Scholarship Opportunities

Below: Opportunities Available Annual & Endowed Scholarships Christifideles Leaders of Multicultural Faith Communities Scholarship Justice in Ministry Scholarship Member of Roman Catholic Religious Order Scholarship Bossey Scholarship Disciples Seminary Foundation Scholarship Ryle Foundation Scholarship Graduate Assistantship (Non-Work Study Student Employment) Resource: Scholarships Binder, Other   Adding/Dropping Credits, Scholarship Implications

Questions? Contact:

1. Annual & Endowed Scholarships

Description:
Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry offers annual and endowed scholarships from the great generosity of friends and donors that believe strongly in the mission and vision of the School and the value of an education specifically at Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry.

The scholarship committee reviews applications in April of each year and awards scholarships to those students that meet the scholarship criteria.  Scholarships will be entered onto student accounts the last two weeks of May with scholarship award letters mailed out to students in the third week of May.

Criteria:
The criteria and amount of scholarship awards varies. There is a single application process for any and all of these scholarships. See the below “tips for writing your narrative” to assist you in naming components that may help you meet these scholarships’ criteria.

To Apply:
To apply for these scholarships a student must complete a Criteria-based Tuition Aid Grant Application (CBTAA), a  Declaration of Credits Form, and a FAFSA by April 1st (continuing students) or upon admittance (new students).  Note: A copy of the first page of your previous years IRS 1040 tax form (indicating your adjusted gross income and obliterating your social security numbers) and a narrative must be submitted with your CBTAA.

Tips for Writing Your Narrative:
When writing your narrative, explain why you are requesting a financial scholarship. Please highlight your leadership, volunteer, ministerial and/or other professional experience, including your denominational and/or religious group and any affiliations, leadership roles and volunteer experiences specifically related to your denomination and/or religious group affiliation. Please explain the circumstances of financial aid need.
 

Abbreviated List of Annual & Endowed Scholarships:

2. Christifideles (Archdiocese of Seattle)

Description:
The Archdiocese of Seattle offers financial aid for students enrolled in their Christifideles program, a combination of graduate education and formation for lay ecclesial ministers. The program is offered in collaboration with Seattle University.

Criteria:
Requirements and expectations for graduation with a MAPS degree at Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry (STM) and requirements and expectations from the Archdiocese for additional formation as a Lay Ecclesial Minister (LEM) working in the Archdiocese of Seattle

To Apply:
For complete Archdiocesan Christifideles application materials please go to their website at:  http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/cff/LEM/Christifidelis/default.aspx , and/or contact the Director of Lay Ecclesial Ministry at patm@seattlearch.org before February 15.  

If you would like to apply for this scholarship and any others offered through the School, you must also complete the Criteria Based Aid Application.  
 

3. Leaders of Multicultural Faith Communities' Scholarship

Description:
Scholarships for Leaders of Multicultural Faith Communities are awarded for up to $1,900 per quarter (based on 6 credits) or $7,600 per year for two years. Seattle University has created these special scholarships to recognize outstanding candidates for graduate study who are members of under-represented populations.

Criteria:
Recipients will be selected from those individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements, demonstrate leadership in their ministry, and are unable to complete the program without financial support. The under-represented populations targeted for funding are African-Americans, Native-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.

To Apply:
Please complete the Leaders of Multicultural Faith Communities Application as well as a Criteria-based Tuition Aid Grant Application (CBTAA), a Declaration of Credits Form, and a FAFSA by April 1st (continuing students) or upon admittance (new students).  Note: A copy of the first page of your previous years IRS 1040 tax form (indicating your adjusted gross income and obliterating your social security numbers) and a narrative must be submitted with your CBTAA. 


  

4. Justice in Ministry Scholarship

Description:
For students who have a clear call to pastoral care for those in need who may be hindered in developing their ministry by financial need beyond their means, even after receiving the ordinarily available scholarship aid. As a matter of justice in ministerial development, the purpose of this scholarship is to provide subsequent levels of scholarship support for students whose ministry is clearly needed in the world, to help alleviate insurmountable debt incurred through theological education.

This scholarship is intended to support the education of those with a particular sense of call and emerging skills in spiritual and pastoral ministry, as indicated by their development in the Ministerial and Theological Integration (MTI) sequence. While it is not the expectation that the student have fully developed skills by the end of the MTI sequence, the student’s capacity for this type of ministry should be evident.

Criteria:
For students pursuing a Protestant or Episcopalian curriculum toward a Masters Degree at the School of Theology and Ministry with preference to those pursuing a Masters of Divinity yet open to those who may not be seeking ordination as well (whether MDiv degree or other Masters). This is to be awarded to those with a particular emphasis on spiritual and pastoral ministry. It is to be awarded after completion of MTI and upon recommendation from both the MTI faculty and field supervisors. After this criterion has been met, the award is to be given to the student with the most need within this group.

