are members of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church.
Waldo Hicks Memorial Scholarship: His widow, Frances Hicks French, and her two sons, Bruce and David, have designated this annual scholarship to assist a student of the Friends Church.
Wesleyan Church Scholarship: Funds are made available to Wesleyan students on a loan basis. Repayment is dependent on years of service in the denomination following seminary training.

External Scholarship Information

There are many scholarship opportunities for students from sources outside George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Students can locate scholarships through online searches. Students should never pay a fee in order to apply for a scholarship.

External scholarships are a good resource for financial aid. External scholarships must be reported to your financial aid counselor through your MyGFU sign-in.

Additional scholarship information can be found at the following links: