Financial Assistance

FOR STUDENTS PREPARING FOR CHURCH CAREERS

Eastern District Student Financial Grants-in-Aid and Presidential Scholarship Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Semesters


Are you preparing for a full time church profession? Are you a member of one of our congregations in the Eastern District? Are you in need of financial assistance in pursuing your goals. Are you a talented high school senior who has demonstrated academic excellence and have participated in school, church and community activities and are preparing to enter into a church profession? If you have answered “yes” to these questions, you are eligible to apply for Grants-in-Aid and/or the Eastern Presidential Scholarship Award.


Guidelines and applications can be found below. If you are a current recipient of Grants-in-Aid, you must re-apply every year to continue to receive aid. Returning applicants do not need to complete the Biographical Questionnaire.


The deadline for applications is Friday, May 17, 2024.  Please send your applications to the Eastern District, Attention: John Fretthold, 5111 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 or email the documents to Johnfretthold@gmail.com.  If you need further assistance, please contact John in the district office at 716.634.5111 ext 18.


Guidelines


Pastor Evaluation


Biographical Questionnaire


Financial Aid Application

debt retirement assistance for first call workers

first call student loan repayment assistance program

Many church worker professionals are graduating from the LCMS seminaries and colleges with significant educational debts. They have undertaken these debts in order to be equipped to serve our congregations. The Eastern District, LCMS is determined to address the growing debt that the average worker carries into their first call. It is our intent to develop a culture in our Eastern District that strongly supports our first call workers by helping them reduce education debt.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

First call graduates serving congregations or schools of the Eastern District, LCMS.

WHAT AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE?
Up to a total of $1,200 annually given to a worker for five full years, beginning at the start of service and terminating after five full years of service or when worker terminated service in the Eastern District, LCMS, whichever comes first.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE?

Upon satisfactory completion of the application for assistance form, assistance checks are sent directly to the worker for direct application to student loan debt incurred for schooling relative to initial ordained or commissioned rostered service in the church.

Application for Assistance Form

WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CALLING CONGREGATION?

The calling congregation is encouraged to match or surpass this amount for the ordained or commissioned worker.