The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey annually awards scholarships to members of churches who are attending university or seminary.

Scholarship Forms can be downloaded by clicking this link: ABCNJ Scholar Awards

2008-2009 Application

APPLICANTS

The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, with money received from trust funds, is able to offer a limited number of scholarships to persons from member churches in covenant with the region that are enrolled in one of the following Undergraduate and Professional Degree Programs from an accredited institution: Associates, Bachelor of Arts/Science, Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Christian Education (M.C.E.) or Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.).

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants need to:

1. Complete the Undergraduate/Seminarian Scholar Award Application. (Type or Print Neatly)

2. Provide a letter of reference from their home pastor using the attached form.

3. Provide a copy of their most recent transcript or a copy of acceptance letter.

4. Compose a one page integrative essay. The theme of the essay is as follows:

a. FOR UNDERGRADUATES: “My Faith and Education Journeys”

b. FOR SEMINARIANS: “My Call to Ministry”

5. See that the above materials are forwarded in one package to the address below by July 31. 2008. No applications will be accepted after this date. The letters from your pastor must be in a sealed envelope. Failure to include all of the requested documents may be grounds for rejecting the application. Send your packet to:

Scholar Awards Committee

American Baptist Churches of New Jersey

3752 Nottingham Way, Suite 101

Trenton, NJ 08690-3802

Criteria for receiving AWARDS

1. ABCNJ Emerging Scholar Awards ($3,600 per year): ABCNJ will award up to 15 scholarships for undergraduates each year. The process will be competitive, with applicants writing a one page integrative essay on “My Faith and Education Journeys.” A region-wide committee of 2 Finance Committee members, 2 educators, 2 local church pastors, and 2 region staff would choose the winners. All scholarship recipients will be recognized at Annual Session, and the top essay will be read. Here is the anticipated award schedule:

a. $500 Emerging Scholar Gold Award

b. $400 Emerging Scholar Silver Award

c. $300 Emerging Scholar Bronze Award

d. Twelve $200 Emerging Scholar Honorable Mention Awards

2. ABCNJ Seminarian Scholar Awards ($6,000 per year): ABCNJ would award a total of twelve $500 scholarships for seminarians each year. The process will be competitive, with applicants writing a one page integrative essay on “My Call to Ministry.” A region-wide committee of 2 Finance Committee members, 2 educators, 2 local church pastors, and 2 region staff would choose the winners. All scholarship recipients will be recognized at Annual Session, and the top essay will be read.

3. Family members of full-time ABCNJ employees and the Scholars Award Committee are not eligible for awards, due to conflict of interest issues.

4. Sponsoring churches must be in covenant with the denomination. This includes giving missions offerings to ABCNJ and participating in associational and regional events, such as Annual Session. It is the responsibility of the church to be in covenant.

5. All awards are normally mailed directly to the recipient’s academic institution. Persons wishing to receive their grants directly must address this specific request to the committee with explanation.

KEY DATES TIME SCHEDULE

July 31, 2008 Completed application must be returned

August 25, 2008 Applicants are notified of awards given

September 20, 2008 Presentations at Annual Session in Ocean City, NJ. Registration will be waived for awardees (meals are responsibility of each person).