Princeton Seminary is determined to make theological education affordable. We put a significant amount of care and effort into keeping tuition and other education expenses as cost-effective as possible. We also invest a significant amount of our budget to fund our aid programs. The largest of these is our need-based PTS Grant.
To qualify for a need-based grant from Princeton Seminary, an applicant must:
*Please note that the amount a student receives in PTS Grant aid is also dependent on whether they were awarded the PTS Promise for Ministry Award, as the combination of the PTS Grant and Promise for Minsitry Award cannot exceed the PTS Grant maximums listed in the Merit-based awards section below. Questions about aid programs and application procedures should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
This grant program is designed to help our students reduce their dependency on educational loans. Awardees must work a minimum of 10 hours per week and attempt to raise money from outside sources in order to be considered for this need-based PTS aid program. The award maximum for single students and married students without children is $2,000 per year. Single and married students with children may qualify for up to $4,000 per year. Grant recipients must:
Download application (pdf)
This fund will be able to assist 10-12 students per year. Its interest is assistance to students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who are already burdened with debt. While Princeton Theological Seminary values all vocational directions, this fund’s focus is on those students from distressed financial situations who may need additional financial help to pursue their call to pastoral ministry. The annual grant range for this program, depending on student need is $8,000 to $10,000, distributed 50% each semester.
An eligible student must meet all of the following requirements in order to be considered for a Barnabas Grant:
Download application (pdf)
Eligible PC(USA) MDiv and MDiv/MACEF candidates who demonstrate financial need beyond the maximum PTS Grant may qualify for a low-interest loan which has the potential to be forgiven if the recipient serves the PC(USA) in ordained ministry after graduating. Applicants for this forgivable loan must complete the application each year and provide documentation of Inquirer status to qualify for year one and two of their program and Candidacy for year three and in the case of a Dual degree candidate, year four. The maximum award for this forgivable loan is $4,000 per academic year.
* Please note that a merit-based aid recipient who can document need beyond their scholarship offer, may be eligible to apply for the Gillespie grant or PTS Presbyterian Loan program as well.
Princeton Seminary also participates in and offers federal loans and work study programs: Federal Direct Loan, Federal Grad PLUS Loan, and Federal Work Study.
Presbyterian Loan Application (pdf)
Merit-based awardees are selected through the admissions process on the basis of high academic achievement and commitment to the life and mission of the church. These awards are renewable based on the candidate maintaining full-time enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress. They are available to MDiv, MDiv/MACEF, and MA(TS) candidates who are US citizens or Permanent residents of the US. They are offered to approximately 20% of our degree candidates each year.
The programs and amounts listed below are effective for those candidates admitted for the 2018-19 school year and later. Applicants who wish to be considered for the Presbyterian Leadership Award, Seminary Fellowship, and Presidential Scholarship must complete and submit the scholarship application and have an admissions interview by the February 1 priority scholarship deadline.
Beginning with those degree candidates admitted for 2018-19, this $3,000 scholarship may be offered at the time of their admissions by the admissions committee to candidates who demonstrate a promise for ministry. Candidates who receive this award may also be considered for either our need-based PTS grant program or one of the Merit scholarships listed below.
A limited number of scholarships are given annually to select ThM, MA(TS) and MACEF international students with advanced standing.
For more information about these aid programs, please feel free to be in touch with us at your convenience at 609.497.7805 or at admission@ptsem.edu.
“Princeton Seminary helped me think critically and understand the relationship that humanity has with religion—historically, emotionally, and spiritually.”