by Jolene VonGunten for Mennonite Education Agency
ELKHART, Ind. Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) has announced the deadline to apply for the MEA Scholarship for BIPOC Students within Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2024, for the 2024-25 academic year.
The scholarship was launched in the fall of 2023 to help students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), and who are active in MC USA congregations, to attend a Mennonite college, university, or seminary that is partnered with MEA. Said MEA’s Executive Director Michael Danner, “MEA’s goal with this scholarship is to help more BIPOC students access the quality education they can get at Anabaptist Mennonite schools.”
The scholarship is also intended to further the education of future church leaders in MC USA. An applicant’s active involvement in a local congregation and vocational objectives will be considered.
MEA will grant up to $4,000 in scholarships to a student or students at each MEA-approved school for the 2024-25 academic year. Approved schools include Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind.; Bethel College, North Newton, Kan.; Bluffton (Ohio) University; Eastern Mennonite University and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Vir.; Goshen (Ind.) College; and Hesston (Kan.) College. The funds may be divided between multiple applicants or awarded to a single individual at each school.
Scholarship information, requirements, and the application form are available online at https://www.mennoniteeducation.org/schools/mea-scholarship-for-bipoc-students/. Questions can be directed to Jolene VonGunten, jolenev@MennoniteEducation.org or 574-343-1310.
Contributions to the scholarship fund are invited. As funds increase, so will the number of scholarships available. Contributions should be sent to MEA at 3145 Benham Avenue, Suite 2, Elkhart, IN 46517-1970. Checks should be made payable to Mennonite Education Agency and designate “BIPOC Scholarship.” Online contributions can be made at www.MennoniteEducation.org and click on the Donate tab.
Mennonite Education Agency, the education agency of Mennonite Church USA, is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. MEA partners with Anabaptist Mennonite educational institutions and programs to fulfill the educational mission of MC USA.
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