United Methodist Church Scholarship Opportunities Help SMC Students Thrive

Kristen Drum
Contributing Writer

When it comes time to start thinking about college, many students and their families also start thinking about cost and how they are going to afford it. One key tool that many hope to take advantage of is scholarships. As a United Methodist affiliated college, SMC students affiliated with the church have the opportunity to take advantage of several United Methodist scholarships.

In 2024, seven SMC students received Methodist affiliated financial awards. These scholarships were awarded from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF), the United Women in Faith (UWF) scholarship, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Students receiving scholarships were:

  • Aziyah Bell – UWF scholarship
  • Kennedy Broyles – GBHEM scholarship
  • Victoria Freeman – UWF, GBHEM, and UMHEF scholarships
  • Brittany James – UWF scholarship
  • Jeniya Outten – UWF scholarship
  • Taylor Wade – UWF scholarship
  • Dakota Wheeler – UWF scholarship

Rev. Timothy Drum II, the Chaplain at SMC, knows the importance of education to the United Methodist Church and how much of an advantage the scholarships can be to students.

Photo of a church with a cross“During my time at Duke Divinity School, I walked under an arch inscribed with the words of Romans 12:2 – ‘Be transformed by the renewing of your minds’ – regularly. United Methodists have held a firm commitment to higher education from the beginning,” Drum said. “Two of our most faithful partners in the work are the UMHEF and the UWF. The funds they provide for United Methodist students are invaluable to removing barriers to education and helping our young people thrive.”

The UMHEF, UWF, and GBHEM scholarships all require an affiliation with the Methodist church, though the qualifications vary a bit.

Kyle Wade, SMC’s Director of Financial Aid and Enrollment Services, sees firsthand the difference these financial awards make in the lives SMC students and works to help make sure they can get those advantages.

“Scholarships are incredibly helpful for our students,” Wade said. “We’re happy to help in any way we can, from posting scholarship deadlines, to answering questions, to making sure students know what opportunities may be available to them, to help our students earn those scholarships.”

To earn the UMHEF scholarship, the applicant must be an active, full member of a select group of denominations, including the UMC, for at least one year before applying. A strong preference is given to students who are enrolled or are planning to enroll in a full-time degree program (graduate or undergraduate) at a regionally accredited United Methodist-related college, university, or seminary in the United States.

The UWF scholarship is available to women who are members of the South Carolina UMC and have met all Presidential Scholarship Standards set by the United Methodist Women (UMW) of the South Carolina Conference (SCC). Applicants must be able to show active participation in programs and service activities of the church and UMW. Finally, the student must have at least a 2.5 GPA in either high school or college.

The GBHEM scholarship requires a GPA of at least 2.5, as well as a minimum of one-year active membership in the UMC.

“As members of United Women in Faith, we recognize the value of a solid foundation. Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’” Wanda Chandler-Flowers, the Communications Coordinator for the South Carolina UWF, said of the group’s commitment to education. “We put a lot of effort into giving scholarships to students so they can help bring about that change. Over the years, we have had the good fortune to work with some truly remarkable honorees, many of whom were students at Spartanburg Methodist College. Because of who we are and what ties us to the SMC community, it is special when the recipients are attendees of SMC.”

Scholarship Recipient Q&A
Spartanburg Methodist College students have expanded opportunities for scholarships through the College’s affiliation with the United Methodist Church and its various organizations. In 2024, seven students were able to take advantage of those scholarships. Two of those students shared what that meant to them.

Brittany James, Senior
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
United Women in Faith Scholarship

What made you choose SMC?
After graduating high school in 2008, I chose Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) for my initial college experience. Over the years, after that didn’t work out, I lost touch with the developments at SMC. Then, in 2022, when I decided to further my education with a bachelor’s degree, I revisited SMC’s website. To my pleasant surprise, I found they had introduced bachelor’s degree programs. This discovery prompted me to apply, and I commenced my bachelor’s studies there the following semester.

What career path are you on, and what is your ultimate goal?
I’m currently employed at a credit union where I’ve had the opportunity to work in various positions. My ultimate goal is to advance into a management role within the organization.

How did you find out about this scholarship? Was there something that stood out about it that made you think wow, that really fits with me? 
I discovered this scholarship through SMC. Growing up in the Methodist church and having a closely-knit church family made this scholarship particularly resonate with me.

Victoria Freeman, Freshman
Associate in Science
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Scholarship
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Scholarship

What made you choose SMC?
I chose SMC because I graduated high school a year early, then studied abroad in Belgium for a year as a Rotary exchange student. I had a very atypical high school experience, and SMC gave me the opportunity to transition back into my American life seamlessly while working on rebuilding my study habits.

What career path are you on, and what is your ultimate goal?
I am on the career path to being a National Park Ranger. In August 2025, I plan on transferring to University of Alaska Southeast (in Juneau, AK) to major in outdoor studies with a minor in environmental science.

How did you find out about this scholarship? Was there something that stood out about it that made you think wow, that really fits with me? 
I found out about this scholarship through my church. My father is a Methodist minister, and his knowledge of these scholarships, as well as his knowledge of SMC-based scholarship opportunities, gave me the resources I needed to apply for the scholarships and choose SMC.

“SMC has been the right choice for me personally because it opens so many doors for my future. I am incredibly grateful for the scholarships awarded to me because they alleviate the financial burden of attending college so that I can focus on my studies without having to worry about how I will pay for it. It gives me the freedom to work towards my degrees and gives me the skills I need to become a more efficient student and leader in my community,” Freeman said.