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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.

Here is how the program works

• The nominating congregation commits $2,000 - $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.

The fellowship substantially reduces the cost of a student's first year in seminary, covering tuition and most living expenses. More importantly, it enables a congregation to provide 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.

Congregational Fellows 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 and have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. (You're not eligible if you're already enrolled for an M.Div., M.T.S., Th.M. or M.A. degree.) You must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen 35 years of age or younger.

Congregational Fellows must be nominated by a congregation. A candidate's nomination should be submitted by the congregation that will make the financial commitment required for the fellowship.

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

Each Fellow also attends the FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry 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.)

The deadline for the 2009-2010 academic year has passed; we are no longer accepting fellowship applications. Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year will be available Oct. 1. The application deadline is April 1, 2010.

The 2009 FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry will be held June 17-21, 2009 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA.