Student Scholarships Available

Scott Mitchell  |  January 9, 2017

For more than half a century, the Institute of Buddhist Studies has offered graduate-level educational programs for those pursuing careers in Shin Buddhist ministry, Buddhist chaplaincy, and the academic study of Buddhism. To support our students and make our programs more widely accessible, IBS offers a range of financial scholarships and awards. We are pleased to announce the following awards for the 2017 school year for new and returning students.

The Hongwanji Scholarship Award
Thanks to the generous support of the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha, IBS is pleased to offer an annual scholarship to one qualified student enrolled in either the Master of Buddhist Studies or Master of Divinity degree program. This scholarship is awarded to a student in need who shows exceptional academic promise or a history of religious leadership with a clear vision of how she/he will apply their education at the IBS post-graduation as a scholar, minister, or chaplain. The applicant must intend to enroll as a full-time student for the duration of the year of the award; the award will at minimum cover 50% of full-time tuition for a full academic year. Award recipients will be profiled in the Buddhist Churches of America’s Wheel of Dharma and on the IBS website.

Application materials must be received no later than March 1. Applications should include:

  1. Hongwanji Scholarship Award application (available via the IBS website);
  2. IBS financial aid application (available via the IBS website);
  3. Cover letter addressed to the Scholarship Committee detailing why the applicant is qualified for the award, what her/his goals are in the IBS program, and what contribution she/he hopes to make post-graduation in a specific community or academic field;
  4. Current resume or curriculum vitae;
  5. Two letters of recommendation (they may be the same letters used for application to the degree program).

Additionally, IBS is able to award the following scholarships to eligible students:

Shin Buddhist Ministerial Scholarships
Thanks to the generous support of private donors, members of the BCA, and the Friends of IBS program, those students wishing to pursue a career in Jōdo Shinshū ministry are eligible for generous financial aid awards. A special fund has been created for female ministerial aspirants.

Buddhist Chaplaincy Scholarships
Students enrolled in qualifying programs with career aspirations in Buddhist chaplaincy are encouraged to apply for scholarships to support their studies at IBS.

New and returning students must complete the IBS financial aid application and return all application materials no later than March 1 to be eligible. To apply to a degree or certificate program, please visit our website shin-ibs.edu. Applications for students entering the program in fall 2017 are due February 15.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our office.