Please note: Applications for ABHMS educational scholarships in the 2025-26 cycle will not be accessed through the MinistrElife portal as previously announced in a news release originally published on January 7, 2025, on abhms.org and in the January 2025 issue of Home Mission NOW! Scholarship applications will be available January 15 via the scholarship page of abhms.org.
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 1/14/2025)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce the pending opening of the three-month application window for the 2025-26 ABHMS scholarship cycle. The online application form will be available beginning January 15 for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students seeking financial assistance. The deadline for submitting completed applications and all supporting documents is April 15 at 5 p.m. ET.
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Alexzandria Sanchez, ABHMS’ director of scholarships, ministerial grants, and emerging leaders initiatives, reported that Scholarship Office conferred 233 awards totaling more than $350,000 during the 2024-25 cycle. She went on to explain that scholarship amounts vary, and funds are paid to a recipient’s school as credit toward tuition.
To be considered for an ABHMS scholarship, 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 in a current transcript;
- Reside in the U.S. or Puerto Rico; and
- Provide a reference completed by a leader of the church where the student is a member.
Students who maintain their eligibility receive funding for up to six years (consecutive or non-consecutive) for any single course of study pursued either full-time or part-time.
In addition to helping combat the cost of higher education through scholarship awards, ABHMS strives to nurture a vibrant community of ABHMS scholars who may grow to partner with the organization in other beneficial ways.
“As part of our mission to support and empower our students, we’ve been working on fostering an inclusive environment that encourages cross-cultural and regional relationship-building,” elaborated Sanchez.Education extends beyond the classroom, and we’re committed to creating safe spaces for our scholarship recipients.”
To that end, Sanchez convened scholarship recipients from the 2024-25 cycle for a virtual “meet-and-greet” in December 2024 that drew attendees from across the United States and Puerto Rico. She was joined by several ABHMS colleagues for an hour of camaraderie and an important update on the scholarship application process delivered by ABHMS’ ministrElife director of membership, content, and usage, the Rev. Erica Van Brakle.
While applying for scholarships will continue online, it will transition to the ministrElife platform beginning this cycle to facilitate the application process through improved communication and a more effective way of tracking progress. Van Brakle explained that applicants will be required to create a personal profile in ministrElife as an initial step.
Beyond being a secure and user-friendly portal for scholarship applications, ministrElife will enable ABHMS scholars to connect with peers conveniently through positivity-focused social media that encourages networking, collaboration, and resource sharing. In addition, upcoming features, such as a robust opportunities board for internships and fellowships, will further support scholars’ academic and vocational journeys.
Visit abhms.org to learn more about ABHMS scholarships, including the availability of other, more specialized funding opportunities, and then apply electronically by the April 15 deadline.
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.