Scholarship opportunities

During the 1920s, in a dual effort to legitimize BYU in the eyes of the nation, and integrate religious faith with worldly (read: non-mormon) learning, the church sent a few promising young scholars on stipends to seek advanced degrees in prominent centers of learning such as the University of Chicago in the expectation that they would return and bring to the Church Education System some of the credibility it was lacking (See Armond Mauss, The Angel and the Beehive p. 27, 96). Unfortunately, while an arguement can be made for church support of LDS Chaplain Candidates, there are better reasons that what probably happened on a limited basis anyway, is extinct. In place of direct financial support the church has created a two year religious education degree which most likely ends up costing the student a fraction of the total cost elsewhere.

With this said, not everyone who applies to this program will be accepted (grades/test scores, number of applicants, etc) and no doubt many (myself included) will wish to study elsewhere. Reasons for this vary among individuals but one constant that those not in BYU's program will always face is the prohibitive cost of seminary or other graduate education. I believe that concerns about cost should not drive our generation's promising scholars and future chaplains away from options that they feel called to but can't afford. The following is a list of scholarships, grants, and loans that I feel are options for LDS applicants. Some, but not all of the scholarships assume attendance at a seminary or other requirement such as a tour of active duty.

Military Chaplains Association (up to $2,000)
http://www.mca-usa.org/html/Scholarships.html

Church, State, and Industry Foundation ($5,000)
http://www.chaplain-csif.com/CSIF%20application%20packet%20(August%2014%202007)%20(2).pdf

Chaplain Samuel Grover Powell Scholarship ($900 min)
http://www.umhef.org/receive.php?id=chap_powell

http://www.umhef.org/pdf_library/PowellScholarshipApplication1.pdf

Shepherd Scholarship ($1,500 per year)
http://www.srmason-sj.org/web/scholarships/shepherd.htm

A school to which I applied, was accepted, and decided not to persue was Regent University's School of Divinity. They have a broad range of scholarship opportunities for their students including a 25% military discount on tuition for Chaplain Candidates.
http://www.regent.edu/acad/schdiv/admissions/financialaid_awards.shtml

This is a running list. I will update it as I find additional resources. Please comment if you know of any other resources for those interested in persuing this vocation.

Aaron L.