Student Scholarships

Many years ago, First Baptist Church of Wellsboro started a Student Loan Fund to help students in need. The fund was later enhanced by moneys from the Laura Lawton Legacy, the interest from which is used by the Fund. Today moneys from the Fund are allocated annually to all approved applicants to help with their educational costs and to be an encouragement from the church fellowship as they pursue higher education or training.

Publicity about available scholarships should be found in the News and Views newsletter, the church bulletin, the overhead announcements, via email, and from the Church office. Applications are available on this site. The deadline for Scholarship application submission is June 20th.

Purpose: To encourage young people to prepare for a Christian vocation, and secondly, to encourage young people to choose a Christian institution (over a tax supported school), whatever their career goal may be.

Scholarships: Amounts vary according to funds available and number of applicants.

Applications: Accepted through June 20.

Qualifications: Full Time students only.

Program Details:

1. Institutions viewed as being evangelically Christian will be designated “first preference”. While some institutions have a historic tie to one or more denominations, first preference would be reserved for those which, as a part of their present stated purpose, have a decidedly Christian ethos and commitment to Jesus Christ. Specifically, they would hold to a historic Protestant, orthodox, conservative understanding of the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Other institutions not meeting this criteria will be designated “second preference”. Final decisions will be made by the Scholarship Committee.
2. Each student’s institution is rated either “first preference” (and is assigned 2 points) or “second preference” (and is assigned 1 point). These points are added together for all applicants and then that total is divided into the amount of money available to produce a base scholarship amount for the year. Students attending a “first preference” institution will receive two (2) times that base amount for the year. Students attending a “second preference” institution will receive the base amount for the year.
3. In order to be eligible for a scholarship, the student must be a member of First Baptist Church and have attended a First Baptist Church morning worship service at least 75% of the time in the year prior to their enrollment.
4. Once enrolled in a program of study, in order to continue to be eligible for scholarship funds the student must attend a First Baptist Church morning worship service at least 75% of the time when in the Wellsboro area. The Committee may also discontinue the scholarship funds of a student whose lifestyle is not consistent with the teachings of Christ. This will be up to the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
5. Each year a Scholarship Committee is appointed by the Board of Missions in accordance with the constitution. The Committee meets following the closing date specified above for receiving applications and prior to June 25. For students attending an institution with a matching scholarship program, the appropriate form(s) must accompany the application so the institution can be notified prior to the deadline it may have. Scholarships are not typically awarded during the rest of the year.
6. Checks are normally given as follows: One half the scholarship is given at the beginning of the school year and one half after the completion of the first semester, providing the student submits a statement by December 20 via the online form at firstbaptistwellsboro.com or by letter to the Scholarship Committee ℅ the church office stating that he/she has successfully completed his/her first semester and has registered for a second semester.
7. All aspects of the scholarship program may be changed, without notice, at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

In 1961 the Ethel Cockburn Legacy was established and only the interest earned would be used to help students preparing for the ministry after completing college. In 2002 the Lillian Kunzman Hickey Memorial Seminary Fund was set up to enhance the program and provide a larger fund. Again, only the interest can be used to assist seminary students.

Publicity about available scholarships should be found in the News and Views newsletter, the church bulletin, the overhead announcements, via email, and from the Church office. Applications are available on this site. The deadline for Scholarship application submission is June 20th.

Purpose: To encourage young people to prepare for full-time Christian ministry.

Scholarships: Amounts vary according to funds available and number of applicants.

Applications: Accepted through June 20.

Qualifications: Seminary students only. (Bible college students are not eligible for scholarships through this program. They are encouraged to apply for scholarship aid through the Higher Education Scholarship Program of the church.)

Program Details:

1. Eligible seminaries are those considered evangelically Christian. Specifically, they would hold to a historic Protestant, orthodox, conservative understanding of the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Final decisions will be made by the Scholarship Committee.
2. In order to be eligible for a scholarship, the student must be a member of First Baptist Church and have attended a First Baptist Church morning worship service at least 75% of the time in the year prior to their enrollment.
3. Once enrolled in a seminary, in order to continue to be eligible for scholarship funds the student must attend a First Baptist Church morning worship service at least 75% of the time when in the Wellsboro area. The Committee may also discontinue the scholarship funds of a student whose lifestyle is not consistent with the teachings of Christ. This will be up to the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
4. Each year a Scholarship Committee is appointed by the Board of Missions in accordance with the constitution. The Committee meets following the closing date specified above for receiving applications and prior to June 25. For students attending a seminary with a matching scholarship program, the appropriate form(s) must accompany the application so the institution can be notified prior to the deadline it may have. Scholarships are not typically awarded during the rest of the year.
5. Checks are normally given as follows: One half the scholarship is given at the beginning of the school year and one half after the completion of the first semester, providing the student submits a statement by December 20 via the form on this site, or by letter to the Scholarship Committee ℅ the church office stating that he/she has successfully completed his/her semester and has registered for the next semester.
6. All aspects of the scholarship program may be changed, without notice, at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.