KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 4/5/24)— With its scholarship application deadline approaching, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) urges all eligible undergraduate, graduate and seminary students to take advantage of this valuable opportunity for financial assistance. The application window for 2024-2025 scholarship cycle closes April 15 at 5 p.m. EDT.
To be considered for an ABHMS scholarship, student applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold active membership in an American Baptist church;
- Be enrolled at an accredited college or university or graduate program in the United States or Puerto Rico;
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50, as reflected on a current transcript;
- Reside in the U.S. or Puerto Rico; and
- Provide a reference completed by the leader of the church where the student is a member.
Scholarship amounts vary, and awarded funds are paid directly to a recipient’s school for credit toward tuition. Further, students who maintain their eligibility may receive funding for up to six years (consecutive or non-consecutive) for any single course of study pursued either full time or part time. Visit abhms.org to learn more about the ABHMS Scholarship Program, including the availability of other, more specialized scholarships, and then apply online by the April 15 deadline.
In addition to combatting the cost of higher education through scholarship awards, ABHMS strives to nurture a vibrant community of scholarship recipients who may grow to partner with the organization in other beneficial ways. To that end, ABHMS’ national coordinator for Scholarship and Emerging Leaders, Alexzandria Sanchez, reconvened members of the 2023-2024 scholarship awardee cohort from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico in mid-March. The group first gathered in August of last year.
Attendees enjoyed an icebreaker activity and then were introduced to ABHMS staff members who elaborated on select ABHMS opportunities. Breanna Pettiford of Healing & Transforming Communities described the Summer Passionary Institute and the newly created Emerging Leaders Program, both of which focus on young adults. The former is a summertime internship centered on social justice, while the latter spans a full academic year of learning and leadership development with an emphasis on advocacy, networking, organizing and storytelling. Pettiford encouraged her audience to investigate and apply by the April 15, 2024, deadline.
Senior Writer Anna Piela, who is also associate editor of The Christian Citizen, an ABHMS publishing ministry, invited those students with an interest in writing to pitch their stories to the predominantly online publication. Piela stressed that The Christian Citizen is open to new voices and perspectives and does not limit itself to previously published authors.
Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, ABHMS executive director, concluded the gathering. He reiterated ABHMS’ commitment to providing students with financial resources and then reinforced the concept of building relationships.
“We are delighted to be in partnership with you as you pursue your educational goals,” said Haggray. “Even as we look for ways to increase our scholarship funds and give more scholarships, we hope to create more partnerships in all areas of higher education.”
To learn more about ABHMS scholarships, visit abhms.org.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.