Types of Financial Aid

What is it?
A Merit Scholarship is offered by PTS to incoming students. Merit Scholarships are based on past academic achievement, demonstrated potential for outstanding Christian service, PTS enrollment status (half-time vs full-time), and other qualities.

Range of award?
$1,000 - $25,000/year. For specific scholarships, see the Catalog.

Who qualifies?
Complete admission applications are placed before the Admissions and Standing Committee, who award all scholarships.

What is the deadline?
One year prior, scholarship offers will begin to be awarded for the following fall semester. Awards will continue to be offered until funds are expended. It is recommended that students apply early for admission to be considered for a Merit Scholarship.

Is it renewable?
Merit Scholarships awarded for full-time enrollment are renewable for three years for a student enrolled in the M.Div. program and two years for the other master degree-seeking programs. Full-time students must complete 18 credits during the Fall and Spring semesters (summer and J term do not qualify) for renewal and maintain a 3.0 overall GPA; with the exception of the Gilmore, W. Carl, and Standish Scholarships, which require 24 credits per year during the Fall and Spring semesters (Summer and J-Term do not qualify). Academic progress is reviewed at year end. Funds will not be awarded for enrollment at another university, including the joint degree programs.

Scholarships awarded for half-time enrollment are renewable for six years for the M.Div. program and four years for the other master-degree seeking programs. Half-time students must complete 12 credits during the Fall and Spring semesters (Summer and J-Term do not qualify) for renewal and maintain a 3.0 overall GPA. Classes must be taken at PTS. Academic progress is reviewed at year end.

What is it?

A grant is need-based funding that does not have to repaid. The Tuition Grant is applied toward tuition costs. This aid is offered by PTS, regardless of denominational affiliation. 

How are grants determined?

PTS Tuition Grants are based on a student's need. Need is determined from information submitted on the FAFSA and the PTS Financial Aid Application. Students with a nine month family income, Adjusted Gross Income, Expected Family Contribution (EFC),and/or liquid assets above the Cost of Attendance do not qualify for PTS grants. After determining a student's need, PTS fills a percentage of that need with grants.

What is the range?

Full-time students can qualify for up to the full cost of tuition. Half-time students can receive up to $1,500/year or $750/semester. The fund status is fixed for an academic year and a student cannot change between the two aid programs within the year.

Who qualifies?

Full-time students and half-time students enrolled in a master's program and demonstrating financial need. (For specifics, see the Catalog.) Students who are in a “default status” on their federal educational loans are ineligible for institutional aid. Applications will not be processed or funds disbursed until any past due amount to PTS is paid in full and the student is in good-standing. Students who received financial aid to complete one program are not eligible for financial aid for a second program until three academic years have passed.

How to apply?

1. Submit a PTS Financial Aid Application. If applicable, submit a signed copy of foreign, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory Tax Form. Students may submit electronically at MyPTS.
2. File a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR) to transfer your tax information into the FAFSA. (The new website is https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa)
3. If choosing not to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR), a signed Tax Transcript must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. A Tax Transcript can be obtained from the IRS at 800-908-9946 or online at www.irs.gov. Copies of Federal 1040s will no longer be accepted by PTS.

Incomplete packets will not be processed. An application will be considered incomplete without the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or the Tax Transcript and will not be processed. Students who are not required to file must see the instructions on the application and submit additional items.  

When can I apply? Is there a deadline?

The Financial Aid Office is accepting complete Financial Aid Packets for the 2020-2021 academic year. There is no final deadline to submit an application. Applications are reviewed on a "first come- first served" basis, until funds are expended. Early application is encouraged.

Do I have to apply each year for grants?

Students must re-apply each academic year. A student is NOT guaranteed to receive need-based aid every year. He/she must qualify financially, submit the application early, and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress policies. Additional details can be found under the Frequently Asked Questions section.

What is it?

After a student is evaluated for the Tuition Grant, those with greater need may also qualify for a Housing Grant. The Housing Grant is awarded for PTS on-campus student housing only.

Range of award?

Housing Grant per academic year is $900. A qualifying student must live in PTS housing to have a $100 applied to his/her account each month between September and May. This amount will be prorated if a student moves from PTS housing.

Who qualifies?

