Financial Aid
80% of Union Presbyterian Seminary Students Receive Financial Aid.
Admissions application deadine is March 15.
Balancing the call from God with the realities of financial responsibility is no easy task. It may seem daunting. You are not alone! For two centuries seminarians at Union Presbyterian Seminary have balanced these two realities of theological education. The Office of Financial Aid is here to help.
In order to be considered for scholarship support, you must submit your application for admission by March 15.
Scholarships & Institutional Aid
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Union Presbyterian Seminary offers a number of scholarship opportunities for outstanding students in the M.Div., M.A.C.E., and Dual programs. These awards are made to students who show genuine promise for outstanding leadership in the life of the church, demonstrated by outstanding academic achievement and participation in the common life of churches and communities. Scholarships range from 75% - 100% of tuition and may include an additional grant. Awards are made based on the application for admission which must be received by March 15.
PROMISE FOR PARISH MINISTRY SCHOLARSHIPS
This grant program was established to encourage regularly admitted, basic degree-seeking students to pursue parish ministry, particularly full-time parish ministry. These awards are made to students who show genuine promise for outstanding leadership in the life of the church, demonstrated by their participation in the common life of their churches and communities, and academic readiness for graduate study. Scholarships range from 75% of tuition up to 100% of tuition and may include an additional grant. Awards are made based on the application for admission which must be received by March 15. No additional application is necessary. However, a personal interview with at least one faculty member and/or the director of admissions is highly recommended.
NEED-BASED AID
Need-based aid may be available to students who have not been awarded a scholarship. Aid may be as much as 100% of tuition for PC(USA) students and up to 75% of tuition for non-PS(USA) students. A separate application is required. The need-based aid application is available here from March 1 through April 15th.
Merit Scholarships, Promise for Parish Ministry Scholarships, and Need-Based Aid are available to Richmond campus students.
Matching Grant Program
Financial aid for students attending Union Presbyterian Seminary at Charlotte is primarily in the form of a Matching Grant Program. Institutional matching grants are available only to degree seeking students enrolled in one of the Charlotte campus degree programs. To be eligible, students must be taking the normal course load (two credits per term) available in Charlotte in each of the three academic terms. The Matching Grant Program (applicable to two credits per term, up to three terms per academic year) involves the student, the student’s church, and the seminary. Each party will provide one-third of the student’s tuition.
The Matching Grant Program is available for Charlotte campus students.
Other Sources of Funding
As a seminary of the PC(USA), Union Presbyterian Seminary students are eligible for the Presbyterian Study Grant.
Read more about the grant and application process here.
There are several excellent search engines for scholarships in support of theological study. On this page, you will find those links as well as links to denominational websites. Union Presbyterian Seminary also participates in the Federal Stafford Loan Program. While loans should be viewed as a last resort to financing a theological education, some students find them necessary to meet expenses. Approximately 20% of UPSem students borrow from this program each year.
More information about applying for student loans can be found here.
Other sources of funding are available to all Union Presbyterian Seminary students.