Theology Grants

A grant is predominately awarded to a student on the basis of his need. Grants are available from various sources.

How to Apply For Financial Aid

You must first be accepted by the admission department of the school you are interested in attending.

Once accepted, you need to fill out the FAFSA for the upcoming school year. Be sure to know the FAFSA code of the school you are planning to attend. You can order an FAFSA form by calling (800) 4-FEDAID. This form is available at your library, college or high school. This form can also be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Once the form has been completed and submitted, it will most likely take three to five business days for the college you are going to attend to receive your information.

What you will need to fill out the FAFSA

• You need the driver’s license or ID of the student.
• A copy of the federal 1040 tax forms of the student and his parents.
• You will need financial documents concerning pensions, investments or personal business earnings.
• You will also need the W2 forms of the parents and the student.

*Retirement programs and home equity are not used when determining a student’s eligibility for state or federal aid.

After submitting your FAFSA, you need to watch for your SAR (Student Aid Report). This is your official record verifying that the United States Department of Education has received your FAFSA. One of the Financial Aid Officers at the college or university you are planning to attend will receive a report that is similar to your SAR.

Next, you need to see if your SAR has been chosen for verification. If it has, you may be required to provide the college or university you are planning to attend with additional financial information. This usually has to do with your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The United States Department of Education makes the determination of the amount of EFC that is necessary by information they obtained on your FAFSA.

Receiving Aid

Once you receive your financial aid award, be sure to review it. The information on your SAR will help determine the amount and kind of financial aid that you are eligible to receive. If you do not receive your Student Aid Report within two to three weeks, you need to call the United States Department of Education at (800)-4-FEDAID.

Once you have completed these steps, generally a financial aid officer at the school will contact you to inform you of any financial assistance available to you.

Individuals that are interested in attending college to become a member of the clergy have grants available to them that are tailored to their field of study. Below are the grants available to students that are interested in studying religion or theology.

Christian Grants Available

There are grants listed below that are given to students planning to attend Bible colleges or Christian colleges all across the nation. Some of the schools where these grants are available are:

Indiana Wesleyan Pastor Dependent Grant

This grant is offered to Indiana Wesleyan University students. The grant offers $1,800 yearly. The grade level eligibility for this grant is undergraduate. This grant can be used toward a student’s tuition and fees. This grant can be renewed each academic year, as long as the student continues to meet the required criteria.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The students that are interested in receiving this grant are required to submit evidence that at least one of their parents is an ordained Wesleyan minister that is serving full-time as a District Superintendent or in one of the local churches.
• The recipient is required to attend Indiana Wesleyan University on a full time basis and for the purpose of financial aid, be a dependent.
• Full-time enrollment is offered each semester in the spring and in fall.
• The EFC eligibility range of this grant is ‘open.’

To learn more, go to www.indwes.edu.

Wesleyan Pastor Dependent Benefit

This grant awards 50% of a student’s tuition through the grants and scholarships combined from institutional programs, state and federal programs. This excludes any athletic awards or academic scholarships. This grant is for Undergraduate students. This grant is intended to assist with a student’s tuition costs.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The applicant must list his parental information on his application for admission.
• A parent of the applicant must be a full-time ordained Wesleyan Minister that serves in the ministry of a local church.
• For the purpose of finances, the applicant has to be a dependent and attend Indiana Wesleyan University on a full-time basis.
• This grant is renewable and this grant’s EFC eligibility range is ‘open.’
• The enrollment requirements for the Wesleyan Pastor Dependent Benefit are that the student be enrolled full-time for both the fall and spring semesters.

To find out more, go to www.indwes.edu.

Wesleyan Missionary Dependent Grant

This grant offers award amounts that will cover 50% of the recipient’s tuition. This grant is available to Undergraduate students and can help cover a student’s fees and tuition.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The student must show a financial need.
• He must live on campus, attend IWU on a full-time basis and must apply for every other form of state and federal financial aid that is available.
• His parent has to serve through the Native American Ministries or The Global Partners (by direct appointment), during the school year that the student receives the award.
• This award cannot be received in addition to the Out-of-State Pastor Dependent or Wesleyan Grants.
• The EFC eligibility range for this grant is ‘open.’
• This award can be received for a maximum of four years (eight semesters).
• The student must be enrolled full-time in both the spring and fall semesters.

To learn more, go to www.indwes.edu.

