Costs & Financial Aid
Access to an Affordable Education
Union Presbyterian Seminary is committed to making theological education accessible and affordable for all who are called to study here. Degree-seeking students who complete their admission application by the June 1 final deadline are eligible for significant tuition support, with aid available to those enrolled at least half-time in their degree program. Below, you’ll find details about tuition, fees, and the full range of financial resources available to help make your seminary journey possible.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for M. Div and Dual Degree Programs
- $500 per semester hour/ $1,500 per 3 credit hours course
- $13,500 typical for academic year if 27 credit hours are taken
Tuition for M.A.P.T. & M.A.C.E. Degree Programs
- $500 per semester hour/ $1,500 per 3 credit hours course
- $9,000 typical for academic year if 18 credit hours are taken
Th.M. Degree Program Tuition
- $15,000 per year
- $1,500 per term for Th.M. students who extend study past one nine-month academic year
D.Min. Degree Program Tuition
- $1,000 per course
- $10,000 total tuition
Certificate Programs (C.C.E., C.P.T.)
- $500 per course
- $2000 for 4 courses
Limited Enrollment
- $500 per course for non-degree seeking students
Fees
- $50 per course for M.Div., M.A.C.E., M.A.P.T., and dual degrees students
- $200 per semester for Th.M. students
- $50 per course activity fee for D. Min. students
- $150 graduation fee for Dual degree recipients
- $125 graduation fee for M.Div., M.A.C.E., M.A.T.S., and Th.M. degree recipients
Housing for Community Scholars
For full-time students seeking on-campus or subsidized housing in Richmond as part of the Community Scholars covenantal community, or for international residents, rates vary by size and location. Apartment and dormitory charges should be paid promptly on the first day of each month. A $50 housing deposit is required for new students to hold a dorm room or apartment. A damage deposit equal to one month’s rent is required at move-in. A $25 key deposit is collected at move-in.
On-campus housing charges are less than Richmond-area standard market rates and include basic utilities.
Dormitory rates range from $490 to $530 per month, depending on size and location. Two-bedroom family apartments are $850.
Scholarships & Institutional Aid
Tuition Aid
All students who apply for admission by the June 1 final deadline are eligible to receive aid of 80% of tuition for those attending at least half-time in their degree program on either campus.
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.
Need-based Aid
Need-based aid is available for students in the M.Div., MACE, MAPT, dual, and D.Min. degrees. D.Min. students may receive up to 1/3 of tuition. All other degrees are capped at 20% of tuition. There is a separate application for need-based aid. The deadline to apply for need-based aid is August 1. Students who have been awarded a Merit Scholarship are not eligible for need-based aid.
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.
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.
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 up to 80% of 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.
