UM Dollars for Scholars: Supporting Students Takes Planning Churches, partner with UMHEF to help students pay for college!
Pastors and church representatives! Now is the perfect time to start plans for sponsoring your college-bound students through our UM Dollars for Scholars program in 2026.
Applications won’t open until January 1 for the 2026-2027 academic year, but the fall is a crucial time for churches to ensure they’re ready to support students by making higher education more affordable. What makes the UM Dollars for Scholars program one you don’t want to miss? Through this popular program, UMHEF takes a $1,000 sponsorship from a student’s church and matches it for up to $4,000! Matches from our foundation as well as participating UM-related schools and UM conference foundations* make this possible.
But we can’t do our part if you don’t do yours and open the door for this life-changing partnership. Here are three few tips for planning now to make the UM Dollars for Scholars award possible for your college-bound students.
3 Ways Churches and Plan Now for UM Dollars for Scholars
- Read how the UM Dollars for Scholars program works.
- Remember the UM Dollars for Scholars program in your 2026 budget planning. By the end of September, many churches are in the middle of budget planning. Earmark $1,000 for each student attending a UM-related school next year.
- Start spreading the word. Before we know it, the new year will be here and applications will again be open. Help families become aware of this opportunity, as well as other UMHEF scholarships, this fall so no one misses out! Visit our Media Resources for ready-to-use announcements and other downloads.
BONUS! If your 2026 budget won’t allow for allocating these funds, that doesn’t mean your church can’t sponsor its students. Check out these tips for raising church funds for UM Dollars for Scholars.
We’re here to help.
If you have questions about the program or other UMHEF opportunities, contact us.
*Matches from UM-related schools and UM conference foundations are not guaranteed; the final total of awards may vary.