Scholarships

Northeastern Seminary is interested in helping students meet seminary costs. The following scholarships and grants are available to eligible master’s students (enrolled for a minimum of 9 credits/semester and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 unless otherwise indicated). For specific information regarding the details of eligibility for the grant or scholarship, please contact student financial services in the Rinker Community Service Center on the Rochester campus or at 585.594.6150.

Seminary Sponsored Scholarships for NES Graduate Students

• Early Incentive Scholarship – Available to all master’s degree students who are accepted and deposited before June 15 (for the fall semester) or November 15 (for the spring semester). Students receive this one-time award of $400 in their first semester.
• Need-based Scholarship – Available to full-time master’s degree students whose Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), as determined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), falls between $0 and $16,000. Master of Divinity students receive up to $5,400 and Master of Arts students receive up to $3,150; each is prorated over the course of their program. FAFSA must be filled out and student must qualify annually to retain scholarship.
• Academic Scholarship – Available to full-time master’s degree students in recognition of academic excellence. Selection criteria for this award are a GPA of at least a 3.5 for the last degree earned, strength of recommendations, and quality of application essay. In the event that the cumulative GPA falls below 3.5 the academic scholarship is rescinded and is not renewable.
• Babcock Scholarship for Ethnic Diversity – This scholarship is given annually to deserving master’s degree students of African American or Hispanic decent preparing for a career in ministry or theological education. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Bishop Richard D. Snyder Scholarship for Ministry Excellence – This award is given annually to students preparing for the ministry in the Free Methodist Church. Preference is given to students who are Conference Ministerial candidates or elders and who have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Clarence H. and Elizabeth Zahniser Scholarship – This scholarship is given annually to Free Methodist students in their final year of study. The recipient must be in the top 20 percent of their class and intend to pursue pastoral ministry or foreign missions in the Free Methodist Church. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Founders Scholarships – Awarded annually to deserving students of a broadly inclusive perspective. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Freda Burritt Lamson Scholarship – This award is given annually to gifted students who are members of the Free Methodist Church and are preparing for pastoral work in North America or for lifetime Christian service overseas. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Matt Jones Memorial Scholarship – This award is given annually to students pursuing the Master of Divinity degree for pastoral ministry in the Free Methodist Church or other denomination within the Wesleyan tradition. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Open Access Scholarship – This scholarship is given annually to individuals with a physical disability who are preparing for ministry or to persons preparing to serve the disability community. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Robert E. Smith Seminarian Award – Awarded annually to needy and deserving students preparing for either pastoral or teaching ministry. Preference shall be given to students from the greater Rochester, New York area. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Wayne McCown Scholarship – Awarded annually to needy and deserving students preparing for full-time ministry or a career in Christian higher education. Scholarship is designated for returning students.
• Wesley R. Skinner Scholarship – This award is given annually to students preparing for ministry in the Free Methodist Church of North America. Scholarship is designated for returning students.

Denominationally Sponsored Scholarship Options

Contact your denomination or church affiliation for options not listed here.

• The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship – The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship was founded to remove financial barriers that impede Pentecostal scholarship by funding doctoral- and post-doctoral-level research projects focusing on Pentecostal theology. LINK: http://www.tffps.org/
• Genesis Conference of the Free Methodist Church-Seminary Scholarship – Annual scholarships of $250 will be provided to Genesis Free Methodist Conference LMC’s, CMC’s, and elders who are pursuing an M.A., M.Div., or D.Min. degree at a seminary approved by the John Wesley Seminary Foundation. If the local church will match this amount, an additional $250 will be provided by the conference (total available: $500 conference + $250 local church = $750). LINK: http://www.nerfmc.com/Seminary%20Scholarship%20Application-Genesis.pdf
• John Wesley Seminary Foundation Grant – this scholarship is for those pursuing full-time ministry in the Free Methodist Church. The applicant must be enrolled in a master’s program in biblical, theological, missiological, or pastoral studies. LINK: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/grants/
• The Free Methodist Canadian Leadership Scholarship Plan – This scholarship was initiated to provide financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary educational studies. You must be from the Canadian Free Methodist Church to be considered for this scholarship. LINK: http://fmcic.ca/lsp/
• Presbyterian USA Theological Student Loan Program – For theological students preparing to serve in a PC(USA) congregation. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Theological Student Loan program serves Presbyterian M.Div. students who are inquirers or candidates and MACE students attending accredited seminaries in the United States. Check the website for the interest rate for new borrowers. LINK: http://www.pcusa.org/financialaid/programs/theologicalloan.htm
• American Baptist Church USA – Scholarships available for seminarians ranging in the amount of $500 -$1000 academic year. Options also available for Ph.D. candidates enrolling in a preparative course of study for a church related vocation. Scholarship amounts vary. LINK: http://www.abhms.org/ministries/developing-leaders/education-scholarships/
• Episcopal Church – There are a few graduate study scholarships available through the Episcopal Church Center—many of these are designated for very specific constituencies. LINK: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/episcopal-church-scholarships

Veterans and Military Chaplain Scholarships

• Military Chaplains Association - Provides financial assistance to seminary students who currently serve as chaplain candidates in the Air Force, Army, or Navy. LINK: http://mca-usa.org/scholarships/
• US Air Force Chaplain – the US Air Force has several ways you can join the Reserve Chaplain Service Program. The programs offer tuition benefits for those pursuing Seminary. Contact your local recruiter for information.
• US Army Chaplain – While attending seminary, Chaplain Candidates may apply for tuition assistance through the U.S. Army Reserve. This program requires service of at least four years in a U.S. Army Reserve unit once you become a qualified Chaplain. LINK: http://www.goarmy.com/chaplain/
• US Navy Chaplain Program – Opportunities offered through a Navy Chaplain career include supervision in clinical pastoral education and tuition assistance for numerous off-duty educational programs. LINK: http://www.navy.com/careers/officer/chaplain
• Veteran's Benefits – Northeastern Seminary’s programs are approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs and the New York State Division of Veteran Affairs. The Seminary participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post-911 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Students eligible for Veterans Administration Educational Benefits should contact Julie Green, the VA Certifying Official for the Seminary at:green_julie@roberts.edu

Additional Theological Scholarship Options

• Fund for Theological Education Fellowship – For students responding to God's calling who are 35 years of age or younger. For information and application, go to www.thefund.org. Deadline for application is March 1 and April 1, depending on type of fellowship application. LINK: http://fteleaders.org/grants-fellowships
• Philanthropic Educational Foundation Scholarship – The Philanthropic Educational Organization was one of the pioneer societies for women. Founded in January 21, 1869 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa this organization provides scholarship opportunities to women.   LINK: http://www.peointernational.org/

Scholarship Search Engines

• Scholarship Search – Build your personal profile and receive information about relevant scholarship offerings. LINK: http://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/religious-scholarships/christian-scholarships/
• Christian School Scholarship – A list of Christian school scholarships can be found at: www.christianscholarships.us
• Student Scholarship Search – The scholarship search engine not only focuses on national scholarships, but also includes scholarships by state and level of education. LINK: http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/
• Financial Aid Scholarship Search – FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into a comprehensive source of student financial aid information including a large amount of scholarship options. LINK: http://www.finaid.org/
• Fast Web Search – For nearly 15 years, FastWeb has been the leading scholarship search provider for every student, whether you’re in high school or a mother of two returning to graduate school. LINK: http://www.fastweb.com/

Tuition Payment Plan

A tuition payment plan is available by contacting student financial services at 585.594.6461.