General Application Eligibility

• Typically, the primary criteria for a Christian scholarship is that you are pursuing Christian education toward Christian leadership. For example, many Christian scholarships cover some or all of the costs of seminary. However, Christian scholarships also sometimes extend to other majors that can be grouped within Christian service, such as social work. If you are not pursuing Christian service, you usually have to be associated with someone in Christian service. For example, many Christian scholarships are for children of missionaries.
  
  

Community Involvement

• Most Christian scholarship committees want applicants who are serving the community. These scholarships usually require some documentation as to the service you have provided. For example, if you volunteer at a homeless shelter, you may need a letter from the shelter supervisor documenting the volunteer hours you worked. In general, committees for Christian scholarships are concerned more with the quality, amount and diversity of your community service than with the exact area in which you choose to serve, so you can fulfill this requirement while pursuing services that are most meaningful to you.
  
  

Church Membership

• Some Christian scholarships awarded require you to be a member of the Christian church with which the scholarship is associated. Membership usually means that you are listed on the church registry, although some churches consider you a member based on the duration of your attendance. Scholarships with this requirement usually support the development of future leaders for the funding church.
  
  

Letters of Recommendation

• Scholarship committees want to give funds to applicants who demonstrate understanding of Christian principles. They thus often assess the character of applicants via letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation usually come from pastors or other leaders within applicants' churches, but unless the scholarship guidelines specifically state otherwise, anyone in a respected position within the community may testify for the applicant. Common choices include teachers, employers (if applicable) or leaders within the Christian service field the applicant wants to pursue.
  
  

Other General Criteria

• Like all other scholarships, Christian scholarships usually require a minimum grade point average (GPA), with many requiring at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some Christian scholarships have residency requirements or are applicable only at a specific university. Income also is a consideration. Scholarship committees usually give priority to those with the greatest financial need, although the cutoff limits for income eligibility vary by scholarship. You typically have to provide documented verification both of your income level and of any other funding other agencies may have awarded you.