Ministerial Scholarships & Aid Funds

Three gold yellow clergy stoles laid over a pew bench. Some stoles have red, orange, and blue patches and decorative embroidery.

Every scholarship awarded is an investment in the future of Unitarian Universalism.

Creating Pathways to Ministry

A thriving Unitarian Universalist movement depends on the strength, diversity, and sustainability of its ministers. But for many called to serve, the cost of becoming a minister is a significant barrier.

The UUA is committed to making ministry an viable and welcoming path for people of all backgrounds, especially those who represent historically marginalized communities. Our scholarship program helps ensure that our ministers reflect the fullness of our communities and the moral courage our times demand.

Becoming a UU minister currently requires two essential but costly steps —a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a ministerial internship. Many seminarians balance school with full-time work and family responsibilities, while others rely on savings or family support to cover tuition. After years of preparation, many begin their ministerial journeys carrying debt that exceeds their annual income.

Dr. Emma K. Farrell, a white woman with short blonde hair, holds a protest sign that reads "ICE Out! Fuera ICE!" She is wearing a rainbow clerical collar tab and is looking directly at the camera.

“As a seminarian, single parent and part-time college instructor, balancing school, internship work, and family life is both joyful and challenging. Your support allows me to devote more of my time and energy to my formation and to the heart of ministry itself— preaching, accompanying people in times of grief and joy, and helping build communities rooted in compassion and justice.” -Emma K. Farrell, PhD, Scholarship Awardee

This financial strain contributes to burnout, limits opportunities, and discourages talented leaders from answering the call. Reducing these barriers is essential to sustaining a vibrant, inclusive future for Unitarian Universalism.

Scholarships Build Ministry

UUA scholarships open the door to ministry for people who might otherwise be unable to pursue it. By reducing the financial barriers to seminary and formation, these scholarships:

  • Empower emerging leaders to answer their call with reduced debt.
  • Strengthen congregations by ensuring a healthy pool of well‑prepared ministers.
  • Increase diversity in ministry, bringing a wider range of identities, ages, and lived experiences into leadership.
  • Support the long‑term vitality of our faith, ensuring that UU values continue to shape communities and the wider world.

In the 2025, the UUA awarded a total of $229,305 to 23 recipients. The average awarded grant was $9,162.

Support the UUA’s Scholarship Program

Your support helps create the conditions where gifted leaders can thrive—and where our congregations can flourish alongside them.

Donate to a Scholarship Fund

2025-2026 Scholarship Awardees

“Your and the UUA’s support has given me that gift of being able to truly immerse myself in learning this year, to focus on growing as much as I can in order to bring my best self to ministry and to the service of Unitarian Universalism.” -Sophia McKean, Scholarship Awardee

  • Ivy Breivogel
  • Isaac Castro
  • Mark Caswell
  • Monica Clark-Robinson
  • Birch Cue
  • Liesl Dees
  • Dr. Emma Farrell
  • Shawn Gibson
  • Karishma Gottfried
  • Caleigh Grogan
  • Jeanay Johnson
  • Holly Kelchner
  • Susan Knause
  • Audrey McCann
  • Sophia McKean
  • Zoey McShane
  • Ashley Mulcaire
  • Kendall Nordin
  • Ryland Rich
  • Swamini Saraswati
  • Paolo Sparti
  • Casey Stainsby
  • India Wood

Honoring Our Scholarship Fund Founders and Supporters

We are grateful for those who created, contributed to and inspired the following scholarship funds:

  • The Martha and Robert Atherton Ministerial Scholarship
  • The Forest Scholarship Fund
  • The David Eaton Scholarship
  • Lucille K. and Jerome P. Gallon Scholarship Fund
  • The Ingeborg Haseltine Scholarship Funds
  • Interfaith Spirituality Scholarship
  • The Susan M. Jackson Ministerial Scholars Fund
  • The David Pohl Scholarship
  • Roy H. Pollack Scholarship
  • The Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship
  • The Von Ogden Vogt Scholarship
  • The William G. Sinkford Scholarship
  • The John A. Buehrens Ministerial Scholarships
  • The Charles White Memorial Scholarship