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Scholarships

The Urban Ministry Scholarship​

In our pursuit to recruit new clergy for leadership roles in urban churches, we prioritize their education during seminary. Our goal is to support creative, entrepreneurial urban pastors who can bring a transformative spirit to our member churches.


The City Society provides scholarships to individuals who plan to serve in urban ministry settings, and our Scholarship Committee selects the winners through an application process.


In 2022, we awarded seminary scholarships to Riot Mueller and Amanda Munroe, both of whom attend Union Theological Seminary. Our investment in these students’ academic work will create a new foundation for their minds and souls to grow in creative theological reflection.

Click here to download the application and guidelines.

The William, Juanita, & Edward James Memorial Scholarship​

For over 70 years, Reverend William M. James dedicated himself to fostering spiritual, educational, cultural, and economic growth in Harlem. He was a champion for the less fortunate, working tirelessly to improve their lives through a range of programs and initiatives involving representatives from both public and private sectors. Rev. James believed that education was key to achieving economic and social progress. His vision, dedication, and activism led to the creation of a scholarship fund that continues to inspire recipients to meet local and global challenges.


The scholarship fund’s main goal is to support high school students or undergraduates from diverse backgrounds who lack the resources to pursue higher education. By providing students with the opportunity to achieve their academic aspirations, this scholarship is an investment in the future of our society. We encourage students to strive for academic excellence and follow Dr. James’ vision to create a better future.

Click here to download the application and guidelines.

Investing in Leaders: United Methodist City Society Scholarships

The United Methodist City Society (UMCS) is dedicated to empowering future leaders who will bring about positive change in urban communities. We are proud to offer two scholarship programs to support students pursuing careers in ministry:
  • Urban Ministry Scholarship Program: This scholarship assists individuals planning to enter full-time ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church, with a focus on serving in urban settings.
  • William, Juanita, and Edward James Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship honors Rev. William M. James’s legacy and commitment to urban ministry. It supports high school seniors and undergraduate students committed to serving their communities.

Eligibility & Requirements

To be eligible for either scholarship, you must be a member of a United Methodist Church. Specific requirements vary by program, so please review the details carefully before applying:
  • Urban Ministry Scholarship Program: This scholarship is open to current seminary students enrolled full-time or part-time in a program approved by the United Methodist Church University Senate.
  • Must be an inquiring candidate in the candidacy process of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church or a certified candidate.
  • William, Juanita, and Edward James Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is open to current high school seniors or enrolled undergraduate students at an accredited institution.
  • The applicant must be between 16 and 25 years old and have a minimum GPA of 2.75.

Applying for a Scholarship

We encourage all interested applicants to review the complete scholarship guidelines for each program before applying. These guidelines detail the application process, required documents, and selection criteria. You can find the guidelines for each program here: 

Urban Ministry Scholarship Program
William, Juanita, and Edward James Memorial Scholarship 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply! The UMCS Scholarship Committee looks forward to reviewing your application and supporting your educational journey.

Inquiries

If you have any questions about the UMCS Scholarship program, please contact us at scholarshipinfo@umcitysociety.org.

475 Riverside Drive, Suite #1922, 
New York, NY 10115

(212) 870-3084

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Disclaimer: A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website at www.charitiesnys.com or, upon request, by contacting the Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us upon request, by contacting us at 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1922, New York, NY 10115  or by calling (212) 870-3084. You may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General by calling (212) 416-8401.

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