Welcome from Nancy Brink, Executive Director of the Fish Interfaith Center
Chapman University supports students of all faith backgrounds! Though Chapman is officially recognized by two Christian denominations, this is not a Christian school. Through the Fish Interfaith Center and the chaplains who work there, Chapman promotes interfaith understanding to help people create a more peaceful world.
Christian students are the largest religious group on campus and there are a number of Christian clubs for you to choose from, whether you are a non-denominational Christian, evangelical, Roman Catholic or are part of the progressive protestant Christian movement.
If you are a member of a Disciples or United Church of Christ congregation, contact me to learn about special scholarship opportunities! And if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to brink@chapman.edu.
Scholarships for Christian students
As a university related to the Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ, there are several scholarships available relating to those denominations for Chapman students, including:
- DOC - HELM Scholarship: $2,000 awarded annually to Disciples undergraduate students through a Leadership Fellows Program. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions below, you may qualify as a candidate for the Leadership Fellows Program:
- Will you be attending college as a first year student next Fall?
- Are you a member of a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation?
- Are you looking to create positive changes in our churches and communities?
- Deadline to apply: March 31
- DOC & UCC - PULF Scholarship: $8,000 awarded to high school seniors, college first years, sophomores and juniors who are Disciples or UCC members.
- Students who are attending a college or university as listed in the current Yearbook & Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), may apply for a Phillips University Legacy Scholarship and Leadership Development Program.
- The scholarship may be applied to tuition, books, room and board, lab fees, and similar educational expenses incurred within the college/university.
- Deadline to apply: March 15
- DOC - Leta Puckett Scholarship: $20,000 awarded annually to one or more students who are majoring or minoring in religious studies at Chapman.
- First preference given students from Fresno County, second preference to students from the Northern California-Nevada Region, third preference to any student who is a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
- Deadline to apply: April 4
- UCC - Undergraduate Scholarship: Awarded to to members of UCC Congregations who are under 25 years old. Applicants must be:
- A member of a United Church of Christ Congregation
- Enrolled in an accredited 4-year university.
- Applicants entering their sophomore year may apply with a "C" average or equivalent; applicants entering junior or senior year must demonstrate at least a "B" (3.0) grade point average.
- Deadline to apply: March 15
You can find more scholarship options on the Scholarships for Christian Students page.
Outside scholarships for Christian students
Make sure to check the scholarship descriptions and visit their respective websites, as some of these scholarships are tailored to particular Christian denominations.
- American Baptist Home Mission Societies Undergraduate Scholarship: Awarded to Baptist students who reside in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
- Deadline to apply: April 30
- Annual Women’s Leadership Scholarship: Awarded to Christian female high school seniors and undergraduates who have demonstrated leadership abilities and an interest in making positive impacts.
- Deadline to apply: July 1
- Arthur and Elana Planos Scholarship: Awarded to high school seniors who are driven by their faith and have an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Deadline to apply: November 25
- Reverend William D. Aldridge Sr. Scholarship: Awarded to high school seniors pursuing undergraduate studies who have a 2.0 GPA and are members of (or whose parent/legal guardian are members) of a Christ Community Church
- Deadline to apply: February 9
- Robert S. Simmons Christian Studies Scholarship: Awarded to high school seniors who are pursuing undergraduate studies and are part of a Christian denomination.
- Deadline to apply: July 1
- Servant Ships Scholarship: Awarded to Christian high school or undergraduate students. Applicants can apply by writing a 400–600 word essay about what they’ve learned and how they plan to use their education to make a positive impact.
- Deadline to apply: September 12
Christian community
We strive to build a vibrant community among Christian students, so we invite you to explore the expansive resources we offer at Chapman!
Christian student groups
Chapman has several Christian student groups and organizations where you can find opportunities for connection, collaboration, and growth through religious, social, and intellectual activities.
Many student activities and faith-based services occur in the Fish Interfaith Center, which is the central campus hub for supporting Chapman’s religious and spiritual communities.
For more details, visit the clubs and organizations section on the Christian Students page.
Chapman Christian events and resources
At Chapman, you will have welcoming places to join in religious programming on a regular basis, regardless of your denomination.
For more details, visit the Chapman Christian events and resources section on the Christian Students page.
