What is a Paul Scholar?

At Concordia University, Nebraska, undergraduate students in the university’s new Paul Scholars work study program pay for their degree with a four-year tuition college scholarship, while gaining priceless experience as a servant leader in the workplace. Students accepted into the program earn full tuition covered through a combination of institutional aid and a Paul Scholars college scholarship with work placement. Classroom learning is seamlessly integrated with hands-on practice in their chosen field through guided work experience. This fosters a holistic approach to higher education that equips students for servant leadership in the church and world. 

“Concordia Nebraska’s Paul Scholars are servant leaders in their workplace from day one. Hard working and driven, Paul Scholars enjoy leading as part of a team while mentoring others and reflecting Christ’s light in the workplace, no matter their future vocations,” said Paul Scholars Program Director Paul Berggren. “Our scholars program participants can graduate with little to no debt while gaining practical experience with our business and community partners.  They learn to use their gifts, talents and abilities to glorify God.” 

Paul Scholars is named for the Apostle Paul, who often supported his missionary service by working as a tentmaker. The new work college offering is the first of its kind at the university and one of only a handful of such programs in the world. This unique campus community will be partially funded by generous donors and partially funded by community partners.   

“Paul Scholars is a dedicated academic community that aims to cultivate students’ competence, character and conviction through a blend of Christ-centered academic studies and meaningful-rich work,” added Concordia Nebraska professor of accounting Todd Johnson. “Students pursue a major of choice, engage in 15 hours of work per week in designated jobs and complete an interdisciplinary minor focused upon a biblical understanding of work, vocation, followership and leadership. In return, the student’s tuition is covered in full for up to four years of full-time study.”  

The Paul Scholars cohort for 2024-25 has been filled. Submitted applications will be considered for freshmen entering the 2025-26 school year. All students who have been admitted to Concordia are invited to apply to be a part of Paul Scholars. An application, two letters of recommendation and, if selected, an interview are part of the application process. To be considered for the Paul Scholar program, students must be actively involved in school, church, work and volunteering, demonstrate experience balancing work with school and personal responsibilities, show how service and Christian faith are lived out in daily life, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Financial need is considered but not required to apply. Students may not receive sports or performance scholarships while in the program. The program is open to a wide range of majors and includes an exclusive Paul Scholar minor in servant leadership and is focused on developing character and competence to learn, serve and lead in the workplace, community, church and world.  

Concordia Nebraska has a rich history of providing Christ-centered academic excellence through more than 70 academic programs. Each one is focused upon equipping students for faithful service in their families, churches, communities, workplaces and beyond. Dedicated faculty work closely with students, embracing the call to teach and mentor, striving to help each student prepare for a life of learning, service and leadership. All of this happens in a distinctly Lutheran community where students are known and valued. Given such a legacy, today Concordia continues to lean into what it does best: nurturing deep, authentic and Christ-centered academic communities that inspire and equip students for what God has in store for them.