Scholarships

Iliff supports its diverse student body with $3.8M in financial support to its students, including $1.2M annually in scholarships thanks to the generosity of its donors and alumni. Iliff is committed to supporting and collaborating with our students to identify funding to support their graduate studies. 90% of students receive scholarship support. Thanks to a generous gift in memory of Susan Schlessman Duncan, the Susan Schlessman Duncan family foundation has provided a generous contribution of $2M to support scholarships over the next several years. Additionally, Iliff offers matching scholarships through its community and denominational partners including the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF), Segal AmeriCorps Educational Award, AUMTS Excellence in Clergy Leadership, Disciples Seminary Foundation (Disciples of Christ), and the Yellow Ribbon program to offset tuition costs by an additional 10% – 30%.

Applicants are not required to submit a separate application to be considered for Iliff institutional scholarships, and all admitted students are automatically considered for scholarship support.

Additional scholarship support for degree-seeking students may be available through donor, grant, and external scholarship opportunities. Students who are accepted to Iliff will receive information from the Financial Aid Office regarding the scholarship application. An Iliff login and password are required to access this form. In addition to scholarships, we encourage eligible students to complete an annual FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) https://fafsa.ed.gov/ to identify federal grants and loans.

Iliff Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded to new students who are admissible to an Iliff degree program and who intend to enroll full-time (FTE). This award will be distributed across the fall, winter, and spring quarters. If a student is not enrolled full-time the award amount will be prorated accordingly. This scholarship may be stacked with other Iliff, donor, grant, and external scholarships

The Social Justice Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded to new students who are admissible to an Iliff degree program and who either self-identify with a historically excluded, underrepresented, underserved or underresourced community or who have previous experience with said communities and a commitment to serve them post-graduation. This award will be distributed across the fall, winter, and spring quarters. If a student is not enrolled full-time the award amount will be prorated accordingly. This scholarship may be stacked with other Iliff, donor, grant, and external scholarships.

The Western Regional Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded to new students who are admissible to an Iliff degree program and who reside in the Western region at the time of admission. Western region states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. This award will be distributed across the fall, winter, and spring quarters. If a student is not enrolled full-time the award amount will be prorated accordingly. This scholarship may be stacked with other Iliff, donor, grant, and external scholarships.

The International/DACA Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded to new students who are admissible to an Iliff degree program and who self-identify as an international or U. S. DACA student with demonstrated financial need. This award will be distributed across the fall, winter, and spring quarters. If a student is not enrolled full-time the award amount will be prorated accordingly. This scholarship may be stacked with donor, grant, and external scholarships.

The International/DACA Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded to new students who are admissible to an Iliff degree program and who self-identify as an international or U. S. DACA student with demonstrated financial need. This award will be distributed across the fall, winter, and spring quarters. If a student is not enrolled full-time the award amount will be prorated accordingly. This scholarship may be stacked with donor, grant, and external scholarships.

The Susan Schlessman Duncan Full Tuition Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded to new students who are admissible to an Iliff degree program; demonstrate previous and/or future experience, commitment, and dedication towards the mission and values of Iliff; demonstrate great future promise academically and professionally; and demonstrate financial need. This award will be distributed across the fall, winter, and spring quarters. If a student is not enrolled full-time the award amount will be prorated accordingly. This scholarship may be stacked with donor, grant, and external scholarships.

Outside Scholarships

There are many scholarship opportunities available for students willing to do some research.
Remember, every little bit helps in paying for school.
Students are cautioned about sending money to agencies claiming to help find scholarship
resources. With a little effort, students can find the same resources for free.

? Inquire about scholarships within your community, church, and/or denominational
affiliation
? Do NOT pay to apply for scholarships. There are companies that scam students by
charging fees to search for scholarships

Click here for more details

External Partner/Affiliation Scholarships

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Iliff will provide a $1,000 match to all Segal AmeriCorps Education award levels for AmeriCorps alumni and staff members. Documentation to verify one’s status and educational benefit award level is required.

AUMTS Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship

Meritorious United Methodist seminarians will be eligible for a $2,500 scholarship from GBHEM and a matching award of $2,500 from Iliff for a total of $5,000 per year, as well as additional support from foundations, annual conferences, and seminaries. The seminarians will also receive intentional opportunities to enhance their personal financial literacy. The purpose of this scholarship program is to create a collaboration across United Methodist organizations in support of future clergy reducing or eliminating educational debt and building upon financial acumen. Eligible students must be United Methodist pursuing or certified candidate for ministry (elder or deacon); demonstrate merit, progress, and commitment in the candidacy process; enrolled full-time in a Master of Divinity degree program at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries/schools of theology; and demonstrate financial need and how this scholarship will help avoid additional student loans.

