Offerings on United Methodist Student Day support scholarships for United Methodist students in college and seminary. Student Day, historically our denomination’s first churchwide Special Sunday with offering, is usually observed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27 this year). Churches can choose another Sunday to celebrate, too.
This is one of our yearly opportunities as a church to nurture the dreams God has planted in the hearts of the now and next generation of leaders. The gifts we give on this Special Sunday support students in your community and around the world.
The UMC’s Office of Loans and Scholarships is awarding over 2,300 students a total of $5 million in financial aid this year. Much of that comes from UM Student Day, World Communion Sundayand Native American Ministries Sunday special offerings. The rest comes from gifts, annuities and endowments.
The office awarded scholarships totaling nearly $25,000 to 19 students in the Eastern PA Conference this year. They attend churches that span our conference from Mount Pocono to Chester to Lancaster and Lebanon. Their awards range from $500 to $5,000. They are attending Lebanon Valley and Elizabethtown colleges, Lancaster and Evangelical theological seminaries, Drew University School of Theology, Eastern University, Hampton University in Virginia, and other schools and seminaries near and far.
Yet, many applicants did not receive United Methodist scholarships due to a lack of funds. Despite all we give, the need and the lives we can potentially change are so much greater.
A new animated video explains how this special offering shapes the future. It is ideal to share on social media or with your congregation during worship.Watch the new animated video now! Also Get resources and Check out this infographic to see the story behind Student Day!
Also, UM students may apply for a 2017-2018 scholarship from the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM) online between Jan. 3–March 1, 2017, at www.gbhem.org/