Affording Calvin Seminary
Tuition and Financial Aid
Overview
The Affordability of a Seminary Education
With over $1.5 million in scholarships, grants, and subsidies offered to students annually, Calvin Seminary is committed to keep tuition costs affordable. Explore the costs of a seminary education, along with the scholarship and financial aid options available to you.
Here at Calvin Seminary, we know that finances shouldn't stand in the way of a calling to ministry. Through a general commitment to keep tuition costs low and the generous support of donors, a Calvin Seminary education may be more doable than you think. Explore the stories of students and alumni who took the first step towards a seminary education, in order to see if seminary might not just be a distant dream, but an attainable reality.
Scholarships and Loans
Investing In Your Calling
Scholarships
Calvin Seminary's financial aid office awarded almost $1.5 million in scholarship loans last year. Calvin Seminary students benefit from a network of support - families and individuals who care deeply about the mission of Calvin Seminary and who want to support the next generation of ministry leaders.
$1.5M
Total Scholarships Awarded Equalled Close To $1.5 Million
Scholarships are Often Renewable and Financial Aid Packages are Consistent from Year-to-year.
99%
Almost all admitted, full-time, degree-seeking students receive a scholarship
We Have Scholarships Available To Support Our Diverse Student-Body, Including Scholarship for Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, and International Student
Loans
The financial aid office also supports students through the distribution of loan funds. These options are for U.S. and Canadian students only, and often help bridge the gap for students as they look to make the numbers work.
We Don't Package Loans With Financial Aid Packages. Why? In Order to Create a Helpful Pause To Encourage Personal Budget Adjustments and Opportunities to Explore Other Alternatives for Funding.
80%
About 80% of First-Level Master Degree Students Graduate Without Any New Federal Loan Debt, and 60% Incur no new Debt of Any Kind.
Keeping Debt Levels Low Fulfills Our Mission, Removing a Potential Obstacle for Graduates, Allowing them to Pursue God's Call on their Future Ministry
Other Types of Aid
Supplementing Your Financial Aid Package
Not sure how to afford seminary? Besides loans and scholarship, here are a few ways Calvin Seminary students help fund their education.
Church or Denomination Funds
Many prospective students are surprised to find that their local church has money in their budget for members to pursue theological education. Even if a budget line doesn't exist, it never hurts to ask!
Besides the local church, often denominations or groups of regional churches (classis, presbyteries, etc) have funds for ministry-focused education.
If you are a church or classis looking to support a student from your region, more information can be found for you on the church resources page.
Part time work
Though not included in financial aid packages and jobs aren't guaranteed, there is part-time work available for residential students at Calvin Seminary, and in and around Grand Rapids. Residential students may find opportunities to help in the admissions or development office, or on the maintenance crew. In addition, there are often preaching opportunities available to eligible students.
For distance hybrid and online students, programs are designed to fit in the life of someone working full or part time.
Other Scholarship Sources
Besides Calvin Seminary scholarships, many church and ministry organizations award scholarships to aspiring and current seminary students. Past students have found these funds in a variety of ways, mostly through word-of-mouth, publications, and a simple internet search. Keep your eyes open for these opportunities.
Students Receiving Military Benefits
Students Receiving Military Benefits
Stipulations regarding fines, penalties, late fees, and denial of services for students receiving military benefits.
As stipulated by law, Calvin Theological Seminary will not impose any type of fine, penalty, late fee, or denial of services due solely to a delayed payment process at the federal level for any student receiving military benefits.
A student planning to receive military benefits must have submitted the proper documentation to the Calvin Theological Seminary financial aid office before we will suspend or remove any applied penalties, late fees, etc. This policy applies to any student receiving educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Chapter 33, or Post 9/11 GI Bill* benefits. Additional information is available on the Title 38 United States Code Sections 3679(e) School Compliance Form.
If the student has remaining obligations to Calvin Seminary after the application of any/all military benefits, the student is responsible for making satisfactory arrangements for any/all remaining obligations within the proposed timeframe applicable to Calvin Seminary students.
*“GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Tuition and Costs
Knowing the Numbers
While Calvin Seminary is committed to keeping the cost of our theological and ministry education low, there are tuition and other expenses students should keep in mind. Knowing your costs is part of discerning if seminary education is right for you.
Tuition for 2023-2024
All students are charge on a per-credit basis. Below are the per-credit costs for this school year, along with an estimation of tuition costs for full-time students. All numbers USD.
Master of Divinity (MDiv) Tuition
Master of Arts (MA) Tuition
Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Tuition
Master of Theology (ThM) Tuition
Doctorate Programs Tuition
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Annual Tuition
Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Annual Tuition
Certificate and Other Tuition
Estimating Costs
In addition to tuition costs, there are other expenses students should keep in mind. Below are documents to give students an idea of what these costs could be. These are estimations and each student should consider their own circumstances.
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward
Take the first steps towards a more affordable seminary education
In order to apply for financial aid, you must first apply for admissions at Calvin Seminary. Click below to get started with the application process.
Contact Us
Questions? We Are Here To Help!
Fill out the form below to send a question to the admissions and financial aid office.
Affordability Stories
Examples of Student Support
Explore stories and other examples of how Calvin Seminary supports students through financial support
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