5. Member of Roman Catholic Religious Order Scholarship

Description:
Tuition Reduction for Members of Roman Catholic Canonical Religious Communities or Roman Catholic Clergy is available to STM students who are members of Catholic religious organizations, if their financial need is greater than what is provided by their community.
Students must submit a letter from a community official verifying the extent of their financial need.

Criteria:
Be a member of a Roman Catholic Canonical Religious Communities or be Roman Catholic Clergy.

To Apply:
If you would like to apply for this scholarship students must submit a letter from their religious community official verifying the extent of their financial need, as well as fill out this STM/ICTS Tuition Aid Grant Application Form.
 

6. Bossey Scholarship

Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry has been encouraged to send a student to the Bossey Institute of Ecumenics in Geneva, Switzerland for 9 months, resulting in a certificate of ecumenical studies from their institution. 

If you are interested please note that the deadline for application is November 30.  The program itself begins a year later-- running from September 2014 - April 2015.

Generous donors have made a $15,000 full scholarship available for this opportunity which includes tuition, books, fees, room and board and round trip airfare.  To find out if this is the right program for you, at the right time in your academic timeline, review the Bossey website and application http://www.oikoumene.org/en/activities/bossey/study-at-bossey/complementary-certificate-in-ecumenical-studies.html and then talk with your academic advisor.

7. Disciples Seminary Foundation Scholarship

Description:
Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry has established a partnership with the Disciples Seminary Foundation (DSF) to combine their strengths to offer theological education for Masters of Divinity students within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ

Criteria:
Disciple Seminary Foundation is dedicated to supporting students at various levels of theological education. Their students are individuals who are exploring a call to ministry or who are in the process of receiving advanced degrees in theological education at the Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, or Doctoral level.

To Apply:
For more information about the criteria and application process with DSF please follow this link:  http://dsf.edu/students/index.html  Note: The Disciples Seminary Foundation Scholarship is distributed directly to the student, so there is no need to complete the School scholarship application materials unless you are applying for a STM School scholarship as well.
 

 

8. Ryle Foundation Scholarship

Msgr. Ryle worked tirelessly to bring the voice of faith to the discussion of just and humane public policy in the state of Arizona. Community leaders from all parties appreciated and respected his work on behalf of the poor, the children, the elderly, and all those who have no voice.

In order to continue his legacy, the Board of the Ryle Fund established the Ryle Scholar program to provide scholarships for graduate level study that will combine the moral and ethical tenets of one’s faith with a commitment to peace and justice through work in the area of public policy.  The explicit mission of the Ryle Fund is to stimulate dialogue and support projects that promote systemic change to improve the lives of the people of Arizona.

To this end the Fund will educate and converse in an intellectual, scholarly way around public policy issues affecting the common good. The Fund will be a catalyst and convener of diverse audiences of leaders, future leaders and decision-makers.

The finalist who is chosen will attend Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry which offers a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership. This degree is customized for the person seeking to help lead the world to a place of greater justice and more abiding peace. The scholarship will pay for tuition, room, board, and books for the chosen student during the course of study, 18-24 months. After graduation the recipient will be required to work in Arizona for a minimum of two years in the area of public policy.   For more information and the application please go to:  http://www.rylefund.org/scholarship.htm 
 
  

To Apply:
If you would like to apply for this scholarship and any others offered through the School, you must also complete the Criteria Based Aid Application and apply and be accepted as a student working in the School of Theology and Ministry. Students receive email notifications as these positions become available. If you are a new student, email stm@seattleu.edu to inquire about any open positions. 
  

10. RESOURCE: Scholarships Binder, Other

As a service to students, we’ve compiled other scholarship opportunities in a binder that students can check out and look through. This compilation is by no means comprehensive, but is a resource. Students are encouraged to inquire with their employer and/or denominational group(s) for professional development moneys, tuition reimbursement or scholarship opportunities.  

To check out the binder:
Contact Beth Smith, Financial Aid Coordinator
Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry
206.296.5338  |  smithb8@seattleu.edu 
  

  

Scholarship Implications of Adding / Dropping Credits:

Should your credit projections change after the pre-registration deadline of April 1st, changes must be submitted to Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry’s Financial Aid Coordinator in writing 14 days before each quarter’s classes begin.

Tuition aid may not be available for credits added after the April 1st financial aid application deadline and aid is not transferable to subsequent quarters.

Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry’s financial aid budget is finite. The amount and percentage of aid each student receives is determined every spring for the subsequent academic year. It is directly proportionate to each student’s credit load, and additions and decreases in credits affect the amount of aid available to other students of the School. When courses are dropped after the published add/drop dates, students receive only a portion of their tuition back. Likewise, the School is reimbursed only a portion of the aid extended to students who drop after the deadline. Ultimately, this too affects the amount available for others in need. It is important that each student plan his or her course load wisely, notifies the Financial Aid Coordinator in writing of any changes in the credit load, and observes all deadlines.