TEF 2025-2026 Scholarship Application

TEF 2025-2025 Scholarship Application
The application will take 1-2 hours to complete fully. You can "Save" your progress as you go by emailing yourself a link (bottom of the page). If you want to preview the entire application at once, so you can prepare, please view the included PDF version.
Trinity Education Foundation inspires and empowers God’s people to live out Christ’s calling of service to others and stewardship of creation. We do this by providing financial support and guidance to foster educational success and inspire vocational discernment, affirming Gospel values for the sake of the world.

We honor the long legacy of supporting student formation as we reflect on over 80 years since the beginning of TEF's forerunner institution, Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle (LBIS), which later became Trinity Lutheran College (TLC).

LBIS began its critical work in Seattle in 1944, 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.

2025-2026 Scholarship Programs

Annually, we determine our scholarship opportunities in alignment with our mission, vision, and strategic priorities. For the 2025-2026 academic year, we have two scholarship programs open to new applicants:
- Child of LBIS/TLC Alum/Faculty/Staff Scholarship
- Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies
Child of LBIS/TLC Alum/Faculty/Staff Scholarship

For decades, the LBIS/TLC community was encouraged and enriched through transformative and holistic learning experiences. While the learning environment varied across generations and locations, dedicated staff, passionate faculty, and engaged students were central. In celebration of our fantastic community, we are offering a one-time scholarship of $1,000 for the children and grandchildren of alumni, former faculty, and former staff.

If you are the child (grandchild) of an LBIS or TLC alum, faculty, or staff member, we encourage you to apply for this scholarship as you pursue your education at a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
- The scholarship includes a one-time award of $1,000, payable to the college/university in August 2025.
- 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:
  - Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
  - Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  - Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  - New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  - Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  - WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- The scholarship is open to the children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren of an LBIS/TLC graduate, former faculty member, and/or former staff member.
- Students who are already receiving a scholarship from TEF are not eligible.
Process
- Applicants must complete the application by Monday, April 14, 2025, to be considered.
- Applicants will invite the LBIS/TLC alum/faculty/staff to complete a recommendation. The recommendations must be completed before the applicant can finalize the application.
- Awardee notification by the end of May 2025.
Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies

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 (a maximum total of $20,000 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.
- 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).
- Each awardee will participate in personalized mentoring with Dave Ellingson.
- There is one award available.
- 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 2025-2026 academic year.
- Open to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Students who are already receiving a scholarship from TEF are not eligible.
Process
- Applicants must complete the application by Monday, April 14, 2025, to be considered.
- Applicants will invite two people to complete a recommendation. The recommendations must be completed before the applicant can finalize the application.
- Awardee notification by the end of May 2025.
Questions? Please contact info@trinityeducationfoundation.org
Are you a current awardee from a Trinity Education Foundation scholarship?*

Yes (you are not eligible for another award at this time)No

Not Eligible

Based on your answers to the questions, you are not eligible for a scholarship. If you have any questions or concerns, please email info@trinityeducationfoundation.org.

TEF requires the named applicant to complete and submit the application. Parents and/or guardians are unable to complete the application.

TEF requires that you represent yourself accurately and truthfully.

If TEF discovers you, the applicant, had someone else complete the application or submitted untruthful information, you forfeit eligibility immediately.

If you cannot complete the application or have questions, please get in touch with us.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Pronouns
Applicant Email*
example@example.com
Applicant Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
If your phone number has text messaging (SMS) features, do you permit TEF to contact you via text message (SMS)?*

YesNo
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Based on scholarship eligibility outline on the first page, which scholarships are you applying for?*

Child of Alum/Faculty/Staff of LBIS/TLCDave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental StudiesNot eligible

Child of LBIS/TLC Alum/Faculty/Staff Scholarship
Did your parent/grandparent graduate from Trinity Lutheran College/Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle? OR are they a former faculty/staff member?*

