Admissions - Financial Aid

Financing your M. Div. and M.A.T.S. Studies

Columbia Theological Seminary's special mission in the service of the church is to educate women and men for positions of leadership. In support of this mission, the seminary provides financial assistance, regardless of faith tradition or denomination, to full-time students in the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree programs. Gifts to the seminary from supporting churches and individuals allow the seminary to offer this assistance.

While you are responsible for gathering the financial resources necessary to pay for your theological education and living expenses, Columbia Seminary is delighted to be a partner in making your education possible. You may find other potential partners to assist you in your journey by seeking support from other resources outside the seminary.

The seminary is pleased to provide need-based aid that may exceed the cost of tuition to full-time Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theological Studies students.

Entering Master of Divinity students may apply for Academic scholarships.

Other scholarships are also available.

For more information:
Financial Aid Office
Columbia Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 520
Decatur, GA 30031
404 687-4582
404 377-9696 (fax)

Financing your Advanced Degree Studies

Columbia Advanced Degree Programs (Th.M, D.Min., D.Ed.Min, Th.D.) provide either no financial assistance or very limited need -based assistance, in emergency situations. The seminary's support assumes that program participants have identified resources that will enable their pursuits. The funds that support financial assistance available for these programs vary based on our endowed sources. These funds are administered and approved by the Advanced Studies office.

Contact the CTS Financial Aid Office to explore your resources and your opportunities for support from the following sources: CTS endowment funds; congregational and denominational sources; VA benefits; and federal Title VI programs (loans and work-study, as available).

Determination of eligibility for most of these opportunities requires completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school's federal code is G01560.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Financial Aid Guidelines and Forms:

New Students
Returning Students

Need-Based Financial Aid Limits for 2008-2009

Depending on your need as determined by the seminary’s financial aid guidelines, you may be awarded need-based aid up to the amounts shown in the charts below.

Single term, fall or spring (12 credit hours)

Student

Tuition Cost

Maximum
Financial Aid

Maximum Combined Financial Aid + Scholarship

Single

$3,936

$4,096

$5,212

Married

$3,936

$4,096

$5,212

With Children

$3,936

$4,736

$5,852

_______________________

January term (3 credit hours)

Student

Tuition Cost

Maximum
Financial Aid

Maximum Combined Financial Aid + Scholarship

Single

$984

$1,024

$1,303

Married

$984

$1,024

$1,303

With Children

$984

$1,184

$1,463

_______________________

Base year: fall, winter, and spring terms ( 27 credit hours)

Student

Tuition Cost

Maximum
Financial Aid

Maximum Combined Financial Aid + Scholarship

Single

$8,856

$9,216

$11,716

Married

$8,856

$9,216

$11,716

With Children

$8,856

$10,656

$13,156

_______________________

Summer term (6 credit hours)

Student

Tuition Cost

Maximum
Financial Aid

Maximum Combined Financial Aid + Scholarship

Single

$1,968

$2,048

$2,606

Married

$1,968

$2,048

$2,606

With Children

$1,968

$2,368

$2,926

_______________________

Applying for need-based aid:

To apply for need-based aid, you will need to complete the following:

1) Columbia Financial Aid Application

We will send the application to you when you are admitted.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA may be retrieved and completed online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. The seminary’s federal school code is G01560.

Need-based financial aid application deadlines:

  • To enter in July: May 1
  • To enter in September: July 1
  • To enter in January: November 15
  • To enter in February: December 15
  • Returning students: April 30

Details of Need-Based Aid

3. Need is determined by contrasting your nine-month academic year expenses with your income and other financial resources.

4. Financial aid for 6 credit hours during the summer is available on a pro-rated basis.

5. Financial aid is available only to students who have full-time status (9 or 12 credit hours per semester, 3 credit hours for winter term, and 6 credit hours for summer.)

6. Your need-based financial aid award requires participation in the on-campus seminary work-study program. You must complete all of the required work-study hours to retain the entire grant.

7. You must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.30 at the end of fall and spring semesters to retain financial aid eligibility for the next enrollment period.

8. If you receive additional financial resources after you submit your need-based application, you must notify the Financial Aid Office. Additional resources may affect your need-based financial aid award.

Expense Norms and Budget Estimates (Nine Month)

Expense norms are the maximum amounts used in each budget category to determine financial aid eligibility. If your expenses are higher than the norms and you would like to request an exception, you may provide an explanation and documentation of the additional expenses. The additional expenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Consumer debt and car payments are not considered in financial aid eligibility calculations.

2008-2009 Nine-Month Expense Norms and Budget Estimates (View Chart)
You will need to scroll back down to the bottom of the page to see the pop-up chart.

