Howard Olds Scholarship
The Brentwood United Methodist Church Foundation is excited to offer the Howard Olds Scholarship. The scholarship honors the life and ministry of Senior Pastor Howard Olds and furthers the strong interest that the church and the Foundation have in supporting educational opportunities. One scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving seminary student pursuing a Masters of Divinity or similar education in an accredited institution in the US. The scholarship is renewable annually based on the criteria outlined in the description below.
Applications are accepted from March 1 through April 15.
Scholarship Criteria
PHILOSOPHY
The Brentwood United Methodist Church has a strong interest in supporting education and has established this scholarship program to commemorate the retirement of the late Dr. Howard Olds. This program provides deserving seminary students with financial aid for higher education.
ELIGIBILITY
Individuals eligible to apply for the award are students pursuing a Master of Divinity or similar educational program in an accredited institution in the US. Applicants must demonstrate active membership for at least five years prior to the date of application in a United Methodist Church within the Southeastern Jurisdiction, which includes the following: Alabama/West Florida, Florida, Holston, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Alabama, North Carolina, North Georgia, Red Bird Missionary, South Carolina, South Georgia, Tennessee-Western Kentucky, Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
AWARDS
Each year Brentwood United Methodist Church will award one $6,000 scholarship renewable annually, subject to the responsibilities outlined below. The scholarship will be applied to tuition, fees, books, and supplies required for course load at a United Methodist owned, affiliated or approved educational institution in the United States.
WINNER SELECTION
A Selection Committee appointed by the Foundation Board will evaluate the applications and select the recipient. The selection of the recipient will be based on a combination of the applicants’ financial need, academic records, extracurricular activities, and recommendations. In evaluating applications, the committee will place special emphasis on the depth and breadth of an applicant’s involvement in church and service activities, and the leadership demonstrated in those activities, as well as the declared intent to serve following completion of the seminary curriculum.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF RECIPIENTS
Recipient responsibilities include enrolling as a full-time student in the Fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded and continuing in school for the entire academic year without interruption, barring illness, emergency, or military service. Scholarship recipients must maintain a “B” or equivalent grade point average and aspire to serve in the Southeastern Jurisdiction upon completion of degree. Scholarship recipients are responsible for delivering their scholarship checks to the proper office at their institution.
PAYMENT OF FUNDS
Checks will be mailed to each recipient’s home address and will be made payable to the college or university only. Checks will be issued in August.
QUESTIONS
For additional information, please contact the Brentwood United Methodist Church Foundation at scholarship@bumc.net.