Summer Dreaming Grant

The Pathways to Mission and Vocation program at Bluffton University encourages you to take a break from wage work for part of your summer to create an experience that allows you to consider new vocational possibilities. This is an opportunity for you to dream a little!

Are you an education major considering teaching in an urban school setting but have never experienced the inner city? Are you a science major who would like to volunteer your lab skills for an exciting project at a research institute? Are you a religion major who would like to spend some reflective time at a monastery?

With a Summer Dreaming Grant, current first year or sophomore students have the opportunity to design their own 4-6 week summer experience to explore the relationship between vocation and faith.  A Summer Dreaming Grant may help you discover your calling!  Up to five students will be awarded grants in the amount of $1,500. The intenition of the grant is to give you a break from regular summer employment to engage in vocational discernment. It may also be used for travel expenses.

Guidelines for eligibility

  • An interest in creating an experience for yourself that will allow you to creatively explore vocation
  • Open to current first years or sophomores with a declared major
  • Registered for classes at Bluffton University for fall 2008

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 provided by the Pathways program
  • Not experiences for which you hope to gain college credit.

Application guidelines
Application packets are available in the Pathways to Mission and Vocation office and in Academic Affairs.   To  apply, please submit the following items:

  • Completed application form and grant proposal (PDF) 
  • Current Bluffton University transcript
  • Two recommendations (PDF)
      - one from a Bluffton University faculty member
      - the second from another Bluffton faculty member or from a Bluffton staff member

Application deadline is March 14, 2008. Decisions will be made by March 20.
For more information, contact Audra Hammond at hammonda@bluffton.edu or phone 3317.

Download forms here to print and return to the Pathways office: application PDF   recommendation PDF