Navigating Scholarships: A Guide to Baptist Foundation of Alabama and Beyond

For students pursuing higher education, the financial burden can often be a significant hurdle. Fortunately, numerous organizations and foundations offer scholarships to help ease this burden. This article focuses on the scholarship opportunities available through the Baptist Foundation of Alabama and other related resources, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.

Baptist Foundation of Alabama Scholarships

The Alabama Baptist Foundation administers multiple scholarship funds established by generous donors interested in furthering the educational pursuits of deserving students. Every year, the Foundation awards scholarships to students meeting the criteria required by the funds available, including awards for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs of higher education.

General Qualifications

To be eligible for a scholarship from the Baptist Foundation of Alabama, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

Residency: Applicant is to be a bona fide resident of the State of Alabama.
Church Membership: Applicant is to be a member in good standing of a Southern Baptist Church cooperating with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. (Seminary applicant is to be a member of a Southern Baptist church cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention.)
Enrollment Status: Applicant is to be classified as a full-time student according to the school’s current catalog.
GPA: Applicant must have and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

The Baptist Foundation of Alabama awards scholarships on an annual basis. All students must reapply each year.

Application Process

Online Submission: Please note that all documents should be scanned electronically and submitted online as a part of the application process.
Completeness: A student’s application IS NOT complete unless all documents are attached, and the application is submitted no later than midnight, February 28.
Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all requirements. Students whose online applications are incomplete in any way after February 28 will NOT be eligible to be awarded a scholarship.

The Baptist Foundation of Alabama manages 100+ scholarship funds for students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Students who meet the criteria for the funds are eligible for scholarship awards.

Read also: Affording CBA Education

State-Specific Scholarship Opportunities

Many state organizations and conventions provide scholarships for students attending Southern Seminary. Here's a breakdown of scholarship opportunities available in various states:

Alabama

Allyrae Wallace Educational Trust: Scholarships for undergraduate and master-level students who are residents of Wilcox County, AL. Applicants must maintain GPA of 2.0 and have financial need. Awards are made only one time a year for the entire school year.
Community Foundation of Calhoun County: Scholarships are available with different eligibility requirements.
Mary Anna Gilbert Scholarship (Calvary Baptist Church): Scholarships for full-time, undergraduate and master-level students. Members of Calvary Baptist Church and graduates of University of Alabama are given preference.
Mary C. Easterling Scholarship: Preference is given to Methodist students from Anniston, AL, but Protestants may apply as well. Applicant must demonstrate financial need. Award of $500.
**R. Applicants may request an application by phone at any time for the following year.

Alaska

Applicants must have been an Alaskan resident for at least two years prior to applying and must maintain Alaska residency if attending a school in another state.

Arkansas

Timothy Fund Scholarship (Second Baptist Church): Applicants must demonstrate a definite call to Christian Ministry. Applicants must be a member of a Southern Baptist Church in the Clear Creek Baptist Association of Arkansas. Applicants must demonstrate a pattern of volunteer service in church or community. A written request for an application may be sent to the above address.

California

Hinkley Fund Scholarships: Applicants must be residents of California, and working on a degree in the “helping” professions, including ministry.
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine faith in God, and be from Western Washington, California, Colorado, or Hawaii.

Colorado

Full-time students from Colorado may apply.

Connecticut

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Connecticut.

Delaware

Students are eligible if they are a member in good standing of a cooperating BCM/D church and currently enrolled in at least 6 credits/year at a master’s degree level or above of an accredited seminary.

Georgia

Charles B. Applicants must be or have been a resident of Georgia at the time of application to the Seminary and must provide a recommendation from a Cooperating Georgia Baptist Mission Board church noting dates of membership with the church. Students must also enroll for a minimum of six hours to be considered for a partial award and nine hours to be considered for a full award. Only Master candidates will be considered for awards. Undergraduate students are not eligible for grants under this program. To apply, please reach out to the financial aid office for an application.
Applicants must be or have been a resident of Georgia at the time of application to the Seminary and must be a member of a cooperating Georgia Baptist Convention church. Students must be entering their first semester of seminary to be eligible for this scholarship.

Hawaii

Juliett M. Shiraki Memorial Foundation: Student must be an active member of a Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention church or mission for more than 5 years. The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Church must approve the application of the student. The student must have been born and living in Hawaii. A student may be attending college on the mainland when applying for scholarship aid.

Idaho

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Idaho.

Illinois

Annual scholarships for undergraduate and master- level Illinois students who are members in good standing for at least one year of an Illinois Baptist Church cooperating with Illinois Baptist State Association. Students must be full-time for both fall and spring semesters.
Katzburg Education Fund Loan: Interest-free loans to students who are of the Protestant faith and residents of Illinois. Preference will be given to theological students. Applicants must be full-time students who are enrolled in a four-year program and must have a “B” average.

