Shawnee County Lutheran Education Foundation

College Scholarships for future LCMS church workers

Step 1: Applicant completes Section I and forwards to College Admissions Counsellor or Financial Aid Office where enrolled

Step 2: College Admissions Counsellor/Financial Aid Office completes Section II and returns to SCLEF Office (by July 1 deadline) via email: LutheranEdFoundation@outlook.com; or mail via USPS to Marlene Shellenberger, SCLEF Foundation Office, 2709 SW 29th St., Suite 101, Topeka KS 66614

Step 3: Applicant will be contacted by SCLEF Office regarding scholarship award status

ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

  1. Individuals training for full-time or part-time professional called church work e.g. ordained or commissioned ministers, teachers, DCE, deaconess, kantor, etc.
  2. Enrolled as full-time students in one of the universities or seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) with intent to become ordained or commissioned LCMS church workers.
  3. Applicants must be in good standing within a LCMS congregation of Shawnee County, Kansas. Applicants may be referred to the SCLEF by ministry leaders and members of the Shawnee County LCMS churches.
  4. Individuals completing coursework for colloquy into the LCMS or completing
    coursework for continuing education.
  5. Individuals completing coursework for Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP).
  6. Scholarships are sent directly to the university or seminary to be applied to the students’ accounts.
  7. The university or seminary will confirm status of applicant with SCLEF i.e. to insure “good standing” status of applicant for each academic year.
  8. Applicants must submit application annually through their college Financial Aid Office for the upcoming academic year.
  9. First-year students only: First-year students may submit application by 7-1-2026 deadline; if approved, scholarship award will be effective through end of first semester. Application will be kept on file for additional award effective through end of second semester if student continues to meet eligibility criteria. Only one application is needed.
SCLEF Scholarship Application FinalDownload