Connect Student Scholarship

The Connect Student Scholarship was created to increase access to graduate-level Anabaptist theological and leadership education for students at a distance from AMBS.

• Recipient: Awarded annually to a limited number of students beginning their first year of study in the Master of Divinity Connect program or Master of Arts in Christian Formation Connect program (at a distance)
• Amount: Up to 75 percent of tuition
• Application deadline: Priority will be given to applications received by March 15

Other scholarship information

• Scholarship type: Merit-based
• Duration: Up to six years for a Master of Divinity or up to four and a half years for a Master of Arts in Christian Formation (provided the recipient meets certain conditions each year)
• Recipient’s program: Master of Divinity Connect or Master of Arts in Christian Formation Connect
• Recipient’s location of study: From a distance
• Recipient’s enrollment status: At pace (11 credits the first year; 12 credits in subsequent years)
• Recipient’s permanent residence: U.S. or Canada
• Recipient’s church affiliation: Applicant must be an active participant in a congregation that is affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group 

Criteria for award recipients

1. Recipients will be from the U.S. or Canada and be active participants in a congregation that is affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group.
2. The decision to grant an award will be based on four factors:
   • Previous academic performance, including a minimum GPA of 3.00 from all undergraduate work, based on information gained from transcripts and references
   • History of and/or a commitment to enter into active ministry upon completion of the Connect degree
   • Strong leadership potential for serving the church, based on information gained from references and from a required essay on the applicant’s past, present and future service/ministry
   • Personal character, based on information gained from references

Procedures

Applicants must submit the following for the coming academic year: 

1. A completed Admissions Application with all supporting materials, including transcript(s) and references
2. Completed Financial Aid and Scholarship applications
3. A 1,200–1,800-word essay that includes:
   • their demonstrated leadership potential for ministry
   • a description of their past, present and future service/ministry
   • how an education at AMBS will enrich their present and future ministry

AMBS will select the recipient(s) of this award and inform the student(s) via e-mail. The recipients must accept their award in writing to confirm enrollment for Semester One.

Understandings

1. The recipients’ eligibility from year to year will be based on satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree, including:
   • maintaining a minimum 3.00 GPA
   • maintaining continuous enrollment in the MDiv Connect or MACF Connect program by taking at least 12 credit hours each academic year (the minimum enrollment required to stay “at pace” in the program); during the first year, when the two-credit-hour orientation course is required, 11 credits will suffice.
   • supporting and adhering to AMBS community life standards
   • supporting and participating in enrollment and recruitment activities and initiatives, as requested by the AMBS Admissions Team
2. Recipients will not be eligible to receive other AMBS scholarships. 
3. Scholarships and financial aid given by AMBS will not exceed 100 percent of tuition.