Types of Aid Master's

Types of Master's Financial Aid

Financial aid for the master's programs include the following. Click on each type for further explanation. You can also learn more about the Seminary's tuition and cost of attendance.

Merit Scholarships

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, which awards all scholarships.

What is the deadline?
Merit scholarships are awarded before the first session of the cohort and the deadline for consideration is the same as the admissions deadline for each cohort.

Is it renewable?
Merit Scholarships awarded for full-time enrollment are renewable for three years for a student enrolled in the M.Div. program. Academic progress is reviewed at year-end, and students must meet satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility.

Need-based Aid

Tuition Grants

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 PTS Financial Aid Application. Students with a nine-month Expected Family Contribution (EFC) above the Cost of Tuition 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 and half-time students can qualify for up to the full cost of tuition.

Who qualifies?

Full-time students and half-time students enrolled in a master's or certificate 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?

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.

Incomplete packets will not be processed. Students who are not required to file must see the instructions on the application and submit additional items. The Financial Aid office reserves the right to request additional documentation to verify information provided on the Aid Application.

When can I apply? Is there a deadline?

The Financial Aid Office is accepting complete Financial Aid Packets for this academic year and next. 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?

No! Students need only apply upon admission to PTS for their Tuition Grant. PTS guarantees the award during the duration of the student's program based upon the initial Aid Application. However, students are required to submit a Financial Aid Recertification form each year to update any financial or family information that could impact aid.

Housing Grant

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 $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.

Graduate Assistant Program

What is the Graduate Assistant Program at PTS?

Graduate assistantships are part-time, on-campus jobs 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 graduate assistant employee. Additional details can be found in the PTS Graduate Assistant Manual.

What is the range of the award?

The Graduate assistant hours are available for 34 weeks during the academic year. The pay rate is $12 per hour for a maximum of 10 hours each week, $4,080 per year. Facilities employees earn $13/hour for a total of $4,420 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?

Submit a PTS Financial Aid Application
Visit the Graduate Assistant 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.
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.
After a student is hired, the Human Resources Office will forward a link to the payroll system to the student.
The completed forms can be submitted online. Two forms of identification must be presented at the Business Office within three days from the start of employment for the I-9.

PTS Partner Grant

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.

Miller Summer Youth Institute (SYI) Scholarship

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.

Loans

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 some denominational agencies and private lenders for Doctor of Ministry students.

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, or resolve issues.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Benefits Certification

All programs at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary are approved for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans 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.