Pacific School of Religion

Planning is the key to financing a theological education. PSR offers a comprehensive program of financial aid for eligible students. Three-quarters of our students receive need-based scholarships, merit scholarships, work-study, or loans. We encourage you to begin estimating how much you will need to cover your costs at the earliest possible time.

Types of Financial Aid Available

Merit Scholarships

PSR awards merit scholarships to select master's-level applicants regardless of financial need. President's Scholarships provide full tuition to five MDiv students on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and promise for ministry. Dean’s Scholarships provide 80 percent of tuition to five students entering MDiv, MTS, or PSR/GTU Common MA degree programs who show exceptional promise. (Merit scholarships are renewed for the allotted duration of each program, provided that recipients demonstrate continued academic excellence and vocational interest.) All accepted students entering in fall semester who have submitted all application materials (including all transcripts, reference letters, application fee, personal or academic statement, resume, and GRE or TOEFL scores if applicable) by the February 1 priority deadline are automatically considered for merit awards based on their admissions applications. (Applicants may, if they wish, submit additional materials that support their candidacy for these scholarships. MA applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a writing sample.)
Merit Scholars and Academic Progress
1. In order to retain a merit scholarship, merit scholars must continue to make satisfactory academic progress.
2. If a merit scholar fails to make satisfactory academic progress and is placed on probation, he/she will receive a letter, warning that merit scholarship funds will be forfeited should the student remain on probation a second semester.
3. If a student continues on probation for a second semester, they will lose their merit scholarship.  They may, however, be considered for need-based awards.
4. Conditions for the merit scholarships will be detailed in the original merit scholarship award information.  Additionally, merit scholars will be required to file a financial aid form each year.

Grants

Each year Pacific School of Religion distributes grants (also known as grant-in-aid) to qualified students. Students are eligible for approximately 30–60% of tuition, based on demonstrated financial need and availability of funds. International students are eligible for grants. Grants are not available for DMin students.

Loans

In conjunction with the federal government, Pacific School of Religion offers loans and work-study. We disburse these funds annually on the basis of need, available funds, and satisfactory academic progress. International Students are not eligible for federal loans. Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who possess a green card qualify for federal assistance.

PSR is committed to increasing the racial/ethnic diversity of its student body. In addition to any grants-in-aid that they may receive, all students from racial/ethnic minority communities are awarded special grants of $1,500 (also known as special grants-in-aid).

Grants and special grants are available to eligible students who are enrolled at least half time (4.5 credits for MDiv, MTS, CTS, and CSS students; 6 credits for GTU Common MA students).

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program was established to promote part-time employment for students who are in need of earnings to finance the cost of their education. Students may work up to a recommended limit of 20 hours per week while school is in session. The amount of the award is based on a student's need as determined by the Financial Aid Office and available funds. Federal work-study jobs may be on or off campus. The work-study program is open to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. International students are not eligible for federal work-study.

Doctor of Ministry Grants for International Students

A limited number of awards are available each year for eligible international students in the DMin program. Entering international students are considered for these awards on the basis of their application for admissions. If you are interested in this program, we encourage you to apply by December 1 for priority consideration for fall semester awards. These grants are only available for DMin international students.

Applying for Financial Aid

PSR's financial aid funds are administered through the Graduate Theological Union Financial Aid Office. To be considered for financial aid, applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid along with a completed Supplemental Financial Aid Application. We strongly recommend submitting these by the February 1 priority deadline for fall semester admission and by November 1 for spring semester. Financial aid may be limited for students submitting applications after these priority deadlines. For more information, contact GTU Financial Aid at 510/649-2469 or finaid[at]gtu[dot]edu.

GTU financial aid information »

Send all completed forms to:
GTU Financial Aid Office
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, California 94709
Phone: 510/649-2469
Fax: 510/649-1730
Email: finaid[at]gtu[dot]edu

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Graduate Theological Union Scholarship Database »

Whether you are seeking funds to offset the cost of tuition, support research interests, or subsidize your dissertation year, the GTU scholarship database is a great place to begin your search. There are nearly 500 different scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loan opportunities listed on this scholarship database.

The Fund for Theological Education's FundFinder »

The Fund for Theological Education's (FTE's) FundFinder provides information about financial resources beyond those offered by FTE and by individual theological institutions. Sources of financial assistance in FundFinder can be searched by keyword and by specific categories. FundFinder is a full listing of financial aid available for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies in theology and religion. Here you can find support offered by churches, denominations, individuals, and organizations.