The BGAV is committed to the educational and vocational development of emerging leaders of all ages for advancing the Redeemer’s Kingdom and to building ongoing relationships. The BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds financially assists eligible Virginia Baptist students seeking to earn an academy degree at a BGAV-partnered academy, to obtain an undergraduate degree, and to pursue an undergraduate or graduate education in preparation for vocational ministry. Funds are also supplied for non-degree applicants who desire access to training and continuing education opportunities for ministry development as well as grants for those who want to explore Christian ministry prior to seminary training. The BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds Committee oversees these funds and makes awards to Virginia Baptist students who meet all established criteria.

The BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds are listed below. If you have any further questions, please call the scholarships office at 800-255-2428, ext. 1297 or email your questions to scholarships@bgav.org.

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College Scholarships

Ministerial Education Funds

Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarships

Church Internship Grants

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College Scholarships

College Scholarships are provided by Virginia Baptists for full-time students from cooperating churches of the BGAV who need aid in financing their undergraduate education at a CHEA accredited college or university. Through the vision and stewardship of faithful Virginia Baptists, the BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds has offered College Scholarships to deserving recipients for many years. These funds are considered as grants and have no expectation of being repaid.

Applications are currently closed.

• Deadline: 12:00pm Noon EST, Monday, April 1, 2025‍
• College Scholarship: Up to $1,000 per year

Requirements for the College Scholarship Applicant

• The applicant must be a member of a cooperating church of the BGAV for at least 1 year prior to the beginning of the academic school year. The endorsing church must contribute financially to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Missions budget. The applicant must complete the BGAV College Scholarship Application and submit it by the deadline.
• The applicant must have a recommendation from a church leader who has completed a Church Endorsement Form and submit it by the deadline.

• The applicant must be verified as a current full-time student in or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate study at an institution accredited by a Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• The applicant must demonstrate the potential for Christian leadership and involvement in Christian service through the chaplain’s office, church, or other on or off-campus Christian ministries.
• The applicant must agree not to apply for BGAV College Scholarship and BGAV Ministerial Education Funds simultaneously.
• The applicant must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Further College Scholarship Information

The BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds Committee uses six criteria to evaluate each applicant: scholastic ability, financial need, Christian service, BGAV commitment, and demonstrated leadership. Priority is first given to existing BGAV-partnered educational institutions and then to public and private colleges and universities. College Scholarship amounts are granted for the academic year and are determined by the amount of monies available.

An application must be submitted each year to be eligible to continue to receive a scholarship. College Scholarships are available for a maximum of 4 years. Recipients are notified the first week of June. Scholarship funds are sent directly to the college or university to be applied toward tuition, with half of the awarded amount being sent each semester.

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Ministerial Education Funds

Ministerial Education Funds are provided through the generous gifts of Virginia Baptists like Julian A. Hudgens, Anna Lethia Carter, Ruth Camp Campbell, Jack E. and Virginia A. Boyles, Alpheus Chewning, Jr., and the Cooperative Missions gifts of Virginia Baptists around the state. As a result of their gifts, ministerial students from cooperating churches of the BGAV who need aid, receive funds for financing their undergraduate or graduate education in preparation for vocational ministry. These funds are considered as grants provided that upon graduation, the recipient of said grant serves 2 years with a BGAV church or an out-of-state Baptist church in friendly cooperation with the BGAV. However, if service is not rendered, repayment is expected as explained in the BGAV Ministerial Education Funds requirements.

Applications are currently closed.

• Deadline: 12:00pm Noon EST, Monday, April 1, 2025

• Ministerial Education Funds: Up to $6,000 per year

Requirements for the Ministerial Education Funds Applicant

• The applicant must be an active member of a cooperating church of the BGAV for at least 1 year prior to the beginning of an academic school year. The endorsing church must contribute financially to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Missions budget.
• The applicant must complete the BGAV Ministerial Education Funds Application and submit it by the deadline.
• The applicant must have a recommendation from a church leader who has completed a Church Endorsement Form and submit it by the deadline.
• The applicant must be verified as a student who is currently enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in undergraduate study at a CHEA accredited institution or is enrolled in graduate study at a CHEA accredited or an Association of Theological Schools accredited institution.
• The applicant must be called and committed to vocational ministry as a local church minister, missionary, chaplain, or denominational servant. Priority is given to persons from Virginia Baptist backgrounds who plan to minister in and through Virginia Baptist channels.
• The applicant must agree that upon graduation as a recipient of Ministerial Education Funds, the recipient will serve 2 years with a BGAV church or an out-of-state Baptist church in friendly cooperation with the BGAV. If service is not rendered, the applicant must agree to repay the funds in their entirety.
• The applicant must secure a minister to serve as a designated mentor in a related ministry and participate in a practical ministry experience of approximately 2-6 hours per week under that mentor. The BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds Committee will approve such practical ministry experiences and mentors. Applicants studying outside of Virginia are to work through a Baptist church or a Baptist-related ministry while attending school.
• An evaluation by the mentor and student is required at the end of each semester. This evaluation will help determine the applicant’s future eligibility to funds if reapplication is made for the following year.
• The applicant must agree to not apply for BGAV College Scholarship and BGAV Ministerial Education Funds simultaneously.

