How to Apply for Financial Aid

Master's degree students interested in merit scholarships must complete the Admissions application. No other documentation is necessary.

All new students must submit a PTS Financial Aid Application to be evaluated for institutional grants and work-support. Applications will only be considered for the specified length of the degree program. There are separate applications for those enrolled in the master's programs and the doctoral program. All complete applications are processed on a “first come- first served” basis until funds are exhausted.

Returning students will complete a financial aid recertification form each year to maintain their need-based financial aid package.    

** PTS reserves the right to request additoinal tax information from both incoming and returning students in order to maintain an equitable and fair awarding process for all students.

Return Completed Forms to:

By Mail:
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Financial Aid Office
616 North Highland Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

By Fax:      
412-924-1784

Microsoft OneDrive:

Request an invite to upload your documents to a secure Microsoft OneDrive file by e-mailing rjenema@pts.edu

The Department of Education prohibits the transmission of personally identifiable information (ex. social security number) by unsecured e-mail.

All students who desire to take out a federal Direct Loan must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, with the Department of Education.

The FAFSA collects information used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Department of Education provides the information to the school to help determine eligibility for institutional aid, outside scholarships, federal loans, and private loans.

There is no charge to file the FAFSA. It may be filed electronically or with the paper form. 

FAFSA on the Web

Students are encouraged to apply online with FAFSA on the Web at www.studentaid.gov. Help is available at 800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Students are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR) while completing the FAFSA. This simplifies the process by allowing the filer to download income tax information directly into the FAFSA. By entering PTS's Federal School Code, G03356, the Financial Aid Office will be able to download your information. 

Five Steps for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Master's Level)

1. File your FAFSA
2. Submit a Direct Loan Request Form to the Financial Aid Office
3. Complete a Master Promissory Note: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
4. Complete an Entrance Counseling:  https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
5. Complete Annual Loan Acknowledgement: https://studentaid.gov/asla/

Explanation of the Five Steps:

After filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), masters-level students must submit a Federal Direct Loan Request Form to the Financial Aid Office. Be sure to submit the form for classes taken in Summer, Fall/Spring, and/or the J-Term.

PTS does not certify federal loans for the Doctor of Ministry program or certificate-only enrollment.

New borrowers are required to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legally binding agreement to repay the loan. In most cases, one MPN can be used for loans over 10 years of study. A valid MPN may follow the student through undergraduate and graduate school.

A Direct Loan Entrance Counseling Session must be completed before the loan funds may pay into the school. This is a federal regulation for first-time borrowers.

ALL student loan borrowers must complete an Annual Loan Acknowledgement certifying that they have reviewed the amount of loans they have borrowered from the federal government.

Students should plan to visit the Financial Aid Office to discuss loan options and repayment.

For additional details about Direct Loans, visit Applying for a Loan.

The federal government has a process called "verification." PTS may verify the FAFSA items that are selected for verification by the federal government's Central Processing System and/or exhibit conflicting information. The Seminary's Financial Aid Office will notify students if they are selected and advise them regarding required documentation. 

If the school has conflicting information concerning the student's eligibility, or the Financial Aid Office has any reason to believe that the student's application information is incorrect, the discrepancies must be resolved before any institutional or federal funds can be disbursed.

PTS Verification Forms can be found at Financial Aid Forms and Helpful Links.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Department of Education will e-mail a reminder to complete the FAFSA Renewal Online. A FAFSA must be completed each year with the "prior-prior" year's financial data. 

Applying for a New Loan

Students who wish to take out a loan will need to repeat the process for taking out a loan each year.

Students do NOT have to complete a new Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note or Federal Entrance Counseling Session but must submit a new Direct Loan Request Form to the Financial Aid Office each year. After grades are posted in June, loan processing will begin for the new academic year. However, students MUST complete the Annual Loan Acknowledgment each year they take out a loan.

PTS Grants and Scholarships

A student's PTS need-based aid is renewable for the duration of their time in the program, as long as they continue to meet the requirements for maintaining eligibility. Students must simply submit a Recertification of Financial Aid form each year. 

Merit scholarships are awarded to incoming students. Funds are automatically renewed if students meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements (SAP) stated on the contract.

All new students must submit a PTS Financial Aid Application to be evaluated for need-based institutional grants. Applications will only be considered for the specified length of the degree program. There are separate applications for those enrolled in the master's programs and the doctoral program.

Returning students must submit a Recertification of Financial Aid form in order to continue receiving their financial aid package.

NOTE: There are separate deadlines for admission and financial aid.

Financial Aid Deadlines For Cohorts: 

• Risking Faithfully: Disruption as Revelation and Resurrection - Jan. 4, 2021
• Eastern Christian Focus - April 1, 2021
• Creative Writing and Public Theology - April 15, 2021
• Intergenerational Black Church Studies - Dec. 15, 2021
• Reformed Focus - April 15, 2021

** PTS reserves the right to request additional tax information from students in order to maintain an equitable and fair disbursement of funds.

Return the Complete Financial Aid Forms to:

By Mail:
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Financial Aid Office
616 North Highland Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

By Fax:      
412-924-1784

The Department of Education prohibits the transmission of personally identifiable information (ex: social security number) by unsecured e-mail.

PTS does not process federal loans for the Doctor of MInistry degree. For more information on applying for a private loan, visit the Loans section of the PTS website or contact a lender of your choice.