Luther Grants and Scholarships

Luther Seminary’s financial aid programs consist of need-based grants, merit scholarships, tuition grants, loans and federal and campus work-study.  Aid is offered to students in degree track programs (certificate students, D.Min. and non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid) and maintaining the requisite course load which will be spelled out in each category.  It is the desire of Luther Seminary that by making these funds available to students we are able to assist you in making your preparation for ministry possible and affordable. 

Luther Seminary Grant

All Seminary students in the M.Div., M.A., M.S.M., and M.Th. programs are eligible to apply for this need-based grant.  Grant recipients are required to be taking at least 3.0 courses* in each semester that they are receiving a grant.  In order to be considered you must complete the Luther Seminary Financial Aid Application.  Interns are not eligible. 

* Exceptions:

• MTh students who have completed their course work are eligible for a grant in their second year while completing their thesis.
• MDIV students completing CPE.
• Distributive Learning cohort members need to be taking at least 2.0 courses per semester.

Merit Scholarships

Presidential Scholarships

Full-tuition awards for study are available for students in the MA, MSM or MDiv programs who have recently graduated from college.  Up to eight Presidential Scholarships are renewable to cover full tuition for two (MA, MSM) or three (MDiv) years.  Students are nominated by their campus pastor or the chair of the departments of Religion of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America colleges.  Student of any denomination may be nominated.  Nominees must be new incoming students  attending full-time.  Please note that there is not a separate nomination form for this scholarship. Letters of nomination should be forwarded to the Director of Admissions.  Deadline for nomination is February 1^st of each year.

Leadership Scholarships

Full-tuition awards for study are available for MDiv students seeking ordination in the ELCA.  At least one award will be a renewable scholarship to cover tuition for two (MA, MSM) or three (MDiv) years.  Students are nominated by their Synod Bishops or the chair of their Synod Candidacy Committee. Nominees must be new incoming students  attending full-time.  Please note that there is not a separate nomination form for this scholarship. Letters of nomination should be forwarded to the Director of Admissions.  Deadline for nomination is February 1^st of each year.

Heritage Scholarships

Full-tuition awards for study are available for students in the MA, MSM, or MDiv programs.  Nominees must be new incoming students attending full-time.  All of these awards are renewable scholarships to cover tuition for two (MA, MSM) or three (MDiv) years.  Students are nominated by alums of Luther Seminary or its predecessor schools.  Nomination forms may be completed online.  Fill out an online form here.  Deadline for nomination is February 1^st of each year.  Nominees must be new incoming students  attending full-time.

St. Paul Missional Scholarships

Full-tuition awards for the first year of study are available for students in the MA, MSM or MDiv programs.  These awards are given to students who have shown their heart for God’s world of many cultures and religions in one or more of the following contexts. St. Paul Missional nomination form

• International study
• Missionary service
• Outdoor service
• Involvement in a mission congregation
• Serving in Lutheran Volunteer Corp, Urban and Border Servant Corp, Peace Corps, VISTA, or a similar cross-cultural experience.

While anyone may nominate a student for this award, this nomination is usually made by the student’s supervisor in the above programs.  Nomination forms are available from the Office of Admissions or the Seminary web-site.  Nominations should be directed to the Director of Admissions.  Deadline for nomination is March 1^st of each year.  Nominees must be new incoming students and be attending full-time.  For a complete description follow this link -  /admissions/faohouse/stpaulmissional.asp .       

Arts and Innovation Fellowships

Up to 20, $5,000 awards will be awarded. The onetime fellowships are available to students already accepted and entering the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Sacred Music and Master of Theology degrees. Applications are due by June 1. (Individuals currently in the admissions process may also apply.) For more information follow this link - Arts and Innovation Fellowships - additional information and application.

Quest Scholarships

Partial-tuition awards for the first year of study are available for a limited number of second career students in the MA, MSM or MDiv programs.  Requests for consideration should be directed to the Director of Admissions. 

Richard Wallace Scholarships (formerly Spectrum Scholars)

Provides monies for tuition and books for full time study for a limited number of students of color or new immigrant communities of faith in the MA, MSM or MDiv programs.  Nomination forms are available from the Office of Admissions or the Seminary web-site.  Nominations should be directed to the Director of Admissions. Deadline for nomination is March 1^st of each year.  Download the Wallace nomination form (PDF).

Ecumenical Partnership Scholarships

Partial-tuition awards for the first year of study are available for degree students from traditions other than ELCA.  Nominations forms are available from the Seminary web-site.  For further information please contact the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at 651-641-3463 or finaid@luthersem.edu Download the Ecumenical nomination form (PDF).

PhD Tuition Grants and Stipends

Each year a number of tuition grants and stipends are available for students pursing the PhD degree.  For further information please contact the Graduate Studies Office at 651-641-3203

Norman and Eunice Jones Senior Scholarship

This scholarship is available for any Senior, ELCA, MDIV Candidate in their final semester at Luther Seminary.  The amount of this award will vary from year to year depending on the number of graduates. Jones Application Form

Other

Over the course of the academic year other opportunities may become available.  The Office of Financial Aid will notify students when there are other scholarships or grants for them to apply.