Further Ministerial Education Funds Information

The BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds Committee uses the following criteria to evaluate each applicant: scholastic ability, financial need, Christian service, community service, vocational clarity, and BGAV commitment. The Ministerial Education Funds are not available for advanced degrees beyond the Master’s level. Courses taken on an extension campus or on-line are considered on a case-by-case basis as funds are available.

An application must be submitted each year to be eligible to continue to receive funds. Ministerial Education Funds are available for a maximum of 4 years at the undergraduate level and 4 years at the graduate level. Recipients are notified the first week of June. The funds are sent directly to the college or university to be applied toward tuition, with half of the awarded amount being sent each semester.

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Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarships

Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarships are provided by Virginia Baptists for ministerial and lay leaders from cooperating churches of the BGAV for training and continuing education opportunities provided by the BGAV and BGAV ministry partners: Appalachian School of Theology, Averett University, Bluefield College, Campbell University Divinity School, Duke Divinity School, Gardner-Webb University, the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, McAfee School of Theology, Northern Seminary, and George W. Truett Seminary. These scholarships are considered as grants have no expectation of being repaid.

• Deadline: Scholarship applications are due by the 15th day of the calendar month preceding the class start date. For example: if a class starts on January 12, the application is due on the 15th of December.
• Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship: Covers up to 1/3 of the course cost for a maximum of 3 courses/semester and a maximum of 6 courses/year.

Requirements for the Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship Applicant

• The applicant must be an active member of a cooperating church of the BGAV for at least 1 year prior to the initial scholarship application. The endorsing church must contribute financially to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Missions budget.
• The applicant must be a part-time student who is in a non-degree program of study with an emphasis in continuing education for ministry in the local church.
• The applicant must submit a completed Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship Application for each semester of study.
• The applicant must agree to not apply for BGAV College Scholarships, BGAV Ministerial Education Funds, or BGAV Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarships simultaneously.

Further Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship Information

Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship recipients are notified by email. Scholarships are sent directly to the sponsoring BGAV ministry partner and credited to the applicant’s tuition. An application must be submitted for each semester to be eligible to receive a scholarship.

Apply Now!

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Church Internship Grants

The purpose of the Church Internship Grant is to encourage a greater number of non-seminary students to serve as interns throughout Virginia Baptist churches, offering them the opportunity to explore responding to a ministry call, while also equipping the church with vocationally trained leaders. The BGAV Scholarships and Education Funds Committee will oversee the approval of Church Internship Grant applications and the distribution of the funds. The internship program is flexible in time period. This grant has no expectation of being repaid.

Applications are currently closed.

• Deadlines:
  • April 15, 2025 for Summer 2025 Church Internship Grant (at 11:59 pm)
  • July 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 Church Internship Grant (at 11:59 pm)
  • October 15, 2025 for Spring 2026 Church Internship Grant (at 11:59 pm)

Requirements for the Host Church for Church Internship Grants

• The host church must be a cooperating church of the Baptist General Association of Virginia that contributes financially to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Missions budget.
• The host church must clearly define the internship ministry experiences. The church assumes responsibility and liability for best practices.
• The host church is responsible for selecting and interviewing church interns.
• The host church must identify a current staff member to supervise the intern and communicate with the BGAV. Said supervisor will develop learning covenant with the intern identifying intern’s learning goals a job description that will accomplish these goals.
• The host church must match at least 50% of BGAV Church Internship Grant investment through salary or by combination of salary and living arrangements. The host church is responsible for hiring and paying the intern and being the official employer on record.
• The church must submit a completed Church Internship Grant Application by the deadline.

Further Church Internship Grant Information

Church Internship Grant recipients are notified directly. Grants are sent directly to the church.

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