Scholarships
What is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is financial support awarded to a student based on academic achievement or other criteria, such as financial need, for the purpose of schooling.
Student Services
Available Scholarships
The Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship pays homage to the legacy of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American saint, and a pioneering figure in American Catholicism who devoted a significant portion of her life to serving the poor and those in need.
In 1809, Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first religious community for women in the United States. Under her direction, the community played a crucial role in developing orphanages, hospitals, and schools, providing care and education to impoverished individuals.
Today, we continue to feel the lasting impacts of Mother Seton’s dedication to providing material, spiritual, and emotional assistance to those who needed it most. The Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship is designed to help support students who share a similar commitment to service and a profound ministerial promise.
To be eligible, students must be part of the Archdiocese of Chicago and demonstrate a strong desire to fulfill their calling to serve the Church and contribute to the broader community, reflecting the spirit of Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life and work.
Scholarship funds may apply to any program in the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization.
Funds are limited, and standard awards are based on need and vary in terms of amount. Award may cover fees and/or tuition.
The School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization awards the George Cardinal Mundelein Scholarship as a demonstration of our commitment to ‘sending dioceses.’
The George Cardinal Mundelein scholarship is named in honor of the legacy of the third Archbishop of Chicago and re-founder of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, home to Mundelein Seminary.
As a scholarship exclusive to students enrolled in graduate programs at the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, eligibility requires affiliation with a diocese that sends seminarians to Mundelein (i.e., a sending diocese), along with active enrollment in work, worship, or ministry within that diocese. The George Cardinal Mundelein Scholarship provides up to one-third of tuition each semester and is renewable for the duration of the program.
The Stephen Scholarship demonstrates the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization’s commitment to deacons and is named in honor of the first deacon.
As a scholarship exclusive to students enrolled in graduate programs at the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, eligibility requires ordination as a Catholic deacon from any diocese in the world.
The Stephen Scholarship provides up to one-half of tuition each semester and is renewable for the duration of the program.
The Sr. Katharine Drexel Scholarship demonstrates the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization’s commitment to professed religious members of a community. Sr. Katharine was the second American-born saint and among other significant contributions, she lived a life devoted to educating others.
As a scholarship exclusive to students enrolled in graduate programs at the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, eligibility requires being a professed/consecrated religious from any diocese in the world.
The Katharine Drexel Scholarship provides up to one-half of tuition each semester and is renewable for the duration of the program.
The Dorothy Day Scholarship demonstrates the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization’s commitment to lay persons engaged in ministry and faith formation from any diocese in the world. The scholarship is named for the co-founder of the Catholic worker movement.
As a scholarship exclusive to students enrolled in graduate programs at the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, eligibility requires a commitment to serve in ministry or to deepen one’s own knowledge of faith.
The Dorothy Day Scholarship provides up to one-quarter of tuition each semester and is renewable for the duration of the program. (Those from the Archdiocese of Chicago or a Sending Diocese are eligible for this scholarship, but would likely receive more funds from the Elizabeth Ann Seton or the Cardinal George Mundelein Scholarship).
The University of Saint Mary of the Lake has a relationship with The Dennis and Nina B. Jones Scholarship Trust, which provides funding for Roman Catholic priests and religious. The trust officer has invited new applications for these scholarship monies.
Only priests and professed religious who are enrolled in degree programs are eligible for a grant from the Trust. Completed applications are to be submitted to the Rector’s office (mbertram@usml.edu). Application forms must be submitted by August 30.
The scholarships named above are exclusive to each other. That is, they are not ‘stackable.’ Students may receive one scholarship, but not multiple scholarships.
Application Deadlines
- July 15
- March 15 (DMin Students Only)
- December 15
How to Apply
To receive additional information regarding the application process, you must fill out the application form.
For questions about scholarships, contact:
Student Services
Email: studentservices@usml.edu