Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships for College Students

Application period: December 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024

The Women’s League of Central Union Church is once again pleased to offer two scholarship opportunities to assist those attending (or planning to attend) higher education programs. Previous awards ranged from $1,000 to $2,000* and prior recipients may reapply each year. Central Union Church members and active participants are eligible to receive up to a 10% scoring bonus.

The KENNETH O. and DORIS A. REWICK EDUCATIONAL AID FUND is awarded to students from Hawai‘i enrolled (or will be enrolled) in any accredited school for undergraduate or graduate college training, or for other specialized training beyond high school and includes full time, part time or online students.

The RUTH C. SCUDDER SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a female of Christian affiliation from Hawai‘i who is a student within the University of Hawai‘i system. Preference is given to UCC members and upperclassmen.

Applications will be accepted through the ScholarsApp online platform only. Visit https://scholarsapp.com/ to create an account and for additional information. Please email cucwlscholarship@gmail.com with any questions. Deadline for complete applications is February 28, 2024.

*Award amounts may vary from year to year and are per the discretion of the Women’s League.

Scholarships for Master of Divinity Students

Central Union’s Deacon’s Theological Scholarship Fund (DTSF) provides financial assistance to students who are preparing for service as Christian ministers. The primary focus will be to grant tuition assistance, up to $5,000, for students who are enrolled in accredited graduate schools pursuing a Master of Divinity degree. Past recipients include Rev. George Scott, Scott Furukawa, Michael Hallman, and Cassandra Chee.

There is one granting cycle per year. Applications must be presented to the committee by January 31 for the start of the fall academic year. A decision will be made by the DTSF Committee and communicated to the applicant by March 31.

Download an application or APPLY ONLINE. Please be sure to read the “Mission, Standards, and Guidelines for Applicants” below.

I. Mission, Purpose, Goals
The DTSF provides financial assistance to students who are preparing for service as Christian Ministers. The primary focus will be to grant tuition assistance for students who are enrolled in accredited graduate schools pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.

II. Criteria for Selection and Following of Candidate

  1. Priority will be given to candidates who are…
    An Active member of Central Union Church, or an Active member of a Church within the Hawaii Conference UCC.
  2. Applicants will develop long-term career objectives and be as specific as possible about their career plans after their completed course of study.
  3. The recipients must provide evidence that they are
    satisfactorily progressing in their course of study at an
    accredited school of theology. They are expected to arrange
    to have transcripts and letters from the appropriate school
    Dean forwarded to the DTSF committee at least once per
    semester. Failure to promptly provide copies of semester transcripts may result in delays in disbursement of DTSF funds. If the Board of Deacons determines that the recipient is not making satisfactory progress as evidenced by poor grades or for any other valid reason, the Board has the option to terminate any future tuition payments.
  4. The recipient shall make contact with a least one member of the DTSF committee each year while receiving tuition grant support. The contact would be preferably in person at a time when the recipient is visiting Honolulu. Otherwise, telephone or correspondence is acceptable. This contact allows the DTSF committee to monitor more closely the recipient’s progress in his/her studies and ongoing commitment to career goals.

III. The Scholarship Process

  1. There will be one granting cycle per year. Applications must be presented to the committee by January 31 for the start of the fall academic year. A decision will be made by the DTSF Committee and communicated to the applicant by March 31.
  2. It is recognized that the theological students may occasionally take unplanned leave from their studies for personal or academic reasons. Therefore, it is permissible for the recipient to interrupt their studies for internships, pastoral duties, chaplaincy programs, etc.
  3. The recipient must notify the DTSF committee of these plans. During hiatus periods he/she must communicate with the committee at least semi-annually about his/her activities. Tuition support will not be given during these periods.
  4. Tuition grants will be given for a maximum of (3) years or equivalent in credit hours approved by the theological school, where the candidate is registered.
  5. Funds will be granted only for tuition. However, if the applicant receives assistance from sources other than the DTSF, the deacons, if they so choose, may apply the financial assistance to other budgeted expenses such as housing. The amount of funding may not exceed the tuition assistance originally requested.
  6. All grant funds will be forwarded directly to the school by the CUC Accounting Department.

IV. Candidate Application Process

  1. Applications for tuition financial assistance must be submitted on the official form — page one of the documents.

  2. The DTSF committee must receive the completed application and supporting documents by the stated deadline.

  3. Each candidate will have a personal interview with a least two members of the DTSF committee.

  4. The application form must be accompanied by three letters of recommendations — one of these from and ordained minister – preferably the senior minister of CUC.

IV. Approval Process

  1. The DTSF committee will make the initial tuition support approval. If approved by the committee, the application will be presented to the full Board of Diaconate for final approval.
  2. The applicant should not assume that he/she would receive a grant for all three years of study. A new application must be presented each academic year for which tuition support is requested.
  3. New letters of recommendation are not required for the subsequent years of support.
  4. If the process of ongoing communication between the candidate and the DTSF committee is followed, the approval process will be streamlined.
  5. The final approval for subsequent years’ grants still lies with the full Board of Diaconate.