Our Programs
We are excited to partner with students by providing scholarships and guidance to foster academic success and inspire vocational development, reflecting the Gospel’s values of love, justice, and healing for the sake of the world. We envision graduates living out their vocation and constructively impacting their communities in response to Christ’s calling to lives of service and stewardship of God’s creation.
Annually, we determine our scholarship opportunities in alignment with our mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
This year, we celebrate the long legacy of supporting student formation as we reflect on 80 years since the beginning of TEF's forerunner institution, Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle (LBIS), which later became Trinity Lutheran College (TLC).
In 1944, LBIS began its critical work in Seattle, and 80 years later, in 2024, Trinity Education Foundation builds on that foundation through its mission of supporting students in their academic pursuits and vocational discernment.
Before closing in 2016, LBIS and TLC existed in multiple locations, including Seattle, Issaquah, and Everett. The uniquely Christian and decidedly pan-Lutheran community was a holistically formative educational environment that helped shape the spirituality and faith of thousands of students. Today, LBIS/TLC alums and former students live out their unique calling in their communities, cultivating places and spaces for others to flourish.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, three distinct scholarships are available to honor the LBIS/TLC story.
LBIS/TLC 80th Year Undergraduate Scholarship
$10k one-time
A unique aspect of the LBIS and TLC identity was the transformative relationship and mentoring that students encountered with faculty and staff. In the spirit of that transformative experience, the scholarship includes one year of personalized coaching with a professional TEF coach. The coaching experience is dedicated to cultivating an environment where the student continues to flourish uniquely as they reflect TEF’s mission of living out the Gospel’s values of love, justice, and healing for the world.
The LBIS/TLC 80th Year Undergraduate Scholarship is a one-time award of $10,000, and we encourage all students pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited Christian college/university in the Pacific Northwest to apply.
LBIS/TLC 80th Year Undergraduate Scholarship Overview:
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The scholarship includes a one-time award of $10,000 payable to the college/university in August 2024. Additionally, each awardee will participate in a year of personalized professional coaching.
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There are three awards available.
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The scholarship is open to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited Christian college/university in the Pacific Northwest during the 2024-2025 academic year.
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Open to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
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Students who are already receiving a scholarship from TEF are not eligible.
Process:
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Applicants must complete the application by Monday, April 22, 2024, to be considered.
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Applicants will invite two people to complete a recommendation. The recommendations must be completed before the applicant can finalize the application.
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Awardee notification by the end of May 2024.
Application Closed
Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies
$5k per year, up to four years
The Rev. Dr. Dave Ellingson has a beautiful and vital history with LBIS and TLC. He served several years on the Board and later returned as a faculty member. Today, Dave remains engaged with TEF as an active mentor of students who receive this scholarship.
The Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies is a $5,000 per year renewable scholarship for up to four years (maximum total of $20,000 and is determined based on the awardee's enrollment status when the scholarship is awarded). The scholarship includes quarterly mentoring sessions with Dave Ellingson to discuss spiritual and practical concerns, explore environmental studies topics, and expand an understanding of creation care based on Dave's extensive experience.
Additionally, we encourage awardees to apply for a volunteer position at the beautiful Holden Village in the Cascade Mountains. A short-term volunteer position allows one to choose a time that works best while also providing practical application of their studies in an environment where conscientious creation care is necessary for sustainability. TEF will provide funds for travel to and from the Holden Village.
Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies Overview:
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The scholarship includes a renewable award of $5,000 annually for up to four years. The awardee must confirm their eligibility to continue receiving the award each year. A total of $20,000 across four years is determined based on the awardee's enrollment status when the scholarship is awarded. For example, if the awardee is a first-year student completing a four-year program, they will receive $5,000 yearly for four years ($20k total). If the awardee is a junior, they will receive $5,000 yearly for two years ($10k total).
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Each awardee will participate in personalized mentoring with Dave Ellingson.
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There is one award available.
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The scholarship is open to students pursuing an environmental studies (or similar) undergraduate degree at a college/university accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) during the 2024-2025 academic year.
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Open to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
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Students who are already receiving a scholarship from TEF are not eligible.
Process:
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Applicants must complete the application by Monday, April 22, 2024, to be considered.
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Applicants will invite two people to complete a recommendation. The recommendations must be completed before the applicant can finalize the application.
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Awardee notification by the end of May 2024.
Application Closed
Child of LBIS/TLC Alum Scholarship
$1k one-time
In celebration of our fantastic community of LBIS/TLC alums, the Child of LBIS/TLC Alum Scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000. If you are a child/grandchild of an alum of LBIS or TLC, we encourage you to apply for this scholarship as you pursue your education at a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
Child of LBIS/TLC Alum Scholarship Overview:
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The scholarship includes a one-time award of $1,000, payable to the college/university in August 2024.
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There are eight awards available.
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The scholarship is open to students pursuing education at an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regionally accrediting organizations cover the United States and include the following:
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Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
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Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
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New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
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Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
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Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
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WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
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The scholarship is open to children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren of an LBIS/TLC graduate.
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Students who are already receiving a scholarship from TEF are not eligible.
Process:
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Applicants must complete the application by Monday, April 22, 2024, to be considered.
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Applicants will invite the LBIS/TLC alum to complete a recommendation. The recommendations must be completed before the applicant can finalize the application.
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Awardee notification by the end of May 2024.
Application Closed