The Wesleyan Student Grant

This grant award amount is $1,000. This is an Undergraduate grant and is intended to assist the student with his fees and tuition.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The student has to attend Indiana Wesleyan University on a full-time basis and attend one of the Wesleyan churches in his local community.
• This grant is Renewable and has an ‘open’ EFC eligibility range.
• The student must be enrolled full-time both spring and fall semesters.

For more information, go to www.indwes.edu.

The Out-of-State Wesleyan Grant

This grant awards $2,000 to its recipient. This grant is to be used towards the fees and tuition of the recipient. This grant is available to Undergraduate students. This grant is renewable.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The applicant must attend IWU on a full-time basis and demonstrate financial necessity to receive this grant.
• The applicant has to be a citizen of the United States who is not a resident in the state of Indiana.
• The applicant must attend a Wesleyan church that is located in his home community.
• The recipient of this grant must attend IWU full-time during the spring and the fall semesters.
• The EFC for this grant is ‘open,’ but the applicant must show financial need.

To learn more, go to www.indwes.edu.

The Wesleyan Canadian Grant

This grant awards the recipient 25% of the direct cost that is remaining following all other financial aid being applied. This grant is available to Undergraduate students. This grant is used to cover the student’s room costs and undergraduate tuition.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The applicant has to be attending one of the Wesleyan churches in his community in Canada.
• The applicant must be enrolled full-time and in the process of pursuing one of the undergraduate degrees available on the main campus.
• The applicant cannot be enrolled in the Professional or Adult Studies programs that are available at IWU.
• The EFC eligibility range on this grant is ‘open.’

To learn more, go to www.indwes.edu.

The International Wesleyan Grant

This grant awards $3,000 to its recipient. This grant is for an Undergraduate student. This grant is able to assist with room costs and Undergraduate tuition costs.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The student cannot be a citizen of the United States and has to be attending one of the Wesleyan Churches in his home community.
• The student must be enrolled on a full-time basis and in the process of pursuing one of the undergraduate degrees available on the main campus.
• The student cannot be enrolled in our Professional Studies or Adult programs.
• The EFC range for this grant is ‘open.’

To learn more, go to www.indwes.edu.

For more information about any of the aforementioned Indiana Wesleyan University grants and scholarships, contact:

Indiana Wesleyan University
Financial Aid Office
4201 S. Washington St.
Marion, Indiana 46953

(765) 677-2116
(866) 468-6498 Toll Free
(765) 677-2809 Fax

Email them at finaid@indwes.edu

FAFSA CODE 001822

Le Tourneau University Grants for Dependents of Christian Workers

This scholarship is offered by Le Tourneau University to students of full-time missionaries or ministers of recognized organizations. The students must be considered financially dependent on their parent(s). The recipients of this grant are awarded ranges from $200 to $1,000 a year.

An applicant is required to submit a letter that describes the parent’s ministry. The letter must be submitted on an official letterhead and authored by a senior pastor, supervisor, a member of the board of deacons/elders or a mission board member. Letter should be mailed to:

Linda Fitzhugh
Vice President for Enrollment Services
Le Tourneau University
P.O. Box 7001
Longview, TX 75607

To learn more, go to www.letu.edu.

Academic Scholarships at Le Tourneau University

The scholarships at Le Tourneau University are awarded directly following completion of the admissions files. It is recommended that any student that is interested in being awarded a scholarship complete his admissions process without delay.

All Le Tourneau University students that are filling out the FAFSA and applying for financial aid need to use Le Tourneau University’s FAFSA code, which is 003584. The form can be filled out at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The Academic Scholarships at Le Tourneau University are renewable for an additional three years following the year of the recipient’s initial enrollment. The total allowable amount is eight semesters, fall and spring semesters only. Students will be awarded the entire amount of the scholarship as long as they meet the accumulative GPA requirements.

A Student’s scholarship award will not increase past the amount of their initial scholarship, even if their accumulative GPA increases to a level that is required for one of the larger scholarships.

An Academic Scholarship is awarded based on the student’s standardized test scores. The acknowledged standardized tests are the SAT (Math & Critical Reading) or the ACT. These scores are used in conjunction with the student’s senior year grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

For information concerning enrollment at Le Tourneau University, contact:

Linda Fitzhugh
Vice President for Enrollment Services
Le Tourneau University
P.O. Box 7001
Longview, TX 75607

To contact the Financial Aid Office at Le Tourneau University call (800) 759-8811 Ext. 4350.

