Many seminary students receive financial assistance. The sources of aid include churches, denominational agencies, private foundations, seminary grants and scholarships, and federal student loans. Securing adequate financing is often accomplished by using a combination of available aid and payment options.
A typical “cost of attendance” includes tuition/fees (direct charges) and standard allowances for room/meals, books, personal and transportation (indirect expenses.) The amount a student is expected to contribute towards his/her costs is determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance and expected contribution.
Students interested in applying for financial aid should complete and submit the necessary forms as early as possible. A packet of financial Financial aid forms, including the FAFSA and the FAFSA and an institutional aid application, is are available from the Seminary EMU Financial Assistance Office.
An award letter detailing available aid options is sent to the student when the required financial aid forms have been received and admission has been granted. Additional information and applications are sent with the award letter.
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Grants and scholarships are contingent on availability of funds and qualified students. See below for how to apply for these grants and scholarships.
Available to students of all denominations
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Generous scholarships of up to 100% of tuition are awarded on the basis of academic
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excellence, ministry service and leadership potential, and financial need. Scholarships are
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Available to Mennonite students
- Mennonite Student Discount is awarded to full-time, degree-seeking Mennonite students. This is an automatic discount of $750 per semester.
- Ministry Leadership Awards are grants for one-half or one-quarter tuition for an MDiv or MAR degree. EMS will invite qualified persons from the current pool of new applicants. This award is for Mennonite or Anabaptist-affiliated students. Students must submit applications by Feb. 28 to be considered for this grant for the following fall semester.
- Bridgebuilders is a full-tuition scholarship for Mennonite students who are bi-lingual in English and Spanish. Awards will be given based on sense of call, academic merit, and financial need. Students who qualify should express interest to the admissions director. Priority will be given to students who have interest in working on building relationships in Hispanic Mennonite congregations.
- International Student Scholarships are full-tuition scholarships plus a $600 book stipend per semester. Students with support from mission agencies will be given priority. The student must return to his/her home country following the period of study. There are a limited number of these scholarships available and there is currently a waiting list.
extended to qualified students who are enrolled in a degree program at least part-time, taking 5 or more credits each during fall and spring semesters.
Tuition and Fees
The regular session is made up of: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, May term and one to two-week classes and institutes in Juneand Spring Semester. Summer courses are offered for additional options in specialty areas. Tuition and activities fees are charged at a per - credit - hour rate for all students.
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2024-
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25 Seminary Programs
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Tuition |
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per credit hour |
US Residents (charge per year)
International Students (charge per year)
$550 | |
Participation Audit per credit hour | $370 |
Activity fee:1-8 credit hours (charge/credit hour) (non-ref) | $3 |
Activity fee: 9 + credit hours (charge/semester) (non-ref) | $30 |
General Services Fee 1-8 credit hours (charge per credit hour, non-refundable) |
$25 |
General Services Fee 9+ credit hours (flat fee, non-refundable) |
$335 |
CPE |
Participation Audit per credit hour |
$370 |
CPE |
Tuition (per |
hour) |
$550 |
International Students (charge per year)
$3,860
$1,716
TBD |
Any course you take from another program will be invoiced at the rate of your enrolled program.
Published charge rates may be adjusted for changes in economic conditions and cost factors. This list continues on the General Charges and Payment Information page.
Books and Supplies
The cost of books and other course materials varies with students and with courses but is approximately $600 a year$100 - $150 per course.
Payment Plans
Since the seminary must make financial commitments for an entire year, the student is required to choose a specific payment plan. Failure to meet financial obligations is cause for denying the student the privilege of registering for or attending subsequent classes, receiving a degree or releasing a transcript of credit.
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Billing and payment plans are arranged through EMU’s business office. More information is available on the the Business Office General Payment Info page page.
The student’s arrangement for payment should be set up with the Student Accounts Office as early as possible. Satisfactory arrangements for settlement of a student’s semester account must be made before being permitted to register for a subsequent semester. Accounts for the academic year must be paid before a student will receive a diploma and before a release of transcripts.
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Seminary education is an invaluable experience and can provide you with resources that stretch into a lifetime of ministry. However, it can also be an expensive endeavor. At Eastern Mennonite Seminary we are concerned that our students not leave seminary with debt that will hinder future ministry or ministry opportunities. Therefore, we ask each student to carefully consider the full cost of seminary and the amount of debt it is reasonable to accumulate. Financial assistance and federal student loans are part of the financial picture for most students at EMSat EMS; however, we hope that students will calculate the cost carefully, review concerns with seminary admissions personnel, and consider the potential earnings from future ministry opportunities as they calculate loans and how they will be repaid.
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Refunds are made only after notice is received from the registrar of the student’s official withdrawal from a course or courses. Withdrawal procedures should be carefully complied with in order to ensure maximum refund credit. Since EMS must Since EMS must make financial commitments for an entire year, only partial refunds can be made if a student withdraws during a semester. The refund schedule is in the Student Handbook/Campus Directorythe Refund and Withdrawal Policy-Graduate and Seminary section of the Graduate and Seminary Student Handbook.
Veterans Benefits
Students who wish to have EMU certify their eligibility to receive benefits from the Veterans Administration must submit a certificate of eligibility and must provide additional information as needed for the proper certification of their benefits. EMU will not impose any penalty (late fees, denial of access to classes or campus facilities, etc.) on a student covered by chapter Chapter 31, 33 or 33 35 benefits because of the individual’s inability to meet financial obligations to the institution due to delayed disbursement of funding from the VA.
The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Their office investigates complaints of GI Bill® beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov.
Financial Assistance
For financial assistance information visit the the Financial Aid website.