Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) awards scholarships to encourage and assist Baptist students in Tennessee colleges, Southern Baptist Seminaries, and in their Christian development and academic preparation for a life of Christian service.
WMU scholarship funds are available through allocations from the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and earnings from invested scholarship funds. Scholarships funded through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions will only be awarded to students attending undergraduate colleges in Tennessee or graduate studies at Southern Baptist Seminaries.
The application deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is January 25, 2025.
Listing of Available Scholarships and Criteria
Scholarship Details
Tennessee WMU can provide scholarships because of the generosity of Tennessee Baptists through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and several endowments and funds.
The following scholarships are awarded by the Tennessee WMU Scholarship Committee and Executive Board. The committee determines scholarship awards based on information provided on applications.
Undergraduate Scholarship Information
General Requirements:
- Show evidence of current participation in missions involvement. Preference given to WMU missions discipleship groups (age-level organizations), Baptist Collegiate Ministries, or Tennessee Baptist missions/ministries.
- Be an active member in a Tennessee Baptist Convention affiliated church.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 out of 4.0 points or equivalent. (3.0 for Myrtice Owens and James & Martha Waller; 3.5 for Myrtle Creasman)
- Provide required references.
- Must be attending a Tennessee school full-time or taking the equivalent of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Show evidence of financial need.
Bettye Moss Powers Scholarship – college junior or senior pursuing full time missions
For: This endowed scholarship is awarded annually to upper-class undergraduate students who have a definite career interest in missions. The number of recipients and the amount of the scholarships is determined from investment earnings on the endowment.
Criteria:
- Express a definite interest in career missions.
- Preference will be given to female students.
Named for Bettye Moss Powers, former Tennessee WMU staff member, Recording Secretary, and active WMU member at First Baptist Church, Nashville.
James and Martha Waller Scholarship- upperclassman going into church vocation ministry
upperclassman going into church vocation ministry
For: This endowed scholarship is awarded annually to upper class undergraduate students who have a definite interest in a church related vocation. The number of recipients and the amount of the scholarships is determined from investment earnings on the endowment.
Criteria:
- Express a definite interest in a church related vocation.
- Preference given to male students expressing interest in serving in a pastoral role.
Named for James and Martha Waller, lifelong members, and lay leaders at Covenant Baptist Church in Brentwood. They were strong supporters and encouragers of their church staff and pastors. Mrs. Waller was involved in WMU in the church for over sixty years.
Mary Northington Scholarship – for Carson Newman or Union student with missions involvement
For: This scholarship, funded by the Golden Offering, is awarded annually to one (1) student at each of the Tennessee Baptist Colleges ($1500).
Named for Mary Northington, former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Tennessee WMU.
Myrtice Owens Nursing Scholarship – nursing student pursuing missions
For: This endowed scholarship is awarded annually to nursing students. The number of recipients and amount of the scholarship is determined from investment earnings on the endowment.
Criteria: Must express definite interest in using their nursing degree in missions – at their church, in their community, on medical missions trips, etc. – with preference being given to those who express the intent of pursuing a career as a missionary nurse.
Named to honor the mission legacy of Myrtice Owens, retired Tennessee missionary to Africa.
Myrtle Creasman Scholarship -female pursuing missions or ministry
For: This endowed scholarship is awarded annually to at least one (1) outstanding Tennessee Baptist female. The number of recipients and amount of the scholarships are determined from investment earnings on the endowment.
Criteria: Must express the intent of pursuing career missions or church related vocation.
Named for Myrtle Creasman, former President of Tennessee WMU.
Tammy Saffel Scholarship – high school senior with significant missions participation
For: This scholarship is awarded annually to two(2) outstanding high school seniors($1,500 each) who have demonstrated active involvement in missions discipleship. It is funded by the Golden Offering.
- Demonstrate active involvement in Acteens, Challengers, Youth on Mission, or in a student ministry with a strong missions element.
Named for Tammy Saffel, former president of Tennessee WMU. She was a dedicated youth missions leader and advocate.
Tennessee WMU General Scholarship – must show missions or ministry participation
For: This scholarship, funded by the Golden Offering, is awarded annually to undergraduate students attending Tennessee colleges. The number of recipients and the scholarship amounts are determined by the scholarship committee.
Criteria: Preference given to students who are committed to using their career for Kingdom work/Gospel advancement.
Graduate Scholarship Information
General Requirements:
- Be an active member in a Southern Baptist Church.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 out of 4.0 points or equivalent.
- Show evidence of current participation in missions learning/involvement/activities.
- Provide required references.
- Show evidence of Tennessee Baptist ties.
- Scholarships for seminary are for graduate level only. Studying undergraduate at one of the seminary’s affiliated colleges does not qualify.
Katharine C. Bryan Scholarship – female in any graduate school
For: This endowed scholarship is awarded annually to at least one (1) female entering or attending graduate school in or outside Tennessee. The amount of the scholarship is determined from investment earnings on the endowment.
Criteria:
- Students reapplying must maintain a GPA of 3.5.
- Must be attending a graduate school full-time or taking the equivalent of 9 credit hours per semester.
Named for Katharine C. Bryan, former Executive Director-Treasurer of Tennessee WMU.
Mary Northington Graduate Scholarships – (includes SBC seminary, Carson Newman and Union University,) preference to those pursuing a career in missions or missional leadership
For: This scholarship, funded by the Golden Offering, is awarded annually to up to four (4) full-time graduate students ($1,000 each) with Tennessee Baptists ties attending any Southern Baptist seminary, or Carson-Newman or Union University. Recipients are committed to missional leadership.
Criteria:
- Must be attending school full-time or taking the equivalent of 9 credit hours per semester.
- Preference given to females and/or those expressing the intent of pursuing a career in missions.
General Information
- Incomplete applications and/or late applications will not be considered eligible for review by the Scholarship Committee.
- The Scholarship Committee reviews applications for all scholarships, makes selections based on stated qualifications, and determines the amount of the scholarship.
- The chair of the Scholarship Committee recommends to the Tennessee WMU Executive Board those to receive scholarships.
- Applicants will be notified of awards following approval of the Executive Board.
- Scholarships are paid directly to the institutions of the selected students.
- Applicants: Please read the application form and the scholarship criteria carefully before applying. The Scholarship Committee will determine scholarship eligibility. Please contact Tennessee WMU concerning questions about scholarship qualifications at 800- 558-2090 ext. 2038.
- It is essential that each application include first, middle, and last names, and last four digits of social security number.