Indiana

Eligibility for this scholarship is limited to any full-time, degree-seeking student currently enrolled in a degree program at any accredited institution of higher learning in Metro Louisville or the counties contiguous to Metro Louisville in both Kentucky and Southern Indiana. This grant is also available to any full-time, degree-seeking student whose permanent residence is within the aforementioned areas but attends an accredited institution of higher learning outside the aforementioned areas.

Iowa

Adora S. Applicants must be a resident of or have previously resided in the state of Iowa. Applicants must be studying for ministry in the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Congregational Churches. Applicants must have been residents of Iowa prior to entering college.
Myron J. Walker Scholarship: Applicants must be from the state of Iowa, and demonstrate financial need. Graduates of the University of Iowa are given preference, and applicants must be studying for full time ministry.
W. B. Small Trust: Applicants must be from the state of Iowa, be high school graduates, have good moral character, and show financial need. Applicants must be active members of a Southern Baptist Church and must be preparing for full-time Christian service.

Kansas

Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists: Delbert M. & Mary M. Wilbur Noble Memorial Scholarship Fund- Scholarships for students attending any Southern Baptist college, university, or seminary who are in training for ministry or missionary service.

Kentucky

Charles B. Eligibility for this scholarship is limited to any full-time, degree-seeking student currently enrolled in a degree program at any accredited institution of higher learning in Metro Louisville or the counties contiguous to Metro Louisville in both Kentucky and Southern Indiana. This grant is also available to any full-time, degree-seeking student whose permanent residence is within the aforementioned areas but attends an accredited institution of higher learning outside the aforementioned areas.
Applicants must be members of a Baptist church, and preference is given in the following order: (1) Harrodsburg Baptist Church member (2) Member of another Mercer County, Kentucky Baptist Church (3) Member of a Kentucky Baptist Church. Additionally, students must be a Kentucky resident with a valid Kentucky driver’s license and seeking a degree in a Christian Vocational Studies program.
Julian W. Must be a resident of Kentucky, with preference given to residents of Warren County. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The scholarship will not exceed $600 per semester, or $1,200 per year, with a maximum of seven years. The award is not automatically renewable. Students must submit a Renewal Application every Fall and Spring semester. First-time applicants need to submit the Initial Application Form as well as all the supplemental materials specified on the application.
Scholarship awards are for one academic year and will vary depending on how many hours a student is enrolled each semester. The award amount is up to $1,200.00 per academic year.
Seminary Scholarships:
- Burnie Tichenor Memorial Fund: Full-time master-level students enrolled in a ministerial or missionary program.
- Chester A. Francis and Ruth Moore Scholarship Fund: Full-time master-level or Boyce students who demonstrate financial need and are committed to some aspect of full-time Christian ministry.
- Raymond C. Schnur Memorial Scholarship Fund: Full-time master-level or Boyce students who are children of foreign missionaries.
- Ruby King Scholarship: Full-time master-level or Boyce students who demonstrate financial need and are committed to some aspect of full-time Christian ministry.
- Clara McCartt Scholarship: Full-time master-level or Boyce students who are enrolled in a degree that could lead to a church secretarial position, or whose parent, grandparent, or spouse is employed in a clerical/office support staff position at a KBC or SBC church, institution, agency or organization.
- Wayne & Pola Koster Christian Education Scholarship: Full-time Master of Divinity students called to be a pastor and who demonstrate financial need.
- M.H. Preference given to minority students.
- Janie Cree Bose Anderson Scholarship- Scholarship for a full-time female Boyce or SBTS student with financial need.
- Rubye D. Wetterer Scholarship- Scholarship for a Kentucky student preparing for a vocational career in missions or WMU work. Must be a member of a SBC church and have a GPA or 2.7 or higher.
- Mrs. George B. Eager Scholarship- Scholarship for a full-time, second year, female student from KY preparing for missions, social work, or WMU leadership.

Louisiana

Scholarship for members of First Baptist Church Shreveport.
This fund will award scholarships to students who were Louisiana residents at the time of their application/enrollment at Midwestern. Students must reapply each semester. Recipients must be an active member of a Southern Baptist Church and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Maine

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Maine.

Maryland

Students are eligible if they are a member in good standing of a cooperating BCM/D church and currently enrolled in at least 6 credits/year at a master’s degree level or above of an accredited seminary.

Massachusetts

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Massachusetts.

Mississippi

Applicants must be members, in good standing, of a Baptist Church that is a member of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, enrolled as a full-time student, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Missouri

Submit a research paper on “some aspect of Missouri Baptist history” for a chance to win a $2000 scholarship. The Missouri Baptist foundation has several scholarships available to students. My Scholarship Central compiles third-party scholarship applications from all over the state of Missouri.
MBTS is not aware of any state-specific scholarships currently.

