Here are ways to help you pay for your education.
Below are various forms of financial aid that can be awarded and applied for when attending ACU’s Graduate School of Theology.
As always, we are glad to help answer your questions. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Email: gst@acu.edu
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 GST, GA’s are required to work 7.5 hours a week and are paid an hourly wage.
Scholarships
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GST Scholarship
The GST offers scholarship assistance to on-campus master’s students.
Scholarships are based on:
- Prior academic record
- Financial need
- Potential for ministry and further academic research.
Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and are re-evaluated at the end of each school year. Scholarship awards are made as applications are completed, and the amounts are determined based on the strength of each application.
To Apply
Complete and submit the GST Scholarship Application form found on the Graduate Financial Aid web page.
For Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) students, merit- and need-based scholarships are available. To request a scholarship application, please contact the Doctor of Ministry office at dmin@acu.edu.
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Church Match Scholarship
Church congregations may send up to a $500 scholarship per academic year for a full-time master’s 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 (inquire at the GST for this form). 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 September 1 for the Fall semester, or between December 1 and February 1 for the Spring semester.
The Fund for Theological Education
The Fund for Theological Education offers fellowships for first and second year seminary students, which you can find through the FTE Fund Finder. For more information, and links to the applications, visit the FTE website.
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Loretta and 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.
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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.
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Lynn and Carolyn Anderson Endowed Scholarship
This endowed scholarship provides additional funds to D.Min. students as a way of supporting ministers in the ongoing practice of ministry. Dr. Lynn Anderson was a member of ACU’s inaugural D.Min. cohort in 1987. His and Carolyn’s remarkable ministry to congregations and to ministers is honored by gifts from the Anderson family and many others. Awards are based on character, academic ability, and financial need, and are used to encourage and promote diversity in the program when applicable
Student Loans
Federal Direct Loans
The Federal Direct Loan program consists of unsubsidized loans and is awarded regardless of demonstrated need.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (GRAD PLUS)
This loan can be used to supplement other financial aid, such as the Federal Direct 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.
Note: To qualify for federal aid, students must be enrolled at least half-time in the semester for which they are seeking aid.
- For master’s programs, full-time enrollment is defined as 9 credit hours per semester and half-time as 6 credit hours.
- For the D.Min. program, full-time is defined as 6 credit hours per semester and half-time as 3 credit hours.
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.