Feeling Called to Ministry?

Wondering how to meet that end while making ends meet? Help is available.

The RCA Classical Board of Benevolence has been helping Hope College students pursue their goal of full-time ministry since 1875.

Students who qualify (see below) apply to the Classical Board of Benevolence for financial assistance. They are interviewed, and upon the approval of the Board, they are given a loan/grant to help fund their undergraduate education at Hope College.

This loan becomes a grant if and when the student completes five years of full-time work in a Reformed Church in America Ministry (or another board approved ministry). Read that again! After five years of full-time ministry (Youth Work, Pastoral Ministry, Christian Education, Worship Leader, Missions, etc.) the loan does not need to be paid back.

This program benefits everybody involved: students are assisted financially; the RCA benefits from talented people serving its ministries; and the Board of Benevolence sees all of this as money well spent.

Qualifications

A student who qualifies for this program must…

…be able to demonstrate financial need to further his/her education.

…be a Hope College Junior or Senior. Interested students are encouraged to apply in the spring of their sophomore year so that the funds will be available to them in the fall of their Junior year.

…be planning to serve some sort of full-time ministry in the Reformed Church in America or another Board approved ministry.

…be prepared to repay the loan if five years of full-time work are not served in a Reformed Church in America or another Board approved ministry.

How to Apply

Complete the on-line application

Application deadline:

The Board meets annually on the 3rd Tuesday in April to interview applicants for the next academic year. Applications should be completed no later than the first week in April.

In completing the actual application you will be ask to verify your agreement to the following conditions.

If I accept money from the RCA Classical Board of Benevolence, I receive it with the following understandings:

1. I will serve in some form of full-time ministry in the RCA or another Board approved ministry for a minimum of five (5) years. When I achieve this goal of service, I understand that I do no need to repay the grant; however, if I do not fulfill the five year goal, the grant becomes a loan which I will repay in full.

2. I will inform the Secretary of the Board of Benevolence each year in September as to my current status as well as my address until my account is closed by the Board. I understand that the Secretary of the Benevolence Board may be reached in care of Hope College Chapel Office, Hope College.

3. I grant the Board Secretary access to my financial aid and academic records at Hope College.

Please read and understand the above information before making your decision to apply for the scholarship.

Further information is available from these Hope College offices:
-Campus Ministries Office
-Religion Department Office
(or)
Rev. Gerard VanHeest, Secretary
Classical Board of Benevolence
354 Hunters Run Circle
Holland, MI 49423
Phone (616) 392-8647