bgÕæÈË

The International Student Scholarship was created to encourage and support outstanding international students with gifts for ministry as they prepare to serve the church in their home country.

Funding for the International Student Scholarship comes in part from the Virgil and Louise Claassen Endowment for International Students, the Esther Hodel Scholarship, the Ella Mae Lehman Memorial Scholarship for International Women, and the Louis L. Miller Scholarship. 

Note: Scholarship applications are accepted only from admitted students.

• Recipient: Awarded annually to international students (from outside of the U.S. or Canada) who are beginning their first year of study in a master’s program on campus at bgÕæÈË
• Amount: Up to 100 percent tuition
• Application deadline: March 15

Other scholarship information

• Scholarship type: Merit-based
• Duration: Up to three years for the Master of Divinity program; up to two and a half years for MA programs (provided the recipient meets certain conditions each year)
• Recipient’s program: Master of Divinity Campus; MA in Christian Formation; MA: Theology and Global Anabaptism; MA: Theology and Peace Studies
• Recipient’s location of study: On campus
• Recipient’s enrollment status: Full time
• Recipient’s permanent residence: International (not U.S. or Canada)
• Recipient’s church affiliation: Applicant must be an active participant in a congregation affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group

Criteria for award recipients

1. Recipients will be from outside of the U.S. and Canada and be active participants in a congregation affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group.
2. The decision to award a grant will be based on four factors:
   • Previous academic performance, including a minimum GPA of 2.75 from all undergraduate work, based on information gained from transcripts and references
   • A commitment to enter into active ministry in the applicant’s home country following graduation
   • Strong leadership potential for serving the local church, based on information gained from references and from a required essay on the applicant’s past, present and future service/ministry
   • Personal character, based on information gained from references

Procedures

Applicants must submit the following by March 15 for the coming academic year: 

1. A completed Admissions Application with all supporting materials, including transcript(s), references and documentation of certification of funds
2. Completed and applications
3. An essay of 1,200 to 1,800 words that focuses on:
   • their leadership potential for serving the local church
   • their past, present and future service/ministry
   • how an education at bgÕæÈË will enrich their present and future ministry
4. A letter from their pastor on church letterhead that details the applicant’s present church involvements. The letter must be signed and dated by the pastor and sent to financialaid@ambs.edu.

Please note: Since the scholarship selection process is competitive and limited scholarship funds are available, a strong essay that clearly addresses the above areas — with attention to grammar and spelling — is important.

bgÕæÈË will select the recipients of this award and inform the students via e-mail. The recipients must accept their award in writing to confirm enrollment for Semester One. 

The recipients may defer enrollment and the scholarship award for one year due to financial and visa constraints. If the recipient does not arrive on campus and matriculate after a one-year deferment, the award will be forfeited.

Understandings

1. The award recipients will be enrolled as full-time students. (Full-time is defined as taking nine credit hours or more per semester plus one Intensive Term course.)
2. Students in the MDiv program are eligible to receive the award for up to three consecutive years. Students in an MA program are eligible to receive the award for up to two and a half consecutive years. No extensions of an award are possible.
3. Recipients’ eligibility from year to year will be based on satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree, including:
   • maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA
   • continuing as a full-time student
   • supporting and adhering to bgÕæÈË community life standards
   • supporting and participating in enrollment and recruitment activities and initiatives, as requested by the bgÕæÈË Admissions Team
   • actively participating in campus activities
   • assuming leadership responsibilities on the bgÕæÈË campus
4. Recipients of the International Student Scholarship will not be eligible to receive other bgÕæÈË scholarships.
5. Scholarships and financial aid given by bgÕæÈË will not exceed 100 percent of tuition.