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Scholarships and Grants

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and friends of the Seminary have been very generous with scholarship endowments and gifts. Last year, financial awards totaled over $2.5 million in student tuition scholarships from a number of sources. Students from all denominations are eligible for such awards. Ministry potential, ministry experience, financial need, and other aspects of the student's profile all play an important role in determining a student's eligibility and ultimate selection for Covenant Seminary scholarships. For a complete listing of available scholarships, see the Financial Aid Handbook

New Scholarship For "Tentmaker" Students Now Available!

Are you a student who desires to minister within your current workplace? Do you have a passion for reaching the lost around you in the spheres of business and/or government? You might be eligible for a scholarship through a recent gift to the seminary. The Marvin E. and Lois Holley Halliburton Jacks Scholarship was established to encourage and enable tentmakers in government or business to pursue theological education for the purpose of honoring Christ and bringing biblical wisdom to the secular workplace. This scholarship is open to distance education as well as main campus students.

If you are not already receiving a scholarship, please submit your application to the Financial Aid office or contact Financial Aid for more information (phone: 1.800.264.8064 or 314.434.4044, ext. 4940).

Primary Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to other scholarships, Covenant Seminary is pleased to make the following leadership scholarships available to a limited number of students each year. These scholarships include:

  • The Kern Family Foundation Scholarship. These are 100% tuition scholarships for Master of Divinity (MDiv) students who have demonstrated academic and leadership ability and are committed to local church ministry.
  • Founders Scholarship Award. These are 100% tuition scholarships for Master of Divinity (MDiv) students with a strong aptitude for pastoral leadership.
  • The Strategic Church Development Awards. These are 100% tuition scholarships for Master of Divinity (MDiv) students who will help meet the growing needs and desire for African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other minorities to serve as PCA pastors and church planters within the United States.
  • The Ministry Leadership Awards. These 50% tuition scholarships are for Master of Divinity (MDiv) students with a demonstrated call to ministerial leadership.

If you are interested in applying for any of the above scholarships, please refer to the Financial Aid Handbook or call the Financial Aid office (1.800.264.8064 or 314.434.4044, ext. 4940) with any questions. See the application deadlines on the Tuition and Financial Aid page, and specific requirements in the Financial Aid Handbook.

Spouse Teamwork Scholarship

Because we believe that Christian ministry involves the whole family, qualified spouses of all full-time students may attend regular seminary classes for credit via the Spouse Teamwork Scholarship. Complete the Spouse Teamwork Scholarship Application from the Student Portal or download the Spouse Teamwork Scholarship Application in PDF format. See the Financial Aid Handbook for further information.

Spouses seeking to apply for the scholarship must apply to the Seminary, be accepted, and register for courses in the same way as other students. The spouse may receive scholarship on the number of hours the student takes each semester. The student spouse scholarship is available to students in all degree programs, but is limited to 48 credit hours. 

Presbytery Scholarships

The following presbyteries have partnered with Covenant Seminary to establish scholarship funds for their students under care: Ascension, Calvary, Central Florida, Central Georgia, Central Indiana, Chesapeake, Chicago Metro, Covenant, Eastern Canada, Eastern Carolina, Eastern Pennsylvania, Evangel, Fellowship, Georgia Foothills, Grace, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, Heritage, Illiana, Louisiana, Metro Atlanta, Missouri, Nashville, New Jersey, New York State, North Florida, North Texas, Northern Illinois, Northern New England, Northwest Georgia, Ohio Valley, Pacific, Pacific Northwest, Palmetto, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Metro West, Pittsburgh, Potomac, Providence, Savannah River, South Florida, South Texas, Southeast Alabama, Southern New England, Southwest, Southwest Florida, Susquehanna Valley, Tennessee Valley, Warrior, Westminster.

Download the Presbytery Scholarship Application Form in PDF format or request an application form from the Financial Aid Office. A copy of the form should be sent to the Financial Aid Office and the original should be sent to the stated clerk of your presbytery.

LAMB Fund

Full-time Master of Divinity (MDiv) students under care of any presbytery may apply for the LAMB Fund. The Fund provides a $450-per-year-loan that is forgivable at 20% per year of service in the PCA after ordination. The application form should be submitted to your session and then to the presbytery. Download the Lamb Loan Application Form in PDF format.

Other Presbytery Scholarships

In addition to the above, some presbyteries have established their own scholarship funds. Check with your presbytery to see if additional funds are available.

Student Loans

Covenant Theological Seminary students are eligible for student loans backed by the federal government. Through the Stafford Loan program, students may borrow up to $8,500 of subsidized loans a year to fund their education. Not only are the interest rates in this program low, but repayment is deferred until six months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment status.

In the interest of preventing a difficult financial situation for students after graduation, the Seminary strongly discourages Master of Divinity (MDiv) students from borrowing more than $26,000; for students in other degree programs, the suggested limit is $20,000.

This includes all undergraduate and graduate loans. Anyone exceeding these amounts is required to participate in loan counseling with the Director of Financial Aid. Stafford Loans are not available to Distance Education students, or Doctor of Ministry (DMin) or international students.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To remain eligible for scholarships and government loans, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, which is measured by both the quantity and quality of academic work. Students must be enrolled for at least half-time status at Covenant Theological Seminary to be eligible for loans or loan deferments.  Detailed information on what constitutes satisfactory academic progress is available in the Financial Aid Handbook.

VETERANS' INFORMATION

Covenant Theological Seminary is certified by the Veterans Administration (VA) as a school that veterans may attend with benefits. The terms of veteran enrollment, certification, progress, etc., are available from the Registrar, who handles all veterans' benefits for the Seminary.

ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT

An additional source of income for many students is on-campus employment. Part-time jobs in various departments range from physical plant duties to library assistance to receptionist work. About ten percent of our full-time students are typically employed by the Seminary. Some spouses of students also are employed by the Seminary full- or part-time. More information about on campus employment can be obtained from the personnel manager. Resumes may be forwarded to our Human Resources staff at humanresources@covenantseminary.edu.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Some of our students work part time in local churches. Many of these churches have developed internship programs for students, which provide not only remuneration, but also valuable experience in church work. In addition to church employment, students and their spouses have a wide selection of work opportunities available to them in the diverse economy of the St. Louis area. The Student Services Office is an excellent resource for students seeking current employment information and assistance. Contact the Admissions Office for additional information and help with your off-campus employment search.

RAISING SUPPORT

The Financial Aid Handbook, pages 23-24, has helpful information about raising support and receiving gifts from churches or individuals.

DEFERRED BILLING

Covenant Seminary gives special consideration to students who are unable to pay the full semester's charges at registration. A deferred-payment plan allows students to defer up to 75% of their outstanding tuition charges during the Fall and Spring semesters. All prior balances must be cleared before students may qualify for the deferred-payment plan. At the time of registration, students must pay at least 25% of the balance of tuition (after financial aid is applied), other fees, and a deferment fee of $30. The remaining charges must be paid in three equal monthly installments, or before the next scheduled registration, whichever comes first. If the payments are not made as scheduled, the student may be dropped from class, with all monies paid to date forfeited. Students are encouraged to maintain a good credit rating. An account will be considered past due if it remains unpaid past the deferred time limit. In the next semester, students with a record of past due deferred accounts are required to pay 50% payment of the remainder of all tuition and fees (after financial aid has been applied). Students will be denied deferred payment privileges if a past due condition occurs in two consecutive semesters.

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"The Spirit and the Bride say 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come."

Revelation 22:17

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