Financial Aid
Admissions application deadlines to be considered for a merit scholarship are
- March 1 (Richmond domestic applicants)
- May 1 (Charlotte domestic applicants)
Balancing the call from God with the realities of financial responsibility is no easy task. It may seem daunting, but you are not alone! For two centuries seminarians at Union Presbyterian Seminary have balanced these two realities of theological education with the help of the Financial Aid staff.
92.3% of Union Presbyterian Seminary students receive financial aid.
SCHOLARSHIPS & INSTITUTIONAL AID
1. Tuition Aid
All students who apply for admission by the June 1 final deadline are eligible to receive aid of at least 80% of tuition for those attending at least half-time in their degree program on either campus.
2. Merit Scholarships
Additional Merit Scholarships may be awarded to degree-seeking M.Div., MACE, MAPT, or dual degrees students attending at least half-time based on the information in the application for admission. Reviewers will consider factors such as the applicant’s academic record, life experience, and/or community engagement, for instance, in determining an award. Merit Scholarships may be for up to $5000.
In order to be eligible for these scholarships, Richmond and Charlotte domestic applicants must submit their admissions application by March 1 (Richmond) or May 1 (Charlotte).
3. Need-based Aid
Need-based aid is available for students in the M.Div., MACE, MAPT, dual, and D.Min. degrees. There is no need-based aid for Th.M. students. D.Min. students may receive up to 1/3 of tuition. There is a separate application for need-based aid. The deadline to apply for need-based aid is July 1. Students who have been awarded a Merit Scholarship are not eligible for need-based aid.
4. THE REV. DR. KATIE GENEVA CANNON CENTER FOR WOMANIST LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
The Cannon Scholarship is granted to a degree-seeking woman of African descent who shows genuine promise for womanist leadership.
5. CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & RECONCILIATION STUDENT AMBASSADOR FELLOWSHIP
The Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation operates from the seminary’s Charlotte campus and is directed by Associate Professor of Bible Rodney S. Sadler Jr. Grounded in a ministry that is mandated in scripture, its two main goals are to remind people in seminary of the significance of social justice work as part of ministry and to bring the activist community into the seminary. CSJR offers a Student Ambassador Fellowship each spring. Please see the detailed description and reach out to Erin Mills, Program Associate, if you have any questions.
6. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) STUDY GRANTS
Students who are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) may be eligible to apply for grants from the denomination through the PC(USA) Office of Financial Aid for Studies. A student in the M.Div. program must be enrolled at least as an Inquirer. Students in their third year or greater must be Candidates. The application period opens in April and ends in June. All applicants must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for this grant. Students may register for notification of the application period with the PC(USA) Office of Financial Aid for Studies.
TH.M. SCHOLARSHIPS (RICHMOND)
Union Presbyterian Seminary is pleased to offer scholarships equal to full tuition for students in the Master of Theology program. To be eligible, applications for the program must be complete by February 1.
There are also a limited number of merit scholarships available for Th.M. students who apply by the stated deadline.
Other Sources of Funding
FEDERAL LOAN PROGRAM
Union Presbyterian Seminary also participates in the Federal Loan Program. While loans should be viewed as a last resort to financing a theological education, some students find them necessary to meet expenses. Less than 10% of our students borrow from this program each year. For graduate students, the maximum unsubsidized loan is $20,500 per year. Although loan eligibility is based on cost of attendance less expected family contribution, a student cannot borrow in excess of $20,500.
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as the first step in applying for a loan. Students should make sure that they complete the FAFSA that relates to the academic year for which they are seeking a loan and key in the Union Presbyterian Seminary school code of G03743.
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
A good database for scholarship searching is Scholarships.com/Theology.
Financial Aid Tools
The tools below will help you plan for your time in seminary.
