Learn More About St. Paul’s Foundation Scholarships
Students graduating high school or continuing their undergraduate education at a university or community college are encouraged to apply for St. Paul’s Foundation Scholarships. A limited number of scholarships are available for students preparing for ordained ministry.
Scholarships are available for students in specified disciplines, those attending United Methodist Schools, and students preparing for a church vocation. While special consideration is given church members and youth who are active in the programs of St. Paul’s UMC, students who
qualify for designated scholarships are welcome to apply. To learn more about available scholarships, please scroll down to see descriptions below.
The 2024-25 application process has closed. Applicants will be notified of decisions by March 31.
For more information, contact foundation@stpaulshouston.org.
Congratulations to our 2023-24 St. Paul’s Foundation scholarship recipients. 43 students received over $100,000 in awards and have plans to
attend UT Austin, Texas A&M, Lone Star College, University of Houston, Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Trinity, Hendrix College, and
other institutions. Among these students are future teachers, engineers, doctors, social workers, and church leaders.
Give to a Scholarship Fund
For more than 30 years, various groups of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church have provided or administered scholarships for students pursuing higher education. Most of these scholarship funds were established to memorialize or honor members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, family, or loved ones. Scholarship recipients are selected annually by the Scholarship Committee.
Donations to scholarship funds may be made at any time, and new scholarship funds may be established with a minimum gift of $10,000. Scholarships are distributed only from earnings of the individual funds and the principal remains intact in perpetuity.
For more information, contact the Foundation at (713) 528-0527 or foundation@stpaulshouston.org.
Descriptions of Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to qualified applicants, regardless of area of study or school attending.
Kurt & Tara Arnold. Established by Kurt & Tara Arnold for the purpose of assisting students with the expense of higher education.
Alberta Baines. Established as a memorial to Dr. Alberta Baines, a prominent educator and an Assistant Superintendent in Houston ISD.
Eula Bakker Scholarship Fund. Established to provide scholarship support for deserving individuals attending institutions of higher learning.
Bates Family. Established as a memorial Emma Irwin and Stephen F. Bates, and Howard, Clyde, Stephen, and Irma Bates.
Blair Family. Established in memory of Paris Boone and Robert C. Blair, and Samuel Blair.
Ellena P. & Robert H. Dickerson. Established by Mrs. Ellena P. Dickerson in her husband’s memory.
William T. and Barbara Grisham. Established to provide assistance to students with serious financial needs. Students do not have to be members of St. Paul’s to apply.
Charles Frances Hiller. Established as a memorial to Dr. Charles Hiller.
St. Paul’s Methodist Foundation. All memorials and tributes designated for “Scholarship,” but not to a specific scholarship, are dedicated to this fund.
Jay & Renna Williamson. Established in memory of Rev. Jay Williamson and Renna Norris Williamson.
These scholarships are awarded to qualified applicants based on SPECIFIC major and/or school attending.
Anderson Music. Established to honor Frances Anderson and Robert Brewer for their 20 years of leadership to the St. Paul’s music program, this scholarship is designated for students majoring in music.
Bankston Good Samaritan. Established to honor the Rev. Dr. L. James (Jim) Bankston and his wife Sandy, this need-based grant is available to students pursuing ordination through the Master of Divinity program at Perkins School of Theology.
Robert Langdon Clark. Established in memory of Robert L. Clark to support future teachers majoring in early childhood education (pre-kindergarten through third grade).
Edith Dissinger. Established by Edith Dissinger, this scholarship assists students pursuing a church-related vocation.
Carolyn and Alfred H. Freeman. Established in memory of the Rev. Dr. Al and Mrs. Carolyn Freeman. This scholarship is awarded to students preparing for the ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church.
Wood-Young-Washburn Scholarship. Established in memory Mr. and Mrs. Wirt Nelms Wood, Mrs. Velma Yong, and Rev. William A Washburn to provide scholarships for students attending a college or university affiliated with the Methodist denomination in the State of Texas.
Sadler Bible Class Scholarship Fund. The Sadler Bible Class Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for students attending a college or university affiliated with the Methodist denomination in the State of Texas.
Swickheimer-Mays. Established in memory of Sara Swickheimer Mays, who attended SMU. The scholarship is awarded to students attending SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.
Zane Ann Tigett Scholarship Fund. Named in honor of Zane Ann Tigett upon her retirement as Director of St. Paul’s School, this fund was established to provide scholarship funds to St. Paul’s School for pre-school-aged children, regardless of their financial circumstances.