Preparation for seminary should include a determination of financial needs and resources for meeting those needs. The following sections give information on tuition and other costs, living expenses, and student financial aid.
M. Div. Tuition Costs 2007-2008
- Regular Tuition
- Evening Classes
- Auditing Classes
Tuition
Tuition Payment
Refunds
Books & Academic Supplies
Insurance
Living Expenses
Financial Aid for M. Div. Students
Other Grant Sources
Loans
Veteran Eligibility
D.Min. Expenses
M. Div. Tuition Costs 2005-06
Regular Tuition
Tuition for 10 credits- $7,500
Tuition per credit $750
Tuition per half credit $375
Students completing the M. Div. in three years take an average of 10 credits per academic year; those completing in four years take 7.5 credits per year. The academic year runs from Summer Term to May Term.
Student Activity Fee -$15 each for Fall and Spring Terms
Fee applies to students taking 2 credits or more per Fall or Spring term.
Institutional Services Fee -$30 each for Fall and Spring Terms
Fee applies to all students taking on-campus courses.
Profiles of Ministry Fee
Stage I for entering students is $20.
Stage II for graduating students is $25.
This price reflects a BTSR supplement of $25 for this assessment instrument.
Graduation Fee -(graduating students only) $75
Late Payment Fee / Late Registration -$50
Administrative Fee (Payment Plan Fee) -$25 per occurrence top
Evening Classes
To encourage community participation, evening course tuition is reduced to:
Cost per course credit $450
Cost per half course credit $225
This tuition rate applies only to students enrolled exclusively in evening courses and web courses (regular tuition applies to web courses). The Institutional Services Fee also applies.
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Auditing Classes
The cost for auditing evening classes is $93.75 for a one-half credit course and $187.50 for a one credit course. The cost for auditing a day class is $375 for one credit and $187.50 for a one-half credit course. The Institutional Services fee applies to all auditors (except those auditing web courses). A full-time student, or the spouse of a full-time student who is not also a student, may audit one course per term without charge.
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Tuition
Tuition rates for all categories of students taking M. Div. level courses are listed in the table above. Tuition costs are kept as low as possible through the support of many individuals, churches, and other Baptist bodies. In particular, generous support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist General Association of Virginia underwrites a significant portion of the seminary's budget, benefiting each student by lowering tuition costs.
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Tuition Payment
Tuition is due and payable prior to the completion of registration at the beginning of each term of enrollment. Students who have not registered and paid their tuition balance in full by 5:00 P.M. on the date announced by the Business Office will be charged a $50 fee (for specific dates, see the Academic Calendar ). Included are students who fail to meet the deadline for filing a FAFSA application for a federal Stafford loan or whose loan funds have not been received in the Business Office. Students may set up a monthly payment plan in Fall and Spring terms for a $25 administrative fee. If students do not apply for the plan and pay the first installment by the due date for full tuition payment, they will be charged $50 (the late payment fee) to set up a payment plan. Students who have not paid their tuition balance in full or in part, according to their approved payment plan, will be dropped from class rolls.
A student who has an outstanding balance on his or her account will not be able to receive grade reports or transcripts, or complete registration for the following term, until the balance is paid. If a student's account is not settled before the next academic year begins, the student will not be able to register. No balance will be carried over into a new academic year.
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Refunds
If a student withdraws from seminary with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty, or drops a course or courses with the approval of the Registrar, a tuition refund may be given after the end of the Drop/Add period. The following guidelines will be used for refunds:
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Students who withdraw or drop a course on or before the designated "last day to add a class" will receive a full refund.
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Students who withdraw or drop a course after the "last day to add a class" and on or before the designated "last day to drop a class with no academic penalty" will receive a 50 percent refund of tuition.
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No refunds will be issued to students withdrawing from the seminary or dropping classes after the designated "last day to drop a class with no academic penalty."
If a student who is receiving a Stafford federal student loan withdraws from the seminary after a term begins, refunds will be given according to federal guidelines. This refund policy is available from the Director of Financial Aid.
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Books & Academic Supplies
It is estimated that books and academic supplies for M. Div. students for the 2007-08 academic year will cost approximately $1000.
