Gately Scholarship for Church Leadership

The Gately Program aims to educate students for integrating and applying theological wisdom in their professional fields and in the Church. The Gately program trains students,

• Cultivating Ethical and Moral Leadership: Develop students’ ability to apply Catholic ethical principles and moral teachings in their professional and church roles. Through targeted coursework and experiential learning, students will gain the skills needed to make informed, values-driven decisions that reflect their commitment to social justice, integrity, and the common good.
• Deepening Theological Understanding for Contextual Application: Enhance students’ theological literacy by offering a robust understanding of Catholic doctrine, scripture, and tradition. This will enable them to effectively apply theological insights to address complex issues in their professional fields and within the Church, fostering thoughtful, contextually relevant ministry and professional practices.
• Promoting Effective Communication of Faith: Equip students with the skills to clearly and persuasively communicate Catholic teachings and values in both professional and ecclesiastical contexts. This includes training in homiletics, pastoral care, and public speaking, enabling students to effectively share the Gospel message and engage diverse audiences with compassion and clarity.
• Encouraging Integration of Faith and Professional Development: Support students in developing strategies to integrate their Catholic faith into their professional growth and career trajectories. By providing opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and practical application, students will be prepared to harmonize their spiritual and professional lives, contributing meaningfully to their fields and to the mission of the Church.

The Gately Program strives to form students in the mode of the ministry of Jesus guided by the Holy Spirit and within the traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. Students will:

• Center life, personally and communally, around the Eucharist.
• Engage in active service and outreach, addressing the needs of the underserved and promoting social justice in alignment with Catholic teachings.
• Display ongoing discernment through self-knowledge and relationship with God.
• Practice a robust prayer life implementing a variety of spiritual practices.
• Build life-giving Christian fellowship that is intentional, supportive, and ecumenical.
• Develop leadership skills that reflect Catholic values, equipping students to effectively lead and inspire others in various ministry and community settings.

Gately Scholars will be trained to lead through service with compassion for others. Scholars will:

• Promote and advocate for the dignity of the individual, including the self and the other.
• Support human flourishing by defending the goodness and giftedness of the poor and vulnerable.
• Cultivate a spirit of inclusivity and respect, fostering environments where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued and embraced.
• Engage in ongoing personal and professional development, continually seeking growth in knowledge, skills, and spiritual formation to enhance their effectiveness as leaders in service.
• Witness the joy of the Gospel to others in word and deed.

• Be focused on academics and intellectually curious, both in and out of the classroom.
• Have a minimum 3.00 GPA.
• Demonstrate leadership and service in your high school, community, and church.
• Have a desire to serve or work in a faith-based capacity after earning your bachelor’s degree.
• Complete the supplemental application
• Be affiliated with a catholic community.
• Have an openness and desire to discern one’s calling in life.
• Apply for admission to the University of Providence.
• Secure at least two references from the student’s catholic community.
• Complete our Gately Scholarship for Church Leadership Application in the fall of your senior year in high school, apply by December 15th.

Upon review of your application, we’ll notify you if you are invited to interview.

Once accepted, we’ll provide you with more information about student orientation and getting ready for fall classes.

Complete an Application for Admission

Scholarship opportunities are only available to admitted students, but there is still time to apply. You can access our Application for Admission here.

• Please answer one of the following prompts to apply for admission to the Gately Scholarship for Church Leadership’s inaugural class. Answers should be no longer than 500 words.
  • Reflect on a specific experience or moment in your life that deepened your commitment to your faith. How has this experience shaped your understanding of church leadership and influenced your desire to serve within the community?
  • Describe a challenging ethical dilemma you have faced, either personally or within a church context. What principles guided your decision-making process, and what did you learn from the experience that will inform your future leadership in the Church?
  • Discuss your vision for pastoral leadership within the Catholic Church. What unique qualities or skills do you possess that will help you inspire and guide others? Provide an example of how you have demonstrated these qualities in a leadership role or community service
• Applicants must secure at least two letters of reference from their catholic community, with one letter authored by the student’s pastor and another authored by a lay person in the student’s catholic community. Letters of reference should speak to the applicant’s skills and demonstrated leadership in their community.

At the University of Providence, we offer a $10,000 annual scholarship (for up to four years of full-time enrollment) to students dedicated to being intentionally formed and educated as leaders in the Church. Whether your goal is to serve as a parish minister or work as a nurse in a faith-based hospital, we seek individuals who are eager to follow God’s call for their lives.  The Gately Scholarship is annually renewable.  Full participation in the program as well as the maintenance of at least a 3.00 GPA must be attained for a Gately Scholar to be renewed from year to year.

We believe in the transformative value of a University of Providence education and recognize that pursuing higher education is a vital investment in your future. However, we also understand that the cost of college and the potential for student debt—particularly at a private institution like UP—can be overwhelming, especially for those entering mission-focused careers. To support our students, we offer a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).

Our LRAP acts as a safety net for students who are awarded, accept, and complete the Gately Scholarship for Church Leadership Program. After graduation, if your income is below $45,000 per year, we will help repay your student loans (including Parent PLUS loans) until your income reaches that level.

Gately Scholarships can be applied to the remaining tuition balance after merit scholarships have been deducted. All applicants to the University of Providence are considered for merit-based scholarships.