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Financial Aid
federal aid | full-time students | full or part-time students | application process | contact admissions | doctor of ministry
How do you afford seminary? Many students at Northern receive financial aid through a scholarship or grant or participate in our Partners in Ministry program. Our admissions counselors have been right where you are, wondering if it is possible to follow God’s call into ministry, enhance knowledge, and sharpen skills without knowing how to answer financial questions. We have been there and want to help. Give us a call if you have questions.
Kern Scholarship: 100% Tuition
- For students 27 years of age or younger
- Student must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or better
- Student must take least 9 hours each quarter (3 courses)
- Applicant must be able to articulate a call to pastoral ministry in the local church
- Must be admitted to Master of Divinity degree program (more info here)
Presidential Scholarship: 100% Tuition
- Student must take least 9 hours each quarter (3 courses)
- Student must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
- Applicant must be able to articulate a call to ministry
- Must be admitted to Masters degree program (more info here)
- Applicants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA, but this is not required becasue the scholarship is merit, not need-based (Federal School Code: G01736)
John Perkins Fellowship: 100% Tuition
- Requires full-time study*
- Applicant must have a degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Applicant must be able to articulate a call to urban ministry
- Applicant must live in an urban setting*
- Must be admitted to Masters degree program (*more info here)
- Applicants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA, but this is not required becasue the scholarship is merit, not need-based (Federal School Code: G01736)
Northern Scholarship: 10 - 50% (download application here)
- Applicant must be admitted to a master’s degree program
- Student must take least 9 hours each quarter (3 courses)
- Based on a combination of merit and financial need
- Applicant must have a 3.0+ cumulative G.P.A.
- Applicant must complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
- Applicant must register for courses for an entire year (Fall, Winter, and Spring terms)
- Financial Aid is awarded for an entire academic year and students must reapply by April 30 of each year
Northern Grant: 10 - 25% (download application here)
- Applicant must be admitted to a master’s degree program
- Student must take least 9 hours each quarter (3 courses)
- Based on a combination of merit and financial need
- Applicant must have a 2.5+ cumulative G.P.A.
- Applicant must complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
- Applicant must register for courses for an entire year (Fall, Winter, and Spring terms)
- Financial Aid is awarded for an entire academic year and students must reapply by April 30 of each year
Dean's Grant:(download application here)
- Student must be admitted to masters program
- Based on combination of merit, need, and availability
- Students are encouraged to submit, in writing, an explanation of any special circumstances for consideration by the committee
- Applicant must complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
- Applicant must register for courses for an entire year (Fall, Winter, and Spring terms)
- Financial Aid is awarded for an entire academic year and students must reapply by April 30 of each year
Partners in Ministry 50% (Masters Students Only) (download application here)
- Student commits to paying 50% of tuition and all fees
- The student's church or ministry pledges to participate in the Partners in Ministry Support Program by providing a financial gift equal to 25% of tuition for each quarter the student is enrolled
- With the assistance of the seminary, the student agrees to send "Support My Mission" letters to 12 individuals or families each year.
- Applicant must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours each quarter
- 2.5+ cumulative G.P.A. required
Church Support Program 50% (Doctoral Students Only) (download application here)
- Student’s home church must contribute 25% of tuition
- Applicant must be admitted to the Doctoral program
- Applicant must be enrolled full-time in the Doctor of Ministry program
- 3.0+ cumulative G.P.A. required
Spouse Grant: 50%
- Available to the spouse of any current full-time student
- Grant may be applied toward one course in each quarter
To be given priority consideration for any financial aid, plase complete and submit a Northern financial aid application. Students are considered on a priority basis. Students are encouraged to complete the application early in the admission process so that they may receive information regarding their award in a timely manner.
Federal Student Aid (Title IV Funds)
Students interested in pursuing a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry or a Masters Specialization may apply for federal student loans. In order to receive federal student loans, students must:
- be admitted into a masters-level degree program
- take at least 6 hours per quarter
- complete a yearly plan with their advisor prior to enrolling in their first quarter and then continue to do so each summer
Application Process:
- Apply for admission into a masters-level degree program
- Complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
- Complete the yearly plan with pre-enrollment advisor/admissions counselor
- Register for courses in yearly plan
- Apply for any scholarships or grants from Northern Seminary (infomation and applications available above)
- Complete online Federal Aid Interview (more info)
After completing the online interview, students will receive information in the mail regarding their loan awards.
Thank you for considering Northern. We will be praying for you as you consider the next steps in your ministry preparation.
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