Introduction
Education is an intricate part of our lives; it is an avenue to discover new ideas about any phenomenon in life, including religious beliefs. Theology examines the world’s various religious beliefs and their impact on human behavior and perspective.
If you wish to study theology in the US but lack enough funds, here’s the good news: various schools offer scholarships for you, which will be uncovered in this article.
Scholarship Opportunities To Study Theology In the USA
Various schools, private individuals, and government offer financial aid to help students offset their fees while in school. This aid could be partly or fully funded and tagged at a certain amount. For theologians, you can get admitted into a conventional university or a seminary, whichever one you desire, there are scholarships.
If you’re applying for your bachelor’s degree or furthering your studies in theology, there is also financial aid for any of such purposes. Let’s take a look at the available scholarship programs in the USA.
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The Calvin Theological Seminary
Calvin Seminary awards over 200 merit and need-based scholarships to students each year. The available awards range from $1,000-$10,000.
To stand a chance, you must complete the financial aid section on your admission application to be considered for scholarships. A preliminary scholarship amount will be included in your admissions letter.
The seminary’s scholarship committee meets in March to assign specific named scholarships to cover the original award. Scholarships are awarded annually, hence re-application is necessary each year if you wish to continue.
You can visit the school’s website for more information.
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Yale University
This Divinity School is based in New Haven, Connecticut, and offers a fully funded master’s in religion, a master of divinity, and a master of Sacred Theology.
Yale Divinity School offers annual merit-based scholarships to eligible students. For application, there is no separate application or recommendation required.
The scholarship offer covers full tuition and a $10,000 living allowance. Students who qualify are meant to renew Renewal their offer yearly and also maintain strong academic progress in the program.
This scholarship is open to both local and international citizens resident in the United States having any work experience. The deadline is fixed on Jan 15, 2024.
Follow this link to access the school’s website.
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Harvard University Fully Funded Master of Divinity, Theological Studies
Harvard University, based in Cambridge, offers a large majority of scholarship aid for Masters in Divinity and Masters in Theological Studies to qualified candidates and is awarded based on demonstrated financial need.
The scholarship covers full tuition and a modest amount to offset living expenses, and this covers about $12,000–$20,000 yearly. The master’s program lasts for two years. Hence, the scholarship is also renewable yearly.
Harvard University sees students studying theology as a lifelong asset to society, notwithstanding their area of focus, and this has sponsored their decision to create lasting scholarship opportunities.
The deadline for application is capped at January 01, 2024, and this application is open to all students from any country living in the US with working experience.
You can visit their website for other key information on how to apply.
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Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary values the diverse perspectives that international students bring to their community. Hence, they offer support and resources to make travel and study a meaningful experience for them.
At the Seminary, lectures are conducted in English, and because of that, all applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English during the application process. You submit a proficiency test score from TOEFL (School Code: 2922), IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
Note that English test scores are unnecessary if you attended a school where English was the main language of instruction.
All International Applicants must complete the International Student Financial Aid Application in the Applicant Status portal to be considered. Since most awards offer partial funding, admitted international students must secure additional funding sources to afford the total cost of attendance.
Once accepted, the Office of Student Affairs will help international students request important travel documentation such as Form I-20 and also walk them through the visa process.
You can visit the Union’s website for further guidelines and applications.
- Asbury Theological Seminary
Asbury Theological Seminary offers a limited number of tuition scholarships for international students. This scholarship is meant for students who show exceptional promise for leadership and plan to return to their home country to carry out their ministry.
The scholarship is renewable for the duration of the degree program as long as the student continues to meet the award’s requirements.
International applicants who wish to be considered for a tuition scholarship should complete the admissions process by January 1st, preceding the matriculation date. If a student enrolls without a scholarship, he/she will not be eligible to apply for scholarships at a later date.
As part of the requirement, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) will be required for those whose native or official language is not English or who have a different language of instruction at school.
For waivers, students applying for a master’s in divinity are provided with such an option. For further information and means of application, visit their website.
Conclusion
As the world unfolds different religions and beliefs, theology is a relevant discipline in society. Also, having several scholarship opportunities from Universities in the US shows the relevance of theology.
If you want to study theology in the US and need financial aid, I believe this article will help with your need. You can choose any institution that suits your need.
Remember that while applying, make sure you put in place structures and networks to help offset some bills in case you don’t get a fully funded scholarship.
Put together your certificates, transcripts, English proficiency test, and other necessary documents needed for application and admissions. Wish you success.
