Need-Based Grants
PTS Grant - This need-based grant is awarded to full-time students in our M.Div, M.A and M.Div/MA programs.
Beginning with those students admitted for the fall 2007 semester, the following funding criteria will be in place:
Eligible Presbyterian Church(USA) students may receive PTS grant aid to cover 100% of their evaluated need up to the cost of full tuition.
Eligible students who are not members of a PC(USA) church may receive a maximum award of 90% of the cost of tuition based on their calculated need.
To qualify for a need-based PTS Grant you must:
- Be a first-time professional theological degree candidate
- Demonstrate financial need (as defined in the Student Financial Aid Handbook)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward your degree
- Apply each academic year
A first professional degree student may be eligible for PTS grant assistance for a maximum of three years for the M.Div., two years for the M.A., and four years for the M.Div/MA.
To apply for need-based aid you must:
- Complete a PTS Student Financial Aid Application and Addendum
- Complete the applicable version of the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid Form) 2008-09 version for those seeking aid during that school year.
- Provide a copy of your prior year Federal Income Tax Return (when available) For 2008-09 applicants, we need your 2007 federal income tax return.
- You may also be asked to provide documentation of the information you supply on these forms.
The Financial Aid addendum is ordinarily completed with the application for admission. The Financial Aid application is usually mailed to newly admitted students at the time of admission. These forms can also be downloaded directly, or obtained by writing or emailing the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Exceptional Financial Need Grant - This need-based PTS grant program is designed to provide up to $3,500 in additional aid to students currently owing $15,000 or more in student loan debt. This program is designed to help students who help themselves, and requires recipients to work and raise funding from outside sources in order to reduce their dependency on student loans. The EFN Grant is currently only available to M.Div., M.A., and M.Div./M.A. students in their middler and senior years.
PTS Presbyterian Student Loan Program - The Seminary offers eligible PC(USA) students a low interest loan that has the potential to be forgiven if the recipient serves as an ordained minister in the PC(USA). Only full-time M.Div. and M.Div./M.A. students who demonstrate need in excess of our maximum PTS grant may qualify for this loan program. For more information, please consult the PTS Student Financial Aid Handbook.
Merit-Based Awards
Presbyterian Leadership Award - The PLA covers the student’s full tuition and academic year dorm fee. This scholarship will be offered to a limited number of entering M.Div and M.Div/MA students who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and are outstanding candidates for pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seminary Fellowship - The Seminary Fellowship covers the student’s full tuition plus $900 during the academic year. Seminary Fellowships will be awarded to entering M.Div and M.Div/MA students on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to the life and mission of the church.
Leadership Award- Up to four entering students per year from its M.Div and M.Div/MA candidates will be awarded the PTS Leadership Award. The value of this merit-based scholarship is $11,000 for the academic year. Students selected for this award will have demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement and outstanding commitment to the life and mission of the church.
Candidates for these three renewable merit-based awards are selected through the admissions process. No seperate application is required. Awards will be renewed for those recipients who continue to maintain a high level of academic achievement while at PTS.
Other Forms of Aid
Church Support - We suggest you inquire about financial aid that may be available from local churches and judicatories. In many cases, it is advisable to request this assistance well in advance of applying to Princeton. PTS students have received substantial support in this manner.
Outside Scholarships - The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid publishes a "Guide to Outside Scholarship Sources," which may help you search for outside scholarship assistance for your seminary program. All students are encouraged to obtain this publication, as well as checking with their home church for assistance.
Student Employment - There are many on- and off-campus opportunities available for PTS students. Applicants are encouraged to apply for Federal Work Study funding as a way to pay for their living expenses during the school year. The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid also maintains a bulletin board of job postings for Seminary students and their families. This board is located directly outside the office on the third floor of Templeton Hall.
Other Information - You can also obtain copies of the following publications from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid:
- The PTS Student Financial Aid Handbook
- The Guide to Outside Scholarship Sources
- The Student Health Insurance Brochure
- The Student and Spouse Employment Guide