PC(USA) Demonimational Financial Aid Programs

Master's Degree Programs

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Clergy Spouse Discount

Individuals whose spouses are ordained as Ministers of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are eligible to a tuition reduction of one-third. Applications and verification must be made through the Financial Aid Office each year. 

PC(USA) Presbyterian Study Grant

Students who are pursuing their first professional degree and who are registered as an Inquirer or Candidate with their Presbytery at the time of application may qualify for a Presbyterian Study Grant from the Department of Financial Aid for Studies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This program is restricted to students attending seminaries related to or in the covenant with the PC(USA).

Applicants must:

• be enrolled full-time;
• be US citizens or permanent residents of the United States; and 
• demonstrate financial need.

Separate applications are required and available from the Financial Aid Office. Awards range between $1,000 to $4,000 per academic year. The application requires students to write an essay and to submit recommendations from the student’s pastor, CPM, and Seminary contact person or advisor. Applications are available at www.pcusa.org/financialaid/scholarships.htm. 

PC(USA) Racial Ethnic Leadership Supplemental Grant

Minority PC(USA) students who identify themselves as members of the African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic American or Native American descent may qualify for the Racial Ethnic Leadership Supplemental Grant provided by the Department of Financial Aid for Studies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This program is restricted to students attending seminaries related to or in the covenant with the PC(USA).

Applicants must have been awarded the Presbyterian Study Grant and still demonstrate financial need. Awards range between $500 to $1,000 per academic year. Applications are available at www.pcusa.org/financialaid/scholarships.htm.

PC(USA) Loan Program for Theological Studies

Students who are pursuing their first professional degree and who are registered as an Inquirer or Candidate with their Presbytery at the time of application may qualify for the Loan Program for Theological Studies.

All theological students who are preparing for professional church occupation must:

• be enrolled either full or part-time;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress;
• be US citizens or permanent residents of the United States; and
• demonstrate financial need and meet the denomination’s financial reliability standard of no educational debt in excess of $38,000.

The maximum amount of funding is $6,000 for Inquirers and $15,000 for Candidates. Additional information can be found on the website of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at www.pcusa.org/financialaid.

Doctor of Ministry Program

PC(USA) Continuing Education Grants

The Office of Financial Aid for Studies awards more than $1 million annually to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate degrees. The Continuing Education Grant Program is intended to provide funding to PC(USA) ministers who are serving congregations of 150 members or less.

Grants awarded within this program help pastors attend training events that will enable them to serve the church community and to assist with the Doctor of Ministry degree. These funds are available for the first three years of study. Visit www.pcusa.org/financialaid/programs/continuingeducation.htm for complete details.