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Insurance
Full-time students are required to present proof of current health insurance coverage prior to completion of registration for each term. Failure to secure health insurance will result in the student not being able to register for subsequent terms.
The Director of Student Life can provide information about plans available through the seminary. Student plans range from low-cost catastrophic insurance to broader comprehensive coverage to health maintenance organizations (HMOs).
Students also are encouraged to obtain renter's insurance.
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Living Expenses
In addition to expenses for tuition, housing, meals, books, and health insurance, the student should consider the costs of operating a car, car insurance, health care, contributions, clothing, laundry, recreation, and incidental expenses. The amounts listed are ordinarily used to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. For purposes of personal budgeting, remember that the figures provided are only estimates; expenses are likely to vary considerably from individual to individual.
To apply for on-campus housing please click here (.pdf).
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Financial Aid for M. Div. Students
The seminary recognizes the student's need to place a priority on studies. There is an effort to help M. Div. students with the costs of seminary. In 1999-2000, full-time students demonstrating maximum need received grants of at least 50 percent of the cost of tuition from all sources of aid, including those listed in the next section.
For M. Div. students, the seminary has a variety of scholarship help based on both need and academic merit. A financial aid brochure describing the various scholarships and an application for financial aid are sent to prospective students when they request an admissions packet.
The application deadline for receiving maximum aid is February 1 for entrance in Summer or Fall Term, and November 1 for entrance in Winter, Spring or May Terms. Students receive notice of their financial aid award by May 15 (or with their acceptance letter if they are admitted after May 15). Students must reapply for aid each year. Awards are made for the academic year, which runs from Summer Term through May Term.
Need-based scholarship grants are available from the seminary's General Scholarship Fund and from scholarships established by various churches and individuals (see Appendix A). Also, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship provides a significant level of scholarship aid which the seminary administers. Ordinarily, need-based aid is given only to M. Div. degree students enrolled for more than one credit in a long term.
BTSR has three levels of Merit Scholarships which are awarded to entering students for the first year of study, based on academic achievement and potential for ministry. Merit Scholarships are awarded at the time of acceptance by the admissions committee, and no separate application is required.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship provides funds to BTSR for several Leadership Scholarships. Based on potential for service in CBF, merit and need, these scholarships provide $4,000 per year plus funds to attend the annual general assembly of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Applications are available from the Financial Aid Office and are due April 1.
A limited number of scholarships are available for study in the Distance Education (DE) program, for both M.Div. and non-degree students. Priority in making awards goes to students enrolled exclusively in DE courses. All DE students are considered for a scholarship; a separate application is not required.
BTSR's desire is that no student's financial need serve as a barrier to seminary education. Students experiencing financial difficulty are asked to talk with the Director
of Financial Aid about options for meeting their obligations.
Questions on scholarship help may be addressed to the Director of Financial Aid.
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Other Grant Sources
Aid is available to many M. Div. students from sources other than the seminary. A few of the scholarships are listed below. Additional scholarships, some with very specific requirements, are noted in the financial aid brochure, which is sent to every prospective student. Persons may apply for these scholarships before they are admitted to the seminary.
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Scholarships. For full-time students from churches supportive of the Convention. Apply after enrolling at BTSR.
District of Columbia Baptist Foundation Scholarships. For students from churches supportive of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. Applications from the DC Baptist Convention, 1628 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009-3099.
ESTARL Awards. Many state chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star offer Eastern Star Training Award for Religious Leadership (ESTARL) scholarships for full-time students. Initiate the application process by contacting a local chapter of Eastern Star. More information may be obtained from Eastern Star's web page at www.easternstar.org . Deadlines vary, but are usually in early spring.
The Daniel R. Hoover Trust Fund. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to provide some of their own financial support. Preference is given to students from North Carolina. Applications from: First Union National Bank, Personal Trust, 401 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28288-1159. Deadline: Three times per year.
The Julian A. Hudgens' Trust Fund. Administered by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, this fund gives aid to full-time students who are members of BGAV churches and who intend to enter the Baptist ministry. Applications from Virginia Baptist Mission Board, P. O. Box 8568, Richmond, VA 23226. Application deadlines: June 1 and January 1.