Financial Aid Office Hours
Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm CST

Email them at finaid@letu.edu

California Baptist University in Riverside, California

Some grants are available to all students enrolled in the school; however, other grants are only available to students that are enrolled in select programs. There are some grants available to students whose parents are actively involved in mission work or are currently in the ministry. These grants can help with the students living expenses, tuition and many other expenses that are accrued while attending the university.

Minister’s Kin Grant

The Minister’s Kin grant is $2,750 yearly. The recipients of this grant are required to be a dependent child of a full-time pastor; a minister of music, education, youth or children; missionary; or chaplain. For more information call:

The Enrollment Services Office
(877) 228-8866

The following CBU scholarships and grants are available to all students that meet the criteria:

Women’s Athletic Scholarships

There are athletic scholarships available for women’s softball, basketball, soccer, diving, water polo, cheer, volleyball and golf.

For more information call:

The Athletic Department
(800) 782-3382, ext. 4318

Men’s Athletic Scholarships

There are athletic scholarships available for men’s baseball, basketball, soccer, diving, swimming, volleyball, cheer, water polo and golf.

For more information call:

The Athletic Department
(800) 782-3382, ext. 4318

Academic Scholarships

The academic scholarships that are available offer up to $5,000 yearly.

To learn more, go to www.calbaptist.edu.

The Accredited Christian College or University Grant

*A student who has previously been awarded an Alliance Education Leadership Grant is ineligible to receive this grant.

They award this grant in recognition of the Alliance Theological Seminary of the Nyack College Network.

The Accredited Christian College or University Grant is available to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. New candidates have the ability to receive $1,000 yearly. The recipients of this grant must be enrolled in a Christian school that is accredited. Students must also enroll at an ATS within the nine months following graduation.

The CBU Grant

The CBU Grant is based on the financial need and the GPA as is determined by the FAFSA, which is the federal government’s instrument that is used for calculating a student’s need-based aid. These awards can be up to $3,500.

To fill out the application for the FAFSA Grant, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once a student has applied, he can track his application and change his information, if necessary, at mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov.

Northwest Christian University Grants

The Heritage Grant

The Heritage Grant is awarded to full-time undergraduate students. Recipients of this grant must be traditional daytime students. The recipients must also attend a Christian or Disciples of Christ Church. This grant is worth $2,500 yearly. It can be renewed for up to eight semesters (four years).

The Oregon Opportunity Grant

The State of Oregon gives grants to students who reside within the state. The students must enroll at a University or College in the State of Oregon at least half-time to be considered for this grant. The student must also demonstrate the need for this grant as is determined by the state.

The amount awarded for this grant varies depending on the school that is selected. The amount is determined by the state legislature every year. A student must complete the FAFSA each year to be awarded the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

To complete the FAFSA visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The NCU Need Grant

Northwest Christian awards grants, based on need, to undergraduate students demonstrating financial need according to their FAFSA. These grants are available to full-time undergraduate students attending during traditional daytime hours.

The award amounts for this grant vary from $600 to $6,000 each academic year. The applicant must complete the FAFSA every academic year to determine eligibility to receive this grant.

The Minister’s Child Grant

Undergraduate students who are the children of missionaries and ministers from the Christian Churches (COC) or Disciples of Christ (DOC) are eligible to apply for this grant. This grant is worth $1,500 yearly and is available to traditional daytime full-time undergraduate students. This grant is renewable for eight semesters (four years) at Northwest Christian University.

NCU Church Matching Grant

Northwest Christian matches any donation that is made by the undergraduate student’s home church up to $1,000 each academic year for four years. This grant is awarded if the student meets the eligibility requirements. The student must be an undergraduate student attending during traditional daytime hours.

Students receiving this grant are required to be enrolled on a full-time basis. The funds to match must be from the Church. The funds may not come from one of the student’s direct relatives.

An application must be submitted by June 1st (due to limitations in funding) to receive this grant. The application is available in the Office of Financial Aid or online at www.nwcu.edu.

The Sibling Grant

Grants are available in the amount of $750 each. These grants are available to undergraduate full-time students attending during traditional daytime hours. The Sibling Grant is offered to students who meet the eligibility requirements and attend Northwest Christian University in the same school year as at least two of their siblings each school year that this grant is awarded. As long as the required criterion is met, these grants are renewable for up to eight semesters (four years).

