Did you know that there are colleges and universities that provide scholarships just for United Methodist students? The Virginia Annual Conference includes four United Methodist-affiliated colleges/universities, and other schools provide such funding as well. Here are just a few.
Virginia Annual Conference-Affiliated Schools
Randolph-Macon College offers the Ministers’ Family Grants. Dependents of ministers serving the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will receive grants equal to one-third of tuition. Recipients may also qualify for other types of aid based on demonstrated need. In addition, Randolph-Macon offers the A. Purnell Bailey Pre-Ministerial Program for Ordained Ministry, which is designed for students who are discerning a vocation in Christian ministry. Students selected receive half-tuition scholarships for the first two years and full-tuition scholarships for the next two years. These students do not have to be United Methodist. For more information, click here.
Shenandoah University offers scholarships to full-time undergraduate students who have been members in good standing of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church for at least one year. To qualify for the scholarship, please have your minister complete the certification below and return it to the Financial Aid office at the address below. This scholarship may be awarded for a total of four years. To apply, click this link.
Virginia Wesleyan University offers two scholarships for United Methodist students. The Wesleyan Dollars for United Methodist Scholars provides a $1,000 match for United Methodist students receiving a $1,000 scholarship from their local congregation. The Minister’s Sons and Daughters Grant, awarded to dependents of ministers who are members of the Virginia United Methodist Conference. Grant and other VWU funding will cover up to one-half tuition. More information is available at this link. You may also contact the Financial Aid Office for more information at 757.455.3345.
Other Virginia Schools
Roanoke College offers the Friends in Faith Scholarship. This scholarship of $1,000 is offered to full-time, degree seeking students who are members of The Reformed Church in America, The United Church of Christ, The Episcopal Church, The Moravian Church, or The United Methodist Church as noted on their admissions application to Roanoke College. This award would be in addition to other merit scholarships. To continue this program through four years, students must satisfy the same GPA requirements as specified for Roanoke College grants and awards. This award is not retroactive; it is awarded to first-time students only beginning Fall of 2026. https://www.roanoke.edu/merit
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation offers a number of scholarships for United Methodist students: (https://umhef.org/scholarships/).