Background

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The Muslimah Changemaker Scholarship at Bayan enables eligible Muslim women to build upon their Islamic knowledge and pursue education at a graduate level. Awardees become better equipped to lead and serve their communities and benefit society at large. Bayan is committed to providing women with access to Islamic and  interdisciplinary knowledge along with a range of skills that enhance authority and opportunities to make significant impact in their communities. 

 

Vision

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The Muslimah Changemaker Scholarship at Bayan is inspired by the example of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Fihriyyah, founding benefactor  of the prestigious al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco, considered the oldest university in the world (est. 859 CE), that continues to educate thousands of students, both male and female, annually. Sayyidah Fatimah was empowered to support the pursuit of knowledge and worship. Sayyidah Fatimah changed the world with her commitment to institutionalizing  knowledge production, welcoming scholars from across  the global Muslim milieu. Bayan envisions this scholarship to emulate the pioneering work of Sayyidah Fatimah, who exercised her rights as a prominent Muslim woman and endowed  the advancement of Islamic scholarship through a meritorious act of philanthropy. 

 

This scholarship is meant to empower American Muslim women with prestigious, sound, rigorous academic studies and experiences  so they can lead their communities prophetically and unapologetically as women. For too long in the present context, there has been a paucity of women’s Islamic educational opportunities, overlooking of female Muslim scholars’ contributions, insufficient consideration on the part of male scholars and community leaders rergarding the female Muslim experience, lack of physical and even virtual spaces, and a general lack of access to valid, scholarly knowledge. Bayan invokes the example of the Muslimah changemakers throughout history and draws from their noble characters to elevate communities, and help bring about a more holistic and healthy learning environment for the generations to come.

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Tuition Award

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Funds are disbursed incrementally to cover up to 80% of tuition for all coursework during each semester at Bayan/CTS until completion of:

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• 48 units of the 2-year MA degree (approximately $53,000)

• 75 units of the 3-year M.Div degree (approximately $83,000)

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Full-Time Versus Part-Time Enrollment

 

While degree-students who are enrolled part-time at Bayan will be considered for this scholarship program, students who are enrolled on a full-time basis will be given preference both in terms of initial and on-going eligibility,

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Initial Eligibility

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• Student has been granted admission to Bayan's MA or MDiv. degree program at Chicago Theological Seminary

• Student is a citizen/legal resident of the United States of America

• Student is a woman

• Student is involved in community development in some form

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Scholarship Application Requirements

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• Academic merit (entering cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above*) 

• Personal vision statement with emphasis on significant leadership and/or scholarly engagements in the community (750 words)

• Professional growth plan (500 words)

• Résumé (upload as attachment)

• 1 letter of endorsement from a community leader (upload as attachment)

• 1 letter of recommendation of applicant’s choice (upload as attachment)

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Deadline to Apply for Admission and Scholarship Consideration 

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• For Fall Term: July 1

• For Spring Term: December 1

• For Summer Term: April 1

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Maintaining Eligibility 

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• Maintain continuous enrollment (per Bayan’s policies)

• Maintain 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

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*  Each applicant is evaluated based on overall qualifications and extenuating circumstances may be taken into consideration. In general, a Bachelor’s degree is required for admission, but an exemption may be granted in certain cases.