We encourage students to seek out how they are to live in this world, to accept and respond to the calling that is evident in the circumstances in which God has placed them. The Lilly Religious Scholars Vocation Program and the Lilly Vocation Fellows Program are two of the programs that the Office of Vocation Development offers to assist students in their development.
Lilly Religious Scholars Vocation Program (RSVP)
The RSVP scholarship award is designed to reward students who feel called to Christian leadership. Students in this program live on campus and participate in various opportunities and experiences to help them better understand and prepare for their specific call to ministry. The scholarship amount for students entering Stritch within the first year following their high school graduation and pursuing Religious Studies as a major or minor is $15,200 for the first year, and is renewable for three additional years at a similar amount. Some scholarship funds are also available for students transferring to Stritch who have at least two years left for their degree.
Students accepted to Lilly RSVP actively participate in regular gatherings organized by Office of Vocation Development staff, RSVP students, and religious experts. RSVP students also complete various field experience and internship encounters, participate in organized service and mission activities, journal, and participate in reflection groups on required readings and program experiences.
- Minimum GPA of 2.8
- Major or minor in Religious Studies
- Complete the Stritch admission process
- Have significant involvement in youth activities and service in a church, parish or religiously related organization
- Exemplify values compatible with Christian leadership
- Express a statement of faith and sense of calling to some form of ministry
- Have a strong service and volunteer background
- Supply requested references
Participants in this program will:
- Receive a scholarship consisting of $15,200 for the first year, renewable annually for a similar amount for up to four years
- Opportunity to choose special certification areas: Adult and family ministry, youth ministry, urban ministry, etc.
- Gain broad knowledge of ministry, faith development, theological understandings, ethical and moral development
- Establish long-term supportive relationships with peers, staff and faculty
- Receive local, national and international service and ministry opportunities
- Attend conferences and gain national exposure
- Get help selecting a seminary or graduate school
- Participate in professional internships in church ministry and related agencies
- Obtain assistance in further clarifying their call to ministry
Download the Lilly RSVP Application Packet.
The Lilly Vocation Fellows program offers various forms of assistance that affords undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to engage in the exploration and pursuit of purpose while completing their degree in any field of study.
With the support of faculty, staff and other students in the program, Vocation Fellows conduct curricular and/or co-curricular activities that will play a significant role in their discernment, clarification and defining of their call. This intentional search for a deeper sense of meaning and purpose assists students in passionately living their life in authentic service to others.
Grants may be applied toward tuition, resources and materials, program participation expenses and travel costs, where determined appropriate. Grants are also available to conduct special studies and experiences in Milwaukee and in other locations in the United States and internationally.
Involvement in this programs starts with a simple conversation with a member of the OVD staff.
For more information:
Office of Vocation Development, #84-A
6801 N. Yates Road
Milwaukee, WI. 53217-3985