Admissions & Aid
St. Marina Scholarship
Honoring diversity in ministry
The Bexley Seabury St. Marina Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ Students
Through the substantial support of donors and our historic endowment funds, we are able to provide some financial aid for students with demonstrated need. We also offer the St. Marina scholarship for LGBTQIA+, students, funded by an anonymous donor. Keep reading for more information about this scholarship.
Eligibility
Applicants for the St. Marina Scholarship must:
be openly and publically “out” about their LGBTQ identity (although the seminary may be flexible in this regard in the case of international applicants);
exhibit a demonstrated commitment to justice ministry in the Episcopal Church, with a specific emphasis on working for justice and equality on behalf of people marginalized both within the church and elsewhere, and particularly (but not exclusively) on behalf of those who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity;
have a GPA of B or above in their previous academic work;
plan to study full-time at Bexley Seabury for three consecutive years. (“Full time” is defined as a minimum of nine credits in the Fall and Spring Semesters and a minimum of three credits in the January and June terms; you must register for at least this number of credits per term, with plans to complete a total of 81 credits in three academic years)
Bexley Seabury will give preference to applicants who could not otherwise afford seminary, and who will thrive academically in the kind of contextual program that Bexley Seabury offers.
Deadline to apply for 2024: July 15, 2024
Application Procedure and Requirements
Applications for the Bexley Seabury St. Marina Scholarship must include the following:
At least two recommendations on behalf of the applicant, using the St. Marina Scholarship recommendation form, found here, submitted directly to Bexley Seabury by the recommenders. Recommendations may be made by individuals who have also submitted letters of recommendation for admission to the MDiv degree program. Learn more about the MDiv Program here.
A personal essay (of approximately 1200 to 1500 words) that directly addresses the qualifications to be a St. Marina scholarship recipient.
Please indicate that you intend to study at Bexley Seabury Seminary “full time” for three years, as described above
Please identify the communities and contexts in which you have openly self-identified as an LBGTQ person. (in your family, at work, in your community of faith, etc.) We encourage you to tell us something about your experience as an openly LGBTQ person and how this experience has intersected with your faith and your ministerial interests and commitments.
Please be specific in describing your work and passion for justice ministry; your previous leadership experience; and how you hope to live out your passion to serve marginalized people as a lay or ordained person in the Episcopal Church
A completed FAFSA application (for purposes of income verification);
If you are a postulant or thinking about pursuing a possible call to holy orders in the Episcopal church you must also request to be submitted on your behalf a signed letter (on official letterhead) from your Bishop or the Chair of your Diocesan Commission on Ministry, indicating that they (1) know you to be someone who is publically open about your LGBTQ self-identification; (2) are aware of your application for admission to Bexley Seabury Seminary’s MDiv program and of your plans to study full time here for three years; (3) are aware of your application to receive the St. Marina Scholarship awarded to LGBTQ persons committed to justice ministry; and (4) support (or do not oppose) your decision to study at Bexley Seabury Seminary as a St. Marina Scholar.
Please submit all application materials and direct any questions to:
Admissions
Bexley Seabury Seminary
1407 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 380-7041
admissions@bexleyseabury.edu
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