Yes, they are an alum and/or former faculty/staff memberNo
Q1: We want to know more about your parent/grandparent who graduated from or worked at LBIS or TLC. Please share their name, and if you are able, we’d also love to hear more about their impact on your life and if you remember any significant about their LBIS/TLC experience.*
Q2: Tell us about your academic goals, including a review of the events/experiences that influence your plans. Share how being awarded this scholarship will support your goals.*
Q3: Share how you envision applying what you will learn after college graduation. Your response could explore your desired career path, academic aspirations, long-term goals, reflections on your vocational discernment, and more.*
Q4: Share about your local context and what service means to you. Provide specific examples of how you currently contribute to your community and intend to continue serving throughout your academic studies and after college.*
Q5: Reflecting on TEF's mission, share how you understand and live out "Gospel values for the sake of the world."*
Q6: Frederick Buechner wrote, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Reflecting on Buechner’s writing and your future, share how you intend to be in the world and where your "deep gladness" and "the world's deepest hunger" might align for you. What is particularly unique about how you show up in the world, and how could this scholarship support your calling?*
LBIS/TLC Recommendation
Please enter an email address of your parent or grandparent that graduated from or worked at LBIS/TLC. They will receive a recomendation form to complete. Your application is not complete until we receive their response.*
example@example.com
What is their name?*

Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies
Are you planning to pursue a major in environmental studies? [Including, but not limited to: environmental studies, environmental management & policy, environmental science, environmental sustainability, agricultural engineering, biology with an emphasis on the environment, agribusiness, and similar.*

YesNo
Q1: Tell us about your interest in environmental studies and creation care. Share how being awarded this scholarship and participating in its programming, including mentoring with Dave Ellingson, will support your goals. [250-500 words]*
Q2: Share how you envision applying what you will learn after college graduation. Your response could explore your desired career path, academic aspirations, long-term goals, reflections on your vocational discernment, and more. [250-500 words]*
Q3: Reflecting on your chosen degree path and personal experience, share how you integrate your faith and/or spirituality with your interest in environment studies and creation care. [250-500 words]*
Q4: Tell us how you are involved (or have been involved) in environmental concern and creation care in your community or context. Provide specific examples of your involvement and what you learned from those experiences. [250-500 words]*
Q5: Reflecting on TEF's mission, share how you understand and live out "Gospel values for the sake of the world." [250-500 words]*
Q6: Frederick Buechner wrote, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Reflecting on Buechner’s writing and your future, share how you intend to be in the world and where your "deep gladness" and "the world's deepest hunger" might align for you. What is particularly unique about how you show up in the world, and how could this scholarship and program support your calling? [250-500 words]*
Academic Recommendation
Please enter an email address of a teacher or advisor who will provide a recommendation regarding your academic performance. The letter cannot be from a relative. They will receive a recomendation form to complete. Your application is not complete until we receive their response.*
example@example.com
What is their name, position, and relationship to you?*
Leadership & Service Recommendation
Please enter an email address of a leader who will provide a recommendation regarding your leadership and contributions to your community (e.g., clergy, youth leader, local volunteer work supervisor). The letter cannot be from a relative. They will receive a recomendation form to complete. Your application is not complete until we receive their response.*
example@example.com
What is their name, position, and relationship to you?*

Get Ready to Submit

Thank you for completing your application. If you have any questions, please email info@trinityeducationfoundation.org. Please encourage your references to complete their recomendation. You application will not be considered final until those have been received.
By signing below, you affirm that you are the applicant and that you completed the application yourself.

You affirm that you represented yourself accurately and truthfully.

If TEF discovers you, the applicant, had someone else complete the application or submitted untruthful information, you forfeit eligibility immediately.
Applicant Signature*

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TEF 2025-2025 Scholarship Application

2025-2026 Scholarship Programs

Child of LBIS/TLC Alum/Faculty/Staff Scholarship

Process

Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies

Process

Not Eligible

Academic Information

Financial Information

Child of LBIS/TLC Alum/Faculty/Staff Scholarship

LBIS/TLC Recommendation

Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies

Academic Recommendation

Leadership & Service Recommendation

Get Ready to Submit