MOUNT HOPE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Appalachian Bible College has announced it is dedicating more than $600,000 to its BIG Scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year, continuing its effort to provide affordable Christian higher education for students preparing to live and serve with biblical purpose.
The BIG Scholarship guarantees a minimum of $18,120 in aid for first-year, full-time, degree-seeking resident students, including transfer students, who live in campus housing.
Dr. Daniel Anderson, president of Appalachian Bible College, said the scholarship is about more than financial assistance.
“Our decision to cover the entire tuition for all new full-time resident students was not done simply to make college easier to afford, we want to help students be godly in a world that desperately needs Jesus. BIG is more than money. It is about life.”
Anderson also said the scholarship reflects the college’s broader mission.
“The name BIG represents more than a significant resource, it reflects the college’s heart to be Biblically Inspiring Godliness through a campus community built on God’s Word. We believe that training upon God’s Word is foundational. ABC is a special place. God works here.”
The scholarship is available to full-time, degree-seeking students who are first-time resident students at Appalachian Bible College and live in a residence hall or, for married students, in the college’s Appalachian Village.
To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA and the college’s Financial Aid Application, meet the institution’s general scholarship requirements, have at least 100% Lifetime Eligibility Used available for the Federal Pell Grant, and not be in default on any federal student loans.
According to the college, the BIG Scholarship covers the difference between Pell Grant funding and other Appalachian Bible College aid needed to reach 100% tuition coverage. The award applies to students taking 12 to 19 credit hours per semester and is available for two consecutive semesters.
Transfer students who meet the eligibility requirements may also qualify. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are encouraged to contact the college’s Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility.
The college said scholarship availability is currently open, but awards may become limited and be offered on a first-come, first-served basis according to students’ acceptance dates.
Additional financial assistance may be available through outside scholarships, the West Virginia Promise Scholarship, the West Virginia Grant, and the college’s Church/Ministry Matching Scholarship, which matches up to $2,500 in contributions from churches and ministries.
Students interested in learning more about Appalachian Bible College are encouraged to request information, schedule a campus visit or apply online. More information about the BIG Scholarship and other financial aid opportunities is available at abc.edu.
