Financial Aid Eligibility
Full tuition coverage is available to students enrolled in the MDiv, Alternate Route, and diaconal studies programs. To be eligible for full tuition coverage, you must be accepted into your degree or certificate program and be enrolled at least half-time in any given term. Full tuition coverage is not available for pre-seminary courses or courses that are taken beyond those required by your program.
Students enrolled in other programs (DMin, MA, PhD, and STM) should consult with their program dean about available grants, scholarships, or graduate assistantships. DMin, MA, PhD, and STM students enrolled in at least half-time status can borrow through the Federal Student Loan program and participate in the Federal Work-Study Program based on financial need. Students in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program are not eligible for full tuition coverage, the Federal Student Loan program, or the Federal Work-Study Program. Students who have completed the SMP program are eligible for acceptance into the MDiv or AR program and would then be eligible for full tuition coverage.
Satisfactory academic progress is required for continued eligibility for full tuition coverage, Federal Student Loans, and the Federal Work-Study Program. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, students must:
- Maintain the minimum required cumulative grade point average for their program (see the Academic Catalog).
- Complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours each quarter.
- Complete the enrolled program in no more than 150% the original length of the program, measured in terms of attempted credit hours divided by the number of required credit hours for program completion.
All student loan borrowers must complete FAFSA and the CTSFW financial aid application for their program for the appropriate year. New borrowers must complete entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note. See the CTSFW Student Loan Process to learn more about the Federal Student Loan program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students do not pay taxes on scholarship money used for certain education-related expenses. The following are qualified education expenses under the IRS and are not taxable:
- tuition (shown on 1098T)
- student fees (shown on 1098T)
- books
- required equipment or supplies for courses taken
Scholarship or grant money remaining after qualified education expenses or used to pay living expenses is gross taxable income.
At the end of the calendar year, the Business Office will send you a 1098T form, which identifies tuition and student fees. Contact a tax professional with questions about your 1098T or qualified education expenses.
International students receive a 1042S form. Contact the CTSFW Business Office with questions.
Please see the Cost of Attendance page.
CTSFW is blessed to provide full tuition coverage to every student in our residential church work programs. This tuition grant covers all tuition charges required for the student’s degree program, including Summer and Fall Greek.
Eligible students must submit the consent form to receive full tuition coverage.
Student Adoption, the Food & Clothing Co-op, and the Seminary Guild provide aid above and beyond the full tuition coverage program.
Your CTSFW financial aid award letter includes a Direct Loan Offer sheet, which you will complete and return to the CTSFW Financial Aid Office when you need a loan. If you do not need a loan at the beginning of the year, retain the Direct Loan Offer sheet in the event that you need to borrow later. Loan applications can be submitted between July 1 of the award year and the final day of your last enrollment period for the award year.
First-time borrowers should see the Student Loan Process to complete the Master Promissory Note and entrance counseling.
If you face temporary financial constraints, CTSFW can offer aid. Enrolled students who are not on vicarage or internship are eligible for a 60-day interest-free emergency loan for $1,500 or less. Loans that are not repaid within 60 days will accumulate interest. Contact the CTSFW Financial Aid Office to apply for a short-term emergency loan.
Students who are part of the full tuition coverage program receive tuition coverage for summer classes that are required for their degree.
Note: Full tuition coverage does not apply to pre-seminary Old Testament and New Testament.
CTSFW offers internal scholarships (awarded by CTSFW directly) and external scholarships (awarded by other institutions). Students may receive both internal and external scholarships, but external scholarships only apply to residential programs.
See our Scholarships page for more information.
Student Adoption provides financial support in addition to your regular financial aid. Our office will match you with a congregation, church group, or individual wishing to adopt a student.
MDiv, AR, and deaconess students may apply for the Student Adoption Program on the financial aid application each academic year. As part of the Student Adoption Program, you are required to thank your donor in writing at least once a quarter.
Returning students’ FAFSA and CTSFW financial aid application is due May 1 or two weeks before the district aid deadline (if applicable), whichever comes first.
Full Tuition Coverage, Federal Student Loans, or Federal Work-Study jobs:
- Complete a CTSFW financial aid application.
- File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use the IRS Direct Data Exchange Tool to ensure the accuracy of your tax data and financial aid award.
Federal School Code: G20876.
Aid for summer courses is calculated using your financial aid application from the academic year leading into the summer.
LCMS District/Congregational Aid (MDiv, AR, deaconess):
- Check your district’s application requirements and deadline. Then, complete Section I of the District Financial Aid Application. Mail the application to CTSFW at least two weeks before your district’s deadline.
- Ask your pastor and home congregation to support your seminary studies. CTSFW will write to your congregation on your behalf requesting $4,500 for the academic year ($1,500 per quarter).
Students in the full tuition coverage program lose grant money for dropped classes and are responsible for any remaining tuition costs. See the Academic Catalog for the tuition refund rate schedule.
Students who fall below half-time status during a given quarter lose full tuition coverage money and federal student loans for that quarter:
| Program | Credits per Quarter for Half-Time Status |
| MDiv & AR | 6 |
| MA & MDeac–R | 4.5 |
| DMin, STM, PhD, & MDeac–D | 3 |
Withdrawing from the Seminary during the quarter impacts full tuition coverage and federal student loans according to the Return of Financial Funds Policy.
Bill payments can be made at the CTSFW Cashier’s Office in the Werner Administration Building by cash, card, or check.
Bills are due three weeks after the quarter begins (see Academic Calendar for dates). Students who fail to pay their bills by the published due date are charged a late payment fee per the Student Bill Payment Policy.
Bills for intensive classes are due on the first day of the intensive class.
See the Federal Student Aid website for loan repayment options and information about loan forgiveness eligibility.
To avoid making payments on previous loans while attending CTSFW, request an educational loan deferment from your loan servicer(s).
Vicarage and deaconess internships should not cause your loans to go into repayment. Contact your loan servicer(s) if you receive payment notification during your vicarage or deaconess internship year.
The CTSFW Director of Financial Aid may adjust a student’s Cost of Attendance based on the student’s expenses if they exceed the published Cost of Attendance or the student’s tax information. Students must provide documentation demonstrating a need for adjustments to their program’s Cost of Attendance sheet. Contact FinAid@ctsfw.edu with questions.
The CTSFW Financial Aid Office will cancel unwanted loan funds before disbursement if notified in writing or by email. Respond to the Financial Aid Office’s notice that your next loan disbursement is coming if you want to change the scheduled amount. Once loan money is in your account, you must contact your loan servicer(s) to return unwanted loan funds. Loan funds returned fewer than 120 days after reimbursement are not subject to fees or interest. Contact FinAid@ctsfw.edu with questions.