Guidelines

HIGGINS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Adopted on October 25, 2011

The Higgins Fund was established in the will of William F. Higgins in 1947 and instituted at his death in 1957. Entities that were part of the stipulations in the will no longer exist. The goal of these revised guidelines is to honor the spirit and the intentions of the will. Documents that were studied and honored include: the will, dated December 16, 1947; the “Report of the Special Committee to Study the Higgins Scholarship Fund,” dated March 13, 1958; and the “Higgins Scholarship Program,” dated October 7, 1966.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the balance in the fund as of March 31 of the given year. The principle of the Higgins Fund ($289,624) will not be invaded. Only interest on the fund will be used for scholarships.

Use of Higgins Funds:

80% of the income from the Fund may be used for scholarships with preference given to students from the Presbyterian Church (USA) under the care of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry of Chicago Presbytery who apply. Others may be considered if funds are available and other reasons present themselves.
10% of the income from the Fund may be used for scholarships for international students of any denomination at McCormick Theological Seminary who apply.
Up to 10% of the income may be used for overhead related directly to the Higgins Fund.

Criteria for granting scholarships:

Awards will be made on the basis of potential for ministry and financial need.
Scholarships are ordinarily available to full or half-time students under the care of Chicago Presbytery who are in seminary or in a PhD program in a ministry related field.
The minimum scholarship will be $2,000 for an academic year and the maximum $5,000. Awards may be made for a second year if an application is filed.
Awards are available after the completion of one year of seminary or other graduate study.
The deadline for applications is March 31 of the given year. Awards will be announced by June 1. The recipient’s seminary will be issued a check by the beginning of the academic year.
The Higgins Committee may consult with the Commission on Preparation for Minstry

Higgins Scholarship Committee members will be elected by the Empower Ministry Mission Priority Leadership Team. Members will be elected for a three year term which will be renewable one time. After a year off the Higgins committee, persons may be elected again. The Committee will report twice a year to the Empower Ministry Team.

Any changes in these guidelines must be approved by the Empower Ministry Mission Priority Leadership Team and the Presbytery Coordinating Commission.

2/21/2013

Higgins Scholarship Fund membership for 2013-2014

Grayson Vancamp, Chair – Class of 2013
Jefferson Caldeira – Class of 2013
Matt Helms – Class of 2015
Arthur Hyrams – Class of 2014
Zabrina Santiago Lindsay – Class 0f 2015
Christine Wenderoth – Class of 2014

Garnett Foster, Consultant, Empower Ministry