Churches are encouraged to receive an offering for United Methodist Student Day, which funds scholarships for United Methodist students.

The official date for celebrating United Methodist Student Day is November 24, 2024. It is celebrated on the last Sunday in November each year. However, churches are encouraged to celebrate on a date that is most convenient for their congregation.

United Methodist Communications has provided a toolkit with promotional resources, including graphics, videos, and bulletin insert materials, for local churches to freely use. Click the button below to access all these downloadable resources.

Individuals can support this Special Sunday by giving online at UMC.org/SSGive, through their local United Methodist church, or by mailing a check here: GCFA, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203. Please include “United Methodist Student Day” in the memo line.

What Is United Methodist Student Sunday

This Special Sunday is a denomination-wide celebration focused on the value of education. We honor this day by generously supporting scholarships like The Gift of Hope Scholarship. By supporting our students now, we contribute to community transformation and leadership empowerment, building future leaders.

Your gift is a practical expression of care, equipping students to shape a hopeful future. Supporting United Methodist students provides both financial and spiritual boosts, showing them the church’s confidence in their potential. Contributions to the United Methodist Student Day offering send young leaders into the world with wisdom and understanding.

Where Does the Money Go?

An offering is taken on this Special Sunday to support and advance the education of our children. Last year, your generosity raised $215,000, helping to fund over 70 scholarships from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for United Methodist students. Every dollar received supports and educates a new generation of leaders for The United Methodist Church.

In 2023, 22 students from Michigan received scholarships from GBHEM totaling $43,375. Click the button below to hear the testimony of Lauren Canary about why giving to this offering was impactful for her.

One hundred percent of the funds collected on United Methodist Student Day go toward over 70 GBHEM scholarships. The scholarship program awards members of the church who are pursuing higher education, from incoming college freshmen to doctoral-level students. With the general online application, a student may be considered for any of the scholarship programs. Click here to learn more about how to apply for these scholarships. The scholarship application window opens on January 6, 2025. Click here to get notified when the application window opens.

Michigan Is a Giving Leader

The Michigan Conference has consistently been a top giver of United Methodist Student Day offerings over the years. In the last three years, the Michigan Conference has been second in giving among annual conferences in the North Central Jurisdiction. In 2023, churches and individuals in the Michigan Conference gave $10,166.

Rev. Jeff Williams, chairperson of the Michigan Conference Division of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, encourages churches to continue their generosity. “United Methodist scholarships help our students focus more clearly on their educational experiences by easing some of their financial burdens,” he says. “Supporting United Methodist Student Day means giving our students the right kind of help at the right time in their educational journeys.”

This is especially true for those pursuing ordination who may be facing significant debt. “One of the historical questions for admission into full connection for clergy,” Williams explains, “is ‘Are you in debt so as to embarrass you in your work?’ United Methodist Student Day offerings are part of the answer that allows our clergy to serve with boldness and peace of mind about their financial condition.”

Need More Information?

• • Read personal stories about the impact you are making with your gifts.
  • Use the resources designed specifically to celebrate United Methodist Student Day.
  • Explore and share the Did You Know resources to learn more about this Special Sunday.