Scholarship Overview
The Billy Graham Center Scholarship Program provides four different financial awards to four specific types of Christian leaders to attend Wheaton College Graduate School for more advanced training, and one award exclusively reserved for Wheaton College graduates.
For those interested in attending Wheaton College Graduate School, you may enroll in any MA degree program provided by the college. These include degrees in:
- Biblical Archaeology
- Biblical Exegesis
- Biblical Studies
- Clinical Psychology (terminal-not leading to a Doctor of Psychology)
- Christian Formation and Ministry
- Counseling Ministries
- Evangelism and Leadership
- General Theology
- Historical and Systematic Theology
- History of Christianity
- Intercultural Studies/TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Notice that each award recipient must take their classes as full-time students (with the exception of urban ministry award recipients) in the declared academic program. All recipients must maintain the necessary grade point average for graduation.
What the Awards Cover
Billy Graham Center awards are generous, but not full scholarships. It is the responsibility of the recipient to raise additional funds needed to complete program costs. Scholarships are paid out at the beginning of each term and do not cover the cost of pre-requisite or proficiency hours that may be required.
Awards for international leaders and international furloughing missionaries are given on a loan/scholarship basis. For each year the recipient serves in their ministries outside of North America after the completion of MA studies, 25% of the loan is forgiven and becomes a scholarship. If the recipient does not return to his or her ministry and homeland, the amount of funding that was provided, as well as interest, must be repaid. The funds received are for related expenses of tuition, board, room, clothing, books and medical insurance/expenses. Students are responsible for transportation costs (to and from Wheaton or during stay), personal miscellaneous expenses, and, normally, a portion of their room and board.
Furloughing missionary awards are usually full-tuition grants, covering the cost per hour during each term of residency. Awards are given on a loan/scholarship basis, with 25% of the amount forgiven for each year served overseas following the completion of MA studies. If the recipient does not return to overseas ministry, loan repayment of both the principal and interest is required. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) questionnaire is required.
Awards for pre-field missionary candidates are offered on a loan/scholarship basis, with 25% of the amount forgiven for each year served in overseas mission work following the completion of MA studies. If the recipient does not go into overseas ministry, loan repayment of both the principal and interest is required. Notice: the grants for this award are smaller than the other awards offered; however, such applicants may be eligible for other financial aid from the college. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) questionnaire is required.
The urban missionary award provides financial assistance to Christians in urban ministry, especially those of ethnic minority background, desiring further preparation for Christian service in the urban areas of North America. Awards are full-tuition grants, covering the cost per hour during each term of course work. These awards are given on a loan/scholarship basis, with 25% of the amount forgiven for each year served in urban ministry following the completion of MA studies. If the recipient does not return to urban ministry, loan repayment of both the principal and interest is required. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) questionnaire is required.
The George and Helen Bennett awards for missionary service are available on a loan/scholarship basis to qualifying Wheaton College graduates who are going into career missionary work outside of North America.
