Bivins Scholars Program

A scholarship program of the Mary E. Bivins Foundation supporting students called to Christian ministry through theological education.

Current Status:

CLOSED

Priority Tiers

There are three priority tiers for scholarship consideration. Individuals who intend to serve as a pulpit preacher upon graduation will be given precedence. Individuals in subsequent tiers will be considered if additional funding is available.

Tier 1 - Top Priority

Intent to be a pulpit preacher.

Tier 2 - Second Priority

Intent to work in a church as a college pastor, youth pastor, children's pastor, minister to women, or similar role;
Pursuing a Doctor of Ministry; or,
Pursuing chaplaincy.

Tier 3 - Third Priority

Intent to do some type of Christian ministry in a church, such as biblical counseling, discipleship minister, or similar role.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Panhandle Residency

Applicants must be a permanent resident of the Texas Panhandle and reside in one of the top 26 counties including: Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Wheeler.

Academic Classification

Applicants must be classified as a college junior or above by the first semester for which the scholarship would be effective (meaning one can submit an application during sophomore year).

Academic Standing

Applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above or cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or above.

Christian Ministry

Applicants must be pursuing a degree program to prepare them to preach the Christian Religion or serve in Christian Ministry.

The following will not be considered:

A second advance master's degree.
A PhD.
Individuals who intend to serve in music ministry.
Individuals who intend to teach at a theological school.
Individuals who intend to work in a parachurch organization.
Individuals who intend to enter the international mission field full-time.

Scholarship Categories

Full-Time Undergraduate

$7,500 per Academic Year

Complete 24 hours per academic year
Maintain 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA

Full-Time Master's

$10,000 per Academic Year

Complete 18 hours per academic year
Maintain 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA

$1,500 per Academic Year

Part-Time Master's

Complete 6 hours per academic year
Maintain 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA

The following ministry options are available for individuals employed in a pastoral or vocational ministry role by a church located in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle.

$10,000 per Academic Year

Full-Time Ministry / Full-Time Master's

Complete 18 hours per academic year
Maintain 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA

$5,000 per Academic Year

Full-Time Ministry / Half-Time Master's

Complete 9 hours per academic year
Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

$2,500 per Academic Year

Part-Time Ministry / Part-Time Master's

Complete 6 hours per academic year
Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

$5,000 per Academic Year

Full-Time Ministry / Doctor of Ministry

Must make satisfactory academic progress

Apply

Ready to Apply?

Current Status:

CLOSED

The Bivins Foundation strongly encourages interested applicants to reach out to our office to review program guidelines to ensure alignment, to discuss the scholarship categories, and to provide essential information on completing the application.

See the Application Cycle tab above for information on important dates.