Financial Aid Guidelines for New Sudents
Recognizing that graduate study in preparation for the ministry places enormous demands on the time, energy, and resources of every person who makes the commitment to enroll as a degree candidate, SFTS provides both budget and staff to assist students in those efforts. The primary purpose of financial aid for theological students is to assist in their educational preparation for ministry by providing aid to those students who demonstrate financial need. The information on this site will help you begin to plan as you make decisions regarding your seminary education. If you believe you will need financial aid to attend seminary, we strongly encourage you to apply for Fall admission as resources are much more limited in the Spring.
San Francisco Theological Seminary is committed to providing grants to cover up to 70% of tuition for full-time M.Div. students who qualify on the basis of need. Part-time students enrolled half-time may be eligible for grants to cover up to 50% of tuition charged.s GTU M.A. students may qualify for a maximum of 50% of tuition. No tuition grants are available for MATS or unclassified students. Financial aid is not available for GTU summer school tuition or other off-campus instruction such as Clinical Pastoral Education.
The total amount of aid offered, including tuition grants, loans, scholarships, and outside aid, may not exceed the amount of the student’s cost of attendance. The cost of attendance is the estimated amount needed to cover expenses during the school year, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation.
The student has the major responsibility for his or her educational and living expenses. The Seminary’s aid is designed to augment the student’s own efforts. Students seeking financial assistance must make every effort to adjust their lifestyles and spending practices while attending seminary. This can be done by undertaking remunerative work, expending a portion of savings or assets, and pursuing other support from sources such as parents, family, friends, home congregations, denominations and other ecclesiastical judicatories, and foundation or corporate grants and loans.
Types of Financial Aid Available at SFTS
1. Need-Based Grants
Grants are institutional aid that are based on need and are provided to help students with the cost of tuition. Need is based on the information supplied in the SFTS financial aid application, the FAFSA and the student’s income tax return. Need-based grants are capped at 70% of the cost of tuition per semester for M.Div. students, and 50% of the cost of tuition for GTU M.A. students.
2. Alumni Scholarships
In addition to need-based tuition grants, Alumni Scholarships are awarded each year to a limited number of applicants to the M.Div. program who demonstrate leadership in the Church, exceptional academic accomplishment, and promise for effective ministry. Alumni Scholars are determined based on the application for admission. Application must be received by March 1 to be eligible for scholarship consideration.
3. Federal Family Education Loan Program
The Subsidized Stafford Student Loan program is a federally-supported loan program. Eligible students may borrow up to $8500 per year from participating lenders. Students must be eligible for need-based aid to receive a subsidized Stafford Loan. There is no repayment or interest accrual while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Six months after the student ceases at least half-time enrollment, interest begins to accrue and repayment of at least $50 per month begins. Borrowers have a minimum of 10 years to repay the loan. Students who have outstanding Stafford Loans should, if possible, borrow any future funds from their previous lender.
The terms of the unsubsidized Stafford Loan are similar to the subsidized loan with one major exception: students are responsible for paying the interest on the unsubsidized Stafford Loan from the time it is disbursed to them. The interest may be paid quarterly or can be capitalized onto the principal balance at the request of the student. Students who show no need for a subsidized loan may be eligible to borrow up to $$20,500 in an unsubsidized loan. Students showing a little need for a subsidized loan (less than $8500) can make up the difference in an unsubsidized loan. However, a student’s total financial aid awards, including loans, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
4. PC( USA) Financial Aid for Studies
As a PC(USA) related school, SFTS participates in the PC(USA)’s grant and loan programs. Students with remaining need who have been certified as inquirers or candidates in their presbytery may apply for grants through the denomination. Racial Ethnic students may be eligible for additional grant money. For PC(USA) students who require a small loan, the Office of Financial Aid for Studies of the PC(USA) also offers assistance.
5. Other assistance through SFTS includes:
• Subsidized housing;
• Subsidized child care at the SFTS Children’s Center;
• Contact with home churches and governing bodies, at the student’s request;
• Subsidies for short-term use of the Lloyd Center Counseling Service;
• Emergency, short-term, no interest loans;
• Placement in jobs on campus;
• Budget counseling;
• Information about other sources of grants and loans.
6. VA Benefits
Enrollment certification for veterans using benefits to finance their degree programs is handled by the GTU Common Registrar.
7. Application Procedure
• File your 2007 federal income tax return
• Using the information on your return, complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (International students may skip this step). SFTS’ school code for completion of the FAFSA is G01279.
• Complete the SFTS Financial Aid application that will be in your admissions packet.
• Turn in a signed copy of your return and your financial aid application to the Admissions Office within two weeks of receipt of your admissions letter.
• Keep copies of everything you submit.
For more information about financial aid, write or call:
In Northern California,
Dr. Kyle Matsumoto Burch
Associate Dean of Enrollment
800.447.8820 x832 or admissions@sfts.edu
In Southern California,
Rev. Wendy Tajima,
Director of Enrollment - Southern California,
800.473.8772 x706 or enrollment@sftssc.edu
