UP TO FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS
These particular scholarships are only available to new students and awarded by the enrollment department who begin in the Fall term. Current students are ineligible for the Perkins Scholarships.
John Perkins Fellowship (CLOSED FOR NEW APPLICANTS):
New students each year are offered The John Perkins Fellowship. Each student receives this scholarship which covers up to 50% 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.
Living in Community:
Students must live in an urban setting. This allows students to truly be transformed by the experience. All must engage in the community-building activities often held in the Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago.
Through a partnership with Lawndale Community church, each year a limited number of volunteer internships at Lawndale Community Church are made available to John Perkins Fellows. If you are interested in one of these internships, please note this on your application.
Upon completion of the steps above, the Scholarship Committee will evaluate the provided information and notify students as to whether or not he/she will be continuing on in the acceptance process (which will involve an on-campus interview).
Students must be admitted to Northern Seminary and have all their Scholarship Application materials turned into the Admissions Office no later than April 15th. Upon completion of the interview process, scholarship recipients will be chosen by the end of May for the following school year’s awards.
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
- 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
In order to receive additional information regarding the Presidential Scholarship or the John Perkins Fellowship application process, you must fill out the application form:
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORMFor more information regarding scholarships please visit our main Tuition and Aid page HERE.
Our admissions counselors have been where you are, wondering if it is possible to follow God’s call into ministry, enhance knowledge, and sharpen skills without knowing how to answer financial questions. In addition to Federal Student Loans, Northern has several scholarship opportunities available for prospective students.
For questions about Northern scholarships, contact Greg Armstrong at (grarmstrong@seminary.edu; 630-620-2175)
For questions concerning payment agreements learn more here.
How to Start the Application Process:
The application deadline for Northern scholarships is June 27 for returning students and July 30 for new students.
To apply for Northern Seminary scholarships you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Loans (FAFSA) and the Northern Seminary Scholarship Application. Unless both of these have been submitted, the scholarship office does not email award letters nor are reminder notes sent 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 financial aid office (and the prospective student has been accepted for admission). Applications that become complete after stated filing dates will be considered late and will be reviewed and awards made as funds permit. The following steps should be followed to apply for financial loans:
Step 1:
Apply for admission and gain acceptance into a Masters-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. The entirety of the FASFA including a signed Master Promissory Note and a signed Disbursement Agreement Form must be completed before government loans can be distributed. Click here for more information and assistance with completing this step.
Step 4:
Complete the Northern Seminary Application for Financial Aid. Submit the completed Northern application to the Scholarship Office. This financial aid application, along with the completed FAFSA, triggers your financial aid review.
Scholarships are annual. Students must reapply each academic year.
Scholarships & Loans Available to Masters Students
Northern Scholarships
For students enrolled in a master’s program. 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
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.
CLICK HERE TO APPLYSpouse Grant
The spouse of any current full-time student may receive a grant towards 50% of tuition applied toward one course per quarter. Contact scholarship office on 630-620-2188 to apply.
CIOS Interest-Free Loan Program
Available to women and persons of color in any Masters program. Interest-free loans are awarded to cover educational costs including tuition and fees.
CLICK HERE TO APPLYTexas Baptists
Northern Seminary will offer students transferring from Logsdon Seminary scholarships equivalent to their current scholarships.