Congregational Fellowships

The Congregational Fellowship enables a congregation to provide significant financial aid for a student during his or her first year of seminary. This matching grant program doubles a congregation's investment in the theological education of a young person whose call to ministry it has helped to cultivate. Congregational Fellowships are for students entering their first year in a full-time Master of Divinity program. To be considered, they must be nominated by a congregation.

How the program works

The nominating congregation commits $1,000 - $5,000 toward the cost of the student's first year.
If the student is selected as a Fellow, FTE matches the congregation's commitment dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.

To be considered, you must be nominated by your home congregation.

The FTE Congregational Fellowship substantially reduces the cost of a student's first year in seminary, providing funds for tuition and living expenses. More importantly, it enables a congregation to give a tangible expression of abundant support and confidence in a young person's calling as he or she takes a significant step toward becoming a minister.

What does it take to become a Congregational Fellow?

To be eligible for the Congregational Fellowship you must:

be preparing to enter the first year of a full-time Master of Divinity program in the fall at a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (You are not eligible if you plan to or are already enrolled for M.T.S., Th.M., or M.A. degree program).
be a U.S. or Canadian citizen
be 35 years of age or younger
be able to participate in all fellowship activities

Congregational Fellows must be nominated by a congregation. As part of the application package, a candidate's nomination should be submitted by the congregation that will make the financial commitment required for the fellowship.

What does a Fellowship include?

Congregational Fellows receive an award from FTE to match the amount provided by their nominating congregations.

Each Fellow also attends the FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference in the summer before the fellowship year. A stipend is provided for conference travel and expenses.

(Please note that attendance at the conference is a requirement of the fellowship.)

How and when to apply

Up to 40 FTE Congregational Fellows will be named for the upcoming academic year. Limit of five Fellows per seminary.

Application forms for the 2011-2012 fellowship year will be available in October, 2010. You can find and download the application form at the bottom of this page. The application deadline is April 1, 2011.

The FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference

FTE Fellows tell us that connecting with others inspires them to keep going as they explore their call to ministry. This gathering brings together new FTE Undergraduate, Congregational and Volunteers Exploring Vocation Fellows with distinguished theologians, pastors and church leaders for several days of thoughtful exchange, including lectures, worship, forums, workshops, recreational activities and informal time together. The conference fosters mentoring relationships as students explore questions of ministry, service and the nature of Christian vocation. Fellows leave the conference with new tools for understanding their particular gifts in the context of the world's needs.

Click on the banner below to view pictures, read blog posts, and listen to audio recorded at the 2010 Leaders in Ministry Conference, held at Boston University School of Theology