COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY GRANT (Effective Immediately)
Ministerial students will receive grants subject to the recommendation of the local Official Board and the approval of the Leadership Scholarship Committee. Ministerial students are to be involved in ministry in a local church where they are attending school or their home church. Ministry experience while at school should be documented by the applicant and reported to their sponsoring Official Board.

Scholarships may be awarded by the Director of Personnel to candidates for ministry pursuing educational opportunities not at a bible college or seminary, in consultation with the official board of the local church and the LSP Committee.  The amounts will be equal to the college or university grants, depending on the school to which the student applies.  (If you feel this option may fit your circumstances personally, contact the Director of Personnel.)

2007 - 2008 Funding Levels

for Ministerial Students:

* also see”Other Available Scholarships” section below

ATTENTION:  The funding levels starting in winter semester 2008 will be reduced by nearly 50% due to more applicants and lower returns on investments that fund LSP.  LSP applicants will receive funds based on the number of credits taken each semester/quarter.  LSP will fund tuition only and only tuition up to a limit, based on the available funds.  

Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS)

Briercrest Biblical Seminary

Tyndale Seminary

ATTENTION:  The funding levels starting in winter semester 2008 will be reduced by nearly 50% due to more applicants and lower returns on investments that fund LSP.  LSP applicants will receive funds based on the number of credits taken each semester/quarter.  LSP will fund tuition only and only tuition up to a limit, based on the available funds.  

Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY

Azusa Pacific University, Graduate School of Theology, Azusa, CA

Northeastern Seminary, Rochester, NY

Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, MS

Western Evangelical Seminary, Portland, OR

Once ministers in the Doctor of Ministry program are recommended by the Director of Personnel in consultation with the LSP Committee (The LSP Committee will consult with the Regional Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement Committee wherever it deems necessary), they will receive the same funding as seminary grants.

SERVICE / PAYBACK ARRANGEMENT
The following policy applies to all seminary students, ministerial candidates, and to college students.

The policy in effect provides funding only to undergraduates who are Ministerial Students in The Free Methodist Church in Canada.  There is no repayment expectation if the ministerial student ceases to take classes after the second year of enrolment.  If the ministerial student extends studies beyond the second year and then leaves The Free Methodist Church in Canada, the ministerial student is expected to repay funding for the remaining number of years after the second year.

A Leadership Scholarship Applicant who has been recommended by the Official Board is also under supervision by the Pastor or a designate. Any LSP funding received as a Board approved candidate for ministry will be subject to grant/payback policies.

Grants are given with the expectation that all students receiving financial assistance will serve the Church. Service includes ministerial service with The Free Methodist Church in Canada, service as an approved missionary or VISA worker or Chaplain, or active involvement as a member of a local congregation of The Free Methodist Church in Canada.

The amount of the grant received will be reduced by twenty per cent for each year of service, with service as defined above. In the case of scholarship recipients who cannot fulfill the service obligation, the assistance received will be considered to be a loan to be repaid.  The grant is repayable to The Free Methodist Church in Canada over five years.  Repayment is to begin six months after the completion of studies.  A deferment of repayment may be requested if studies continue at a non-approved institution or if other circumstances warrant.

SOURCE OF LSP FUNDING
The LSP grant program is a continuation of the ministry of Lorne Park Foundation. LPF continues to provide approximately one-half of the funds required for LSP each year from the capital asset income of Lorne Park Foundation. The balance of the funding comes from Free Methodist churches across Canada through the Leadership Development Giving Stream.

1. John Wesley Seminary Foundation (JWSF) - Canadian FM students attending a JWSF institution who are at least Ministerial Candidates may receive a JWSF scholarship funded by LSP amounting to approximately $2,340 per year or $190 per semester hour. The LSP application may be considered as an application for this scholarship.

2. Special Scholarship Funds - The Free Methodist Church in Canada and Lorne Park Foundation administer several special scholarships. Applications can be downloaded by clicking on "Special Scholarships" or you can contact the Ministry Centre for a brochure and application form.  For more information contact Susan DePlanché, assistant to the Director of Personnel at 905.354.7006.

LSP application forms are available from the Canadian Ministry Centre in Mississauga, or any Free Methodist pastor. Applications may also be downloaded from our web site at www.fmc-canada.org.   All applicants need to be recommended by their church Official Board with pastor’s signature.  Seminary applicants need to be approved by the Director of Personnel in consultation with their Regional MEGaP committees.

The deadline for 2007-2008 is August 17 for Semester I and December 17 for Semester II applications. 

THESE DEADLINES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.  LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE LSP COMMITTEE