Methodist Education Fund (MEF)
Since 1968, the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) apportionment has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in the United Methodist Church.
It is nurtured and funded by United Methodists to provide:
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Vitally needed seminary scholarships through annual conferences;
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Essential funds for the support of our 13 United Methodist seminaries in the United States;
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Programs that encourage men and women to respond to the call to ordained ministry;
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Continuing-education opportunities for pastors across the connection; and
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Course-of-study education for local pastors.
SEMINARY STUDENTS
MEF funds is a grant from the Kentucky Annual Conference for certified candidates in seminary. Beginning July 1, 2012, funding for seminary students will be provided on a descending basis based upon age and the possible return on years of service in the following manner:
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Candidates 35 years of age and younger will receive $220 per credit hour (100% of current rate)
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Candidates 36-45 years of age would receive $165 per credit hour (75%)
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Candidates 46-55 years of age would receive $110 per credit hour (50%)
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Candidates 56 years of age and older would receive $55 per credit hour (25%)
The student's age as of January 1 or July 1 will serve as the determining factor in the awarding of the funds for the coming semester.
Effective January 1, 2015, MEF recipients are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Failure to do so will result in suspension of assistance until such time as the GPA is raised to that level. If a course is failed by a seminary student, the following semester the student's award will be reduced by the amount invested in the previously failed course.
Scholarship Application
This application is completed only once for each academic year and covers both fall and spring semesters. Along with the student's FAFSA report, the application must be received in the Office of Ministerial Services no later
than April 15.
Note: MEF money is not available for Summer Terms and J-Terms.
LOCAL PASTORS
MEF funds are also available for local pastors who attend the Course of Studyprogram. Funding for Course of Study students is utilized on a descending basis, based on age and the possible return in years of service, as follows:
Age 55 & under - $200 per course
Age 56 & over - $125 per course
An exception shall be granted to those students, age 56 and over, who have completed 75% of the Course of Study (15 classes) as of July 1 of the year for which the application is made . They shall continue to receive the full level of assistance.
Because of the variety of times during the course of a year that Course of Studyclasses can be taken, the age of the student prior to the class will be the determining factor in the amount awarded.
MEF funds are used to pay the tuition and expenses for License for Ministry School. MEF funds also supplement Continuing Education events providing for low cost opportunity for quality events here in Kentucky.
Click here to get more information about the Ministerial Education Fund from the GCFA website.