Description
As documented in the Seminary’s 2018 “Report on Slavery and Racism in the History of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,” the Seminary recognizes the tragedy of its own institutional entanglement in the history of slavery and racism. Named in honor of the Seminary’s first African-American graduate, this scholarship is designed to redress the legacy of slavery and legal segregation in the United States and to provide tuition assistance to qualified African-American students who are pursuing theological education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in any of the Seminary’s degree programs and Boyce College.
Scholarship Award:
- Undergraduate level $4000.00
- Seminary Track level $3000.00
- Master and ThM level $3000.00
- Doctoral level – DMin and DEdMin $3000.00
- Doctoral level – DMiss, EdD, and PhD $5000.00
The scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and are divided equally between Fall and Spring semesters. Funds will cover tuition and fees only. Scholarships are available for undergraduate, seminary track, master, and doctoral level students.
The scholarship will be in addition to the current scholarships and student aid programs of Southern Seminary.
Qualifications
- Student of African-American ancestry.
- Student whose parent(s) are U.S. citizens.
- Minimum GPA:
- Undergraduate level 3.0
- Seminary Track level 3.0
- Master and ThM level 3.0
- Doctoral level – DMin and DEdMin 3.3
- Doctoral level – DMiss, EdD, and PhD 3.5
- Student must be enrolled full-time (undergraduate level [12+ paid credit hours], seminary track level [12+ paid credit hours in undergraduate; 9+ paid credit hours in masters]; master level [9+ paid credit hours], and doctoral level [1+ paid credit hours]).
- Student must be taking courses at the Louisville campus. Online students are not eligible to apply. Students taking both on-campus and online courses are eligible to apply if enrolled in a greater number of on-campus hours than online hours.
- Student must be admitted into a degree program. This scholarship excludes Non-degree seeking students, Dual Highschool Enrollment Program, and Certificate Programs.
- Student must maintain good standing for eligibility. Students on academic probation, academic warning, or disciplinary probation are ineligible.
- To apply, student must:
- Complete the Garland Offutt Scholars Program application located here (application will open May 1).
- Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your ministry and/or leadership experience (see the application above for submission).
- Submit an essay of approximately 1000-1200 words discussing the importance of theological education (see the application above for submission).
Deadline
- July 1