6100 Colwell Boulevard, Suite 200 Irving Texas 75039 214.390.1894 Fax 214.390.0755 www.synodsun.

com

Thank you for your interest in applying for financial aid from the Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation. The primary purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage a strong and continuing dedication toward theological study. Synod scholarships are awarded annually to cover one scholastic year, and an applicant may apply for scholarship aid for up to three years of study while in a Master of Divinity program at a Presbyterian or Presbyterian related seminary. The following criteria must be met by each applicant: 1) You must be a member of a Presbyterian Church (USA) within the four state region of the Synod of the Sun (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas). 2) You must be an Inquirer or Candidate under the care of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (COPM) in your presbytery. 3) You should be planning to serve within the Presbyterian Church (USA) following graduation. 4) You will be a full-time student in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program at a Presbyterian or Presbyterian related (by covenant) theological school. To be considered for a scholarship, you must prepare and submit all of the components listed on the attached page no later than June 15, 2012. All required components must be received at the Synod of the Sun, 6100 Colwell Blvd, Suite 200, Irving, TX 75039, by June 15, 2012. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and relative need. Previous scholastic performance is also an important component of the committees evaluation. We urge you to honor our request that all components of your application packet by received in the Synod office by the June 15, 2012 deadline. This will facilitate the timely review of your application and expedite the awarding of scholarships. Applications will be reviewed during the summer, and annual awards will be announced in advance of the fall term.
Sincerely, Valerie Knox Director of Administrative Services & Assistant Stated Clerk vknox@synodsun.com

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6100 Colwell Boulevard, Suite 200 Irving Texas 75039 214.390.1894 Fax 214.390.0755 www.synodsun.com

Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation Scholarship Program

If you meet all of the criteria for scholarship eligibility listed in the cover letter, the following components comprise the application process. All components must be received at the Synod office by June 15, 2012. A completed Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation Scholarship Application (Attached). A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial aid form If you have already completed the FAFSA form for other financial aid applications, a copy of pages 3-6 will suffice. If you completed your FAFSA online, a copy may be emailed to vknox@synodsun.com The completed COPM certification letter (Attached) A completed Pastor Reference Form (Attached) If you received a Synod scholarship last year, you need not submit this component. An official transcript of your scholastic achievement Current students should submit a transcript complete through the Spring 2012 semester. First-time applicants should submit their most-recent scholastic transcript. A one-page statement explaining your understanding of your call to the ministry and how you see yourself serving the Church upon graduation If you received a Synod of the Sun Foundation Scholarship last year, your statement should address how this past year at seminary has further clarified the direction of your call.

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A REMINDER TO APPLICANTS FOR A SYNOD OF THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP You will see in several places in the application materials that our deadline date for receiving ALL of your application components in the Synod office is WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2012. IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU MEET THIS JUNE 15 DATE! To advise you of your Synod scholarship financial support as soon as possible, the Scholarship Committee begins their evaluation of applications immediately following that date. Failure to submit the required application components by June 15 means

your application is incomplete, and the Committee will have insufficient information to consider you for a scholarship.

1) As soon as you have a fairly good idea of your expected income and expenses for the 2012-2013 school year, complete and submit the four-page APPLICATION FORM. 2) The FAFSA form can be completed as soon as you have your 2011 Federal Income Tax data. 3) Submit your COPM CERTIFICATION form as early as possible. 4) For first-time Synod scholarship applicants, I suggest you request the required PASTOR REFERENCE FORM from your home church pastor right now. 5) Make arrangements now for your 2012 spring semester TRANSCRIPT to be submitted to the Synod office as soon as it is available in May or early June. 6) If you are a first-year applicant, you could probably write your one-page STATEMENT OF CALL right now. For current seminary students we ask that your statement reflect the refinement of your call as influenced by your recent seminary experiences. We welcome your application and wish you success as you pursue your seminary education. And, remember for you to be considered for a Synod scholarship, we need all your application components in the Synod office by June 15, 2012. Rev. Frank Seaman Chair, Synod Scholarship Committee

SYNOD OF THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Please review the cover letter/attachment with this APPLICATION for the other documents required for you to be considered for a Synod of the Sun scholarship. All documents must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN June 15, 2012. Part I: PERSONAL INFORMATION Full Name: ____________________________________ Preferred Name/Nickname: _______________ Gender: M F SSN: ______ - ____ - _______ Date of Birth: _____/_____/_____ Age: ____

Current Address:

Street/Apt. No.: ____________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: _____ ZIP: _______

Permanent Address:

Street/Apt No.: ____________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: _____ ZIP: _______

Current Telephone: Home: ______ - ______ - ________ Work: ______ - ______ - ________ Cell Phone: ______ - ______ - ________ E-mail Address: ___________________________________@________________________________ Did you receive a Synod Scholarship last year? Yes No

What Seminary will you be attending? _____________________________________________________ Where will you live while attending Seminary? ______________________________________________ Projected MDiv Graduation Date: ______________ Citizenship: _______________ Marital Status (circle one): Single Current Year of Study (circle one): 1 2 3

If not USA, visa classification: _______________________________ Married No Divorced Widowed

If married, will spouse be a student? Yes

If yes, where _________________________________

Number of children who will be living with you: ________ Ages: ______________________________ ****************************************** Presbytery: _______________________ Ecclesiastical endorsement as (circle one): Inquirer Candidate Date received under care of Presbytery: _______/_______/_______ ****************************************** Home Church: _________________________________________ Pastor: _______________________ Church Address: Street: _____________________________ Phone: _______-_______-_______

