A Churchwide Special Sunday Of The United Methodist Church Changing the World, One Life at a Time. United Methodist Student Day “Wise men and women are always learning, always looking for fresh insights.” -- Proverbs 18:15, The Message

“Leading up to and through college, I looked for a way to express my faith in everyday life. For me, technology, combined with tradition, enhances the worship experience. I hope to work in a church where the skills I learned in college can bring people closer to each other and to God.” Melissa Wheatley Recent college graduate and member of Collierville [Tenn.] United Methodist Church

The people in Melissa Wheatley’s home church are no strangers to giving. The Tennessee congregation knows their gifts will reap what they sow because of the support for Melissa, a recent graduate and longtime church member. Now that she has finished school, Melissa plans a career in which she can use her dual degree in audio engineering and religion and the arts. United Methodist Student Day changes lives.

It’s historical. In 1866, the church established a special fund for the advanced education of Sunday-school children and the educational preparation of persons for the ministry and missionary service. The 1940 General Conference established Methodist Student Day with a churchwide offering. The 1968 Uniting Conference continued this connectional student-aid program, funded by the United Methodist Student Day offering.

It’s historical. Today the offering supports United Methodist scholarships and the United Methodist Student Loan Fund, both administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Historically, United Methodists have celebrated Student Day with an offering on the last Sunday in November, but congregations may choose an alternate date.

Thanks to United Methodist Student Day, people in your local church and annual conference have a chance to attain higher education. Students attending United Methodist and other accredited colleges and universities receive scholarships and loans. Promising students across the United States receive scholarships and loans.

Susan Elizabeth Cordle Andrew College, Cuthbert, Ga. “United Methodist Student Day is very important and life-changing. Those who contribute to the special offering “have no idea how much this means. This day may change someone’s life forever.”

Jordon Cierra Bradford LaGrange (Ga.) College “My father is a United Methodist preacher, so I knew I had to get scholarships to be able to afford my dream college. The financial aid I received is making my goals possible and helping me with my future.”

Melissa Crawford Furman University, Greenville, S.C. “I definitely needed the scholarship because money was very tight. I was so thrilled when I received it because it meant I could stop worrying about finances and concentrate on my music and my studies. I’m honored to receive it, and I’m honored to share my talents with the church.”

Randy S. Hughes Evangelical Theological Seminary, Myerstown, Pa. “The financial aid I received has been a blessing for my family because I can focus on my education rather than being concerned about money.”

Your generous gifts provide scholarships and loans. Generous United Methodists pave the way to a college education through United Methodist scholarships and the U.M. Student Loan Fund, both administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

Your generous gifts to United Methodist Student Day offering support: United Methodist scholarships and the U.M. Student Loan Fund, administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Annual conferences participating in the Rebate Program may award one or more merit scholarships to United Methodist students. Participating conferences may award scholarships to U.M. students who reside in the conference and who attend or will attend a U.M.-related college or university. Promising students across the United States receive scholarships and loans.

Nurture. Advocate. Give. You can “adopt” United Methodist Student Day as your annual project and give to it at any time. Here are two ways to contribute: Online giving is easy and safe. Go to and click on “Donate” at the top of the page. Your online donation can be credited to your church or conference. Write a check to your local church and identify it as “United Methodist Student Day offering.” Put it in the offering plate or give it to your church treasurer.

Here are the dates. Historically, United Methodists have celebrated Student Day with an offering on the last Sunday in November, but congregations may choose an alternate date. November 28, 2010 November 27, 2011 November 25, 2012

Needs outweigh funds. “We have more applications for both loans and scholarships than we have funds, and fewer funds are available because of the economy.” --Angella Current-Felder, executive director, Office of Loans and Scholarships.

Here is how to learn more. For stories, worship helps and other information, go online to To order resources, go to and click on “Store” at the top of the page. To learn more about United Methodist scholarships and loans, visit and click on “Loans and Scholarships.”