Four students stand hand-in-hand in front of the stained glass windows in the Chapel of the Resurrection

Faith Life


Your education prepares you for a career.

Valpo prepares you for a calling.

Beyond an interdisciplinary journey of academic and personal awakening, Valpo offers a community like no other, welcoming people of all faith backgrounds and offering several faith-based scholarship opportunities like our Lutheran Leader Program, which fosters leadership rooted in service and compassion.

We believe that all Christians are called to ministry. Some are called to let their light shine as professional church leaders. Others are called to be Christian engineers, lawyers, doctors, social workers, teachers, parents, volunteers, and more. Our faith-based scholarships and programs give you the opportunity to explore how God is calling you to lead and serve, radiating your light at Valpo and beyond.

Valpo’s Faith Identity

Valpo is a Christian University grounded in the Lutheran tradition. But faith is more than just our tradition — it’s our foundation and guiding light, grounding us and illuminating our paths as we grow in knowledge, service, and purpose. Our mission is to educate students to lead and serve in church and society, reflecting God’s light wherever they are called.

Faith-Based Scholarships

At Valpo, our light is for everyone. 98% of all undergraduate Beacons receive financial aid (or assistance) from all sources, helping to make quality education and vocational pursuit more accessible to all.

While each incoming freshman and transfer student is considered for merit-based scholarships, additional Lutheran and Christian-affiliated scholarships are also offered to future Beacons with active roles in their Lutheran-Christian communities. Students who apply for these faith-based scholarships can earn awards ranging from $1,000 to full tuition ($65,000 value).

We are committed to making higher education accessible through merit- and need-based scholarships. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate financial need, ensuring that a Valpo education is within reach for talented individuals regardless of their economic background. This initiative underscores Valpo’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive student body, enabling students to focus on their academic and spiritual growth.

A student holds a program and a candle in the pews of the Chapel during a candlelit event.

Getting Involved

With faith being a Valpo cornerstone, Beacons are invited to immerse themselves in all corners of our spiritual community. Our historic Chapel of the Resurrection hosts several services – including morning prayer, Candlelight worship, and Celebrate! – and is home to our University Kantorei, Gospel choir, and handbell choir. Students can also join our music- and mission-oriented service group, Sweetwine, or get involved with the ministry at the St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center. Groups like LCMS-U, LuMin, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and other ministries aimed at maintaining or starting devotional life at Valpo are robust and involved.  Students who wish to discern how they might best serve the church in their post-college life may qualify to be an Oliver W. and Emma W. Allen Scholar.

Students stand in the Chapel, conversing and holding black binders.

Education Grounded in Faith

At Valpo, we offer Beacons of all callings and backgrounds an education grounded in Lutheran tradition. Faith is just as present in our classrooms as it is in the Chapel of the Resurrection, from our VUE first-year experience to campus-wide servant-leadership opportunities and the philosophical curriculum of Christ College – The Honors College.

For Beacons specifically called to ministry, Valpo offers specific majors and minors to help them develop the curiosity and knowledge necessary to guide their vocation. Among a close-knit cohort and faculty mentors, students take a deeper dive into faith, reflect on the ethical questions facing religious communities, and learn more about religions around the world.

Fox Wilmot '24 wears a black t-shirt with VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY on it while he smiles with his fellow students.

Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is at the heart of our community, where we seek to reflect God’s light with humility and purpose, growing spiritually while making a lasting impact on the world around us. Discover how Valpo students like Fox Wilmot ’24 embody this mission in our communities every day.

Student wearing a gold long sleeve shirt smiles away from the camera as she stands on campus.

CAPS Fellowship

The CAPS Fellowship is an incredible opportunity for you to apply your faith in action while gaining hands-on experience in service-oriented careers. Through this transformative program, you will be empowered to lead with compassion and purpose in society, fostering both professional and personal growth. Get to know our 2024 CAPS Fellows and discover all the opportunities that await you, too.

Together, let’s reach further, lead compassionately, and illuminate the world.

Grounded, we shine. Grounded, we serve. Grounded, we radiate.