IMB Missionary Scholarships
At our core, Southern Baptists exist for the purpose of cooperating for the sake of sending missionaries around the world. Our mission is to bring the light of the Gospel to all nations and peoples of the world, and we are committed to lowering financial barriers to that service while providing the very best theological education to prepare our missionaries for more faithful service. A trained missionary force is a more effective missionary force, so we believe that those of you who have committed your lives to serving on the frontlines around the world are worthy of this type of investment.
Southwestern Seminary provides a 100% scholarship for tuition and fees* to IMB missionaries enrolled in degree programs at the master’s and the doctoral levels. Additionally, for those who are in process with the IMB but have yet to receive an appointment, we will provide a 100% scholarship for tuition and fees* that covers 36 credit hours at the graduate level which is the required amount of theological education required for appointment to the IMB.
*Required term fees, not including drop fees or graduation fees
IMB Current Missionaries
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is offering 100% tuition scholarships* to International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries who are currently serving on the field with the IMB and to individuals who are in process with the IMB.
At our core, Southern Baptists exist for the purpose of cooperating for the sake of sending missionaries around the world. Our mission is to bring the light of the Gospel to all nations and peoples of the world, and we are committed to lowering financial barriers to that service while providing the very best theological education to prepare our missionaries for more faithful service. A trained missionary force is a more effective missionary force, so we believe that those of you who have committed your lives to serving on the frontlines around the world are worthy of this type of investment.
*Required term fees, not including drop fees or graduation fees
Who Is Eligible?
Current Missionaries
Southwestern’s IMB scholarship is available to degree-seeking graduate and doctoral students who are on assignment with the IMB and in good standing with the seminary. Incoming students can indicate their missionary status during the admissions process, and current students will be renewed annually after their missionary status is verified by the IMB. The verification process is handled through the Office of Student Financial Services, which can be reached at sfs@swbts.edu.
Current IMB missionaries are eligible to receive a 100% scholarship for tuition and fees* for any master’s or doctoral degree program. If an applicant resigns from the IMB, their scholarship will be forfeited. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with another institutional scholarship.
If you are a new student, you simply need to begin your application to Southwestern Seminary and indicate your status with the IMB, either as in process or currently serving on the field.
If you are already a current student at Southwestern Seminary, please email sfs@swbts.edu.
*Required term fees, not including drop fees or graduation fees
Students In Process with the IMB
Southwestern’s scholarship for students in process with the IMB is available to graduate students who have had their initial meeting with their candidate consultant and who remain in process with the IMB while working towards appointment. Incoming students can indicate their missionary status during the application process and current students will be renewed annually (up to 36 graduate credit hours) after their missionary status is verified by the IMB. The verification process is handled through the Office of Student Financial Services and can be reached at sfs@swbts.edu.
IMB applicants who’ve not yet been appointed are eligible to receive a 100% scholarship* for degree-seeking, graduate credit hours. If an applicant loses their in-process status with the IMB, their scholarship will be forfeited. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with another institutional scholarship.
If you are a new student, you simply need to begin your application to Southwestern Seminary and indicate your status with the IMB, either as in process or currently serving on the field.
If you are already a current student at Southwestern Seminary, please email sfs@swbts.edu.
How Can I Receive This Scholarship?
If you are a new student, you simply need to begin your application to Southwestern Seminary and indicate your status with the IMB, either as in process or currently serving on the field. Once admitted, you can then apply for internal financial aid.
If you are already a current student at Southwestern Seminary, please email sfs@swbts.edu.
Children of Current Missionaries
The Children of Current Missionaries Scholarship is a full tuition scholarship available to the children of Southern Baptist missionaries who are either endorsed by NAMB or currently serving with the IMB. Students must be under 26 years of age, degree seeking with an established 3.0 GPA, and taking full-time hours on the Fort Worth campus (no online courses, including FLEX courses, are eligible). Failure to maintain scholarship requirements throughout the academic year may result in reduction or removal of the scholarship. Incoming students can apply upon acceptance for enrollment, and current students must apply annually during the Spring semester for the following academic year.
The scholarship covers on-campus tuition only (no fees) up to a maximum of 15 hours per semester for the fall and spring semesters only. This scholarship is available for the completion of one undergraduate degree and one master’s level degree.
Overview
- Undergraduate Degree – 100% tuition – Completion of one degree, Max 4 years
- Master’s Degree – 100% tuition – Completion of one degree, Max 3 years
Students must submit verification (from the IMB) of their parents’ employment, with dates of service, prior to the start of each academic year. Failure to submit verification in a timely manner may result in a delay of the scholarship being applied to your account and additional fees being assessed. Verification letters can be emailed to sfs@swbts.edu and must be received by our office before the scholarship can be applied to the student’s account. If the applicant’s parents resign from the IMB or NAMB, the scholarship will be forfeited. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with another institutional scholarship.
To apply for this scholarship, please fill out the general financial aid application that opens on March 1st. The deadline for current students is May 1st and the deadline for new, incoming students is August 15th. Late submissions will not be considered.
Students who are pursuing their on-campus studies and have had the initial meeting with their candidate consultant are eligible to receive the IMB in-process scholarship (for up to 36 credit hours of graduate studies). Please see the IMB in-process scholarship section for more information.
Students who have completed their on-campus studies portion of the 2+2 program and are currently serving on the field as a 2+2 missionary are eligible for the IMB Current Missionary Scholarship. Please see the IMB Current Missionary scholarship section for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
- For current IMB missionaries, students must be employed by the IMB as a current missionary and be registered for classes at Southwestern Seminary.
- For applicants in process with the IMB, students must have had their initial meeting with their candidate consultant and be registered for classes at Southwestern Seminary.
Learn more about applying for this and other institutional scholarships on our Financial Aid page.
Got Questions? We’re here to answer them.
Reach out to our Admissions Team and we’ll be in touch by phone, text, or email.