Multicultural Church Scholarship

In order to increase accessibility to graduate-level Anabaptist theological and leadership education for students of diverse traditions, ethnicities and racial identities, AMBS has established this scholarship for students who are currently serving in or preparing for ministry assignments in a multicultural context and/or who belong to historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups within the Mennonite Church. This scholarship is for students who are studying either on campus or at a distance.

Each year, this award provides a limited number of 100-percent tuition grants to full-time students beginning a master’s program, or a limited number of 75-percent tuition grants to part-time students beginning a master’s program. Recipients may receive this grant for the stated length of their academic program by meeting certain conditions. Applicants must be from the U.S. or Canada and be a member in good standing of a congregation that is affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group. Application deadline: March 15

Guidelines

1. The award will be given to students beginning their first year of study at AMBS in a master’s program.
   • Full-time students will receive a 100-percent 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. (Students need to take at least nine credit hours each standard semester to be classified as full time.)
   • Part-time students will receive a 75-percent tuition grant for up to six years for a Master of Divinity degree and up to five years for a Master of Arts degree.
2. The application deadline is March 1. (Note: In the hope of creating space for more applicants during the uncertain times of the pandemic, we are extending this deadline to March 15.)

Criteria for award recipients

1. Recipients will be from the U.S. or Canada and be members in good standing of a congregation that is affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist church group.
2. The decision to grant an award will be based on four factors about the applicant:
   • Previous academic performance, including a minimum GPA of at least 2.75 from all undergraduate work, based on information gained from transcripts and references. (Although AMBS is able to admit a limited number of students without a bachelor’s degree, preference will be given to students who have attained one, and all recipients should hold at a minimum an associate’s degree or equivalent.)
   • History of and/or commitment to enter into an active ministry assignment in a multicultural context, and/or belonging to a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group.
   • 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.

Procedures

By the deadline, applicants must submit:

1. A completed application for admission with all supporting materials, including transcript(s), references and admissions essay.
2. Completed Financial Aid and Scholarship applications.
3. A 1,200–1,800-word essay that includes:
   • demonstrated leadership potential for ministry in a multicultural context and/or for service with historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups in a congregation affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group
   • description of the applicant’s past, present and future service/ministry
   • description of unique gifts the applicant brings to ministry, shaped by his/her history and culture
   • how an education at AMBS will enrich the applicant’s present and future ministry
4. The AMBS Scholarship Selection Committee will select the recipient(s) of this award by March 31 and inform the student(s) via e-mail.
5. Recipients must accept their award in writing to confirm enrollment for Semester One.

Understandings

1. Eligibility from year to year will be based on satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree, including:
   • maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA
   • supporting and participating in enrollment and recruitment activities and initiatives, as requested by the AMBS Admissions Team
   • supporting and adhering to AMBS community standards
2. Recipients will not be eligible for ministry scholarships or AMBS need-based financial aid, including AMBS matching grants, in addition to the Multicultural Church Scholarship.