The Division of Ordained Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The United Methodist Church, is pleased to provide the Georgia Harkness Merit Awards. These awards are given in memory of the life and service of Georgia Harkness (1891-1974), outstanding teacher and theologian.

Purpose

To encourage women over 35 to prepare for ordained ministry as an elder in The United Methodist Church as a second career.

Potential uses

To be applied toward tuition, fees, room and board for the basic seminary degree leading to elder’s ordination. The award is not available for undergraduate, D.Min., or Ph.D. work.

Eligibility

Women over 35 who have received a bachelor of arts or equivalent degree, are enrolled full time in a University Senate-accredited school of theology in the master of divinity degree program, and who are currently certified as candidates for ordained ministry as an elder in The United Methodist Church.

Period of grant

Regular academic year to be awarded upon certification of fall registration. There are no grants for summer school.

Amount of grant

Grants of $5,000 each will be awarded each year.

Application and Reference Letters

An application and reference letter forms for the Georgia Harkness Scholarship Program can be found in PDF files in the Resource Library on this website by using the links below. You will need one copy of the application and four copies of the reference letter. You may also obtain application packets at any United Methodist and University Senate-approved seminary financial aid office or contact us:

Division of Ordained Ministry
Georgia Harkness Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007
615-340-7409
gharkness@gbhem.org.

Application (click here to download the PDF)

Reference Letter Form (PDF): Print four copies.

Deadline for receipt of application and
all documents is March 1.

Announcement of award