ABHMS 2026-27 scholarship application cycle begins January 15
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 01/15/2026)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is pleased to announce the opening of the three-month window to apply for 2026-27 ABHMS scholarships. Beginning January 15, the online application form will be available for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students seeking financial assistance. Completed applications, including all supporting documents, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 15, 2026, for consideration.
Alexzandria Sanchez, ABHMS’ director of scholarships, ministerial grants, and emerging leaders initiatives, reported that the Scholarship Office conferred 254 awards totaling nearly $397,000 during the 2025-26 cycle. She went on to explain that scholarship amounts vary and that ABHMS transfers funds directly to the recipient’s school as credit toward tuition.
To be considered for an ABHMS scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold active membership in an American Baptist church;
- Be enrolled at an accredited college or university or graduate program in the United States or Puerto Rico;
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50, as reflected in a current transcript;
- Reside in the U.S. or Puerto Rico; and
- Provide a reference completed by a leader of the church where the student is a member.
Students who maintain their eligibility.
In addition to helping combat the cost of higher education through monetary awards, ABHMS strives to nurture a vibrant community of its scholars. “As part of our mission to support and empower our students, we’ve been fostering an inclusive environment that encourages cross-cultural and regional relationship-building,” said Sanchez.Education extends beyond the classroom, and we’re committed to creating safe spaces for our scholarship recipients to engage with ABHMS in other meaningful ways.”
To that end, Sanchez has brought together ABHMS scholars from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico for virtual “meet-and-greets,” the most recent of which took place in October 2025 for award recipients from the 2025-26 scholarship cycle. Sanchez often invites ABHMS colleagues to these gatherings to share information about the organization’s programs and activities of particular interest to students, such as internships through ABHMS’ Emerging Leaders Cohort and Summer Passionary Institute programs.
Visit abhms.org to learn more about ABHMS higher education scholarships, and then apply electronically by the April 15 deadline. To access the online scholarship application directly, click here.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
