Scholarships

This scholarship is a program designed to assist students and families in financing their Bethel education. Bethel University will match, dollar for dollar, a church scholarship awarded to full-time traditional undergraduate students at Bethel University. Students living in college housing may receive a match of up to $1,000 per year. All other students may receive a match of up to $500 per year. Students may submit scholarships from more than one church and the total of the awards will be used to determine the Bethel University match (up to the limits noted above).

The student and church must submit the Church Matching Scholarship Program application (PDF)  to the financial aid office prior to April 1. Funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply to the Church Matching Scholarship

The Missionary Church Scholarship program is designed to assist students and families within the Missionary Church in financing their Bethel education. Bethel University offers the following opportunities:

• Dependents of Regional Directors | Regional Director status as of the date of enrollment – $5,000
• Dependents of Pastors | Pastoral license and currently working in the Missionary Church full time – $2,500
• Regular Attendees | Regular attendee as of date of enrollment – $1,500

Mark on your application that you’re part of a Missionary Church. All listed statuses must be verified by the church at that point.

Awarded in each varsity sport, athletic scholarships are offered to male and female athletes from Elkhart, Indianapolis, or from around the globe. Students must be accepted for admission to receive a sport scholarship and must live on campus. Contact a specific coach for details.

Awarded to students whose citizenship resides in countries other than the U.S. and is based on academic ability, financial need and the university’s mission to prepare students for service in their home country. A limited number of awards are available, and students must apply for admission by Feb. 1.

Awarded based on outstanding performance or achievement through a portfolio review. Students must apply for admission prior to application.

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This scholarship is funded by the Missionary Church to invest in Bethel University’s ministry students. The scholarship is available to full-time current and incoming Bethel students that attend a Missionary Church*, are pursuing the ministry as a pastor or missionary, and have declared a Christian Ministry, Pastoral Leadership, or Intercultural Studies Major.

Eligible students can receive up to $2,000 per year.

*Missionary Church attendance must be verified.

Audition Procedure

1. Apply for admission to Bethel University.
2. Submit a music scholarship application and schedule an audition time. While on-campus auditions are highly encouraged, students may submit video recordings. Video auditions may be submitted through the music scholarship application.

Music scholarships are available for (in priority): music majors, minors and talented music elective students. Scholarships vary in amount and may be renewed each year of continued study meeting guidelines. Any auditions after mid-April will need to be provided via digital submission.

When to Audition

Music scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. High school seniors are encouraged to audition by December 1 for a greater chance of receiving a scholarship. High school juniors may schedule an audition or submit an audition video in the fall or spring semesters.

Audition Requirements

As you prepare for your upcoming music audition, you will find specific requirements below according to your intended field of study, as well as your voice and/or instrument.

For all non-music major auditions:

Voice

Prepare two songs in contrasting styles. These contrasting styles can be selected from any number of genres, including art song, commercial/pop music, hymns, Gospel, musical theatre, modern worship song, etc. Sight-reading exercises, as well as tonal memory exercises, will be included.

Instrumental

Please refer to the criteria below for your selected instrument(s).

For undergraduate degrees in Music (General), Music Education and Music Performance:

Voice

Prepare two songs in contrasting styles. Preferably, one of the two songs will be an art song in a foreign language: Italian, Latin, German or French. An accompanist will be provided for in-person auditions.

Brass/Strings/Woodwinds

Be prepared to perform two pieces in contrasting styles. These pieces should be selected from the standard solo repertoire of your chosen instrument. Prepare all major scales (2-3 octaves.).

Guitar/Electric Bass

Prepare two pieces in contrasting styles. These pieces can be classical or commercial/pop in style, depending on the chosen field of study.

Piano

Prepare two contrasting pieces from the standard solo piano repertoire, featuring any two of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th/21st century.

Percussion

Prepare two contrasting selections on your chosen instrument(s) from the standard solo repertoire. Also, be prepared to demonstrate one (to be chosen by you) of the following categories:

• Snare: demonstrate rudiments
• Mallet Instruments (2 or 4 mallets): major scales, up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. Minor scales up to 5 sharps and 5 flats.
• Drum Set: various styles (swing, Latin, pop, rock, etc.)

For undergraduate degrees in Worship Arts:

Vocal

Demonstrate your vocal abilities by:

• Singing one modern worship song and one hymn of your choosing.
• Song should be chosen to demonstrate vocal abilities and musical sensibility.

Instrumental

Demonstrate your vocal abilities by:

• Playing one of the solo pieces from the standard repertoire of your primary instrument, as well as one contrasting piece. The contrasting piece may come from any number of other genres: jazz, pop, rock, blues, Gospel, Broadway, etc.

Scholarship Recipient Responsibilities

Scholarship amounts continue each year if student responsibilities are met.

1. Within two weeks of your audition, you will receive a letter from the Music Department outlining your scholarship status and requirements. Your signature of acceptance must be returned to the Music Department to finalize the scholarship process. The designated scholarship amount will appear as a credit on your Bethel statement in two portions, one half each semester.
2. If you receive a scholarship from the Music Department, you will need to:
   • Be part of a large ensemble or ensembles (as indicated in your letter).
   • Provide a service to the Music Department each semester, such as ushering, stage managing, etc. These will be assigned early in the semester and as the semester progresses.
   • Maintain a 2.5 GPA in music and a 2.0 GPA overall.

Apply for admission to Bethel University prior to submitting the theatre scholarship application.

Students are highly encouraged to audition/interview during the fall semester of their senior year of high school for the theatre scholarship to be best reflected on their financial aid award letter. Juniors are also highly encouraged to audition/interview.

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Applies to:

• Pre-nursing students
• ADN Level I
• BSN Level I

The Cushing Scholarship is available to Pre-nursing students, ADN Level I or BSN Level I nursing students. Specific selection criteria must be met to qualify.

The criteria to be considered for this scholarship will include:

• Part-time or full-time
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate students or 3.5 for graduate students
• Demonstration of financial need
• Community service and/or spiritual leadership

How to Apply

Submit a completed online application by Feb. 28.
Please attach a two-paragraph typed narrative that describes your financial need and why you should be awarded the scholarship. Community service and/or spiritual leadership will be considered for this scholarship. Please attach a typed narrative that describes these activities.

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