Augustana College Rissing Scholarship for Future ELCA Church Leaders
Offered by Augustana College
About this scholarship
The Fred W. Rissing and Florence J. Rissing Scholarship supports Augustana College students preparing for professional leadership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Awards are worth up to $5,000 per year and may be renewed annually. Eligible callings are broader than ordained ministry: the official materials include music ministry, outdoor ministry, religious education, theology, social ministry, missionary service, and other church-related vocations. Candidates must be members in good standing of a Lutheran congregation, show a proven academic record, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to church leadership; financial need receives preference. Applicants first complete Augustana’s admission and financial-aid processes, then submit the sponsor-linked Rissing Scholarship PDF form and questionnaire to the Office of Financial Aid. The form requests congregational and pastor information, church activities, academic honors, educational and vocational plans, and short responses about the applicant’s church development, most significant church-related achievement, and leadership interest. A Lutheran pastor or other congregational leader must send one reference. The current Augustana scholarship page does not publish a fixed closing date, so applicants should contact Financial Aid before preparing the packet. Renewal requires at least a 2.5 Augustana cumulative GPA and continuing evidence of commitment to professional Lutheran church leadership.
Eligibility
- Plan to prepare for professional leadership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Be a member in good standing of a Lutheran congregation
- Demonstrate a proven academic record
- Complete the Augustana College admission and financial-aid application processes
- Submit the official Rissing Scholarship form and questionnaire to the Augustana Office of Financial Aid
- Arrange for 1 reference from a Lutheran pastor or other congregational leader
- For renewal, maintain at least a 2.5 Augustana cumulative GPA and continuing commitment to professional Lutheran church leadership