Mary E Bivins Religious Scholarship

The Mary E Bivins Religious Scholarship supports individuals who wish to pursue a degree in Christian religion/ministry. Individuals must have a strong inward call or desire toward religion. Special consideration is given to individuals who intend to serve as a pulpit preacher/pastor. The Mary E. Bivins Foundation offers scholarships to students called to Christian ministry through theological education. Applicants must be permanent residents of the Texas Panhandle (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). Applicants must be classified as a college junior or above by the first semester for which the scholarship would be effective (applications may be submitted during sophomore year), and must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above, or a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Priority Tiers: - 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. Scholarship Categories: - Full-Time Undergraduate: $7,500 per Academic Year (24 hours per academic year, 2.75+ GPA) - Full-Time Master's: $10,000 per Academic Year (18 hours per academic year, 3.00+ GPA) - Part-Time Master's: $1,500 per Academic Year (6 hours per academic year, 3.00+ GPA) - Full-Time Ministry / Full-Time Master's: $10,000 per Academic Year - Full-Time Ministry / Half-Time Master's: $5,000 per Academic Year (9 hours per academic year, 3.0+ GPA) - Part-Time Ministry / Part-Time Master's: $2,500 per Academic Year (6 hours per academic year, 3.0+ GPA) - Full-Time Ministry / Doctor of Ministry: $5,000 per Academic Year 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. Application Cycle (2026-2027): - Application Opens: January 5, 2026 - Application Closes: May 2026 - Review Period and Applicant Interviews: February 27, 2026 - April 2026 - Scholarships Awarded: March - April 2026 Contact: Tracy Selle, Grants and Scholarships Program Officer, tracy@bivinsfoundation.org, (806) 379-9400.