FINANCIAL AID
Eligibility | Criteria-Based Aid | Archdiocesan Aid | Scholarships | Add/Drop Credits | Paying Tuition

The School of Theology and Ministry annually offers tuition-aid grants that are provided by Seattle University, STM scholarship funds, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, and participating denominations in the Institute for Ecumenical Theological Studies (IETS). These grants, in the form of partial tuition reduction, are credited each quarter directly to our students' accounts. Since these grants are for tuition aid, monies cannot be used for rent, books, or to meet other expenses. Each tuition-aid grant is directly proportionate to the number of credit hours for which a student registers.

Please visit our forms page for a directory of financial aid resources and downloadable forms.

Eligibility

To be considered for a tuition-aid grant, students must officially be admitted to the graduate school in a specific degree or credit-certificate program.

All new students seeking financial aid must submit applications and other paperwork by June 1. All continuing students must submit financial aid applications and other paperwork by the April 1 application deadline.

Continuing students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average in their graduate coursework. A GPA drop below 3.0 results in academic probation. A student on probation has one quarter in which to improve their GPA or their financial aid will be jeopardized.

Seattle University requires all STM students to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), even if they do not intend to apply for, or qualify for, additional federal aid. (This requirement is waived for residents of Canada, members of Roman Catholic Canonical Religious Communities, or ordained priests). Students are able to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
(Seattle University’s federal school code is 003790).

Submit your application/information to:
Beth Smith
Financial Aid Coordinator
School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
ph (206) 296-5338 | fax (206) 296-5329

Criteria-Based Aid

Criteria-Based Aid is available through the School of Theology and Ministry. The criteria for this aid are financial need, academic excellence, special merit/service, diversity, and longevity in the STM program. A copy of the Adjusted Gross Income figure (from the first page of the IRS 1040 form) must be submitted to the STM office in order to process the Criteria-Based Aid application. In addition, a personal narrative must be included that discusses why you meet one or more of the criteria for financial aid.

All STM students applying for financial aid must complete a Criteria-based Tuition Aid Grant Application and meet the above-mentioned requirements. To receive tuition aid, students must submit a Course Projection Calendar, the Declaration of Credits Form, and a FAFSA by April 1st.

Archdiocesan Aid

The Archdiocese of Seattle offers financial aid for students enrolled in Christifideles, a program of graduate education and formation for lay ecclesial ministers. The program is offered in collaboration with Seattle University. Participants, who earn a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) degree, qualify for certification in ministry from the Archdiocese. For complete Archdiocesan Christifideles application materials, contact the Director of Lay Ecclesial Ministry at (206) 382-4096 before January 31.

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.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

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. 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 for this scholarship please complete the Leaders of Multicultural Faith Communities Application.

Stafford and Seattle University Loans are other financial aid options available to graduate students at Seattle University. Other aid includes Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford loans, Perkins loans, Seattle University loans, work-study positions, and assistantships. To apply for any of these loans, students must apply through the SU Student Financial Service office and complete a FAFSA online. For more information please visit the Seattle University Student Financial Services site.

Implications of Adding/Dropping Credits

Should your credit projections change after the pre-registration deadline of April 1st, changes must be submitted to STM’s Financial Aid Coordinator in writing 14 days before each quarter’s classes begin. Please note, if you received financial aid based on your projection of 15 or more credits in an academic year, and you drop below a projection of 15 credits for the year, the amount of your award for the rest of the year will be reduced by 10%.

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

The 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 STM students. When courses are dropped after the published add/drop dates, students receive only a portion of their tuition back. Likewise, STM 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 plans his or her course load wisely, notifies the Financial Aid Coordinator in writing of any changes in the credit load, and observes all deadlines.

Paying Your Portion of Tuition

It is the student’s responsibility to pay their portion of tuition no later than the published quarterly tuition due dates established by Seattle University. These dates are available here.

Please note that STM tuition remission may be credited to the student’s account as late as two weeks into the quarter.

To calculate what dollar amount the student should pay, multiply the student’s number of credit hours by the tuition rate for the term (this will give the total tuition due). Then multiply the total tuition by the total percentage of tuition remission the student is receiving (this can include STM reduction and Criteria Based Aid). Subtract the reduction from the total tuition due to calculate the amount of tuition owed.