United Church of Christ Undergraduate Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by United Church of Christ
About This Scholarship
The United Church of Christ's national setting administers a family of Leadership Development Scholarships, and the UCC Undergraduate Scholarship is the one aimed squarely at college students in the pews. It supports UCC members who have finished their first year of college - sophomores, juniors and seniors - studying in any discipline at an accredited four-year institution in the United States.
Unlike nomination-based church awards, this is a direct application: students complete the denomination's online scholarship form themselves. The UCC runs all of its scholarship applications on a single annual calendar, with portals opening December 1 each year and closing March 1 of the following year at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, and award notifications going out by May 15.
The program sits alongside related UCC funds for African American laywomen, students with disabilities and future seminary professors, so undergraduates with those backgrounds may find more than one fit within the same December-to-March window. Membership in a UCC congregation is the central requirement; there is no fee to apply.
Eligibility
- Member of a United Church of Christ congregation
- Enrolled sophomore, junior or senior at an accredited four-year U.S. institution
- Any field of study is eligible
- Apply during the annual December 1 - March 1 window
How To Apply
- Go to the UCC Leadership Development Scholarships page and open the online application when the portal opens December 1, 2026.
- Complete and submit the form by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 1, 2027.
- Watch for award notifications, which the UCC sends by May 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can freshmen or high school seniors apply?
No. The UCC Undergraduate Scholarship is for students who have completed at least one year of college - sophomores, juniors and seniors at accredited four-year U.S. institutions.
Does my college need to be affiliated with the UCC?
No. Any accredited four-year institution in the United States qualifies. The requirement is that the student belongs to a United Church of Christ congregation.