Church Worker Scholarships
The purpose of the Scholarship Committee is to administer the application process for scholarships for men and women of the LWML Washington-Alaska District who are going into full-time church work and to award funds received through the voluntary donation of monetary gifts or mission grants.
Scholarship Committee
Kim Collins (Chair), Greta Bernhardt
The scholarship application form with instructions for the 2027-2028 academic year is now available. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2027.
Scroll further down to read more about the LWML scholarship process.
LWML Washington-Alaska District Scholarship Recipients
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Abigail Freeman has graduated from her studies at Concordia University in Irvine, California. She majored in Church Music with the goal of becoming a Director of Parish Music. Her home church is Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chehalis, Washington.
---- Update for the 2026-2027 academic year ----
Eric Breidert is in his second year studying at Concordia University in Irvine, California, majoring in Theology with plans to become a pastor. His home church is St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, Washington.
Isaac Stults is a return recipient in his third year at Concordia University in Irvine, California. The scholarship helps support his undergraduate Psychology/Pre-Seminary studies. His home church is Zion Lutheran Church in Snohomish, Washington. Upon completion of his studies at Concordia, he plans to attend seminary to become a pastor.
Kelsie Wiley is in her second year of studying Business Administration at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. She works for the Lutheran Church in Administration which will help further her career and help the church. Her home church is Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Federal Way, Washington.
Ryan Stites, new scholarship recipient, is in his first year of studies at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a Theology/Pre-Seminary student. He is the son of Reverend Roger Stites. Ryan is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, Washington.
More about LWML Washington-Alaska District Church Worker Scholarships . . .
Church Worker Scholarships are available through the LWML Washington-Alaska District for men and women who have a home congregation in the district, plan to become full-time church workers, are enrolled in a synodical seminary or university, and have demonstrated financial need. Scholarships are awarded to individuals selected by the district’s scholarship committee with yearly scholarship funds paid directly to the school as two payments, half each at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
Currently, the scholarship award is up to $3,000 per year for post-graduate students (i.e. pastoral and deaconess education) and up to $2,000 per year for undergraduate students. The scholarship is renewable in that students can submit a new scholarship application each spring.
Church Worker Scholarships are funded in two ways – through district mission grant funding and through dedicated contributions to the LWML Washington-Alaska District Scholarship Fund. You can give to mites and a portion of that gift will provide scholarships, or you can give directly to the scholarship fund and have your donation used only for scholarships. Either way, you are helping provide scholarships for future pastors, teachers, deaconesses, and others planning to dedicate their life to work within the church.
District Mission Grant Funding: When delegates at the LWML Washington-Alaska District convention (even-numbered years) vote for the LWML Washington-Alaska District Scholarship Mission Grant, this allows for the voluntary donations of all mites from district LWML groups, congregations, and individuals to be used to help fund church worker scholarships in the fall and spring semesters. Mites collected from throughout the district are divided to pay for LWML (national) missions, district in-reach, and all district mission grants, of which district scholarships are one district mission. In practice, the funding of church worker scholarships by semester from available district mites has taken precedence over the funding of other district mission grants, which are generally funded in order of their vote at convention. For donations to apply only to scholarships, funds should be directed to the district scholarship fund (see below).
District Scholarship Fund: Members of LWML in the past desired to support individuals preparing to serve the Lord within church careers and established a dedicated scholarship fund. Contributions to this fund can be made by individuals, local LCMS churches, local LWML groups, and memorials. When the fund reaches a level to fund a complete semester’s slate of scholarships, money from the scholarship fund is sent to directly fund that semester’s church worker scholarships. Direct scholarship fund donations should be indicated on the donation memo line.