The American Baptist Churches of New Jersey are dedicated to mentoring and developing leaders who are prepared and relevant for both the present and the future. This is one reason we offer Emerging Scholarships.  Developing leadership and mentoring for a new generation of ecclesial leaders is crucial. This is why we also provide scholarships for seminarians. These scholarships are available to individuals from ABCNJ churches in covenant with the region. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or professional degree program at an accredited institution, including (two or four years) Associate, Bachelor of Arts/Science, Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), or equivalent.

Scholarship Awards

  • Undergraduate - 8 ABCNJ Emerging Scholars awards in the amount of $1000 for full-time students

  • Seminarian - 8 ABCNJ Emerging Scholar awards in the amount of $1,500 for full-time students.

    Please note: Part-time student awards will be adjusted.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements

  • Must be a member of an ABCNJ church in covenant with the Region*

  • Applicants must submit and complete the entire application and include all required documentation, or your application will not be reviewed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the references and transcripts are all submitted by May 1, 2025.

  • Completed scholarship applications can be submitted from February 1, 2025, through May 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. If you have questions about the application process, please contact the ABCNJ office. Application submission does not guarantee an award.

  • Must be enrolled in and attend an accredited two or four-year college/university or seminary in the academic year following their selection.

  • Enrollment verification is required (i.e., tuition receipt, a letter from the registrar’s/bursar’s office, class schedule certifying enrollment).

  • Scholarship awards will be paid via check directly to the accredited institution where the student enrolls. Awards will not be paid directly nor reimbursed to an award recipient.

  • Award notifications for scholarship recipients will be sent via email by June 1, 2025. Before reaching out to us regarding your application status, please review your inbox, junk, spam, and trash folders.

    *Applicants are responsible for consulting with their pastor to ensure their church is in covenant with the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. Sponsoring churches must be in covenant with ABCNJ. This includes giving to either United Mission, ABCNJ Region Offering and/or America for Christ in 2023/2024 and participating in associational and regional events, such as the Annual Session. If your church is not in covenant, you will not be eligible for the scholarship.  Call the ABCNJ office if you are not sure.