City: _____________________________________ State: _____ ZIP: _______

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SYNOD OF THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Please review the cover letter/attachment with this APPLICATION for the other documents required for you to be considered for a Synod of the Sun scholarship. All documents must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN June 15, 2012. Name: _________________________________________________________ Part II: FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1. What will be your income for the academic year Sep 2012 through Aug 2013? __________________ [Please complete Worksheet A to help determine income.] 2. What will be your expenses for the academic year Sep 2012 through Aug 2013? __________________ [Please complete Worksheet B to help determine expenses.] 3. If your expenses will exceed your income, describe how you plan to make up the difference. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET A INCOME ESTIMATES My Income: Spouses Income: Other Support: TOTAL INCOME 1. _________________ Do you plan to work during school year? Yes No

2. _________________ Comments: ___________________________________ 3. _________________ (Please complete table below) _________________ (sum of 1 + 2 + 3) DETAIL OF OTHER SUPPORT

Source My Family My Church My Presbytery General Assembly Seminary-Tuition Seminary-Other Other

Amount Requested

Likelihood* and Other Comments

*guaranteed or probable

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SYNOD OF THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Please review the cover letter/attachment with this APPLICATION for the other documents required for you to be considered for a Synod of the Sun scholarship. All documents must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN June 15, 2012. Name: _________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET B EXPENSE ESTIMATES You may refer to your seminarys financial aid guidelines for budgeted expenses. Please provide your estimates of these expense items for the FULL SCHOOL YEAR (or for your term of study, e.g. one semester, if not enrolling for a full year). Item Tuition (verify w/registrar) Books Rent/Mortgage Utilities (incl. all telephones) Board/Food Transportation (incl car pmt, insur, maint,fuel) Uninsured medical expense Other Insurance premiums Charitable contributions Clothing Child care Incidental expenses Extraordinary expenses: -Credit Card Debt -Educational Loans -Other TOTAL EXPENSES OUTSTANDING DEBT Outstanding Debt Credit Card Auto Loan Education Loan Other Total Amount Due Comments Amount for full School year Comments

Please include payments on all debts and loans other than auto. Please list only payments to be made during the upcoming school year.

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SYNOD OF THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Please review the cover letter/attachment with this APPLICATION for the other documents required for you to be considered for a Synod of the Sun scholarship. All documents must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN June 15, 2012. Name:_________________________________________________________

Part III: FINANCIAL RESOURCES DATA Applicants are required to submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If you have already completed this form, you may submit a copy of pages 3, 4, 5, and 6. If you have completed your FAFSA online, a copy can be e-mailed to Valerie Knox (vknox@synodsun.com) at the Synod office. The FAFSA data must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN JUNE 15, 2012.

Part IV: OTHER INFORMATION Please explain any special circumstances or needs you have relative to this application: ______________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________________________ Date: ________________

Please review the cover letter/attachment with this APPLICATION for the other documents required for you to be considered for a Synod of the Sun scholarship. All documents must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN June 15, 2012. Please send this APPLICATION and the other documents electronically or by mail to: Valerie Knox Synod of the Sun 6100 Colwell Blvd. Suite 200 Irving, TX 75039 vknox@synodsun.com

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6100 Colwell Boulevard, Suite 200 Irving Texas 75039 214.390.1894 Fax 214.390.0755 www.synodsun.com

COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT:
Name __________________________________ Phone ____________________________ Address ________________________________ E-mail ____________________________ City/State/ZIP _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ TO; COPM Chair The above individual is applying to the Synod of the Sun for a scholarship to attend seminary this coming fall. Please confirm their current ecclesiastical endorsement and return to: Valerie Knox Synod of the Sun 6100 Colwell Blvd Suite 200 Irving, TX 75039 Or, the completed form may be e-mailed to Valerie at vknox@synodsun.com

TO BE COMPLETED BY COPM:
This individual is currently confirmed as : Inquirer _________________ Date ________ Candidate ________________ Date ________ COPM information: Presbytery _______________________________________ Chair ________________________________ Chair phone _____________________________ this form is completed by: Signature ____________________________ Printed name _____________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ City/State/ZIP _______________________________________ Phone _____________________________ E-Mail _______________________________ If you have any additional information or comments about the applicant which you feel might be of interest to the Scholarship committee, please use the reverse side of this page. Thank you.

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SYNOD OF THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Please review the cover letter/attachment with this APPLICATION for the other documents required for you to be considered for a Synod of the Sun scholarship. All documents must be received in the Synod office NO LATER THAN June 15, 2012. Name of Scholarship Applicant __________________________________________________________ TO BE COMPLETED BY PASTOR OR CLERK OF SESSION The above individual is applying to the Synod of the Sun for a scholarship to attend seminary this coming fall. (More information is available at www.sunfound.org.) Please assist this applicant by completing this brief form and returning it to: Valerie Knox Synod of the Sun 6100 Colwell Blvd Suite 200 Irving, TX 75039 Or, the completed form may be e-mailed to Valerie at vknox@synodsun.com

This individual has been an active member of this congregation since (date of membership) ___________ During this time she/he has been an active participant following church programs: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Would you describe this person as a leader in the congregation? If yes, give a couple of examples. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you know of any school and/or community events in which she/he has participated? Describe. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

This individual was endorsed by the session of this church to proceed toward preparation for the role of a Teaching Elder on (date) ______________________________ Is there any other information you would like to share with the Scholarship Committee? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________ Date ____________________ Church ________________________________________________ City _____________________