Frequently Asked Questions

What type of financial aid is available?
Depending on your program and enrollment, you may qualify for merit scholarsips. tuition grants, rent rebates, work support and/or federal student loans.

How many credits do I have to take?
A student must be enrolled full-time to be considered for all scholarships, grants, and work-support.  Masters degree students can qualify for federal loans by maintaining a half-time enrollment status.

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes, the Seminary’s Financial Aid program is based on a nine-month academic period. You must file a FAFSA, PTS application, Verification Form and the necessary tax forms to be evaluated each year. Additional forms are required for the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Graduate Pus Loans.

When should I apply for financial aid?
Aid processing will begin on February 15 and continue until the funds have been exhausted. Incomplete packets will not be processed. It is recommended that students file no later than March 20 although it is not guaranteed that aid will still be available. A student MUST re-apply each February. Need based aid is not guaranteed unless a student continues to qualify financially and files in a timely manner as complete packets are processed on a "first come, first serve" basis.

If I am awarded aid and then I defer my enrollment until Term II, will the Seminary hold my aid for me?
No, aid is awarded for students beginning in Term I. If a student defers until a later date, the aid will be awarded to next name on the Wait List. If a student plans to begin in Term II or III, he/she should contact the Financial Aid Office to inquire about any available funds.

Is there a maximum amount of aid that I can receive in an academic year?
You are required to report all aid that you receive to the Financial Aid Office. Because of federal regulation, if you have a loan then your total aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance. If this occurs, the Financial Aid Office is obligated to reduce or cancel awards. Loans are always returned first. If a student's scholarships and grants exceed the Cost of Attendance, PTS reserves the right to reassign our tuition grants.

How does financial aid affect my bill?
If your paperwork is complete and your aid is approved, it will appear on your bill. Aid will not be disbursed to your account until after the Add-Drop period. Contact the Financial Aid Department if you are expecting Seminary or federal aid that does not appear on your account. If your federal loan proceeds create a credit balance, the Student Account Office will issue you a refund check within thirteen days from the disbursement date.

What happens if I lost my Award Letter?
Your Award Letter is your contract for PTS need-based financial aid. Your signature affirms that you are familiar with the financial aid policies. No aid will be credited to a student's account until the Contract is signed and returned to the Financial Aid Office. If no signed contract is received, the Financial Aid Office will re-assign your grant to the next student on the Wait List.

What happens if a student resigns during the term?
If you resign during the term, you must contact the Financial Office. You may be entitled to a partial reduction of Seminary charges but your eligibility for aid may also change. Financial aid for the academic year may be forfeited if a student drops below full-time enrollment. 

What are some reasons that will disqualify me for PTS need-based grants?

1. You will not qualify for PTS need-based aid if you are enrolled less than full-time. There is no aid for less than full-time enrollment.
2. You will not demonstrate “need” if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), adjusted gross income or income is higher than the Cost of Attendance.
3. You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
4. Students who are in “default” of their federal educational loans are ineligible for institutional aid.
5. PTS does not award aid beyond the specified length of the program chosen. Financial aid will not be provided to any student beyond the minimum credits required for graduation. Should you fail or withdraw with faculty approval from a course(s), there is no aid when the class is repeated.
6. If you received financial aid to complete one degree program, you are not eligible for financial aid for a second-degree program until three years (nine terms) have passed.
7. If you misrepresented your financial circumstances on your application, you forfeit consideration for all future aid.  

Are there exceptions to the full-time status requirement for need-based aid?

PTS, very generously, makes two exceptions to the full-time status requirement for need-based aid. One exception is the graduating senior whose enrollment for the final term is part-time. Tuition grants are awarded only if the preceding term had been full-time enrollment. (The part-time rate and the contracted tuition grant applies.) Second, a student enrolled full-time in a Dual Degree Program but only in attendance at the Seminary part-time. For both exceptions, the students will qualify for tuition and work-support funding only.

Can I receive financial aid for summer enrollment or CPE?
Students who qualify for tuition grants for the following academic year  will have the summer PTS tution covered by their grants. Clinical Pastoral Educationl Credits (CPE) are NOT covered by PTS grants. There are no loans available during the summer.

How often are the PTS Financial Aid Policies Reviewed?
The Financial Aid Policies are subject to change. They are operative for the current academic year and represent no committment beyond the current year, The Financial Aid Policy Committee, which includes students, conducts an annual review, Updates will be posted to the website.

When I receive aid, what is my student obligation?
Financial aid funds depend on the generous contributions from individuals, churches, and organizations. At the time the student receives a tuition grant contract, he/she is asked to write a letter of thanks. Students are expected to write these letters as a condition for receiving financial aid and must be received by the Financial Aid Office before aid is credited to the account. Guidelines for such letters are provided in the Financial Aid Office.
 

Cost of Attendance
How to Apply
Types of Aid
Academic Eligibility
Work Support Program
Outside Scholarships
PC(USA) Programs
Financial Aid Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Return of Title IV Funds
Code of Conduct
D.Min. Financial Aid