MLC Scholarship Opportunities

Our many generous donors have established over 130 different scholarship opportunities. Many of the scholarships do not require applications but are automatically awarded to qualifying students based on set criteria. Below are the scholarship opportunities that require applications.

Students who receive a designated MLC scholarship will be asked to write a letter of appreciation within two weeks (thank-you letter).

Students who fail to write this letter of appreciation within the two week time frame will forfeit their scholarship (excluding merit scholarships and need-based grants). The scholarship will then be awarded to another eligible student.

Recipient names will be posted on this page after selections have been made.

Application instructions and deadlines will be posted in August 2026. Enrolled, full-time students can begin applying at that time.

Fall Scholarship Opportunities

Below are the scholarship opportunities from the 2025-2026 school year. Please note that funding may change the availability in the future.

Baumann Public School Scholarship

Estimated award amount: $685 *may be renewable based on GPA and funding
- Up to 3 scholarships awarded: 1 for Pastoral Ministry, 1 for Education Ministry (elementary or secondary), and 1 for Early Childhood Ministry
Requirements: Incoming first-year students who graduated from a public high school in the United States with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better

Precht Family Scholarship

Estimated award amount: $750 *renewable for 3 years
Requirements: Incoming first-year students with a high school GPA of 3.75 or better

MLC Auxiliary Scholarship

Award amount: $750 *renewable for 3 years
Requirements: Incoming first-year students with a high school GPA of 3.75 or better

By Grace Scholarship

Award amount: up to $1750
Requirements: Staff Ministry or Pastoral Ministry students who have dependent children, who are in good academic standing, and have unique gifts to be used in God’s kingdom.

Conrad Frey Memorial Scholarship

Award amount: $1550 – four recipients selected
Requirements: Students graduating this academic year (2025-2026) majoring in Education or Pre-Seminary with a minimum 3.0 GPA with participation in facets of MLC student life.

Victor F. Voecks Scholarship

Award amount: $2350
Requirements: Student must be returning as a student in 2025-2026 (current sophomore, junior, senior who will not graduate this year) majoring in Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA with participation in facets of MLC student life.

Marjorie E. Toepel Scholarship

Estimated award amount: $600-800 – depending on the number of recipients (5 or 6)
Requirements: Students who have completed one year at MLC (current sophomore, junior, or senior) who demonstrate a strong ability to preach or teach the gospel and an interest in church music. While all WELS students are eligible, the scholarships will be evaluated and awarded according to the following prioritization:
1) Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Howard’s Grove, WI
Members of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI
Members of Christ-St. Peter Lutheran Churches, Milwaukee, WI
2) Students from the Manitowoc Conference of the Northern Wisconsin District
3) Students from a current or former WELS world missionary family

Herman & Antonia Lehmann Prize

Estimated amount: $800
Requirements: Student graduating this academic year (2025-2026) with a minimum 3.75 GPA.

Serving Christ Scholarship

Award amount: $2500 – four recipients selected
Requirements: Sophomore student who has a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated leadership

Strong and Courageous Scholarship

Award amount: $1277 – two recipients selected
Requirements: Sophomore, Junior, Senior student with experience:
1) Joyfully serving on-campus and home congregation
2) Participating in evangelism opportunities

Music Scholarships

Martin Albrecht Endowment Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $1,025
- Requirements: All majors, students with music & leadership abilities
Bingenheimer Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $2,050
- Requirements: All majors, students with interest in serving in music ministry
Elfred Bloedel Memorial Organ Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $1,150
- Requirements: Music major, students with 2 years of organ experience and financial need
Dr. Roy and Ruth Breiling Organ Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $1,146
- Requirements: Parish music major, students with 2 semesters of organ and continuation of lessons
Engel Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $3,075
- Requirements: All majors, students with special talent and potential to serve in music ministry.
Junso Organ Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $1,000
- Requirements: All majors, students pursuing organ instruction
Virgil & Esther Raasch Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $2,325
- Requirements: Education major, students who excel in organ music.
Amy Marlene Smith Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $2,550
- Requirements: All majors, students with an interest in serving in music ministry and financial need
Howard Wessel Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $1,750
- Requirements: Elementary Education Major with Music minor and demonstrated financial need; preference to a student with strong ability in organ
General Music Scholarship
- Estimated amount: $1,700
- Requirements: All majors, students with the potential to serve in WELS music ministries

Spring Scholarship Opportunities

Below are the scholarship opportunities from the 2025-2026 school year. Please note that funding may change the availability in the future.

Meilahn P. Zahn Scholarship

Estimated amount: $500-1500 (depending on the number of awards given)
Requirements: Undergraduate students who demonstrate God-given abilities in music through the creation of a work that promotes Lutheran worship and/or Lutheran music education. The work may be musical, textual, visual, pedagogical, or technological.

Reverend Philipp & Elenore Lehmann Scholarship

Estimated amount: $1500* renewable junior and senior years subject to the student’s continued participation in music
*Scholarship amount could change in the future based on the number of recipients and the available funding.
Requirements: Pre-Seminary Freshman who is active in music (participation in a choir, band, or individual lessons).

John and Evelyn Rogotzke Scholarship

Award amount: $1000 – two recipients selected
Requirements: Sophomore, junior, or senior teaching ministry student who demonstrates evangelism qualities.

Robert and Neola Raasch Scholarship

Award amount: $1000 – two recipients selected
Requirements: Sophomore, junior, or senior pastoral ministry student who demonstrates evangelism qualities.

Bob & Evie Strakeljahn Scholarship

Amount: $800-1200
Requirements: Communicant member of St. Paul Lutheran Church -Lake Mills, WI with demonstrated leadership in encouraging and mentoring others studying for ministry.

Grefe Family Scholarship

Award amount: $1000 –two recipients selected
Requirements: Student majoring in special education who has completed a minimum of 2 years (or 4 semesters) at MLC and is in need of financial assistance.

Zachary Krzmarzick Music Scholarship

Estimated amount: $500
Requirements: Undergraduate students who are active in music as evidenced by participation in a choir, band, or by taking individual lessons (voice, organ, piano, or another instrument)

Pearson Family PE Scholarship

Award amount: $1000 –four recipients selected (one from each grade level)
Requirements: Student with Physical Education Major or Minor and/or Coaching Minor with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above

Bill & Jerry Patterson Grant

Award Funding: $1600 –divided among eligible applicants
Requirements: Pre-Seminary students who are either second-career students or have dependents

Return to Main Scholarship Page

Review Merit Scholarship requirements and other available funding.

Donor Information

Review information about the generous donors and the funds created to assist MLC students.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us so we can better assist you.