Barnabas Scholarship Program and Accelerated Undergraduate Degree to Master of Divinity Pathway
The Barnabas Scholarship Program1 is for students looking to change the world through ministry. Our Accelerated Undergraduate Degree to Master of Divinity Pathway was developed for students who want to make an impact outside of church leadership roles. Both of these programs allow you to complete seminary-level courses while completing your bachelor's degree and are outlined in more detail below.
Grand Canyon University is proud to introduce the Barnabas Program Scholarship, designed to reward students who demonstrate commitment and academic excellence throughout their studies. This scholarship increases in value each year, provided that the eligibility requirements are met, offering ongoing support for your educational journey. The Barnabas Scholarship Program is an accelerated pathway for ministry degrees tailored to young men and women preparing for vocational ministry within the context of a local church. The program exists to meet the needs of the vibrant local churches in the Phoenix area, the southwest United States and beyond.
Major Scholarship
- Available to students pursuing a College of Theology undergraduate degree
- Scholarship amounts are outlined in the chart below
- Total award not to exceed $10,000 over the duration of the program
Minor Scholarship
- Available to students pursuing a minor in Christian Ministry
- Scholarship amounts are outlined in the chart below
- Total award not to exceed $5,000 over the duration of the program
Since this program is designed for young ministry leaders, new students are not eligible to begin the Barnabas Scholarship Program after the age of 23. Transfer students are not eligible to enter after 24 years of age and cannot start if they have exceeded 60 credit hours at the college level.
Majors
Students in all College of Theology majors are eligible for the Barnabas major scholarship.
| Fall 2026 and Subsequent Starts | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total | |
| $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $10,000 | |
| Fall | $500 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,250 | $1,500 | |
| Spring | $500 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,250 | $1,500 | |
| Summer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Minors
Students in the Christian Ministry (pre-seminary) minor are eligible for the Barnabas minor scholarship.
| Fall 2026 and Subsequent Starts | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Total | |
| Minors | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Fall | $250 | $250 | $250 | $250 | $750 | $750 | |
| Spring | $250 | $250 | $250 | $250 | $750 |
$750 |
|
| Summer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
See admission deadlines for further consideration
Additional progression requirements for the Barnabas Scholarship Program include:
- Demonstrate a continued desire and willingness to be equipped, mentored and deployed for vocational ministry in a local church
- Articulate an increasingly clear sense of calling to ministry leadership in the local church
- Demonstrate self-discipline, ministry leadership, contextual sensitivity and an aptitude for vocational ministry
- Exemplify biblical qualifications for ministry and dispositions consistent with the shepherding role
- Participate in required co-curricular events, experiences and career preparation activities
- Complete required surveys, assessments and interviews
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If you are looking to step into ministry outside of a ministry role, the Accelerated Undergraduate Degree to Master of Divinity pathway is for you. You can complete classes from the Master of Divinity degree while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Features of this program include:
- Year-round program
- Complete two degrees in as little as five years, if you follow the schedule provided.
- Exciting ministry internships, formative labs and requirements for supervised ministry
- Explore the skills of a life leader with little to no previous experience. GCU had over 460 student leaders in Spiritual Life during the 2024–25 academic year.
Qualifying undergraduate programs for the accelerated path include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Global Ministry
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Philosophy
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Worship Leadership
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry
Read below some of the questions you may have about this unique ministry program.
For those who have wondered how to become a minister, GCU’s Barnabas Scholarship Program aims to give young students who feel called to serve an opportunity to receive guidance, support and practical education from church leaders through internships and ministry opportunities.
Qualifying undergraduate programs for the accelerated path include the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies and Christian Studies emphasis programs.
The Barnabas Scholarship Program is designed for students who feel a call to church ministry and are seeking a way to put this calling into action. The target student is a young person who has discerned a calling to ministry in the local church and who begins the accelerated degree path prior to the age of 23.
Students may not know every detail about what kind of church position they will fill in the future. The Barnabas Scholarship Program is meant to support students on a trajectory toward serving in the local church and to help them find out how they can use their role to have the biggest impact.
Students applying for admission to the program should be able to articulate their calling to church ministry and what has driven them toward the local church. The application process requires students to share their testimony and capacity for church leadership. Applicants will be considered for the program if they:
- Are able to demonstrate their sense of calling to and aptitude for vocational, congregational ministry
- Are under the age of 23; 24 for transfer students
- Have less than 60 transfer credit hours going into the program
- Students who have more than 60 credit hours are considered ineligible
In order for the Barnabas Scholarship1 to be applied to your account, you must meet all programmatic requirements. Academic progression requirements are the same as those required for the Accelerated Undergraduate to Master of Divinity. Additional requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment in a year-long program of study
- Uphold the ethical and moral values by which GCU stands
- Uphold the Covenantal Standards of GCU’s College of Theology and Grand Canyon Theological Seminary
- Maintain a minimum 3.25 institutional GPA
Immersing theologically trained ministry leaders in hands-on ministry experiences early in life develops a strong foundation that an impactful ministry can be built upon. These transformational ministry experiences are built directly into the accelerated pathway, equipping students with the skills to bring what they learn in seminary into the world and fulfill the purpose God has given them.
Given the diverse traditions and denominations represented in our student body, we understand there may be varying language used for offices or roles. These variations in language should not dissuade any applicant if their work is in the spirit of ministerial work.
Ministers and church leaders: Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
Interested in learning more about Barnabas? Fill out the form on this page to get in contact with a university counselor.
At GCU, the admissions process is simple and straightforward; guided by a university counselor who provides step-by-step personalized support. A university counselor can help ensure that your application and registration process is seamless and helps you make informed decisions in your best interest. Furthermore, they will connect you with student support resources to help with the college experience, campus living, academics and more.
GCU values transparency and trains our university counselors to offer financial details and benefits, while directly answering questions about how you can pay for college and incur minimal debt. You and your family can trust that financial plans will be tailored to your unique financial situation and needs.
Let's get started! Follow these four easy steps:
- Apply to GCU3 and upload your transcripts with no application fee!
- Make an appointment with your university counselor to review scholarship options and programs.
- Arrange your all-expenses-paid4 campus visit.
- Register early to secure courses and on-campus housing.
- The Barnabas Scholarship will be used to cover your GCU tuition expenses progressively throughout your studies. This scholarship has no cash value and cannot be used for food and housing.
- Students who do not successfully pass a course and schedule a retake will receive their scholarship for the semester during which the coursework is retaken. However, this will count towards the maximum amount allowed for the program duration. Once the funds are exhausted, they will not be renewed. This scholarship is not automatically renewed each year. It is renewable at the discretion of the College of Theology. All students receiving the scholarship will undergo a review at the end of each Spring semester to determine renewability. Students must be participating in the seminary portion of their program to advance to the amount designated as seminary in the Memorandum of Understanding. This scholarship is subject to the GCU CAP policy, has no cash value and cannot be applied to housing or food costs.
- By submitting this form, you give Grand Canyon University your consent to use automated technology to call and text you at the information above, including your wireless number if provided, regarding educational services. Please note that you are not required to provide this consent to receive educational services.
- All-expenses-paid visits are only available to prospective students accepted to the traditional campus. Student and parent/guardian (if student is under 18) are required to sign the Discover GCU Waiver. GCU will arrange and book air or ground travel to and from the student’s home city/state to Phoenix. The visit also includes accommodations in the Discover GCU residence hall and a meal card that covers breakfast, lunch and dinner while on campus. If utilizing travel reimbursement instead, additional restrictions may apply.