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Start a scholarship, multiply impact

Posted on by James Deaton
Scholarship recipient and her mother
Chalondra Jewell (right) is able to study at the United Methodist-affiliated Albion College thanks to a $4,000 scholarship made possible through the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) program. Chalondra and her mother, Contreda (left), are grateful for the support they’ve received from their home congregation, Southfield: Hope UMC, and the United Methodist connection. ~ photo courtesy United Methodist Foundation of Michigan

Through the Dollars for Scholars program, churches can successfully support students like Chalondra Jewell, who aim for higher education and a trailblazing life.

MARIAN COLES
Sr. Director of Church Relations, United Methodist Foundation of Michigan

Chalondra Jewell is a trailblazer. She is used to breaking down barriers and being first.

She was the first Black swim captain at her high school, is a first-generation student attending Albion College, and is the first student in 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 has participated in worship as a member of the church’s interpretative dance team. She has also been active with the Urban Methodist Youth Camp for many years.

After meeting with Albion College’s financial aid office, the Jewell family knew a huge opportunity existed for Chalondra to attend a United Methodist-related college thanks to Dollars for Scholars. They decided to let their church leadership know about the program and see if the opportunity existed to fundraise to support Chalondra’s dreams of a college degree.

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 is majoring in computer science at Albion College and is a swim team member there. This scholarship makes it possible for Chalondra to succeed and continue her trailblazing life journey.

Rev. Dr. David Bell, President and Executive Director of the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, commented, “We are delighted to continue our participation in the Dollars for Scholars program. As a recipient nearly 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 possible 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.

Churches, please consider this amazing opportunity when planning your 2024 budget. Also, remember that applications for the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) scholarship open on January 1, 2024. Find a young adult like Chalondra and begin a scholarship today. Together, we can make a difference!

Last Updated on November 21, 2023

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The Michigan Conference