Students who answer God’s call to the Christian ministry make a serious commitment of their time, talents and finances. It is important for a student to consider their ability to fund a seminary education which includes tuition, books, and living expenses and other related costs. BST shares the conviction of the Association of Theological Schools that the individual student must pull together many resources to cover the cost of seminary education: personal savings and assets, summer employment, part–time employment, scholarships from home churches and other organizations and family assistance (parents and spouse).
Berkeley School of Theology is committed to providing financial assistance to qualified students who enroll in the seminary’s degree programs. The following is a partial list of financial assistance that may be available to you depending upon your financial need, scholarship requirements, and availability of scholarship funds.
BST grant in aid scholarships
Seminarian Support Program (American Baptist Churches of the USA)
American Baptist grants and scholarships
American Baptist Home Mission Societies Scholarships for Students (Deadline for submission is 4/15/2024)
On campus students
- The 2024 Addie Davis Scholarships provides financial support for Baptist women enrolled in seminary to pursue a calling to ministry and leadership: more info.
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:- Be female with membership in a Baptist church (affiliation with any Baptist denominational organization/group is acceptable)
- Be enrolled full-time in a Master’s-level program at an ATS accredited seminary or divinity school (MDiv, MA, MTS, etc.). Enrollment at a Baptist-affiliated school is not required.
- Articulate and provide evidence of a sense of calling to ministry and leadership among Baptist communities
- Deadline: Completed Scholarship Applications must be received by March 22, 2024.
- Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches announces opportunities for students to apply for the Seminarian scholarship:
- Completed application form and all requested documents must be received by the chair of the Scholarship Committee before November 30th of the year immediately preceding the academic year for which the scholarship is requested (Spring Semester, 2024).
- The Committee’s action will be announced by December 8th, 2023
- Please send this completed form to the chair of the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches Seminarian Scholarship Committee: Rev. Dr. Chan Thawng Lian (Email – cthawnglian@gmail.com)
- If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact ( Rev.Chan Thawing Lian via email:cthawnglian@gmail.com)
- International Baptist Seminary Scholarships (IBS) for students: https://abhms.org/ministries/developing-leaders/education-scholarships/scholarships-for-students/
- A one-time grant of $1,000 is available for American Baptist students whose first language is not English and who are preparing for ministry in the United States or Puerto Rico.
- The 2024-2025 academic year link to our scholarship request form will be available on January 15, 2024.
- Scholarship amounts vary and are paid directly to the school for credit toward the recipient’s tuition.
- As an inaugural year, ABHMS will award scholarships in the range of $500-$1,000 for part-time students and students attending community college, as resources are available for the 2023-2024 academic year.
- Provided they maintain eligibility requirements, recipients may receive scholarship funds for up to 6 years (consecutive or non-consecutive), regardless of enrollment status (part-time or full-time) for any one course of study.
- Do not use previous links to apply, as our platform for processing applications has changed.
- Scholarships may not be combined with other funding provided by ABHMS; however, Ph.D. and D.Min students awarded via LABS or IBS remain eligible for CE grants
- Deadline for submission is 4/15/2024.
- The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund: Look for the online eligibility form on September 15, 2024.
- Scholarship Finder (CareerOneStop): https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx
- VA Yellow Ribbon Program
Federal Student Loans
At Berkeley School of Theology, GI Bill® funds are a source of financial aid for both active duty and veteran military. Degree-seeking students are eligible for benefits through the Veterans Administration Yellow Ribbon Program and can be certified by the VA certifying official.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
View veteran benefit options at BST in our catalog here.
HOW TO APPLY (FALL AND SPRING)
All students (new and returning) who are enrolled at least half-time are eligible to apply for financial aid, which includes both scholarships and federal financial aid (loans). Students must apply annually to be eligible for Federal Student Loans (FAFSA).
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS (U.S. CITIZENS OR PERMANENT RESIDENTS)
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The BST school code of G01120 should be entered in the school section of the FAFSA. Use estimated tax information if your federal taxes are not complete by April 15th.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Students who apply for financial aid after April 15 will be awarded on a first come basis and as funds are available. Priority is given to new students who are enrolling for the first time in the seminary.
- Student must be enrolled at least half-time.
- Students must be in good standing and maintain a GPA of 2.5 to receive financial assistance. Students who are placed on probation will be denied Government Guaranteed Student Loans until the probation has been removed. Students should refer to the Berkeley School of Theology Financial Aid Handbook for additional information regarding Financial Aid policies.
SUMMER FINANCIAL AID
For eligibility for BST Summer aid, the following conditions apply:
- You must be enrolled in the MDiv, MCL, MTS, or DMin programs. Common MA students: up to two (2) three (3.0) unit academic intersession or summer session courses may be counted toward the MA Program course requirements with the approval of your advisor or the dean.
- For federal Direct Loans, you must be enrolled at least half-time (6.0 credits for BST MDiv, MCL and MTS degree students, 3.0 credits for DMin students, and 6.0 credits for Common MA students) over the course of the summer session and you must complete a Summer Aid Application.
- For BST Scholarship Aid you must be enrolled in at least one BST Summer Session course. There is no minimum enrollment requirement for scholarship aid eligibility.
