The Beth E. Marcus scholarship fund is giving out scholarships for eligible candidates to aid them in their path of academic excellence and spirituality. This opportunity will help provide financial aid to compassionate and kind individuals enrolled and in good faith in an M.Div., M.A., M.T.S., or similar degree programme by a Reformed Church in America department. Applications are open for the 2021 academic year. It is also important to note that the applicant must be a woman. So if you believe the above-mentioned goals and values are something you associate with, then go ahead and apply for this scholarship opportunity.
The Beth E. Marcus scholarship fund awards up to eight scholarships a year to female seminarians studying at the RCA’s theological institutions, including New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS), Western Theological Seminary (WTS) in-residence and distance learning services, and the Ministerial Formation Qualification Agency (MFCA). The scholarship fund provides help to women in the Reformed Church in America (RCA) who are preparing for ministry through theological education. Women attending seminary often need tuition assistance, and the RCWM (Reformed Church Women’s Ministries) established the fund over 40 years ago in response to that need. RCA Women’s Transformation and Leadership is honoured to continue the legacy today.
The Beth E. Marcus Scholarship Fund was established in 1977 to honour Beth E. Marcus, who served as the head of Reformed Church Women from 1973 to 1986. She was an ordained elder in the RCA and the first female president of the General Synod. She has worked with the RCA in other capacities. Gifts in her name have helped to create and support the foundation. As they step into their fifth century of mission and service, the Reformed Church in America commits to focusing its activities for the next fifteen years on being led by the Holy Spirit, loving one another, welcoming their diverse community and preparing for an inclusive future free of bigotry, and partnering with all the partners that God has.
Brief Description
The following table provides an overview of the full scholarship:
| Organization | Reformed Church Women |
| Educational Level | Master students |
| Subjects | All |
| Amount | $ 500 – $1000 |
| Access Mode | Online |
| Number of Awards | Varies |
| City | Michigan |
| Nationality | Domestic |
| Country | United States |
| Application Deadline | April 30, 2021 |
| Application Fees | None |
| Requirement | 2 LOR, essay and resume |
Who May Be Eligible
Applicants who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Be enrolled and in good faith in an M.Div., M.A., M.T.S., or similar degree programme by a Reformed Church in America department, such as NBTS, WTS MFCA, for full-time or part-time status.
- A four-year college diploma or an authorised counterpart is required.
- If a student is in her second or more year of seminary study, she must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA; first-year students must have received a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their undergraduate studies.
- Maintain good status as a member of an RCA congregation.
- Intend to represent Christ in ministry and mission; this will be the most critical consideration in the judgement, but it will be interpreted broadly.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must fill in the online application at the organisation’s website. Click here to view the online application. The filled and completed application form must be mailed to Rev. Liz Testa, coordinator for Women’s Transformation and Leadership at
women@rca.org.
Supporting Documents
Completed application form, which contains the following information:
- Two references who can speak to the student’s spiritual development and academic promise
- Verification of church and academic standing as outlined in the “requirements for application” section above
The student’s resume or CV
A one-page essay that expresses the student’s vision for ministry, including God’s call on her life, her aspirations, ambitions, inspiration for seeking seminary college, and what she plans to do after graduation.
Benefits
Part-time students can receive up to $500 in scholarships, and full-time students can receive up to $1000 in scholarships for the 2021–22 academic year. (Each theological organisation defines part-time and full-time status.) If a student follows the requirements, reapplies for the scholarship, and is accepted, a scholarship will be awarded to her several times during her academic career. The funds will be submitted directly to the recipient’s theological organisation and used for coursework at that institution.
Application Deadline
The applications are open till April 30, 2021. To be considered for this scholarship, please send your entries by then.
