The purpose of the financial aid programs at Northern Seminary is to provide financial assistance to students who have experienced the call of God to minister to the needs of others and are pursuing a theological education in response to that call. Northern offers scholarships and grants to students enrolled in degree programs full-time and part-time.

The goal of the seminary's financial aid program is to assist students in working out a financial aid package that will help avoid undue financial pressure, excessive employment or extensive indebtedness. This is accomplished through a combination of resources and funds raised by the student, resources provided by the seminary through scholarships or grants and personal loans. Students from all denominations are strongly encouraged to work with their church and denominational regional authorities to receive financial support. Each student's home church is expected to provide a minimum of $1,000 annually in support for their church member attending seminary.

Financial aid is awarded on an annual basis and is distributed in roughly equal installments at the beginning of Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Funds are applied directly to the student's account by the Business Office. Recipients have the responsibility of notifying the Director of Financial Aid of any change in resources or expenses that could alter the determination of their financial need.

Northern Seminary Scholarships and Grants are awarded without obligation of repayment and are subject to the student's maintaining "satisfactory academic progress." There is an application process for each Scholarship and Grant. Some will require the submission of a signed copy of the most recent Federal Income Tax form with all accompanying schedules. The application deadline for each scholarship and grant is listed after the scholarship or grant. All information provided by the applicant will be considered confidential. Students may receive funding from only one of the following scholarship or grant programs per academic term.

For Full-Time Masters Students
(enrolled in a minimum of 9 hours per quarter):

Kern Foundation Scholarship
The Kern Foundation Scholarship provides funding for qualified young people who have a heart for pastoral ministry in the local church. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition costs for three continuous years of full-time enrollment in the Master of Divinity program. Eligible applicants must be 27 years of age or younger at the time of the initial award, have a 3.25+ Grade Point Average on their undergraduate degree and be a U.S. citizen. This scholarship is for those beginning their seminary education in the Fall of a given year. Application Deadline: April 1 Prior to Fall Enrollment

Northern Scholarships
Northern scholarships are based upon a combination of merit and financial need. For consideration, the applicant must be admitted to a masters degree program (M. Div., MA, or MACM) and have a 3.0 + Grade Point Average on their undergraduate degree. Application Deadline: May 30

APPLICATION FOR NORTHERN SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Click here to begin the process online

Northern Grants
Northern grants are based on financial need. For consideration the applicant must be admitted to a masters degree program (M. Div., MA, or MACM) and have a 2.50 + Grade Point Average on their undergraduate degree. Application Deadline: May 30

International Scholarships
International Scholarships are awarded to a limited number of students who have been admitted to a masters degree program (M. Div. MA, or MACM). The degree program cannot be a duplicate of a theological degree already attained. The applicant must have earned the equivalent of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative GPA in their undergraduate degree program and must be enrolled for full-time study.

Eligibility is established through information provided on the "Application for International Scholarship" and the "International Student Financial Responsibilities Form." Applicants must provide proof of financial support for all living expenses before the Financial Aid Awards Committee will consider the application for a tuition scholarship. The seminary will issue an I-20 form upon demonstration of adequate financial support for the duration of their academic program. If an International Scholarship is offered, it will be renewable for a maximum of three years in the Master of Divinity program and two years in the other masters programs (MA and MACM) on the condition that satisfactory progress toward a degree and a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 is maintained. Application Deadline: February 1 Prior to Fall Enrollment

For Full-Time or Part-Time Masters Students:

Partners in Ministry Grants
If the student's church contributes 25% of tuition, the seminary will contribute 25%;  the remaining 50% and all fees are paid by the student. For consideration the participant must be admitted to a degree program (M. Div., MA, or MACM), have a 2.50+ Grade Point Average on their undergraduate degree, and must enroll in at least 6 hours per quarter.  

Application Deadline: Same as admissions application.

APPLICATION FOR PARTNERS IN MINISTRY GRANT

Click here to begin the process online

Spouse Grant
The seminary will provide a 50% tuition grant to the spouse of a full-time masters degree student for one course per term. The course may be taken for credit or audit. The recipient of the spouse grant cannot receive any other financial aid from Northern Seminary. No Financial Aid Application is needed.

Other Financial Aid Options:

American Baptist Seminary Support Program
Students from American Baptist Churches/USA are required to seek matching funds through the ABC Seminarian Support Program. Educational Ministries of ABC/USA will match up to $1,000 of support given to a student by an ABC church or region each year. To qualify the student must be enrolled two-thirds to full-time. Funds received from a church or region will be deposited in the student's seminary account upon receipt. Educational Ministries ABC/USA will send half of its matching funds in October and half in March. These funds may be used for tuition, fees and books. Pledge Form and Payment Due Dates: September 10 and January 10.

Many public and private foundations offer scholarships to qualified students. Students may research these options through various sources on the Internet including www.fastweb.com and www.rams-fie.com.

For more information and application forms for Northern Seminary Scholarships and Grants and the ABC Seminary Support Program, contact:

Barbara Wixon
Financial Aid Office
800/937-6287 x 2103 or 630/620-2103
email: wixon@seminary.edu

Northern Seminary does not participate in the Stafford Loan, the Federal Perkins Loan (formerly National Direct Student Loan [NDSL] or Federal Work Study (formerly College Work Study [CWS]) programs. The Seminary is usually able to assist students in deferring payments on their student loans.