Financial Assistance

United Methodist Scholarships & Loans

Smith Chapel at nightThe following scholarships, grants and loans are available to United Methodist students:

National United Methodist Scholarships
Each year applicants are selected for the National United Methodist Scholarships, with each award carrying an annual stipend of $500.  The award is renewable based on availability of funds. Recipients are chosen on the basis of scholastic ability, leadership qualities, Christian activities and service, and financial need. To be eligible, the applicant must be a member of the United Methodist Church.  The number of awards depends upon funding from the General Board of education of the United Methodist Church.  Applications are available in the office of financial assistance at Simpson College.  More information about United Methodist scholarships can be found here.

Iowa Conference United Methodist Scholarships
New freshmen and transfer students who are members of the United Methodist Church in the Iowa Conference may apply for a limited number of Iowa Conference United Methodist Scholarships to attend Simpson College.  It is available only the first year they attend Simpson College.  Applications are available through the local pastor, the Conference headquarters or the office of financial assistance at Simpson College. 

Iowa United Methodist Foundation
Various scholarships are available to Iowa United Methodist students through the Iowa United Methodist Foundation.  A listing of these scholarships is available through the office of financial assistance at Simpson College or the Iowa United Methodist Conference Headquarters in Des Moines.

Simpson College United Methodist Service to Community Grant
This grant is awarded to United Methodist students who demonstrate outstanding community service or have expressed a desire to serve. This grant ranges from $12,000 to $15,000 per year. In return, students selected for this program will perform 8 hours of community service per week. To request application materials for this grant, contact the office of admissions or email admiss@simpson.edu. Preference is given to applications received before February 15, 2010.

Matthew Simpson Scholarship
The Matthew Simpson Scholarship is named in recognition of Bishop Matthew Simpson. Eligible candidates must hold membership in a United Methodist Church, possess strong academic ability and potential as evidenced by their high school/previous college performance and their success on the American College Test (ACT) and/or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The student must demonstrate leadership qualities in both the community and church. The final determination of the amount of the award will be made in relationship to other financial assistance received. This Simpson College scholarship is available only to new incoming students. Matthew Simpson Scholars are awarded up to $2,000.

Simpson College Pre-Ministerial Loan/Grants
Pre-Ministerial Loan/Grants are available to assist students who are preparing for the ministry in the United Methodist Church.  They are initially awarded in the form of loans that are cancelled upon the successful completion of the first year at an accredited theological seminary.  The student must be recommended by the department of religion in order to be considered for this award and must be admitted for full-time enrollment.  Applications are available through the chairman of the department of religion or the college chaplain.

Simpson College United Methodist Clergy and Professional Staff Grant
Dependent children of United Methodist clergy, diaconal ministers and other full-time personnel in education and music are eligible to apply for the United Methodist Clergy and Professional Staff Grant if they are full-time Simpson students.  The parent must be presently assigned to or employed by a United Methodist Church or be on special assignment by the Bishop and Cabinet of his/her area.  This grant is based on financial need.

National United Methodist Loans
United Methodist students may apply for a loan from the student loan fund of the General Board of Education of the United Methodist Church, based on the following criteria: evidence of Christian character, satisfactory scholarship, promise of usefulness, financial responsibility and the recommendation of the church to which they belong.  Applications for both the scholarship and loan are available in the office of financial assistance at Simpson College.  Additional information concerning Methodist loans can be found here.  

Last Updated: 10/28/09