Synod of South Atlantic 118 East Monroe Street, Suite 3 Jacksonville, FL 32202 3214 (904) 356 6070 Fax (904) 356 0051 Synodofsouthatlantic.org TO: FROM: RE: PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVES AND ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVES PRESBYTERY CHAIR OF COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY APPLICANTS FOR THEOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS KERRI NICHOLS, ADMINISTRATION THEOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC THEOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PACKET It is time to begin the Synod Theological Scholarship process. Enclosed are forms, which you are free to copy, should your presbytery have more candidates. 1. Scholarship Application Form 2. Financial Aid Forms 3. Scholarship Guidelines The bi annual Synod Theological Education Scholarship Grants are for $500 each and are available to seminarians of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries only. These grants are awarded by the Synod's Theological Scholarship Committee based on established criteria. The African American Recruitment Scholarship is of course available to African American seminarians only. African American applicants are encouraged to apply for both scholarships. The amount of these scholarships varies based on the workgroup's criteria. Applicants need to: 1. Read the guidelines. 2. Complete the Application Form. 3. Complete the Financial Aid Form. 4. Mail the Application and Financial Aid Form back to your Presbytery Office in order for the form to be signed by the Stated Clerk and the Chair of the Committee on Ministry. 5. Request your seminary to send two official transcripts to your presbytery office, one for their use and one to be attached to your application and forwarded from the presbytery office to the Synod Office along with your Application and Financial Aid Form. (Transcripts necessary for 2 nd and 3 rd year applicants only) 1
PRESBYTERIES TO FORWARD TO THE SYNOD: 1. The signed Application Form 2. The Financial Aid Form 3. An official Seminary Transcript (2 nd and 3 rd year students only). PLEASE MAIL THESE COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO ARRIVE AT THE SYNOD OFFICE BY FEBRUARY 1 ST FOR THE FALL SEMESTER AND SEPTEMBER 1 ST FOR SPRING SEMESTER, IN ORDER FOR THE APPLICANTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS DURING OUR STATED SYNOD MEETINGS. Because there are a limited number of scholarship grants available (based on the amount of dividends and/or interest accrued from Spencer and Uderitz Trust bequests), awards will be made primarily based on need to those whose completed forms are in the Synod office by FEBRUARY 1 (for the Fall semester) and SEPTEMBER 1 (for the Spring semester). If you have any questions, or need further assistance, please contact me. Sincerely, Kerri Nichols Administration 904.356.6070 ext. 303 kerrinichols@synodofsouthatlantic.org 2
SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (Uderitz and Spencer Bequests) FULL NAME OF APPLICANT NAME OF SEMINARY ADDRESS DURING SEMINARY ACADEMIC YEAR TELEPHONE ( ) FAX: ( ) I AM A: JR. MIDDLER SR. EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE ADDRESS OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE (Home)_ MAILING ADDRESS DURING SEMINARY YEAR 1. I am a communicant member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which is in the Presbytery of. I became a communicant member of this church on (date). 2. Session of the above name church on (date) recommended me to Presbytery as an inquirer (G 14.0303). 3. Presbytery enrolled me on (date) in the covenant relationship. 4. Presbytery received me as an inquirer (G 14.0303) on (date). 5. Presbytery received me as a candidate (G 14.0305) on (date). 6. Based on my study of the Book of Order, the Session and Presbytery have followed, to the best of my knowledge, the requirements of the Book of Order, Ch. 14 Candidates for the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Signature of Applicant Approved by Presbytery Committee for Preparation for the Ministry Signature of Chairperson Approved by Presbytery Signature of Stated Clerk of Presbytery THIS FORM, FINANCIAL AID FORM(S), AND TRANSCRIPT ARE DUE IN SYNOD OFFICE BY FEBRUARY 1 ST FOR THE FALL SEMESTER AND SEPTEMBER 1 ST FOR SPRING SEMESTER. 3
SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FINANCIAL AID FORM DATE FIRST TIME APPLICANT YES NO ACADEMIC YEAR EXPECTED GRADUCATION DATE NAME Last Name First Name Middle or Maiden Name CURRENT ADDRESS City State Zip Code TELEPHONE ( ) FAX ( ) MARITAL STATUS DATE OF MARRIAGE AGES OF CHILDREN,,,, PRESBYTERY of HOME CHURCH PASTOR ADDRESS City State/Zip Code Phone ESTIMATED INCOME ESTIMATED EXPENSES Savings of Applicant and Spouse Tuition Student's Income Fees Earnings of Spouse After Taxes Room (or rent) Income from Parents of Applicant & Spouse Utilities Income from Home Church Board (Food) Income from Presbytery Books & Educ.Supplies Income from friends & relatives Clothing,Laund,Cleaning Grants & Scholarships specify: Telephone Medical/Dental Exp. Church/Charities Loans specify source: Recreation, Incidentals Automobile Expenses Payments Other income specify source: Operation/Maintenance License/Insurance Other Transportation Insurance Premiums TOTAL ESTIMATED INCOME Life Medical` Childcare for working Parent Other Expenses Specify: TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES 4
SYNOD OF SOUTH ATLANTIC THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND GUIDELINES 1. The name of the fund shall be "Theological Education Scholarship Fund of the Synod of South Atlantic, Presbyterian Church (USA)". 2. The total monies received from the Uderitz Bequest, Spencer Bequest, and any other further contributions to this fund shall be used exclusively for students pursuing a theological education in a Presbyterian Church (USA) seminary. 3. First consideration shall be given to Inquirers and Candidates meeting the requirements stated in the Book of Order, Chapter 14 (Candidates for the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament). 4. Consideration may be given if funds are available after undergraduate applicant requests are granted, to persons already ordained who wish to further their competency in an advanced degree program. These funds shall be renewed at the option of the Committee. 5. Applicants for the bi annual scholarship grants shall be recommended to the Presbytery and General Assembly Relationships Division of the Synod of South Atlantic by the appropriate presbytery committee, with the concurrence of presbytery. Notification of the action of presbytery shall be communicated to the Synod Stated Clerk by the Presbytery Stated Clerk with a relevant extract from the presbytery minutes. The candidate shall be under care of a presbytery of the Synod of South Atlantic and a member in good standing of a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation of the Synod, or a member of a presbytery of the Synod of South Atlantic. 6. The following items are to be sent by each applicant to his/her Presbytery Office, which will forward the completed papers to arrive in the Synod Office no later than FEBRUARY 1 ST FOR THE FALL SEMESTER AND SEPTEMBER 1 ST FOR SPRING SEMESTER, for approval by the Presbytery and General Assembly Relationships Division of the Synod of South Atlantic, in order for grants to be awarded for the following academic year: a.) A completed Theological Education Scholarship Application Form. b.) A completed Theological Education Scholarship Financial Aid Form. c.) Two (2) current official transcripts (one each for Presbytery and Synod use) of courses taken and grades received (unless the applicant is a first year seminary student who has no previous transcript). d.) The Presbytery and General Assembly Relationships Division shall have permission to make exceptions when exceptional needs arise. Synod Office will advise each presbytery of the scholarship program by FEBRUARY 1 st for the Fall semester and SEPTEMBER 1 st for the Spring semester of each year. 7. Each scholarship grant shall be in the amount of $500 per year. No student shall receive more than three (3) $500 scholarship grants from this fund. Grants will be channeled through the Synod of South Atlantic, the Presbyterian Church (USA); checks shall be made payable to the seminaries on behalf of the candidates. 8. The $500 scholarships are to be grants so long as the candidate serves an approved Presbyterian Church (USA) ministry at least one (1) year for every two (2) $500 grants. 9. Upon graduation, the Scholarship Committee shall contact the awardees and determine their plans for ordination and service in the PCUSA. 5