Types of Financial Aid

What is it?
A Merit Scholarship is offered by PTS to incoming students. It is based on past academic achievement, demonstrated potential for outstanding Christian service, and PTS enrollment status (half-time vs full-time). Applicants will have graduated from an accredited college or university having earned a minimum 3.5 GPA in a bachelor’s degree program.

Range of award?
$1,000 - $21,000/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 to the commencement of Term I classes, scholarship offers will begin to be awarded for the following fall. 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 are renewable except for the one year Th.M. program.

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 M.A., M.A.T.S, and M.A.T.M. program. Beginning with the 2015 incoming class, students must complete 27 credits per academic year and maintain a 3.5 career GPA (The Gilmore, Bill and Jane Carl, and St. Clair Merit Scholarships require 36 credits and 3.5 GPA). Academic progress is verified at year end. Funds will not be awarded for full-time enrollment at another university for the joint degree program or classes at another institution.

Scholarships awarded for half-time enrollment are renewable for six years for the M.Div. program and four years for the M.A., M.A.T.S., M.A.T.M. programs, and two years for the Th.M. degree. Students must complete 18 credits per year for renewal and maintain a 3.5 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), 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 qualify for $1,200/year or $400/term. (Amount can change each year for half-time students based on available funding.)

Who qualifies?

Full-time students (enrolled for nine or more credits) or half-time students (enrolled for a minimum of six credits) in a master's program, demonstrating financial need, and who are members of a church. (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 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 years (nine terms) have passed.

How to apply?

1. Submit a 2017-2018 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 www.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.

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?

The Financial Aid Office is accepting complete Financial Aid Packets for the 2017-2018 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. There is a maximum of one Housing Grant per PTS unit to be divided between the qualifying students.

Who qualifies?

Full-time students (enrolled for nine or more credits) in a master's program, demonstrating financial need, and who are members of a church. 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 years (nine terms) 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.
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 including M.Div., M.A., M.A.T.M., M.A.T.S., and Th.M.

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 27 credits and a 2.5 overall GPA. for renewal (prorated for less than three terms).

Students enrolled in one of the Master of Arts programs may receive the award for two years. Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program may receive this award for a maximum of three years. Students should be aware that in order to complete the respective programs in two or three years will still require an average of 12 hours per term. 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?

$9 per hour for a maximum of 10 hours each week is $2,970 per year. Maintenance employees earn $10/hour for a total of $3,300 per year.

Who qualifies?

Full-time students (enrolled for nine or more credits) in a master's program, demonstrating financial need, and who are members of a church. 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.

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. The student may submit one active job application at a time. Jobs will be posted all year as positions become available.
4. 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.
5. After a student is hired, the Financial Aid Office will forward a packet of payroll forms to the student. The completed forms and two forms of identification must be presented at the Business Office within three days from the start of employment.

The Rev. Dr. Sun Young Joo established The Korean 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 including the M.Div., M.A., M.A.T.M., and Th.M.
• Students enrolled in a minimum of six credits per term (funds are available during Term I, Term II, and Term III)

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 at PTS.

Who qualifies?

PTS students who:

• have attended and completed the Miller Summer Youth Institute;
• enroll in a master's level degree-seeking program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary including M.Div., M.A., M.A.T.M., M.A.T.S., and Th.M.; and
• maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year (Term I, Term II, and Term III).

How do I apply?

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

What is the dealine?

• There is no deadline.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible for a PTS Emergency Loan, a student must maintain at least six credits per term and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (M.Div., M.A., M.A.T.S., M.A.T.M., or Th.M.). Students must have completed a minimum of one term 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 Stafford 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 Fund will be handled through the Financial Aid Office together with the Registrar and Business Office.
2. The Director of Financial Aid 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 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.
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 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 Financial Aid office to sign the Promissory Note.
3. The Financial Aid 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 visit the Financial Aid Office and 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 term.
3. A part-time student’s account must be paid in full before the student can register for the following term.
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.

Who qualifies?
Students must be enrolled fulltime 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 and be a member of a church. They must maintain satisfactory academic progress. If a student received financial aid from PTS for one program, they are not eligible for financial aid for a second program until three years (nine terms) have passed since they received aid. 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?
The deadline to apply is April 15. Applications received after the deadline will not be processed. Available funds will be disbursed between all qualifying applicants. Students must re-apply each year. They may only be considered for the specified length of the degree program.

Through The Howard C. Scharfe Fellowship Endowment, Shadyside Presbyterian Church grants fellowships in amounts appropriate to the needs of individual recipients, including sums required for graduate study, either in the U.S. or abroad, by ordained ministers. Visit Shadyside's website to learn more about the requirements to receive this fund.

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 applying for loans.

Student Loans and Seminary Costs: How to Keep from Mortgaging Your Future

This 30-minute video introduces five seminary graduates, their financial challenges,and the decisions they made. Also, two seminary administrators offer advice on how to manage finances while in school. The video and Financial Planning worksheets may help students during their journey through seminary.

2016-2017 Anticipated Loan Disbursements

*Scheduled Anticipated Disbursement and Check Writing Dates for Federal Direct Loans; additional dates will be added as needed.

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 Certification

At the beginning of each term, students who are enrolled in a Veteran's Administration approved program may be eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. All inquiries concerning the certification should be directed to the PTS 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. 

Yellow Ribbon

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The program is designed to help students avoid paying tuition and fees out-of-pocket that exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit (up to 100 percent of the public in-state tuition). Schools may participate in the Yellow Ribbon program if their tuition and fees cost exceed that cost. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary does NOT qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program because our tuition and fees are LOWER than the state cost. (In 2016-2017, 36 PTS credits equaled $11,736).

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

Switch

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a member of the Tuition Exchange Inc (TE). 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 www.My.PTS.edu, along with supporting documentation of need and hardship. Learn more about the Swart Student Emergency Fund.

What is the Urban Ministry 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), or liquid assets greater than the Cost of Attendance do not qualify for PTS grants.

What is the range?

For 2017-2018, students can qualify for $1,200/year or $400/term. The amount can change each year based on available funding.

Who qualifies?

Students enrolled in six credits per term in the Urban Ministry Certificate program who demonstrate financial need and are members of a church 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 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 years (nine terms) have passed.

How to apply?

1. Submit a 2017-2018 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 www.MyPTS.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.

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?

The Financial Aid Office is accepting complete Financial Aid Packets for the 2017-2018. 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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