Explore Your Vocation

Would you like to use your summer to explore career options? But need to make money for tuition? Have you learned of a conference in your field that would be amazing, but the cost is not feasible?

Bluffton University provides ways to financially support current students in vocational and academic exploration beyond normal class expectations.

Available opportunities:
Summer Discovery Grant: Up to two grants of $1,500 awarded for a 4-6 week unpaid vocational experience.
Ministry Inquiry Program: Work for 11 weeks under the supervision of an experienced pastor. $2,000 for tuition.
Friesen Discovery Grant: $1,000 available to business students for research/professional development.

Summer Discovery Grant

Take a break from wage work for part of your summer to create an experience that allows you to consider new vocational possibilities. Current first year or sophomore students may to design their own 4-6 week summer experience to explore the relationship between vocation and faith.

Up to two students will be awarded grants in the amount of $1,500. Proposals are typically due in April.

2025 SUMMER DISCOVERY GRANT RECIPIENTS

Logan Daugherty who took part in the EMU Washington Semester program, gaining hands-on experience in a nonprofit medical clinic.

Trevor King who spent his summer gaining hands-on insight into healthcare at Fulton County Health Center, the Fulton County Health Department, and Parkview Bryan Hospital.

Previous grant recipients

Social work major

Leah Bowman ’24, gained experience through worked with children living in a domestic violence safe house or transitional housing.

Biology major

Addie Hilden ‘26, was able to assist dentists and gain hands-on experience by standing in on oral surgeries and see first-hand the ins and outs of oral procedures.

History AYA and middle childhood education double major

Kayla Nartker ’27, observed and interviewed teachers in English classes and in Catholic schools.

Application for Summer 2026 Discovery Grants will open soon.

ELIGIBILITY

An interest in designing an experience that will allow you to creatively explore vocation
Open to current first years or sophomores
Registered for classes at Bluffton University for fall of the year for which you are applying for funds.

EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Typically these experiences are:

Organized for a 4-6 week period of time during the summer
Positions that you will not be paid for in addition to the $1,500 grant
Not experiences for which you hope to gain college credit.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

To apply, please submit the following items:

Completed application form and grant proposal
Current Bluffton University transcript (upload unofficial copy on the electronic application)
Two recommendations
- one from a Bluffton University faculty member
- the second from another Bluffton faculty member or from a Bluffton staff member

Ministry Inquiry Program

Erika Byler learned she isn’t currently cut out to lead a church. She did, however, find a renewed passion for teaching and theatre, and developed a new appreciation for other forms of ministry.

Erika’s story >

The Ministry Inquiry Program (MIP) is a joint program of the Mennonite Church and the Mennonite colleges to help college age young adults consider pastoral ministry. Students do not have to be Mennonite to participate.

Experience first-hand what ministry is for 11 weeks in the summer. Work under the supervision of an experienced pastor and become involved in many aspects of a minister’s life and work. A $2,000 scholarship is awarded toward your fall tuition.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

The student will receive a scholarship of up to $2,000 to be applied to expenses at a Mennonite college or seminary. Scholarship funds come from the following sources:

$500 from Mennonite Church USA
$500 from the area conference of either the student or congregation served
$500 from the home congregation of the student
$500 from the Mennonite college or seminary the student attends

In addition to the above, the congregation to which the student is assigned provides $500 cash for living expenses. Housing will also be provided for the summer.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE

The program is especially geared to students who will have completed two or three years of college. Seniors who plan to enter a Mennonite seminary may also be considered. Students should have at least a 3.0 GPA.

For more information
If you would like more information about this opportunity, contact Chalsi Campbell at (419) 358-3654.

Friesen Discovery Grant

Bluffton students attending the 2023 Mennonite Economic Development Associates convention in Toronto gathered for a meal at former Bluffton professor Rudi Kauffman’s home.

Undergraduate business studies students are eligible for the Friesen Discovery Grant to fund research, travel, intercultural activities and/or professional development.

In the past, the fund has provided $1,000 total to finance student expenses to the Mennonite Economic Development Associates annual conference, the Mennonite Health Assembly and other professional conferences.

Students interested in applying for funding should contact the business department chair.