Full-time students (enrolled for nine or more credits) in a master's degree-seeking program and demonstrating financial need. For specifics, see the Catalog. Students who are in a “default status” on their federal educational loans are ineligible for institutional aid. Applications will not be processed until any amount past due to the Seminary is paid in full and the student is in good-standing. Students who received financial aid to complete one program are not eligible for financial aid for a second program until three academic years have passed.

How do I apply?

1. Submit a PTS Financial Aid Application. If applicable, submit signed copy of foreign, Puerto Rico, or other U.S.. Territory Tax Form.
2. File a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR) to bring your tax information into the FAFSA. (The new website is https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa)
3. If choosing NOT to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR), contact the IRS for a Tax Transcript.

What is the deadline?

Applications are reviewed on a "first come- first served" basis until funds are expended. Early application is encouraged. Incomplete packets will not be processed. Students must re-apply each academic year. A student is NOT guaranteed to receive need-based aid every year. He/she must qualify financially and submit an application early. Additional details can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section.

What is it?

A grant offered by PTS to incoming students who are recent graduates of partner higher education institutions.

What are the partner higher education institutions?

• Allegheny College
• Davis and Elkins College
• Grove City College
• Messiah College
• Waynesburg University
• Westminster College
• Whitworth University
• Wilberforce University

Who qualifies?

New applicants who:

• Graduated with a bachelor's degree from a partner institution within three years from the initial admission to PTS
• Enroll full-time in a PTS master's level degree-seeking program.

There is no need, merit, or denomination requirement to qualify.

Is it renewable?

The student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress which is verified at the end of the academic year. Students must earn a minimum of 18 credits and a 2.5 overall GPA. for renewal (prorated for less than two semesters).

Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program may receive this award for a maximum of three years. Students enrolled in other master's degree programs may receive the award for two years. A student enrolled in the joint degree but only in attendance at the Seminary part time will not qualify for the PTS Partner Grant. PTS will not award aid for classes at another institution.

How do I apply?

Complete the admissions application. Contact the Financial Aid Director for additional clarification.

What is the deadline?

There is no deadline; funds are awarded each year until exhausted.

What is work-support at PTS?

Work-support is a part-time, on-campus job for students qualifying for the PTS need-based aid. The student will receive a paycheck at the end of each month worked. If the student chooses to participate in the program, the award shown on the Financial Aid Contract is the maximum amount that can be earned as a work-support employee. Additional details can be found in the PTS Work-Support Manual.

What is the range of award?

The work support hours are available for 34 weeks during the academic year. The pay rate is $10.25 per hour for a maximum of 10 hours each week is $3,485 per year. Facilities employees earn $11.25/hour for a total of $3,825 per year.

Who qualifies?

Full-time students enrolled  in a master's degree-seeking program and demonstrating financial need. Returning students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Students who are in a “default status” of their federal educational loans are ineligible for institutional aid. Applications will not be processed until any past due amount to the Seminary is paid in full and the student is in good-standing. First time workers must submit payroll forms to the Business Office.

How do I apply?

1. File a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. Submit a PTS Financial Aid Application to the Financial Aid Office with documentation.The student will receive an Award Letter authorizing work-support. The work-support award does NOT guarantee a position. Upon receiving the Award Letter from the Financial Aid Office, follow step 3.
3. Visit the Work-Support Job Description and Application page to submit an application.
4. The student may submit one active job application at a time. Jobs will be posted all year as positions become available.
5. The hiring supervisor may choose to contact the student for an interview. If hired, the supervisor will notify the student. If the student is not hired, the Financial Aid Office will advise the student to submit a second application.
6. After a student is hired, the Human Resource Office will forward a link to the payroll system to the student.
7. The completed forms can be submitted on-line. Two forms of identification must be presented at the Business Office within three days from the start of employment for the I-9.

The Rev. Dr. Sun Young Joo established The Korean Heritage Student Scholarship Endowment at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This fund supports PTS students of Korean heritage with approximately $1,000 per academic year.

Who qualifies?

• Students of Korean heritage
• Students enrolled in a master's level degree-seeking program.
• Students enrolled in a minimum of six credits per semester (funds are not available during the summer.)

How do I apply?

• Contact the Financial Aid Director.

What is the deadline?

• There is no deadline; funds awarded each year until exhausted.

