ELCA Fund for Leaders Scholarships

The ELCA Fund for Leaders Scholarships are awards for students at ELCA seminaries pursuing rostered ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Multiple scholarship types exist, including a Direct Full-Tuition Scholarship, Federal Chaplaincy Ministries Scholarship, Mission Developer Scholarship, Synod or Congregation Scholarships, and TEEM Scholarships. Awards support students with specific ministry goals such as chaplaincy, mission development, or participation in the TEEM program. Recipients are expected to be pursuing candidacy and demonstrate leadership potential for ministry in the ELCA.

Full tuition coverage for eligible Direct Full-Tuition recipients; targeted scholarship support for chaplaincy, mission development, TEEM students, and synod/congregation-established awards.

Applicants must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an ELCA seminary and pursuing rostered ministry in the ELCA; additional requirements vary by scholarship type (e.g., beginning the ELCA candidacy process, specific ministry goals, or seminary/CCL identification for mission developers). Direct Full-Tuition applicants must be in their first year of seminary. TEEM scholarships are for current TEEM students or those starting in the fall semester.

Identify the appropriate scholarship type, consult the seminary or relevant ELCA program office for guidance and nomination processes, and submit required application materials during the scholarship’s designated application period (typically winter or early spring).