Montana

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Montana.

Nebraska

Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists: Delbert M. & Mary M. Wilbur Noble Memorial Scholarship Fund- Scholarships for students attending any Southern Baptist college, university, or seminary who are in training for ministry or missionary service.

Nevada

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Nevada.

New Hampshire

International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons: For residents of New Hampshire who are pursuing full-time Christian education. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

New Mexico

Woman’s Missionary Union: Applicants can be male or female, must be from the state of New Mexico, and demonstrate financial need.
Gladys Eickhoff Memorial: New Mexico students attending seminary with consideration given to students enrolled Doctor of Ministry Program.
Ira L. and Mary L. Harrison Memorial: College or seminary student, evangelistic or Native Americans. Student pursuing Indian Christian education and Indian evangelistic work.
Language Scholarship: Ethnic member of a cooperating language church, recommended by pastor.
New Mexico Singing Churchmen: Scholarship for New Mexico resident, active in a Southern Baptist Church, called to vocational music ministry with a 3.0 GPA.

New York

Antoinette Brown Blackwell Committee: Applicants must be full-time students and a legal resident of Henrietta, NY. Selection is based on leadership abilities, personal goals, and academic potential.

North Carolina

Martha Watson Student Loan (North Carolina Baptist Foundation): Loans for students of up to $2,500 per year.
William G. and Margaret B. Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina: Applicants must be from the state of North Carolina, active members of a North Carolina Baptist Church, and involved in missions and/or their church. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and preference is given to full -time students.

North Dakota

This fund provides grants for pastors/staff and church leaders to continue their training for ministry while serving in Dakota Baptist Convention churches. These grants are not intended to cover the entire cost of tuition. The DBC anticipates that the recipient, their local church, or association might also help with tuition.

Ohio

Gonter-O’Brien Scholarship: Scholarships for master-level Ohio residents preparing for full-time Christian ministry; may attend a seminary in any state; selection based on academic record and financial need. Priority will be given to undergraduates.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Baptists Women’s Missions and Ministries: Scholarships for full-time, master-level female students from Oklahoma. Applicants must be a member of an Oklahoma Baptist church.

Oregon

Scholarships will be given to students who are affiliated with a Northwest Baptist Convention Church.

Pennsylvania

Lola G. Duff and William H. Duff, II Scholarship Fund: Scholarships for Allegheny County, PA residents.

Rhode Island

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Rhode Island.

South Carolina

Scholarships for seminary students who are an approved member of an SCBC or BEMCSC church in South Carolina and maintain a “C” average.
Preference is given to members of FBC Greenwood, SC.
Preference is given to members of First Baptist Church Gaffney and then to students from Cherokee County who are members of an SBC church.
Residents from Laurens County and upper Piedmont are given first preference. Preference for applicants who wish to serve as an international missionary or as a Christian educator in a local congregation. Members of FBC Spartanburg are given preference.

South Dakota

This fund provides grants for pastors/staff and church leaders to continue their training for ministry while serving in Dakota Baptist Convention churches. These grants are not intended to cover the entire cost of tuition. The DBC anticipates that the recipient, their local church, or association might also help with tuition.

Tennessee

Scholarships for students from the Greater Chattanooga area who are theologically and biblically conservative and seeking a Master of Divinity or Master of Theology degree.
The Tennessee Baptist Foundation offers an annual scholarship to master’s and doctoral students from Tennessee.

Texas

Julie Ann Jones Memorial Theological Scholarship: Scholarships for students studying in any field of ministry, including sacred music and theological research. Preference given to residents of Washington County, TX, but all Texans may apply.
Scholarships for full-time undergraduate or masters-level students who are permanent residents of one of the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. Priority given to students intending to serve as pulpit pastors upon graduation.

Utah

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Utah.

Vermont

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Vermont.

Virginia

Mary Louise Old Andrews Trust: Scholarships for students who live within 20 miles of Petersburg, VA.

Washington

Scholarships will be given to students who are affiliated with a Northwest Baptist Convention Church.

West Virginia

John I. Snedden Scholarship:

Wisconsin

MBTS is not aware of any state-specific scholarships currently.

Wyoming

Currently, SBTS is not aware of any scholarships specifically for students from Wyoming.

National Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to state-specific scholarships, several national scholarships are available to students pursuing higher education.

The "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
ScholarshipOwl: Provides direct access to scholarships.
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
Niche: Helps with every step of the college search, including paying for it.
The Christian Connector: Offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
Scholarship Eligibility: Anyone between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school in the Fall of 2026.

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