What is it?

All alumnae/i of the Miller Summer Youth Institute can receive an annual  $1,000 scholarship to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This scholarship is renewable for a maximum of three years with full-time enrollment in a masters-degree program at PTS. The scholarship is not transferable to another institution for the dual degrees.

Who qualifies?

PTS students who:

• have attended and completed the Miller Summer Youth Institute, the SYI High School Academy, or SYI College Internship Program;
• enroll in a master's level degree-seeking program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
• maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year (fall and spring, not available dring summer or J-term)

How do I apply?

• Complete the admissions application.
• Contact the PTS Financial Aid Director.

What is the deadline?

• There is no deadline.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible for a PTS Emergency Loan, a student must maintain at least six credits per semester and be enrolled in a master's degree-seeking program. Students must have completed a minimum of one semester and meet the institutional financial aid academic progress requirements. Emergency Loans are not available during the summer months.

Policy

The student may be the recipient of these funds if the following conditions apply:

1. Federal Direct Loan is delayed beyond the control of the student and with the approval of the Financial Aid Office
2. A personal emergency has placed the student under financial hardship. Funds are not to be used for everyday living expenses.

Administration of the Loan

1. The administration of the Emergency Loan Fund will be handled through the Financial Aid Office together with the Registrar and Business Office.
2. The Business Office is responsible for seeing that the terms of repayment are met by the borrowing student.
3. The Administrator approving the loan will record the nature of student’s situation requesting the Emergency Loan Fund.

Loan Term

1. The borrower is required to repay the loan in full within 60 days unless further arrangements are made with the Administrator. All Emergency Loans must be repaid by the end of the academic year.
2. The student can borrow up to $500 with the approval of the Financial Aid Director and the Registrar.
3. Any loan amount above $500 can be borrowed with majority approval of the Financial Aid Committee.
4. No loan can exceed $1,000.
5. No loan can be have a repayment period of more than three payments per the Truth in lending Act (TILA), Regulation Z.
6. The student must apply for and use the next disbursement from the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, or private loan to repay the loan in full. If the student does not apply for a Federal Direct Loan, the student must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan.

Applying for the Loan

1. Students should meet with the Director of Financial Aid.
2. Students must submit a written request with documentation; e.g. invoice from an automotive shop for car repairs.

Check Writing

1. The Financial Aid Office will request the check from the Business Office.
2. The student will visit the Business Office or the Financial Aid Office to sign the Promissory Note.
3. The Business Office will issue the check to the student.
4. To observe the Federal Trade Commission Red Flags Rule to protect our students against identity theft, students must provide a picture identification card in order to receive the disbursement check.

Penalty for Non-payment

1. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have unpaid accounts with the Seminary.
2. A full-time student’s account must be below $500 before the student can register for the following semester.
3. A part-time student’s account must be paid in full before the student can register for the following semester.
4. In order to graduate, all loan proceeds must be paid in full.

What is it?
A tuition grant offered by PTS is based on financial need regardless of denominational affiliation. This is not a merit scholarship. A grant does not require repayment.

Range of award?
A student may be awarded up to the full cost of tuition. This amount will vary each year as it is based on the number of qualifying applicants.

Who qualifies?

• Students must be enrolled full-time in the Doctor of Ministry Program; six credits per session.
• Aid will not be provided to any student beyond the minimum credits required for graduation.
• Students must demonstrate financial need.
• They must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Applications will not be processed or funds disbursed until any past due amount to the Seminary is paid in full and the student is in good-standing.
• If a student received financial aid from PTS for one program, he/she is not eligible for financial aid for a second program until three academic years have passed since the aid was received.
• Students who are in a “default status” on their federal educational loans are ineligible for institutional aid.

How is need determined?
Financial Need is calculated by the Cost of Attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) minus other aid. The EFC is the number assigned by the Department of Education as a result of completing the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

How to apply?
Visit the How to Apply for Financial Aid section of the website and follow the steps for Doctor of Ministry students.

When to apply for financial aid?

• The deadline to apply for the need-based PTS tuition grant is April 1, 2020, for ALL returning students and new cohorts that start in June 2020.
• NEW students beginning in January 2021 have an extended deadline of Oct. 1, 2020 (then follow the April 1 deadline in future years).

