International Student Scholarship (on campus)

In order to make theological/ministerial education accessible for more leaders and emerging leaders in the Mennonite/Anabaptist tradition, a separate scholarship award process has been established for international students (those who are not from the U.S. or Canada). International students will be considered alongside their international peers in determining award recipients.

The International Student Scholarship is intended to encourage and support outstanding international students with gifts for ministry as they prepare to serve the global church. The scholarship, which can be up to full tuition, is awarded on an annual basis to an international student (non-U.S. or non-Canadian) who is a member of a Mennonite World Conference congregation or a related Anabaptist group and who will study full time on the AMBS campus in Elkhart, Indiana.

Funding for the International Student Scholarship comes in part from the Virgil and Louise Claassen Endowment for International Students, the Ester Hodel Scholarship, the Ella Mae Lehman Memorial Scholarship for International Women and the Louis L. Miller Scholarship. Scholarships providing grants of up to 75 percent of tuition will be awarded to other international students meeting the award criteria as funds are available.

Guidelines

• The award will be given to a student beginning his or her first year of study at AMBS in a master’s program, providing a full-tuition grant for up to three years for a Master of Divinity degree and up to two and a half years for a Master of Arts degree.
• Application deadline: March 15

Criteria for award recipients

1. Recipients will be from outside of the U.S. or Canada and be members in good standing of a congregation affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group.
2. The decision to grant an award will be based on four factors:
   • Previous academic performance, including a minimum GPA of at least 2.75 from all undergraduate work, based on information gained from transcripts and references.
   • A commitment to enter into active ministry in his or her homeland following graduation.
   • Strong leadership potential for serving the local church, based on information gained from references and from a required essay on the applicant’s past, present and future service/ministry.
   • Personal character and emotional health, based on information gained from references.

Procedure

By the deadline, applicants must submit:

1. A completed Admissions Application with all supporting materials, including transcript(s), references, an admission essay, and documentation of certification of funds.
2. A completed Scholarship Application.
3. An essay of 1,200 to 1,800 words that focuses on:
   • their leadership potential for serving the local church
   • their past, present and future service/ministry
   • how an education at AMBS will enrich their present and future ministry

Please note: Since the scholarship selection process is competitive and limited scholarship funds are available, a strong essay that clearly addresses the above areas — with attention to grammar and spelling — is important.

Understandings

1. The award recipient will be enrolled as a full-time student (nine hours or more per semester plus one Intensive Term course).
2. Students in the MDiv program are eligible for an award for three consecutive years. Students in an MA program are eligible for an award for two and a half consecutive years. No extensions of an award are possible.
3. Eligibility from year to year will be based on satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree, including:
   • maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA
   • continuing as a full-time student
   • supporting and adhering to AMBS community life standards
   • supporting and participating in enrollment and recruitment activities and initiatives
   • actively participating in campus activities
   • assuming leadership responsibilities on the AMBS campus
4. Recipients will not be eligible for AMBS need-based financial aid, including AMBS matching grants, in addition to an award of 51 percent or greater.