The Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ provides funds for members-in-discernment and authorized ministers to assist with education and counseling.

Application for Scholarships & Counseling Support

Seminary / Theological Education Scholarships
Members-in-discernment pursuing theological education can apply to receive up to $1,000 annually. Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, equipment, living expenses, and other costs associated with their studies. Members-in-discernment must demonstrate enrollment in seminary or another theological education program (e.g., the Damascus Project or a clinical pastoral education program).

Continuing Education Scholarships
Authorized ministers can apply to receive up to $1,000 annually to support their continuing education. Funds may be used for both programs and related costs.

Clergy Counseling Support
Authorized ministers can also apply to receive mental health and discernment support.  A wide variety of mental health and discernment support resources are available through our partner, Midwest Ministry Development. Requests for assistance in covering fees for these programs can come through the Conference Minister or directly through MMDS, ensuring some level of privacy with regards to the type of support requested. The CM can disburse funds (up to $1,500) for an individual, and no further details about the service will be shared. Other credentialed mental health support resources can also be accessed through these funds by contacting the CM and providing credentialing information so that payments can be made directly by KO to the provider.

Scholarship Process
Complete the Application [include link] and submit the completed application to the KO Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Lorraine Ceniceros at lceniceros@kocucc.org. Upon receipt, the KO Conference Minister will convene the scholarship committee to review the application. Responses to each application will be delivered to the applicant within thirty (30) days.

Applicant Qualifications
For scholarships, qualified applicants will be Members in Discernment working with the K-O Conference Committee on Ministry Section D and holding membership in a UCC congregation in Kansas or Oklahoma.

For continuing education and clergy counseling, qualified applicants will be authorized ministers serving in local congregations or specialized ministry and up to date with requirements for standing.try!

Application for Scholarships & Counseling Support