Included on this page:
Congregation Financial Aid
Synod Financial Aid
Federal Stafford Loan Program
Leadership Scholarships
Daniel Alexander Payne Tuition Grants
Community Work
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Financial Aid, Page 1
Contains more information about:
Process of Seeking Financial Aid
Seminary Scholarship Program

Congregation Financial Aid
According to ELCA candidacy guidelines, ELCA congregations are encouraged to support members who are preparing for ordained, commissioned or consecrated ministries in the church. This support may cover tuition, fees, room and board, books and other personal/family expenses, or portions thereof. Costs for tuition and fees for an unmarried student are estimated at $11,145. However, total costs are presently estimated to be in excess of $20,000. Greater housing, food and miscellaneous living expenses drive the total cost of attendance even higher for students with families. The form, Congregational Support, available in the candidate’s congregational packet, should be completed by each congregation that has an enrolled candidate at the seminary and sent to the synod office with a copy to the seminary’s financial aid office.

Synod Financial Aid
It is ELCA policy to encourage synod support of endorsed candidates for ministry. Normally, synod funds for student aid are sent to the seminary with instructions. Not all ELCA synods provide funds to students and amounts vary considerably. The student should initiate inquiries with the synod before applying to the seminary and determine the anticipated level of synod aid.

Federal Stafford Loan Program
The "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) is an essential element of the Stafford loan application process. Additionally, a Stafford loan application form must be filed to request a specific loan amount that may be as much as $18,500 per academic year. Students who borrowed through the Stafford program during the prior year may receive a renewal application form from their lender. Otherwise, participation lenders (banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, etc.) provide application forms and filing instructions.
www.fafsa.ed.gov

The seminary cautions students about excessive reliance on loans which must be repaid starting shortly after graduation at a time when other financial obligations and low starting salaries limit one’s resources. Loans should be considered after other sources of aid have been explored. Students, however, are responsible for these decisions.

Leadership Scholarships
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg offers up to six Leadership Scholarships to women and men of outstanding ability, character, and leadership preparing for ministry for the Church in the 21st century. Up to six awards covering full tuition will be given annually to selected incoming students for full-time study in the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Ministerial Study program (preparing for service to the church). Scholarship recipients will display exemplary performance in undergraduate service in college chaplaincy/ campus ministry programs, church camp programs or similar activities that develop leadership skills valuable in community life and ministry. Nominations are sought from throughout the church, but self- nomination is also encouraged. (More information and detail about Leadership scholarships)

The Daniel Alexander Payne Tuition Grants
As an expression of its commitment to cultural diversity the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg has established the Daniel Alexander Payne Tuition Grants to encourage African-American, Hispanic-American and Native-American Lutherans' enrollment on the Gettysburg campus or through the Washington Theological Consortium. Students must file the completed LTSG Application for Financial Aid in order to verify financial need.

Community Work
Skilled and unskilled employment is available in greater Adams County through private and public employers. The seminary posts “Help Wanted” ads and may know of special skills in demand. Ultimately, the student who seeks part-time, off-campus work makes his/her own applications. See “Yellow Pages” or “Blue Pages” in the local telephone book for job service agencies in the county. Fifty-two percent of Adams County wage earners work outside county limits. Students or spouses seeking off-campus work, therefore, should not eliminate job opportunities outside Gettysburg within reasonable commuting distances