ACTS Christian Fellowship Scholarship Guidelines
Objective
To assist registered members and attenders of Acts Christian Fellowship in pursuing God's calling by providing financial support to students pursuing studies in Christian education who have the intention of fulfilling their call to vocational Christian ministry.
Award Categories
There are two categories of awards:
The Tier 1 category is designated for current Acts Fellowship members. Current members are defined as those having consistently attended Sunday service for at least one year and a small group for at least nine months.
- Awards in this category have priority over other awards
- Award amounts may vary for each applicant, depending on need, type of financial requirement, availability of funds and other determinants
- The award may be up to $4,000 per year per household
The Tier 2 category is designated for current and active Acts Fellowship attenders. Current attenders are defined as those having consistently attended Sunday service for at least one year and a small group for at least nine months.
- Awards in this category are subject to available surplus funds from Tier 1
- Award amounts may vary for each applicant, depending on need, type of financial requirement, availability of funds and other determinants
- The award may be up to $2,000 per year per household
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the scholarship program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate a heart to serve Jesus and a call to vocational Christian ministry
- Be a member (Tier 1) or regular attender (Tier 2) of Acts Fellowship
- Be enrolled in a seminary or ministry school
- Be actively working towards a degree or ministry school completion
- Demonstrate a financial need
- Have the recommendation of the small group facilitator
Application Procedures
The application and disbursement cycle will generally occur twice a year. The deadlines for application will be August 31 and January 31. The awards will be determined and funds approved during September and February. Exceptions to these cycles may occur as needed, subject to the approval of the Scholarship Committee and the Senior Pastor.
Disbursements may be made directly to the institution, at the discretion of the Board of Council or the Senior Pastor.
The application package will include the following:
- A one-page standard form, including name, address, birthday, name of seminary or ministry school, desired degree, estimated graduation or completion date, etc.
- An essay where the applicant provides a testimony of the development of their relationship to Jesus Christ. The applicant should also include the plans for ministry and the relevance of the current studies. The essay should be a minimum of two pages, but should not exceed four pages
- Two recommendation letters from individuals, preferably someone outside of Acts Fellowship. At least one should be from a mentor or professional, such as a professor
- Proof of registration in the seminary, school or ministry
The Approval Process
A Scholarship Committee, consisting of at least one member of the Board of Council and two other current Acts Fellowship members will have the responsibility of reviewing the applications. The Committee will have the discretion of considering factors such as financial need, extenuating circumstances and other special considerations. The Committee Members must agree to uphold confidentiality and must respect any information that is presented by applicants through the application process. Above all, Committee Members must agree to uphold the application process in a prayerful fashion. After appropriate review, the Committee will present to the Senior Pastor recommended names to receive awards. The Senior Pastor will have final approval of each of the candidates.
The Renewal Process
A student desiring to receive a scholarship for additional years should complete the following requirements. The student does not need to resubmit all of the items required in the initial application process.
- Proof of completion of the previous years courses with an average grade of 75%
- Proof of continued full-time enrollment in the ministry school or seminary
- The estimated date of completion
- Confirmation of continued involvement in Acts Fellowship by small group leader or ministry leader if this is not known by the Committee
- A face-to-face interview, where the above items are discussed, as well as a continuing need for financial assistance and the personal spiritual health of the student.
- If the student is attending an institution outside the Toronto area and not able to meet with the Committee in person, a written interview may be substituted.
If any of the above items are incomplete or missing, discussion of that item should be included in the recommendation of the Committee.
Recognition of Scholarship Recipients
Recipients of the Acts Scholarship Program will be recognized in front of the congregation, when possible. The names of the recipients will also be announced in Acts Fellowship communications, such as newsletters and e-mails.
Tax Receipts
Receipts will be issued to all recipients for income tax purposes.
Remaining Funds
The Board of Council will establish policy for determining what will be done with any money that remains in the fund.
Ready to apply? Click here to get an Application Form
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