Each year the Fund for Leaders awards approximately 30 full-tuition scholarships to future ELCA pastors and deacons who are planning to attend an ELCA seminary. In spring 2025, the Fund for Leaders will once again offer scholarships to ministry candidates pursuing seminary study. The application window for full-tuition scholarships will be open from December 2, 2024, through February 21, 2025.
Scholarships are no longer reserved for full-time students. Candidates who need to study part-time are welcome and encouraged to apply! Eligible applicants must be planning to enroll in seminary in fall 2025. Applicants must be in the process of seeking candidacy for rostered ministry in the ELCA. Fund for Leaders must receive a positive entrance decision from their candidacy committee no later than December 15, 2025. Current ELCA seminary students who have completed no more than one semester of coursework before the start of the 2025-2026 academic year are also welcome to apply. All applicants must be considered first-year students in fall 2025.
Ministry candidates may begin the Fund for Leaders application process before they have been accepted to seminary. Candidates are encouraged to apply to seminary and a Fund for Leaders scholarship simultaneously. Applicants can then upload their seminary acceptance letter(s) before the application deadline.
Recipients of Fund for Leaders scholarships may apply their full-tuition scholarship at any ELCA seminary that has offered them admission. Scholarships are awarded to students for the duration of their required seminary coursework, provided they remain in good standing with their seminary and in their candidacy process. They do not need to reapply each year.
Visit ELCA.org/FundForLeaders or contact the Fund For Leaders Team at fundforleaders@elca.org or 800-638-3522 to learn more.