A church’s $1,000 gift can grow to as much as $4,000 through the Dollars for Scholars program. See how it helped Chalondra Jewell, then budget for a student in your congregation for 2027.
MARIAN COLES
Sr. Director of Church Relations, United Methodist Foundation of Michigan
Chalondra Jewell has long been a trailblazer, breaking down barriers and being first.
She was the first Black swim captain at her high school, a first-generation student at Albion College, and the first student from her congregation to receive a United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) matching scholarship.
Chalondra attended Southfield: Hope United Methodist Church growing up, where her mom, Contreda Navarro Jewell, is a Certified Lay Speaker. Chalondra participated in worship as a member of the church’s interpretative dance team. She was also active with the Urban Methodist Youth Camp for many years.
After meeting with Albion College’s financial aid office, the Jewell family learned that Dollars for Scholars offered a major opportunity for Chalondra to attend a United Methodist-related college. They informed their church leadership about the program and asked whether they could fundraise to support Chalondra’s dream of earning a college degree.
The Dollars for Scholars program starts with $1,000 of support from the student’s church. Then, the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) matches that amount, along with participating United Methodist-related schools (click here to see a list of affiliated schools) and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. Awards may total up to $4,000.
Chalondra received $1,000 from Southfield: Hope UMC and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan as part of her $4,000 scholarship. Chalondra majored in computer science at Albion College and was a swim team member there. This scholarship helped Chalondra succeed and continue her trailblazing life journey.
Rev. Dr. David Bell, President and Executive Director of the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, said, “We are delighted to continue our participation in the Dollars for Scholars program. As a recipient some 35 years ago, I know firsthand how this scholarship can impact a student. Our partnership with the highly respected UMHEF aims to make it financially feasible for qualified students to attend UM-related institutions of higher education.”
UMHEF can help your church successfully support students aiming for higher education. They will provide custom announcement suggestions, worship slides, and traditional bulletin inserts for your UMDFS fundraising efforts. Click here to find more of their fundraising ideas.
Local United Methodist churches here in Michigan, please consider this amazing opportunity when planning your 2027 budget. Also, remember that applications for the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) scholarship open on January 1, 2027. Find a young adult like Chalondra and begin a scholarship today. Together, we can make a difference!
Learn more about the Dollars for Scholars program.
The publication of this article was made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on October 26, 2026