Tuition covers only a small part of the actual cost of theological education. The greater part is covered by other funds from the Seminary and from the Ministerial Education Fund of The United Methodist Church. Thus, every student at Wesley Seminary receives some degree of financial assistance for their theological education.
We recognize that some students will require substantial assistance in meeting the costs of preparation for ministry. Accordingly, Wesley Seminary has developed a financial assistance program consisting of internships, grants, loans, church appointments, on-campus and off-campus employment, and scholarships.
Scholarships are both merit-based and need-based. Through merit-based aid, Wesley seeks to give special encouragement to applicants who show high potential for ministry. Determination of merit-based aid includes a number of factors, and is not based solely on previous academic performance. We give careful consideration to each applicant's financial situation as we determine need-based aid. All financial aid recipients must be in a degree program and enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) for need-based aid and full-time (11 credit hours) for merit-based aid. They also must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined in the Student Manual.
Applying for Assistance
Information about the financial assistance program and applications for financial assistance are available online or from the Director of Financial Aid. In accordance with guidelines recommended by the Association of Theological Schools, financial assistance awards take into account actual living costs, available resources and a reasonable student responsibility for self-help. Where demonstrated need exists, financial assistance may be granted.
Financial need is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a needs analysis service provided by the federal government. (www.fafsa.ed.gov.) The FAFSA application and a Wesley Financial Assistance Application are required for Seminary grants-in-aid, all Federal Stafford loans, and grants-in-aid from annual conferences and other denominational resources.
Consideration for financial assistance will be given to students whose applications have been submitted by February 1 and whose processed FAFSA analysis have reached the Financial Assistance Office by May 1, prior to the academic year for which aid is needed. To meet this date, the FAFSA Financial Statement should be submitted to the Processing Center by April 1.
Because grants from the Seminary frequently cannot meet your total need, we encourage students to seek assistance from as many sources as possible. Our Financial Aid Office will be glad to counsel you and refer you to various sources of assistance.
Tuition grants for students seeking two degrees are limited to a maximum of 90 hours for combined M.Div. and M.A., or M.T.S.; and 60 hours for combined M.A. and M.T.S.
D.Min. students can apply for Federal Stafford loans in the amount of expenses for each period of enrollment. Allowable costs include tuition, housing and meals, transportation, and course books. D.Min. students must apply and show financial need through the FAFSA and Wesley Financial Assistance Application as delineated above.
Self-Help Opportunities: Before authorizing awards from scholarship funds, the Financial Aid Office explores every possible financial source, such as Annual Conferences and home churches. In addition, other types of financial assistance are recommended according to need, interest and promise of performance.
Campus Workships are partial tuition grants for students who serve a limited number of hours each week in the library or administrative offices. Approximately 25 workships are available each year.
Federal Work-Study provides federal funds for a limited number of part-time employment opportunities to students who have financial need and must earn part of their educational expenses. The positions involve 10 to 12 hours per week. Positions are both on- and off-campus. To be eligible for federal work-study, you must file a FAFSA and show financial need.
Loans of many types are available. Through the Board of Education of The United Methodist Church, loans of $2,500 per calendar year are available to United Methodist students. Federal Stafford Loans can be certified for degree students who show financial need as determined by the required FAFSA and Wesley Financial Assistance applications. The Financial Aid Director may use professional judgment when it comes to loan certification. If you have substantial educational debt, the Director may refuse to certify additional loans.
Church Appointments may provide income. Appointments to Washington-area churches are part of the Seminary's field education program that relates classroom learning to the work of church leadership.
Various off-campus work opportunities include part-time employment for students or full-time employment for non-student partners in government agencies, associations, and nonprofit organizations, hospitals, universities, and a host of specialty fields. Several local temporary employment agencies also provide opportunities to explore work options.
