Gardner-Webb Offers Scholarship Programs to Christian Churches and Organizations

Over $250,000 Awarded Through Church-Matching and Minister’s Dependent Grants

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In 2019, Gardner-Webb University officials announced a substantial expansion of Church-Matching and Minister’s Dependent scholarship programs. That year, only three students had received funds through these avenues. Since announcing the commitment, more than 50 students have been awarded over $250,000 in aid.

“The Church-Matching and Minister’s Dependent Scholarships demonstrate our strong commitment to support students through partnerships with Christian churches and organizations,” noted Aaron Hinton, associate vice president for Advancement. “Through these scholarships, young men and women are empowered to ignite their future at Gardner-Webb, a place where Christian compassion meets academic excellence.”

For Caitie Mayo of Fitchburg, Mass., the Minister’s Dependent Scholarship—a $5,500 award—allowed her to continue her education at Gardner-Webb. As a student in the Master of Strength and Conditioning Dual-Enrollment Program, she will graduate in August 2021 with a degree in exercise science, health fitness concentration, and then receive her master’s in August 2022. After that, Mayo plans to pursue a career at a high-level strength and conditioning facility.

“The scholarships became available to me for my junior and senior year and are the reason that I am able to pursue my education at this school,” affirmed Mayo, who is a defensive specialist on the volleyball team. “I wasn’t sure how I would finish paying for the last two years at this school, but I had faith that God would provide. He chose to provide through these scholarships, and I am very grateful for them. These scholarships truly mean the world to me. I have been provided so many opportunities and have made so many lifelong connections which I may not have made otherwise.” 

The Minister’s Dependent Scholarship of $5,500 is offered to any dependent student of a full-time minister of a Christian church or an ordained, full time employee of a Christian church or church-related agency. The application deadline is May 1, and the Minister’s Dependent Scholarship will also stack on top of other institutional aid up to the cost of tuition.

In addition, Gardner-Webb offers matching scholarships to traditional undergraduate students who receive an existing endowed or budgeted scholarship from any Christian church or organization with a clearly stated Christian mission and identity. To those traditional undergraduate students submitting the application on or before May 1, Gardner-Webb will match a scholarship from a Christian church or organization—dollar for dollar—up to the cost of tuition. This matching scholarship will stack on top of other institutional aid.

“We are so pleased that through these scholarship initiatives we have now been able to revive an important church-to-campus pipeline of new students to Gardner-Webb,” lauded GWU President Dr. William M. Downs. “Our goal moving forward is to continue to strengthen the recruitment of such students so that we may further solidify GWU’s reputation as North Carolina’s leader in Christian higher education.”

Find more information on either scholarship here, or contact Aaron Hinton at (704) 406-4101 or [email protected].

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University’s official Admissions page.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.