ELCA Fund for Leaders

ELCA Fund for Leaders

Each year the Fund for Leaders provides approximately 40 full-tuition scholarships to future ELCA pastors and deacons who attend ELCA seminaries. In spring 2023, the Fund for Leaders will once again offer scholarships to seminary students — and we need your help to spread the word!

The application window for full-tuition scholarships will be open from Nov. 15, 2022, to Feb. 25, 2023.

Here are a few key facts about Fund for Leaders scholarships:

  • Eligible candidates must be planning to enroll in fall 2023. They must have received a positive entrance decision or at least begun the process of seeking candidacy for rostered ministry in the ELCA.

  • Candidates may begin the Fund for Leaders application process before they have been accepted to seminary. Candidates are encouraged to apply to seminary and a Fund for Leaders scholarship simultaneously.

  • Recipients of Fund for Leaders scholarships may apply their full-tuition scholarship to any ELCA seminary that has offered them admission.

  • Scholarships are awarded to students for the duration of their required seminary coursework, provided they remain in good standing with their seminary and in their candidacy process.

  • Current ELCA seminary students who have completed no more than one semester of coursework are also welcome to apply.

The Fund for Leaders team is ready and willing to answer any questions about the application process. Reach out to the team at fundforleaders@elca.org or 800-638-3522.