Seminary Scholars Program

Apply now for one of eight annual full tuition scholarships plus annual living stipend.

The Phillips Seminary Scholars Program awards eight annual full tuition scholarships, plus $21,000 annual living stipend, to select applicants. Awardees must be enrolled full-time (at least six credit hours per term for three terms totaling 18 credits per academic year) in a master’s level degree program at Phillips Theological Seminary. Awards are only available to new, incoming students at Phillips.

Seminary Scholars is more than just financial support. Phillips provides a network of hospitality, formation and belonging for our Scholars, which includes community formation and professional development opportunities. Seminary Scholars have access to mentors to ensure their success, and the seminary makes connections for Scholars to local churches and community agencies for internships and paid positions in ministry.

You can find details by expanding the boxes below.

Seminary Scholars Categories

  • Early Career Scholars: Three scholarships are available for students applying to any master’s level program, MDiv, MAMC, MTS, MA(SJ), who have finished undergraduate studies within five years of the time of application to Phillips.
  • Christian Church (DOC) Scholars: Two scholarships are available for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) students applying to the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture programs.
  • Baptist Scholar: One scholarship is available to a Baptist student applying to the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture program.
  • United Church of Christ Scholar: One scholarship is available to a United Church of Christ student applying to the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture program.
  • United Methodist Scholar: One scholarship is available to a United Methodist student applying to the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture program.

Eligibility and Application

  • Must be admitted on or before March 1, 2025 to a Phillips master’s level degree program, starting classes in Fall 2025.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5 on undergraduate or most recent graduate transcripts, submitted with application for admission.
  • Letter from a local church pastor or campus minister affirming active membership in a congregation related to the student’s denominational affiliation.
  • Two essays, up to 750-words each (double-spaced) addressing the following. On your essay, please include your name, and indicate for which of the five scholarship options above–Early Career, DOC, Baptist, UCC, UMC–you are applying.
    • Describe how your previous academic coursework or another body of scholarly work has influenced your thinking on a contemporary event or social issue. Please include standard acknowledgements and citations of your sources (MLA, Turabian, etc.).
    • How might you contribute to the Seminary Scholars cohort? Address the requirements below. How will your distinct interests contribute to the Seminary Scholars program?

Submit letter and essays by email to admissions@ptstulsa.edu with “[Your Name], Seminary Scholars Application” in the subject line.

Requirements

  • Funding is available for Master of Divinity students for a maximum of five academic years. For all other master’s degrees, MAMC, MTS, MA(SJ), funding is available for a maximum of three academic years.
  • Seminary Scholars must maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout the duration of their scholarship funding.
  • Seminary Scholars must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours during each academic year of funding.
  • Seminary Scholars must reside in Tulsa County during the duration of their academic program.
  • Participate in Seminary Scholars community formation activities during each semester of funding.
  • Represent Phillips at local and national seminary recruitment events.

Should a Seminary Scholar’s cumulative semester GPA fall below a 3.5, the student will have one probationary academic semester to return their GPA to 3.5.

Timeline

  • Seminary Scholars Application Launch
    • December 1, 2024
  • Seminary Scholars Application Deadline
    • March 1, 2025
  • Application Review Period (Admissions Committee)
    • March 2025
  • Invitations Extended to Scholarship Finalists
    • April 1, 2025
  • Seminary Scholars Interview Weekend
    • April 27-29, 2025
  • Select Award Winners (Admissions Committee)
    • Early May 2025
  • Notify Award Winners
    • May 15, 2025

Contact Us

Do you want to learn more? Request information from us, and our team will get back to you ASAP.