frequently asked questions

The scholarship is for eligible international students, asylum seekers, and granted asylees pursuing post-secondary education in the United States.

Applicants must be enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment at, an accredited post-secondary institution in the United States.

Eligible schools may include accredited community colleges, four-year colleges or universities, graduate or professional programs, and accredited vocational or trade schools.

Yes. Students with a pending asylum application may apply if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Yes. Students who have been granted asylum in the United States may apply if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Yes. International students studying in the United States under a valid nonimmigrant student or exchange visitor status, such as F-1 or J-1, or a comparable status, may apply.

Yes. The program includes mentorship, discipleship, and related support from a faith-based perspective, and applicants will be informed of this before accepting an award.

No. Applicants are not required to profess a particular faith, belong to a religious organization, or make a religious commitment to apply or receive scholarship assistance.

Scholars must follow the written award terms, remain enrolled and in good academic standing, and participate in required mentorship, discipleship, or related support activities when included in the award terms.

Activities may include periodic meetings, check-ins, career guidance, academic or project-based support, personal development support, spiritual formation, and discipleship.

For the initial scholarship round, mentorship and discipleship support are expected to be included in the written award terms for each recipient. Any required expectations will be clearly communicated as a part of the award terms.

The program expects to begin by serving students primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and California, while retaining flexibility to serve eligible students in other locations.

A standard full academic-year scholarship is expected to be approximately $10,000 per student. Because the initial cycle is expected to begin mid-academic-year, first awards may be partial-year scholarships of approximately $5,000 per student.

The organization anticipates awarding up to two scholarships in its initial round.

Yes, students are encouraged to renew their scholarships for the following academic years provided that renewal criteria are met.

Recipients must remain enrolled, stay in good academic standing, comply with the written award terms including participation in mentorship and discipleship activities, and provide required documentation such as enrollment verification, transcripts, or progress records.

Scholarship funds for tuition and required institutional charges will be paid directly to the student’s accredited educational institution whenever practicable.

Scholarships may cover tuition, mandatory fees, and other qualifying education-related expenses that are reasonably necessary for the student’s course of study, subject to documentation and available funding.

Applicants complete an online application and submit the required materials by the stated deadline. Please refer to the apply now page for additional details.

Applications are due by October 1, 2026. Finalists will be notified by October 18, 2026 and interviews will be scheduled through November 7, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be selected and notified by the end of November 2026.

The application will request personal information, academic status, financial context, supporting attachments, and personal essays.

Applicants may be asked to submit information around themselves, their academic status, and their financial context. They are asked to submit supporting attachments including transcripts, a resume or CV, and two recommendation letters. Lastly, three essays are also required. Please refer to the apply now page for additional details.

Documents are not required for the initial application. Documents will be required if you move on to the finalist round.

Three essays with 500 word limit are required. The current application asks for essays related to leadership, spiritual journey, future vision, and an optional additional essay. Applicants should follow the current application instructions.

Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee.

E&M Scholars look for applicants with academic achievement or potential, financial need, leadership, community involvement or service, educational goals, and a willingness to participate in career mentorship and faith-based discipleship programs.

The Selection Committee will select finalists to participate in remote interviews. The interview will be one hour with members of the Selection Committee.

Recipients will be notified via email or phone.