Rostered Church Worker Debt Retirement

Applying for Church Worker Debt Retirement Grants

Student Loan repayment grants will be available for rostered church workers each year. The application period opens February 1 of each year and applications are due by June 1. 

Church workers are eligible to apply if they are: rostered Nebraska LCMS church workers who are members in good standing of a Nebraska LCMS congregation; full-time workers who have incurred higher education debt while in pursuit of their professional church work degree; currently full-time church workers who have completed at least one year of full-time church work as a member of the Nebraska District.

Download the following forms for more information (available once the application window is open):

Debt Retirement Application  /  Debt Retirement Policy

Contact Joyce Bruha with questions at joyceb@ndlcms.org or 402-643-2961.

All applications must be received no later than June 1 of each year. Completed forms can be sent by email to Joyce Bruha at joyceb@ndlcms.org (please note “Church Worker Debt Retirement Application” in the subject line), or mailed to us at: Nebraska District LCMS, PO Box 407, Seward, NE, 68434.  

Notification of chosen applications can be expected in early August. Awards are made directly to the recipient’s student loan company. If awarded, a W-9 must be submitted to our office by October 15 of the same year, or the award will be voided.

To make a donation to this fund in support of church worker debt retirement:

Send a check with a note that it is for the “Church Worker Debt Retirement Fund” to:
Nebraska District LCMS
PO Box 407
Seward, NE 68434

Or pay online through our secure payment portal (eservicespayments) at this link. Choose the option “restricted gifts” and fill in the amount of your gift and “Church Worker Debt Retirement Fund” in the space next to that.

Resources to assist with church worker education debt & finances

Concordia Plans has a tool available for church workers who are paying off student loans. The Fidelity Student Tool is available to the LCMS family. For more information see this flyer or visit the tool.

Concordia Plans offers resources to help church workers better understand personal finance and plan for retirement, including webinars through their Financial Education Series. Past sessions are available to watch on-demand and can be found on their website. Members who would like to take a deeper dive into their personal finances can meet one-on-one with a  Financial Educator. Learn more and set up an appointment here.

In addition, church workers are encouraged to learn more about MinistryFocus, an RSO of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod that believes that the realities of educational debt negatively and irreparably harm ministries and congregations. MinistryFocus has provided grants totaling nearly $500,000 to pastors, Lutheran school teachers, directors of Christian outreach, and missionaries. Learn more at their website.