Disciples Seminary Foundation (Disciples of Christ)

This scholarship offers an award equal to 40% of a student’s annual tuition as long as this student’s affiliation as a member of the Disciples of Christ community is verified. This is an annual awarded scholarship contingent upon the continuation of the agreement between the Disciples Seminary Foundation and Iliff. 

United Church of Christ – Ministry Education Scholarships

The Ministry Education Scholarships are available to those preparing for ministry in the United Church of Christ and for continuing education for ministers. Learn more by visiting the UCC website.
To qualify for a United Church of Christ Ministry Education Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria unless otherwise stated:

• Membership in a UCC congregation for at least one year at time of application;
• Enrollment in an ATS accredited seminary towards a course of study leading to ordained ministry;
• Member-in-discernment of an Association or Conference at time of application;
• At least a “B” average maintained; (With the exception of The Rev. Virginia Kreyer Scholarship where a lower GPA will be accepted)
• Agrees to serve in the UCC or a partner church on completion of seminary;
• Demonstrates leadership ability through participation in local church, Association, Conference, or academic environment.
• Members in Discernment may apply for the Brown Endowment Scholarship and ONE other UCC Ministry Education Scholarship per year.

Important dates to remember:

• All online Scholarship application forms open on December 1 each year and close on March 1 of the following year at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
• The online application form for The Genesis Fund, a program grant, opens on December 1 each year and closes on March 15 of the following year at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Yellow Ribbon (military and veteran students only)

Military and veteran students are eligible for a $3,000 Yellow Ribbon scholarship and a matching award of $3,000 from Iliff for a total of $6,000 per year. Six awards are available for the academic year. Students must apply for their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Click here for more information.

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) – Dollars for Scholars Program

• A student’s church offers support with $1,000 (on a church check sent to UMHEF).
• UMHEF matches that for a total of $2,000 (while funds last).
• Participating United Methodist-related schools may match with $1,000.
• Participating UMC Conference Foundations may match up to $1,000.
• Your potential UMDFS scholarship may total up to $4,000.
• You must apply annually to be considered for a scholarship each school year.
• Please note that some schools may not provide the same matching award to graduate students; check with your school to verify matching for your degree program.
• Doctoral students are not eligible for this award program.

Learn more at https://www.umhef.org/scholarships/umdfs/.

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) – General Named Endowed Scholarships

All active full members of the UMC (for at least one year) are eligible to apply for a UMHEF scholarship. Students must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time degree program at a regionally accredited higher educational institution in the U.S.; high priority given to students at UM-related schools. Additional criteria may apply to some endowed fund scholarships. Awards are open to incoming freshmen through graduate students, Doctor of Ministry students are now eligible. Limited awards for international students; these students should apply using the General Named Endowed application (may change in 2022; we will communicate about any new applications). Awarded funds are sent directly to the school and must be used for tuition, room/board, or other fees paid through a student account; funds may not be paid back to the student. Applications are accepted January 1 – March 1 at UMHEF.ORG/APPLY. Award notification will be sent to applicants by mid-May via mailed letter. Learn more at https://www.umhef.org/scholarships.

Continuing Student Scholarships

Currently enrolled students will continue to receive a similar level of scholarship support for the remainder of their full-time enrollment in their specific degree program. Students are encouraged to complete the Iliff scholarship application on an annual basis to identify additional Iliff, donor, grant, and external scholarship opportunities.

Donor Scholarships

Iliff receives generous support from the current Iliff community and alumni. The Iliff scholarship application is designed to match students with specific donor requests. General scholarships are also available. Learn more about donor scholarships here.

Fundraising Coaching

The Office of Financial Aid staff is available to assist students with external scholarship application materials. Many Iliff students pursue careers in ministry and non-profit work. These fields require fundraising skills, and fundraising through financial aid is one way to get used to making the all-important ask for funding. It is more difficult to advocate on one’s own behalf in comparison to having a building or cause to reference for potential donors. Many of our students have successfully raised funds through their community connections and paid for their seminary studies without taking on huge amounts of debt.

You are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid and set up an appointment to receive fundraising coaching.