Paul Scholars
Concordia’s Work Education Program
In Concordia University, Nebraska’s innovative Paul Scholars work college program, you will join a community that combines academic excellence with real-world work experience to seamlessly integrate classroom learning and practical job skills, fostering a holistic approach to higher education that equips you for servant leadership in the church and world.
“For you shall eat the fruit of your labor of your hands; you will be happy, and it shall be well with you” (Psalm 128:2).
What is a Paul Scholar?
Concordia’s Paul Scholars are servant leaders in their workplace from day one. Hard working and driven, Paul Scholars want to make a difference through their careers while leading their future teams, mentoring others and reflecting Christ’s light in the workplace, no matter their future vocations.
As a Paul Scholar, you’ll
- Earn full tuition covered through a combination of Paul Scholar scholarships and job income as you gain experience in your career field.
- Have a variety of work opportunities so you can choose a field you’re passionate about.
- Work with one of our local community partners who will help mentor and guide you to be a servant leader.
- Be part of a community of Paul Scholars, mentors and community partners to help you build a strong business network while you’re still in college.
- Gain confidence in your abilities that will prepare you to lead and serve your future organizations.
- Use your gifts, talents and abilities to glorify God while you learn to lead in your future workplace.
- Gain access to and participate in events and experiences only available to Paul Scholars.
How Does Paul Scholars Work?
The service you provide through your job as a Paul Scholar covers part of the cost of tuition and is applied automatically to your student account. The remaining portion of your tuition is covered by a scholarship awarded through the Paul Scholars program.
Apply to be a Paul Scholar
The Paul Scholars Cohort for 2024-25 has been filled.
All students who have been admitted to Concordia are invited to apply to be a part of Paul Scholars.
- Once you have been admitted to Concordia, complete the application below, save it to your computer, and submit your application via email to PaulScholars@cune.edu.
- If you’ve already applied to Concordia but would like to apply for the Paul Scholars program, email aaron.roberts@cune.edu.
When submitting your completed application to PaulScholars@cune.edu, please include all of the following components:
- Paul Scholars application
- A video no more than two minutes explaining why you are applying for the Paul Scholars program.
- Two letters of recommendation: One from a teacher and one from a non-family member.
Applications for 2024-25 are closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be considered for the Paul Scholar program, you must
- be actively involved in activities related to school, church, work and volunteering,
- provide examples of supporting and helping to lead several of these activities,
- demonstrate experience balancing work (or similar) with school and personal responsibilities,
- show how Christian faith and a service mindset are lived out in your everyday life,
- model a strong work ethic/results focus
- and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA.
PLEASE NOTE: Financial need is considered; however it is not a requirement to apply. You cannot receive sports or performance scholarships while in the Paul Scholars program.
As a Paul Scholar, you’ll earn a tuition-free degree while you gain invaluable experience as a servant leader in the workplace. Your classroom learning is seamlessly integrated with practical job skills, fostering a holistic approach to your higher education.
You’ll also have access to a network of other Paul Scholars, mentors, community partners and Concordia faculty and staff that will help you navigate your academics and work experience and prepare you for your vocations after college.
Yes! Most college students work a part-time job to earn money. As a Paul Scholar, your work experience is built into your academic experience. You’ll still have time to participate in on-campus activities, hang out with friends and have a normal college experience.
Concordia’s community partners and mentors are local; most of the time, we are able to find a job for you close to campus, near Seward. Depending on the job you want to pursue, you may be placed in a surrounding community. We will always work with you to find the placement that’s the best fit for you!
We want you to work in an area that you’re passionate about and that will fuel your future career. Our Concordia staff will work with you to find a job that furthers your career goals, is close by and will help you become a servant leader in your future workplace!
FALL - Becoming a Vocational Leader
This course helps first year students connect the core habits of an effective team member with work, service and learning. We will define program support teams, expectations and strategies to help each other thrive in school and work as men and women of Christ. First year students begin applying key course principles with their campus work mentor and job as part of our Work Learning Lab central to the program.
SPRING - A Biblical View of Work, Vocation and Faith
This course helps first year students connect work, service and learning from a Biblical perspective of vocation. We explore the modern separation of sacred from secular and how to live as positive change agents and impactful people of faith. First year students continue applying key course principles with their campus work mentor and job as part of our Work Learning Lab central to the program.
The four-year, full tuition scholarship covers your major and minor academic coursework up to 18 credits per semester. All institutional aid, along with federal and state grants, will be applied to the cost of tuition. The remaining balance is covered through the Paul Scholar Program scholarship over four years. Students may use all other outside scholarships and grants as part of a plan to cover additional college expenses like room/board, books, fees etc. For specific questions on this, please contact aaron.roberts@cune.edu.
This minor degree includes 18 credits (six classes) over four years:
- Freshmen and sophomores have one class each semester with a team member focus.
- Juniors and seniors have one class each year with a leadership focus.
The content and impact of these courses are like four years of professional growth and development normally available after several years in a career. The leadership focus will expand each semester as you grow and mature in your major field of study. Each cohort is a remarkable blend of talent from different career paths, building up each other’s faith and feeding each other’s curiosity for learning.
Questions?
For questions about the Paul Scholar program, email PaulScholars@cune.edu.
Paul Scholars Community Partners
The Paul Scholars Work Education Program at Concordia University, Nebraska offers a unique opportunity for local employers to partner in developing the next generation of leaders in the church and world while gaining immediate benefits to your business or nonprofit through access to talented, motivated student workers.