Cost & Affordability

Affordability
Students invited into ACU's Graduate School of Theology are eligible for tuition assistance. Every applicant must submit the scholarship application. Scholarships are awarded based on prior academic achievement, financial need and potential for ministry, broadly defined.

Graduate and teaching assistantships are also awarded to some resident students. Graduate assistants receive a stipend and are required to work eight hours per week. After one year in the program (18 hours minimum), students are eligible to become teaching assistants, working with professors in undergraduate Bible courses.

This combination of generous scholarships covering a majority of graduate educational costs, the potential to work as a graduate assistant, and the low cost of living in Abilene, Texas, allows students to finish their programs without the stress of unmanageable debt.

Understanding Cost
For the 2013-2014 school year, the cost of attendance is $950 per credit hour. This amount includes tuition and all required fees. To calculate your total tuition and fees for your semester, simply multiply $950 by your number of enrolled hours and the result will be your total due to the school, before your books. Quick. Simple. All fees included.

Ways to Pay for a GST Education
ACU’s Graduate School of Theology has a number of ways to help you pay for your education. Listed below are various forms of financial aid that can be awarded and applied for when attending the GST. As always, we are glad to help answer your questions. Feel free to contact us at gst@acu.edu with any questions or concerns.

Tuition Reduction
GST non-residential students are eligible to receive 70% tuition reduction (with the exception of Master of Arts in Global Service students who are eligible to receive a 50% tuition reduction). A non-residential student is a student who is working towards degree completion, but does not currently live in Abilene.  In order to be eligible for this reduction, students must complete the GST Scholarship Application and two Scholarship Recommendations. These tuition reductions are based on prior academic record, student financial need, and student potential for ministry. For more information about tuition reductions for non-residential students contact the GST recruiter.

GST Scholarship
The Graduate School of Theology offers scholarship assistance to residential students 
based 
on 
prior 
academic 
record, 
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need, 
and
 
potential 
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ministry and further academic research. 
Scholarships
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 at 
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year. Scholarships normally cover around half of tuition or more, with potential for a full scholarship.  Scholarship awards are made as applications are completed, and the amounts are determined based on the strength of each application. A GST Scholarship Application and two Scholarship Recommendations must be submitted for consideration.

Federal Direct Loans
The Federal Direct Loan Program consists of unsubsidized loans and is awarded regardless of demonstrated need. Graduate students are generally allowed to borrow up to $20,500 each academic year. More information can be found at www.acu.edu/sfs/graduate.

Need-Based Aid
The GST Department recognizes that specific financial situations arise that may make graduate work difficult for students. Need-based aid is awarded in situations like these after reviewing the student’s GST Scholarship Application and two Scholarship Recommendations.

Graduate Assistantships
A number of Graduate Assistantships are offered at Abilene Christian University on a competitive basis. Graduate Assistants (GA's) fall into three categories according to major responsibilities. 

• Academic support, including clerical work
• Research
• Teaching

Upon employment, GA's are given a letter clearly stating responsibilities, remuneration, and the expectations of the department and of the professor to whom they are assigned. In the Graduate School of Theology, GA's are required to work 7.5 hours a week and are paid an hourly wage.

Teaching Assistantship
Resident GST students who have completed 18 hours of the degree program may apply for the position of Teaching Assistant. Teaching Assistants work with professors of large undergraduate Bible courses to complete grading, attendance, and teach one day per week. Students may obtain an application from the GST Administrative Assistant’s office. 

ACU Employee Tuition Benefit Program
This benefit program applies to all full-time and half-time employees at ACU and is designed to help employees, and their immediate family, obtain additional education. ACU employees, their spouses, and children are eligible to receive a discount on their tuition. For more information, see www.acu.edu/hr. 

Church Match Scholarship
Church congregations may send up to a $500 scholarship per academic year for a full-time student (9 hours for graduate students) to ACU, and the funds will be matched. The congregation must send the scholarship check with the completed Church Match Scholarship form that is found at www.acu.edu/sfs. This scholarship is available for fall and spring semesters only, and forms should be sent with the scholarship check from the congregation between June 1 and Sept. 1 for fall semester, or Dec. 1 and Feb. 1 for spring semester.

Federal Direction Graduate PLUS Loan (GRAD PLUS)
This loan can be used to supplement other financial aid, such as the Direct Stafford Loan. Repayment of this loan begins within 60 days after the entire loan has been disbursed. The GRAD PLUS Loan is subject to in-school deferment, but it is not automatic. Deferment can be granted by the lender after providing proof of at least half-time enrollment. Graduate students seeking a Grad PLUS Loan for the 2013-14 academic year may apply after June 15. Instructions on the application process will be provided at that time. More information can be found at www.acu.edu/sfs/graduate. 

The Fund for Theological Education
The Fund for Theological Education offers fellowships for first and second year seminary students. For more information, and links to the applications, visit http://www.fteleaders.org/pages/support-for-seminary-students. 

Loretta & V.W. Kelly Scholarship
Students who graduate from ACU with their undergraduate degree and stay at ACU to receive their graduate degree may be nominated by an ACU Faculty or Staff member for the ACU Alumni Association’s Loretta & V.W. Kelly Scholarship. 

The Crutcher and Vickie Scott Foundation Scholarship
Students who are currently a minister at an Abilene area church can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must submit an application and two recommendation forms in order to be considered for this scholarship.