Scholarships. They’re one of your best options for paying for college, because scholarship money is money that you don’t have to pay back.
And you can earn them for a variety of reasons. There are scholarships for everything from academic achievement to playing a musical instrument. Some universities even award faith-based scholarships that recognize your spiritual commitment and efforts to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For example, Southern Virginia University — the only East Coast college for Latter-day Saints — offers three faith-focused private scholarships for its students. Let’s take a closer look at these opportunities.
At SVU, one out of three students are returned missionaries. That’s why SVU is committed to preparing future missionaries for exemplary missionary service as well as supporting returned missionaries (RMs) as they reintegrate into life and education after returning home.
Any student who has missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — or who has completed comparable humanitarian service — can receive one of SVU’s Missionary Service Scholarships for $1,500 annually for up to four years (or $6,000 total).
To apply, complete this application.
Have you graduated from seminary? If your answer is “yes,” you are the type of student SVU is looking for! By graduating from seminary, you’ve demonstrated determination, consistency, and a commitment to studying the scriptures and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
To reward your efforts, SVU’s Seminary Scholarship offers seminary graduates $1,000 annually for up to four years ($4,000 total).
To see if you qualify for this scholarship, contact your admissions counselor.
If your parent or guardian works in Seminaries or Institutes of Religion for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints anywhere in North America, SVU has created a scholarship for you!
Here’s how SVU works:
To apply for this scholarship, you’ll first need to complete a free application for admission to SVU. Then, email the Office of Admissions with “S&I Scholarship” in the subject line. Your email should include your name, address, and desired entry term (e.g., Spring 2025). Also, be sure to include your parent or guardian’s (who is an employee of a seminary or Institute of Religion) name, title, and employee ID.
As we’ve mentioned, if you’re looking for a university that recognizes and rewards your commitment to faith and Jesus Christ, SVU is the place for you. Each year, SVU awards more than $6 million in annual scholarships to make a premium, private, faith-based educational experience affordable to faithful Latter-day Saints and those who share our values.
In addition to the faith-based scholarship options, SVU also provides academic, need-based, and performance scholarships. Academic scholarships are awarded based on your incoming high school or college GPA and your standardized test scores. Need-based aid is earned based on demonstrated need from a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Performance scholarships are provided to help you pursue your passion in art, design, cheer, dance, music (e.g., band, choir, and orchestra), theatre, esports, and more.
Looking to learn more about all of SVU’s scholarship options and how to navigate the financial aid process? Be sure to check out our one-stop financial aid 101 guide: Private Scholarships vs. Federal Loans: A Financial Aid Guide for Latter-day Saint Students.