International Student Scholarship (on campus)

The International Student Scholarship was created to encourage and support outstanding international students with gifts for ministry as they prepare to serve the global church.

Funding for the International Student Scholarship comes in part from the Virgil and Louise Claassen Endowment for International Students, the Esther Hodel Scholarship, the Ella Mae Lehman Memorial Scholarship for International Women, and the Louis L. Miller Scholarship. 

• Recipient: Awarded annually to an international student (from outside of the U.S. or Canada) beginning their first year of study in a master’s program on campus
• Amount: Up to full tuition
• Application deadline: March 15

Other scholarship information

• Scholarship type: Merit-based
• Duration: Three years for the Master of Divinity program; two and a half years for MA programs (provided the recipient meets certain conditions each year)
• Recipient’s program: Master of Divinity Campus; MA in Christian Formation; MA: Theology and Global Anabaptism; MA: Theology and Peace Studies
• Recipient’s location of study: On campus
• Recipient’s enrollment status: Full time
• Recipient’s permanent residence: International (not U.S. or Canada)
• Recipient’s church affiliation: Applicant must be a member in good standing of a congregation affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group
• Note: Scholarships of up to 75 percent of tuition may be awarded each year to other international students meeting the award criteria as funds are available.

Criteria for award recipients

1. Recipients will be from outside of the U.S. or Canada and be members in good standing of a congregation affiliated with Mennonite World Conference or a related Anabaptist group.
2. The decision to grant an award will be based on four factors:
   • Previous academic performance, including a minimum GPA of at least 2.75 from all undergraduate work, based on information gained from transcripts and references.
   • A commitment to enter into active ministry in the applicant’s homeland following graduation.
   • Strong leadership potential for serving the local church, based on information gained from references and from a required essay on the applicant’s past, present and future service/ministry.
   • Personal character and emotional health, based on information gained from references.

Procedures for applying

Applicants must submit the following by March 15 for the coming academic year: 

1. A completed Admissions Application with all supporting materials, including transcript(s), references, admissions essay and documentation of certification of funds.
2. Completed Financial Aid and Scholarship applications.
3. An essay of 1,200 to 1,800 words that focuses on:
   • their leadership potential for serving the local church
   • their past, present and future service/ministry
   • how an education at AMBS will enrich their present and future ministry

Please note: Since the scholarship selection process is competitive and limited scholarship funds are available, a strong essay that clearly addresses the above areas — with attention to grammar and spelling — is important.

AMBS will select the recipient of this award by March 31 and inform the student via e-mail. The recipient must accept their award in writing by April 15 to confirm enrollment for Semester One. 

The recipient may defer enrollment and the scholarship award for one year due to financial and visa constraints. If the recipient does not arrive on campus and matriculate after a one-year deferment, the award will be forfeited.

Understandings for International Student Scholarship recipients

1. The award recipient will be enrolled as a full-time student (nine hours or more per semester plus one Intensive Term course).
2. Students in the MDiv program are eligible to receive the award for three consecutive years. Students in an MA program are eligible to receive the award for two and a half consecutive years. No extensions of an award are possible.
3. Eligibility from year to year will be based on satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree, including:
   • maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA
   • continuing as a full-time student
   • supporting and adhering to AMBS community life standards
   • supporting and participating in enrollment and recruitment activities and initiatives
   • actively participating in campus activities
   • assuming leadership responsibilities on the AMBS campus
4. Recipients will not be eligible to receive AMBS need-based financial aid, including church matching grants, in addition to the full-tuition award.