Ministry Guidance Program FAQs
Applications
Where can I get an application?
Applications for this scholarship may be obtained on the Ministry Guidance Office page of the DBU website.
Do I need to complete the BGCT Ministry Scholarship & DBU Ministerial Scholarship applications?
There is only one application that is used for both the BGCT and the DBU Ministry Scholarship.
Do I need to submit another application, testimony, & church endorsement each school year?
Yes, all students must submit an annual application. Your pastor/church leader will also need to complete and submit an electronic letter of recommendation/endorsement form they receive from the Ministry Guidance Office.
When is the deadline for turning in my completed Ministry Scholarship Application?
The deadline to submit a completed application for ministerial financial assistance is one month after the first day of classes for that semester. No applications will be accepted for the current semester after the deadline.
How to Maintain Your Scholarship
If the Ministry Scholarship is listed on my award letter from Financial Aid, is there anything else that I need to do?
Yes, in order for the scholarship to be officially posted to your account, you must be in compliance with and complete the Ministry Student Scholarship Application.
How do I know if my church is a Baptist General Convention of Texas Church?
Applicants can go to the Texas Baptist Website and search for their church.
What needs to be included in my testimony?
First-Year Applicants must submit an essay expressing his/her personal call to a career in vocational or bi-vocational church-related Christian ministry. An applicant needs to be as specific as possible regarding the details of his/her call and what type of ministry he/she feels called to pursue, including recent life events that have helped to affirm and clarify this call.
Renewal Applicants must submit an essay expressing how he/she continues to pursue his/her personal call to a career in vocational or bi-vocational church-related Christian ministry. Please include the type of ministry being pursued and include life events during the past year that have helped to affirm and clarify this call.
Final Year Applicants must submit an essay assessing how he/she has and will continue to pursue his/her personal call to a career in vocational or bi-vocational church-related Christian ministry. Please include the type of ministry being pursued, accomplishments during ministry training at DBU that have helped affirm and clarify this call, and continued educational goals.
Renewal Applicants must submit an essay expressing how he/she continues to pursue his/her personal call to a career in vocational or bi-vocational church-related Christian ministry. Please include the type of ministry being pursued and include life events during the past year that have helped to affirm and clarify this call.
Final Year Applicants must submit an essay assessing how he/she has and will continue to pursue his/her personal call to a career in vocational or bi-vocational church-related Christian ministry. Please include the type of ministry being pursued, accomplishments during ministry training at DBU that have helped affirm and clarify this call, and continued educational goals.
Am I required to take a special class?
Yes, Undergraduate First-Year BGCT Ministry Scholarship recipients must take RELI 1310: Introduction to Christian Ministry during the first full academic year of attendance if the student plans on renewing the BGCT Ministry Scholarship. View class description in the catalog website
Why am I required to check my DBU email address?
All DBU students are required to check their DBU email address regularly. Important communication relative to ministry students is sent to the scholarship recipient's DBU email accounts throughout the year.
Who can I thank for the Grant/Scholarship?
Scholarship recipients may send a 'thank you' to Dr. Jan Daehnert, Director of Ministry Students. The Ministry Guidance Office will be more than happy to forward your expression of gratitude to the appropriate DBU and Baptist General Convention of Texas persons.
Scholarship Amount
How Much Aid Will I Receive?
That will depend upon which Ministry Scholarship you qualify and are approved to receive. The First Year and renewal Baptist General Convention of Texas Ministry Scholarships are provided by funds from the Baptist General Convention of Texas and are $50 per semester hour. The scholarship will increase to $75 per semester hour for junior and senior BGCT students majoring or minoring in one of the four College of Christian Faith degrees or in Christian Ministries. The DBU Ministerial Student Scholarship, provided directly from DBU funds, is $50 per semester hour. The Graduate BGCT Ministry Scholarship for Master's level students is $100 per semester hour; and for Doctoral students is $150 per semester hour. DBU matches Master's Scholarships given by the BGCT with another $100 per semester hour, provided directly from DBU funds. DBU matches doctoral scholarships at $150 per semester hour.
Does the Ministry Scholarship Cover Summer Tuition?
Yes. If the Summer semester will be the student's first time to receive the scholarship then a first-year application will need to be completed. Undergrad Renewal students will need to complete the Summer supplemental application. Summer supplemental applications can be found on the Financial Aid website.