As you begin to apply to colleges to advance your education, you should also apply for scholarships to help pay for your schooling. Scholarships are great for students of all economic backgrounds. With grants, you need to show financial aid to qualify, but scholarships are given based on academics and special skills or talents, and often are run similarly to a competition, as students are asked to submit essays.

As you search for financial aid, you’ll find two different kinds of scholarships – general funds and funds specially for students studying religion at bible colleges. You should apply to both kinds. The more money you have in scholarships, the less you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Unlike student loans, scholarships never have to be repaid.

Scholarships for online bible colleges come from a variety of sources. One of the best places to find scholarships is with private institutions and organizations. Some are specific to a certain denomination, while others are available to all religious students or all students in general. Some of the scholarship funds you should check out include the following:

• Carvajal Educational Scholarship: Available for students graduating high school in certain Texas counties, this scholarship is renewable for any student attending a Christian or Judeo church affiliated college.

• Cannon Endowment Scholarship: This fund gives up to $2500 to students who are attending seminary schools and planning to be chaplains in the military.

• International Order of King’s Daughters and Sons Health Career Scholarship: If you’re studying in the areas of medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, of one of the other medical-related majors, this program could help you.

• Kaneta Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship, is available to members of a Christian church in Hawaii with at least a 3.0 GPA.

• Lloyg & Iva Mattison Youth Ministry Scholarship: If you’re pursuing an education to help you in a career relating to youth ministry, you’ll qualify for this award. You must be a Disciple of Christ and show academic achievement.

• Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship: This $500 scholarship is given with preference to ministry students who plan to work in Nebraska in the Methodist church.

Private organizations aren’t the only places where you can find scholarships for bible college. Many colleges also offer their own scholarships, and can tell you about private funds that are available for students going through their programs. For more information about these scholarships, contact your college’s financial aid department. Some government departments also offer scholarships to students excelling in their fields. You can start your scholarship search online at Students.gov.

Remember, scholarships that aren’t necessarily for bible students can also help pay for your schooling. Look for scholarships that fit your skills and talents, and you’ll be more likely to be awarded the money. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, as well as grants, so that you can get your education as inexpensively as possible.

Looking for a top online bible college? Bible College.org has already ranked the best of the best Christian Bible colleges below. Each school is fully accredited and integrates Christian values into its curriculum.

	Liberty University — Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees: Liberty was founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell in 1971, and it's mission then remains the same today: Training Champions in Christ. Liberty's strength is built on its foundation of being the world's largest evangelical Christian university. Popular degree programs include: MA in Religion, Master of Divinity, MBA, M.Ed. in Teaching, MS in Nursing, and BS in Criminal Justice. All of their degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and available for online learning. Read in-depth review of Liberty University.
	Lancaster Bible College — Bachelor's Degrees: Lancaster Bible College currently offers a BS in bible studies as its only online degree program. Because this course of study is taught entirely online, students will be able to study the Scripture at their leisure, allowing them to balance schoolwork with current family and/or work obligations.
	American Military University — Bachelor's Degrees: The Bachelors of Religion degree at the American Military University is a 121 credit, 41 course program. Students are provided with a dynamic curriculum that covers a breath of study between western and eastern religions. Courses include Introduction to the Study of Religion, Introduction to World Religions, Religious Existentialism, and Sociology of Religion.
	Argosy University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees: While not affiliated with any branch of Christianity, Argosy University does offer a Doctor of Education in pastoral community counseling online.
	Ohio Christian University — Associate's and Bachelor's degrees: Ohio Christian was originally called Mount of Praise Bible College, which was founded in 1948. Headquartered in Circleville, Ohio, OCU is affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union and offers degree programs in liberal arts and business.
	Grand Canyon University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees: Founded over 60 years ago, GCU is one of the most popular online Bible colleges in the nation. Originally founded in 1949 as a Southern Baptist college, Grand Canyon is now a non-demoninational Christian university.
	Ashford University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees: Headquartered in Clinton, Iowa, Ashford University is a private liberal arts university with Catholic roots. Ashford offers a wide array of education choices, with degree programs in business, computing, education, health, science, criminal justice, and liberal arts.
	Colorado Christian University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees: Colorado Christian University was founded as Denver Bible Institute in 1914. Currently, CCU has an enrollment of over 3,400 students nationwide and offers online accredited degrees across a wide array of subjects, all committed to their mission of cultivating knowledge and love of God.
	Benedictine University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees and Certificates: Benedictine is a private Catholic university headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It offers degree programs in business, education, health, and criminal justice.
	LeTourneau University — Bachelor's and Master's degrees: LeTourneau is headquartered in Longview, Texas and has established itself as one of the leading non-denominational Christian universities that offers classes online. With degree programs in business, education, and psychology, LeTourneau integrates Christian leadership values into all of its courses of study.
	Amridge University — Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees: Amridge University was founded as the Alabama Christian School of Religion in 1967, is currently affiliated with the Churches of Christ, and has its main campus headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. Today Amridge offers degrees in liberal arts, bible study, counseling, criminal justice, and business.
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