For more information:
Financial Aid Office
404-687-4582

Academic Scholarships

Entering Master of Divinity students who complete the Academic Scholarship Application form and return it to the Admissions Office by March 15 are considered for Columbia, Honor, and Deans Scholarships.

The Admissions Committee awards these scholarships on the basis of academic and leadership abilities, commitment to and involvement in the church, and demonstration of outstanding promise for ordained ministry. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or Canada. Students who have been admitted may expect to receive notification of academic scholarships by April 1.

Academic scholarship recipients, except for Columbia Scholars, may also be eligible for need-based financial aid and are encouraged to apply. Total scholarship and need-based aid may not exceed the maximum seminary assistance limits.

Columbia Scholarships

For students entering in 2008-2009, a Columbia Scholarship covers tuition, room, and board at the single student rate, plus a small stipend for Greek School and the following academic year. A Columbia Scholarship will be renewed for succeeding years if the recipient maintains full-time status, retains a grade point average of 3.50, and continues to show outstanding potential for ministry.

Honor Scholarships

An Honor Scholarship covers tuition for Greek School and the following academic year plus the annual activity fee. The scholarship will be renewed for succeeding years if the recipient maintains full-time status, retains a grade point average of 3.30, and continues to show outstanding potential for ministry.

Deans Scholarships

Deans Scholarships of lesser amounts are awarded to entering students for the fall, winter, and spring terms. These scholarships are not renewable.

Each year all returning students are considered for Merit Scholarships on the basis of class ranking as well as demonstration of promise for ministry.

For more information:
Financial Aid Office
404-687-4582

Other Scholarships

Racial/Ethnic Scholarships

Eligible full-time Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theological Studies students are awarded Racial/Ethnic Scholarships of $200 per each 3 credit hours (up to $1,800 per year) for the fall, winter, and spring terms. No application is necessary.

A Racial/Ethnic Scholarship recipient may also be eligible for need-based financial aid and is encouraged to apply.

Columbia Friendship Circle Scholarships

The Columbia Friendship Circle funds a number of scholarships annually. Full-time second or third year Presbyterian Church (USA) students who have demonstrated both a strong commitment to God's call and diligence in studies at Columbia Seminary, have dependent children, and have demonstrated financial need are considered for these scholarships. No application is necessary.

A Columbia Friendship Circle Scholarship recipient who shows need is also eligible for additional need-based financial aid. Additional need-based awards are governed by the maximum seminary financial assistance limits.

Other Resources

Presbyterian Church (USA) Resources

Your home church and presbytery may provide financial as well as spiritual support to their seminary students. Let them know your needs.

Presbyterian Study Grants and Loans

Students who are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and are under care of their presbyteries as inquirers and candidates may apply through the seminary financial aid office to the PC(USA) Financial Aid for Studies Office for Presbyterian Study Grants and Loans.

In October, that office disburses these grant funds on the basis of the relative unmet need of those eligible students who have applied. The grants may range up to $4,000 per year and the loans up to $3,000 per year for inquirers and $5,000 per year for candidates. Applications for these funds are included in Columbia's financial aid application packets.

Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation

The purpose of the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation's Student Aid Program is to assist the church in its important task of developing quality clergy leadership.

Other Fellowships and Scholarships

All students are encouraged to seek support from other sources.

There are many scholarship search sites on the web. It is not advisable to pay for scholarship searches. If a scholarship search site sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Most scholarship applications have early spring deadlines, so start your search early.

If you receive additional financial resources after you submit your need-based financial aid application, you must notify the Financial Aid Office. Additional resources may affect your need-based financial aid award.

Links to Other Funding Opportunities

www.scholarships.com

www.collegenet.com

www.bankrate.com

www.scholarshiphunter.com

www.fastweb.com

www.apiasf.org

Federal Sources

Federal student loans should be considered only as a last resort. Columbia does not package federal student loans in its award letters, and students are not automatically considered for loans. Students are encouraged to limit their borrowing as much as possible. However, eligible students may apply for subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans through the Financial Aid Office.

Insert link to the following forms:

Federal work-study provides limited opportunities for employment.

Eligibility for federal student loans and federal work-study is determined by federal methodology.

To continue eligibility for federal work-study and loans, a student in an eligible degree program must maintain at least half-time status and be making satisfactory academic progress.

The Registrar's Office certifies loan deferments. You can obtain the appropriate forms from your lender's website.

Veterans Administration Benefits

Certification for V.A. benefits is handled through the Office of Student Services.

For more information:
Financial Aid Office
404-687-4582