Scholarships for Master's Degree Students Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges Effective

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Scholarships & Awards for Master Degrees Students

THE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to an incoming Master of Divinity or Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Practical Theology (i.e., dual degree) student who has a demonstrated record of academic success and shows outstanding promise for pastoral ministry. The Award consist of full tuition, housing, + $5,000 annual stipend. The student is responsible for fees. The scholarship requires full-time enrollment in the Master of Divinity or dual degree program; a 3.5 GPA minimum; the student must be under care of a Committee on Preparation for Ministry (inquirer or candidate) at the time of enrollment; US Citizenship or Permanent Residence.

THE COLUMBIA SCHOLARSHIP is a one-year award with the possibility of renewal. The scholarship will be renewed if the recipient maintains full-time status, a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher, and continues to show outstanding potential for ministry. The award covers tuition and housing (single room in Florida Hall and board). Students are responsible for fees. Renewal will not be granted to students with incompletes on their transcripts after June 1. The award will not be continued for students who add another degree program unless approved by the admissions and financial services departments.

THE WILLIAM THOMAS CATTO SCHOLARSHIP:

Created as a faithful response to Columbia’s Repairing the Breach commitment to the flourishing of Black/ African American people at the Seminary. The scholarship is named in honor of the first Black Presbyterian minister to attend Columbia Theological Seminary and is awarded to incoming master’s-level students who are Black/African American U.S. Citizens or permanent residents and show promise for ministry. The award consists of full tuition + student fees and requires full-time enrollment in a master’s-level program; ordinarily, student must maintain a 2.7. GPA or higher for the duration of their degree program.

THE PROMISE FOR MINISTRY SCHOLARSHIP is a full-tuition scholarship for Presbyterian students who are qualified applicants for a first-level master’s degree program, after the 2020 academic year. These scholarships are renewable in succeeding years based on maintaining a 3.20 GPA as well as continued evidence of leadership ability and promise for ministry. The student is responsible for fees.

THE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP is a full-tuition scholarship for non-Presbyterian students who are qualified applicants for a first-level master’s degree program, after the 2020 academic year. These scholarships are renewable in succeeding years based on maintaining a 3.20 GPA as well as continued evidence of leadership ability and promise for ministry. The student is responsible for fees.

THE COLUMBIA FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE AWARD

is a full tuition award intended to support Master of Divinity students with children who are also seeking ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Students must articulate a strong commitment to ministry and have demonstrated financial need. The award consists of full tuition. Full-time enrollment in the MDiv program is required and the student must be preparing for ordained ministry in the PC(USA).

Part-time Scholarships

THE WORKING SCHOLARS PROGRAM is a

Student Financial Services grant for master’s level students at Columbia Theological Seminary. The intent of the program is; 1. to enable students with demonstrated need to pursue part-time studies 2. to pursue full-time studies when the student does not qualify for other scholarship programs 3. to serve as a safety net for those students who 51

may have been previously awarded a scholarship and are no longer able to maintain full-time studies (9 credit hours in a semester) or have not met the renewability threshold to continue with their scholarship.

The Working Scholars Program offers Student Financial Services to students based on the number of credit hours which they are taking. The more courses that are taken, the more aid that is provided. Students taking:

i. Nine or more credits: up to 90% of tuition is covered, given demonstrated need. ii. Six to eight credits: up to 75% of tuition is covered, given demonstrated need. iii. Three to five credits: up to 50% of tuition is covered, given demonstrated need.

To qualify for Student Financial Services from the Working Scholars Program, a student must submit a FAFSA to the Student Financial Services office no later than two weeks before starting classes. Demonstrated need will be determined based on the information submitted. Once need is determined, the student’s eligibility for the program is certified. The student must submit materials annually. A student need only be making Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for this program.

If a student who had a scholarship which requires a certain GPA for renewability finds that their GPA does not meet the threshold of renewability at the end of the academic year, the student may consult with the Student Financial Services office regarding their eligibility for the Working Scholars Program. If a student’s GPA rises during the next academic year, at the end of that year, if they meet the renewability threshold, the student will be eligible to reclaim their original scholarship.

Likewise, if a student who had a scholarship which requires a full-time load (9 or more credit hours) and the student wants-or needs to drop to part time status for the next semester, the student may consult with the Student Financial Services Office regarding the student’s eligibility for the Working Scholars Program. If the student has demonstrated need, the student will be able to receive Student Financial Services through the program. Once a student can return to full-time studies and has a GPA that meets the threshold of renewability, the student may regain their original scholarship. A student will be eligible to reclaim their scholarship in any term in which they are full-time, and need not wait until the next academic year, provided that the student’s GPA meets the threshold of renewability.

Any student who has not submitted materials to the Student Financial Services Office or is unable to be certified by that office as having unmet need, will not receive Student Financial Services and therefore will be responsible for their tuition. This would apply to a student who does not qualify for a previously awarded scholarship due to not being able to sustain a full-time load and/or does not meet the renewability threshold for the scholarship.

A Student Financial Services recipient must report to the Office of Student Financial Services changes in financial status (e.g., an unanticipated increase in financial resources) and receipt of unanticipated gifts of $100 or more, which may impact eligibility for financial assistance. If the student’s income has changed since filing the FAFSA, they may submit documentation to receive a professional judgement which will change their eligibility.

Returning International students must submit a Columbia Student Financial Services application form no later than April 30 each year with a re-admission form.

Additional information about specifics for receiving institutional aid through Student Financial Services can be found in the Student Handbook.