Educational Scholarship Funds

We are blessed with scholarship funds for members of our congregation who are pursuing higher education. Active membership in First Congregational Church is a common requirement for all scholarships. There are funds available for almost any kind of additional education in various fields thanks to the generous forethought of past and present members of this congregation. Below is a summary of each of our scholarship funds to help you with filling out the application.

Applications are due March 15th.

• In 1997, Ted and Faye Bidwell established the Bidwell Scholarship Fund to assist congregational members under the age of twenty-seven (27). Criteria for this scholarship are active participation in the life, ministry, and mission of First Congregational Church, high scholastic achievement, and financial need. Awards from this fund are limited to two years per person and under the age of 25.
• Saenger, Frick, McBlair, Lee Scholarship. Criteria for consideration for funds are First Congregational membership, financial need, application quality, and educational goals.
• The Griswold Scholarship Fund is designated for support of students seeking theological education.
• The General Scholarship Fund. A criterion for this scholarship is First Congregational membership and active participation. There are no restrictions related to age or education sought.

* Awards from scholarship funds will be limited to a total of five (5) years.

Please be sure all of the following information is in the church office by the date below linking to the application.

1.  Completed application
2.  Personal statement of qualification
3.  2 years of grade transcripts from the last school attended

In late April you will receive a letter indicating whether you have been awarded a scholarship and if so, in what amount. Scholarship checks are made out to the college and are sent to you. It is your responsibility to see that the check is sent to your college’s financial aid office. Should you receive a scholarship grant from the Bidwell Scholarship Fund, an expression of gratitude to Ann Bidwell-Hyzer at 110 Seminole Rd Janesville would be both appropriate and appreciated.

Please contact the church office 608-752-8716.

First Congregational UCC Seminarians

The following scholarship recipients went on to become pastors in our community and beyond. 

David Huber, Union Theological Seminary, Ordained in 2004

Called to serve as Pastor at Plymouth United Church of Christ, Eau Claire, WI, and currently serving as Pastor at UCC - Judd St., Honolulu, HI

Bryan Olson, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Ordained 2006

Called to serve as Pastor at Cottage Grove UCC, Cottage Grove, MN

Gayle Tucker, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Ordained 2010

Called to serve as Pastor at the Congregational Church of Jefferson Park, Chicago, IL, and currently serving as Administrative and Communications Associate at the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

Kerri Parker, Chicago Theological Seminary, Ordained 2010

Called to serve as Pastor at McFarland United Church of Christ, McFarland, WI, and currently serves as Executive Director at the Wisconsin Council of Churches.