Financial Aid, Tuition, and Fees

Northern offers several scholarship opportunities to help fund your seminary education. We also recommend that you set up a payment plan for consistent budgeting (see more here).

The application deadline for Northern scholarships is July 16 for returning students and August 24 for new students.

To apply for Northern Seminary scholarships you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Northern Seminary Scholarship Application. The scholarship office will not issue award letters until both of these are submitted.

The scholarship office also does not send reminder notes about submitting financial aid applications to prospective or returning students. Northern Seminary assumes the student will take responsibility to complete the process if they intend to apply for a scholarship.

No action will be taken on an application until all requested information has been received by the scholarship office (and the prospective student has been accepted for admission). Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only as scholarship funds are available.

The following steps should be followed to apply for financial aid:

Step 1:

Apply for admission and gain acceptance into a Master’s-level degree program. Click here to apply.

Step 2:

Register for classes for the entire academic year with assistance from your pre-enrollment advisor/admissions counselor. Scholarship awards cannot be calculated until you register! MDiv and MACM students must register for a minimum of 6 hours per quarter to qualify for scholarships, and cohort MA students must register for all classes in the cohort sequence offered in the academic year.

Step 3:

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Northern’s school code for the FAFSA is G01736.

Step 4:

Complete the appropriate application for Northern Seminary Scholarships below and submit to Gordon Hackman (ghackman@seminary.edu). This financial aid application, along with the completed FAFSA (see step 3), triggers your financial aid review.

Scholarships are awarded for an entire academic year and students must reapply each year.

Scholarships & Loans Available to Master’s Students

Northern Scholarships (DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE)

Northern scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need. Included among these awards are various named scholarships, along with the Baugh Foundation scholarship for women without sponsoring churches and the Fisher scholarship for students in the MA in Urban Leadership program.

*Northern scholarships are available to MA cohort students entering on or after Summer/Fall 2017.

Requirements: Students must maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA.

Partners in Ministry Program (DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE)

Available to MDiv and MACM students. If a student’s sponsoring church or ministry commits to fund 25% of the student’s tuition cost, Northern will match 25%, leaving only 50% to the student. Students may receive either the Partners in Ministry scholarship or other Northern scholarships, not both.

Requirements: Students must maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA.

Spouse Grant

The spouse of any current full-time student may receive a grant towards 50% of tuition applied toward one course per quarter.

CIOS Interest-Free Loan Program (DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE)

Available to women and persons of color in any Master’s program. Interest-free loans are awarded to cover educational costs including tuition and fees.

Full Tuition Scholarships

Presidential Scholarship:

The Presidential Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship awarded to new MDiv and MACM students beginning in the Fall term of each academic year. This scholarship covers up to 100% of the tuition costs and is a very unique opportunity for those sensing God’s call on their life. Students will be encouraged, edified, and formed through a process of learning and mentoring.

Benefits of the Program:
– Students are able to fully engage in academic and ministerial training without the financial concern of tuition
– Each student will be able to have a yearly coaching meeting with the President of Northern Seminary to discuss growth, learning opportunities, and church ministry
– Following graduation, students are able to audit a course at Northern for free each year in order to assist with life-long learning

To Be Considered, an Applicant Must:
– Have a degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
– Be ADMITTED into a Masters program (MDiv or MACM) for the Fall term
– Applicant must complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
– Submit a completed Presidential Scholarship application form (filling out the interest form below will initiate your receipt of this application from the Admissions office)
– Be able to articulate a call to ministry through a 2-3 page essay
– In addition to the required Northern admission application reference, Presidential Scholarship candidates must submit two additional references in support of their Presidential Scholarship application
– Participate in an on-campus interview
– Be committed to full-time study, taking at least 9 hours (3 courses) each quarter

Apply Now >

John Perkins Fellowship:

New students each year are offered The John Perkins Fellowship.  Each student receives this scholarship which covers up to 100% in tuition costs for a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in Christian Community Development. Each Perkins Fellow will be invited to engage in a transformational experience. During the program, students are mentored, participate in urban ministry internships, and receive first-hand training from top urban ministry leaders.

Benefits of the Program:
– Students are able to fully engage in academic and ministerial training without the financial concern of tuition
– Students are mentored by top urban ministry leaders
– In-context learning allows for immediate practical ministry training and transformational educational opportunities
– Community building activities designed for Fellowship participants allow students to
create a network of supportive peers
– Following graduation, students are able to audit a course at Northern for free each year in order to assist with life-long learning.

To Be Considered, an Applicant Must:
– Have a degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
– Be ADMITTED into the Master of Divinity program with an emphasis in Christian Community Development for the Fall term
– Applicant must complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
– Submit a completed John Perkins Fellowship Application form (filling out the interest form below will initiate your receipt of this application from the Admissions office)
– Be able to articulate a call to urban ministry through a 2-3 page essay
– In addition to the required Northern admission reference, Perkins candidates must submit two additional reference letters in support of their John Perkins Fellowship application
– Participate in an on-campus interview
– Be committed to full-time study*
– Currently live or agree to live in an urban setting approved by the program director (see “Living in Community” section below)
– Attend the community building activities, which are normally held in the Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago
– Currently serve or agree to serve in a ministry role at an urban church or ministry

*Degree must be completed in 3-5 years

Apply Now >

American Baptist Churches of Indiana/Kentucky Fellowship

Each year a limited number of new students are offered the American Baptist Churches of Indiana/Kentucky Fellowship.  Each student receives this scholarship which covers up to 100% in tuition costs for a Master of Arts with an emphasis in New Testament or Theology and Mission. Each ABC Fellow will be invited to engage in a transformational experience. During the program, students are mentored and serve in a local congregation in either Indiana or Kentucky.

Benefits of the Program:
– Students are able to fully engage in academic and ministerial training without the financial concern of tuition
– Students are mentored by local pastors
– In-context learning allows for immediate practical ministry training and transformational educational opportunities
– Participation in Northern’s New Kind of Preacher program
– Community building activities designed for Fellowship participants allow students to create a network of supportive peers
– Following graduation, students are able to have experience already serving in a local congregation and audit a course at Northern for free each year in order to assist with life-long learning.

To Be Considered, an Applicant Must:
– Have a degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
– Be ADMITTED into the Master of Arts Program in either New Testament or Theology and Mission
– Applicant must complete the FAFSA (Federal School Code: G01736)
– Submit a completed ABC Indiana/Kentucky Fellowship Application form (filling out the interest form below will initiate your receipt of this application from the Admissions office)
– Be willing to live or relocate to Indiana or Kentucky throughout the program
– Participate in an interview with ABC leaders in Indiana or Kentucky
– Be committed to remain in the program the entire time*

– Attend the community building activities in Indiana
– Currently serve or agree to serve in a ministry role in Indiana or Kentucky following graduation

*Degree must be completed in 5 years

Apply Now >

2019-2020 Tuition Costs

A detailed list of the current Schedule of Tuition and Fees can be found here: 2018-19 and 2019-20.

*Does not include any additional fees and may be subject to change. 
** For MANT, plus cost of Footsteps of Paul Trip