For more information visit www.nwcu.edu.

Northwest Christian University Deadlines for Financial Aid

It is extremely important that applicants complete their financial aid file by March 1st. Doing so will ensure that you are among the initial group of students that are being considered to receive financial aid based on their needs. This deadline is also for any merit-based scholarships.

If you are not intending to file your IRS taxes prior to the March 1st deadline, use the estimated income tax data when filling out the FAFSA. It is preferred that you use the information from the previous year.

If you are unable to complete your financial aid file by March 1, you will only be able to be considered for the types of financial aid that are still available at the time it is completed.

*Northwest Christian University does make financial aid awards almost all year long. It is never too late for you to apply.

For a step-by-step guide to applying for financial aid, go to www.nwcu.edu.

To apply for one of the Northwest Christian University Grants, go to northwestchristian-uga.edu.

Northwest Christian University’s Federal School Code for the FAFSA application is 003208.

Wingate University for North Carolina Students

Students that are attending this university have the ability to participate in a matching grant program offered by the school. The student’s Baptist church needs to donate money on the student’s behalf. The largest amount of money that Wingate will donate is $350 toward a church’s donation of $700.

To learn more and apply for financial aid, go to www.wingate.edu.

Cedarville University

Cedarville University is located in Cedarville, Ohio. This university offers five different grants to students that are involved in ministry. Students are required to assist families in ministry full-time or assist the local churches to receive one of the grant programs listed below.

The financial need of a student is assessed by calculating the student’s total basic costs. These basic costs refer to the student’s room and board and tuition. The EFC (Expected Family Contribution) and the grants and scholarships the student receives are subtracted from the basic costs. This final number is considered the student’s financial need.

The Charles Colson Ministry Grant

This grant awards $400 to $2,200 to eligible students whose parent works on a full-time basis in Christian ministry. It is not required for a student to fill out the FAFSA to receive the basic $400 grant.

For a student to receive an increase in this grant award, he must fill out and submit an FAFSA so financial need can be determined. This grant is renewable but requires a Cedarville cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to renew.

An application is available at www.cedarville.edu.

Church Matching Grants (Cedarville)

This award is up to $500 a year. This funding is limited and only offered as long as the funds are available. This award can be used in conjunction with other scholarships and grants.

The recipient of this award must be enrolled full-time and is required to have no less than 12 credit hours each term. This award is renewable based on the churches continued support of the student and funding availability through the university.

This award is limited to a total of four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study. The application is available at www.cedarville.edu.

Kempton Missions Grants

This grant awards $400 to $2,200 to eligible students whose parent(s) is employed in mission work on a full-time basis.

Christian Educators Grants

This grant awards $400 to $2,200 to eligible students whose parent(s) is involved in Christian education on a full-time basis. The parent could be involved in the administration, teaching aspect or other positions as deemed eligible.

Jeremiah Pastoral Ministry Grants

For a student to be eligible to receive this grant, his parent must be employed full-time in the church ministry as a Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, Pastor, Administrative or some other position that is deemed eligible. To Receive the a Kempton Mission Grant, a Christian Educators Grant or a Jeremiah Pastoral Ministry Grant the requirements listed below must also be met.

• It is not necessary for a student to fill out the FAFSA to receive the basic $400 grant.
• For a student to receive an increase in this grant award, he must fill out and submit an FAFSA so financial need can be determined.
• This grant is renewable but requires a Cedarville cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to renew.

To apply visit www.cedarville.edu.

The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund, Inc.

This fund was established by Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Keesee in 1941. They resided in Martinsville, Virginia and created this fund to assist commendable men and women in obtaining an education.

The Board of Trustees considers the requests that are submitted for aid. The Board of Trustees will then determine the eligibility of each applicant; they are also responsible for administering the fund.

This fund distributes in excess of $3,000,000 each year to 700 applicants as grants.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The applicant has to be a United States of American citizen.
• The applicant must also reside in North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia for no less than twelve months.
• The applicant’s twelve months of residing in one of the aforementioned states must be immediately before entering into any educational institution. This is because you are not able to establish residency while a student. The Trustees have reserved the right to verify residency.
• The applicant has to currently be a member of a Baptist church.
• The applicant has to be pursuing a career in the Baptist ministry or intend to do religious work related to the Baptist denomination. Accepted positions are defined on page five of the application. The Board of Trustees will also determine eligible positions.
• Aid is not offered for any of the off-campus courses, seminars, independent courses, individualized courses or workshops.
• The recipient must attend classes on the institution’s main campus.
• The student has to reapply yearly to receive this grant.
• This grant is available to the recipient for up to eight semesters (four years).
• Students have the ability to take one of their required courses on-line to count towards the hours need to receive this grant.
• A part-time student that carries no less than one-half of the full course load may also apply for this grant.