 Applications received after the deadline will not be processed. Available funds will be disbursed between all qualifying applicants at the deadline. Students must re-apply each year and will only be considered for the specified length of the degree program.

Many students will enter seminary with educational loans so every effort is made to keep this aid component to a minimum. However, loans are available through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Program, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, some denominational agencies, and private lenders.

Learn more about loans and access the applications.

Ombudsman

https://studentaid.ed.gov     

877-557-2575

To resolve discrepancies in loan balances and payments, understand financial aid requirements, find loan holders or promissory notes, defer or discharge loans, reestablish eligibility for federal aid, rehabilitate loans, resolve issues.

Veteran's Benefits Certification

All programs at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary are approved for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs. Inquiries concerning the certification for benefits under Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill should be directed to the PTS Registrar's Office. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary complies with all VA policies governing educational benefits, including Title 38 USC 3679.

For more information regarding VA benefits and policies, please contact the Registrar's Office. If requested, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is required to provide copies of grades and academic records to the Veterans Administration without seeking prior approval of the individual veteran. For additional information on this program, please visit the VA website. 

Veteran Websites

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

GI Bill

Veteran's Benefits on Facebook

Today's GI Bill

State Veteran's Benefits

National Association of Veteran's Upward Bound

My Next Move - for Veterans

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Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a member of the Tuition Exchange Inc. For incoming students, see the Liaison Officer on the campus referring you for details.

The Student Emergency Fund of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is under the management of the Dean of Students and provides assistance to  students who are facing unanticipated and temporary financial hardships. These funds are not loans but are awarded as grants in hopes of addressing a financial need. Students who think they may qualify can complete and submit the Student Emergency Fund application, available on My.PTS.edu, along with supporting documentation of need and hardship. Learn more about the Swart Student Emergency Fund.

What is the Certificate Tuition Grant?

A grant is need-based funding that does not have to repaid. The Tuition Grant is applied toward tuition costs. This aid is offered by PTS, regardless of denominational affiliation. 

How are grants determined?

PTS Tuition Grants are based on a student's need. Need is determined from information submitted on the FAFSA and the PTS Financial Aid Application. Students with a nine month family income, Adjusted Gross Income, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and/or liquid assets greater than the Cost of Attendance do not qualify for PTS grants.

What is the range?

Students can qualify between $1,200 - $1,500/year divided equally between Fall and Spring semester. The amount can change each year based on available funding. There are no grants during summer and J-term. 

Which certificates qualify for grants?

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry, Graduate Certificate in Ministry, Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership, and the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies can apply for the grant. (Students enrolled in the Certificate in Church Planting do not qualify as that program has its own discounting program. Contact the Director of Church Planting for details.)

Who qualifies?

Students enrolled in six credits per semester in the certain certificate program who demonstrate financial need can qualify for the Tuition Grant. (For specifics, see the Catalog.) Students who are in a “default status” on their federal educational loans are ineligible for institutional aid. Applications will not be processed or funds disbursed until any past due amount to the Seminary is paid in full and the student is in good-standing. Students who received financial aid to complete one program are not eligible for financial aid for a second program until three academic years have passed.

How to apply?

1. Submit a PTS Financial Aid Application. If applicable, submit a signed copy of foreign, Puerto Rico, or other U.S... territory Tax Form. Students may submit electronically at My.PTS.edu.
2. File a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR) to transfer your tax information into the FAFSA.
3. If choosing not to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR), a signed Tax Transcript must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. A Tax Transcript can be obtained from the IRS at 800-908-9946 or online at www.irs.gov. Copies of Federal 1040s will no longer be accepted by PTS. Student who are not required to file should follow the directions on page 2 of the application.

Incomplete packets will not be processed. An application will be considered incomplete without the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or the Tax Transcript and will not be processed.  

When can I apply? Is there a deadline?

There is no final deadline to submit an application. Applications are reviewed on a "first come-first served" basis, until funds are expended. Early application is encouraged.

Do I have to apply each year for grants?

Students must re-apply each academic year. A student is NOT guaranteed to receive need-based aid every year. He/she must qualify financially, submit the application early, and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Additional details can be found under the Frequently Asked Questions section.

List of Outside Theological Scholarships

Presbyterian Church (USA) Study Grants

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