Faith-Based and Religious Scholarships
19 scholarships · Updated November 2026
These scholarships come from churches, denominations, faith-based foundations and religious fraternal groups. Most require membership in a congregation or denomination, and some fund students preparing for ministry or attending a church-affiliated college.
Start close to home. Your own congregation, regional denomination office and faith-based fraternal society may run awards with small applicant pools. Plan on a recommendation from a pastor or other clergy member for many of these programs, and file the FAFSA, since many church awards weigh financial need.
Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation
WoodmenLife Focus Forward Scholarship
Offered by WoodmenLife (Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society)
National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) Scholarships
Offered by Catholic Scouting America – National Catholic Committee on Scouting
IMANA Healthcare Scholarship Program
Offered by Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA)
1891 Financial Life College Scholarship
Offered by 1891 Financial Life (formerly National Catholic Society of Foresters)
Iowa United Methodist Foundation Westmar Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Iowa United Methodist Foundation
ARFORA Dr. Eleanor Bujea Undergraduate Scholarship for Women
Offered by Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (A.R.F.O.R.A.)
Faith-Based Scholarships By The Numbers
- Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation Scholarship
Based on the 19 listings above. Typical award is the median top amount each sponsor publishes.
What Are Faith-Based Scholarships?
Faith-based scholarships are awards funded by churches, denominations, religious nonprofits and faith-based fraternal groups for students who practice or support a faith. Most can be used at any accredited college, not just religious schools. Eligibility usually involves membership in a congregation, a recommendation from clergy and a short essay about your faith or service.
Christian And Denominational Scholarships
National denominations run some of the larger programs, including the United Church of Christ's undergraduate scholarships and the regional United Methodist foundations, like the Iowa United Methodist Foundation. Catholic students can look to the Knights of Columbus and their diocese's education office. Many of the best Christian scholarships come from single congregations and aren't listed anywhere online, so ask your own church office directly.
Scholarships For Jewish, Muslim And Other Faith Traditions
Jewish students can start with local Jewish federations and community agencies, such as JVS Chicago's scholarship program. Muslim students can apply to the Islamic Scholarship Fund, which supports students in fields like law, journalism, media and public policy. Many Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist community associations and temples also run local scholarship funds, so ask at yours.
Tips For Applying To Faith-Based Scholarships
Write a specific essay about your faith and how you serve your community rather than a general statement of belief. Ask a pastor, priest, rabbi, imam or youth leader who knows you well for a recommendation, and give them at least a month. Most deadlines on this page fall between January and March, so start your applications in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have To Be A Church Member To Apply?
For most awards on this page, yes, and some require membership for a set number of years. Others are open to any student attending a college affiliated with the denomination.
Are There Scholarships For Students Not Going Into Ministry?
Yes. Most faith-based scholarships fund any major. A smaller group targets seminary or church-vocation students, and those listings say so.
Can Non-Religious Students Apply For Faith-Based Scholarships?
Most faith-based awards require membership or active participation in the faith. A few, often tied to a church-affiliated college, are open to any student attending that school, and the listing says when that's the case.
Where Can I Find Faith-Based Scholarships Near Me?
Start with your own congregation's office, then your regional denomination or diocese, local religious fraternal societies and your college's chaplaincy or financial aid office. Most local funds never appear in national databases.
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Why Trust The College Investor
The College Investor has helped millions of readers navigate paying for college and student loans since 2009. Every scholarship in our database is individually reviewed by our team before it goes live, and re-checked regularly so deadlines and links stay current.
Our Scholarship Standards
A listing here means our team checked that the award is real, currently active, and actually pays out. We won't list a scholarship that:
- Charges any kind of fee to apply
- Makes you join a paid membership, or sign up for an app or service, just to be eligible
- Has a privacy policy that would let the sponsor sell or misuse your information
- Collects essays, ideas, or contact details mainly to feed the sponsor's marketing
- Can't show a winner from the past 12 months, or offers no way to reach the sponsor
One nuance: established companies and nonprofits that run applications through their own systems may still be listed, even though creating an account there is part of applying.
Spot a listing that doesn't meet this bar? Email [email protected] and we'll review it. You can also read our editorial guidelines.