*Submitting an application does not guarantee that you are going to receive a grant.

For more information about the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund, go to www.cbkeesee.com.

Grants for Students Attending Eligible Divinity Schools & Seminaries

There are grants available for students planning to enter the Baptist ministry on a full-time basis or are planning a career in the Baptist denomination doing religious work. The grants awarded can be as much as $4,500 a year for no more than eight semesters (four years).

To be eligible for this grant, the applicant has to be enrolled in one of the Master’s degree programs that are available. No aid is available for those students acquiring an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree or any of the graduate studies or advanced degrees beyond a master’s degree.

An applicant must attend one of the divinity schools or seminars that are on the list below to be eligible to receive this grant.

Divinity School or Seminary Locations and Websites

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
www.sebts.edu

Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
www.btsr.edu

Campbell University Divinity School
Buies Creek, North Carolina
divinity.campbell.edu

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky
www.sbts.edu

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, Louisiana
www.nobts.edu

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Fort Worth, Texas
www.swbts.edu

Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
Mill Valley, California
www.ggbts.edu

Gardner-Webb Divinity School (MCW School of Div.)
Boiling Springs, North Carolina
www.gardner-webb.edu

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Missouri
www.mbts.edu

The Leland Center
Arlington, Virginia
www.leland.edu

Students are required to attend classes at the eligible institutions main campuses. There is no aid available for online degree programs or courses that are taken at one of the eligible schools extension campuses.

To learn more, visit www.cbkeesee.com

Theological Fellowships/Grants

American Academy of Religion in Atlanta, Georgia

There is a two-year grant available for $200,000 that is for the continued support of seminars concerning religious pluralism.

To learn more about the fellowship grants available, visit www.acls.org.

Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. & Canada in Pittsburgh, PA

A one-year grant is offered in the amount of $615,000. This grant is for the continuance of the Henry Luce III Fellows in Theology Program.

To apply for this grant, contact Frances Pacienza at pacienza@ats.edu. For more information, go to www.ats.edu.

The Lilly Theological Research Grants Program

These grants are designed to improve the capacity and skill of the faculty at ATS schools as scholars and theological researchers.

The four components of this program:

• Research Expense Grants gives as much as $5,000 apiece to up to six scholars for research expenses.
• Theological Scholars Grants provide up to six grants of as much as $12,000 each for research.
• Faculty Fellowships are worth $30,000 each and are awarded to as many as six faculty members. This is awarded during a research leave lasting at least one semester. This leave must have been approved by the institution.
• Collaborative Research Grants provide grants for up to four collaborative research projects. The amount provided can be up to $16,000 for each project.

Applicants must be a full-time faculty member at an ATS accredited & candidate schools. To apply for one of these grants, contact Frances Pacienza at pacienza@ats.edu.

New York Theological Seminary in New York, New York

A three-year grant is offered in the amount of $375,000 and is intended to assist in expanding and supporting programs of the Center for World Christianity.

The FAFSA school code for the New York Theological Seminary is G02674. To learn more, visit fa.nyts.edu.

Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge Massachusetts

There is a four-year grant in the amount of $350,000 awarded to support the curricular revision, faculty training and the continuance of online education with a focus on religious pluralism. To learn more, visit edsinterim.homestead.com/.

Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois

A three-year grant is offered in the amount of $200,000. This grant is to assist in implementing an integrated community model of religious formation. There are a multitude of grants and scholarships available to eligible students.

To learn about all the opportunities available, contact the Senior Director of Student Services & Communications at Tporter@meadville.edu.

Federal Aid

Federal Pell Grant

This grant is awarded in the amount of $1,176 to $5,550 each year. This program determines the student’s eligibility and amount awarded by the information provided on the student’s FAFSA. To fill out the FAFSA online, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

This grant gives a student $1,000 a year. It is a federal grant to help students that need the most assistance. Student need is determined by the student’s FAFSA. The funds for this grant are limited.

College Grant Information By State