The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund, Inc. aids MDiv students who were residents of Virginia, North Carolina, or South Carolina for at least one year while not a student, prior to initial attendance at BTSR. Full-time students may receive up to $4500 per school year, as well as a separate award for the summer. Students may take one REQUIRED online class per semester to count toward the hours required to receive the Keesee grant. The class cannot be an elective. Application deadline date is April 1 for the upcoming academic year or October 1 for the spring semester. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office or online at www.cbkeesee.com.
Mary Louise Old Andrews Trust Fund. For students who live (or will live upon enrollment) in the Richmond area, within 20 miles of Petersburg, Virginia. Scholarships based on need and merit. Write Bank of America, Mary Louise Old Andrews Trust, P. O. Box 26688, Richmond, VA 23261. Deadline: May 15.
The Fund for Theological Education. Begun in 1954 with the goal of supporting excellence in the profession of ministry, the Fund for Theological Education has enjoyed a long and rich history, providing gifted women and men with nearly 5000 fellowships and generating innovative new programs for theological and ministerial support. FTE invites your participation in these new initiatives to foster excellence in ministerial and theological scholarship and service in North America. Fund for Theological Education, 825 Houston Mill Rd., Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30329. Phone: (404) 727-1450 E-mail: fte@thefund.org. www.thefund.org .
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Loans
It is hoped that students will consider carefully their financial situation and use loans only as a last resort. Students are encouraged to consult the Director of Financial Aid for assistance in preparing a budget and considering alternatives for financing their education. It is recommended that students limit their loan debt from college and seminary combined to no more than $15,000.
The seminary participates in the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program. Stafford loans have a variable rate of interest with a cap at 8.25 percent. Repayment begins after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment. To receive a loan, students must be enrolled at least half-time in the Master of Divinity program, meet federal eligibility requirements, be making satisfactory academic progress, and complete a FAFSA application (see next paragraph for details).
Students must file a FAFSA application by the deadline, June 15, for Fall Term; October 15, for Winter or Spring Terms; or February 15, for May Term. Students who file after these deadlines will be charged a $50 late fee if loan funds are needed for tuition and are not received by the due date for full payment. FAFSA applications are available from BTSR or at www.fafsa.ed.gov . The school code for BTSR is G31169. More information about the Stafford Loan Program and a complete application packet are available.
More information about the Stafford Loan Program and application materials are available from the Director of Financial Aid.
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Veteran Eligibility
BTSR is recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as an approved educational institution at which students who are veterans may receive veterans' benefits. Veterans should consult with the Registrar to be sure they understand and follow the policies governing eligibility for veterans' educational benefits.
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D.Min. Expenses
In addition to the tuition and fees listed above, students in the Doctor of Ministry program are responsible for all costs for travel, lodging, etc., to attend seminars or to engage in any other aspect of the program. The seminary will pay travel expenses for field visits by the faculty advisor and for campus visits by the field supervisor. Clinical Pastoral Education costs must be paid to the institutions where the work is taken. Any corresponding seminary tuition may be negotiated with the Registrar.
The seminary offers no financial aid for D.Min. study. Students often find that their place of ministry will help with D.Min. expenses.
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Scholarships
These scholarships provide both general aid and specific types of aid to BTSR students. Income from these funds will be awarded as part of general BTSR aid, on the basis of a BTSR Application for Financial Aid; no separate application process is necessary.
The Albert and Thelma Bagby Scholarship Fund
The Charlotte Ford Barnette Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Pocahontas Bassett Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Raymond Bryan Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Leroy and Jessie Calder Memorial Scholarship
The R. W. Jack Causey Scholarship Fund
The Woodrow W. Colclough Memorial Scholarship
The T. Rupert and Lucille K. Coleman Scholarship Fund
The W. Perry and Floy H. Crouch Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Gaines S. and Mary Riley Dobbins Scholarship Fund for Christian Education
The Roy N. Ford Memorial Scholarship Fund
The James and Harriett Gilbert Scholarship Fund for International Students
The Helen Cannan Graves Scholarship Fund
The Greenville First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund for South Carolina Students
The William R. and Florence B. Henkle Scholarship Fund
The Austin S. Herrington Scholarship Fund
The Nolan and Marietta Howington Scholarship Fund
The Edwin T. Langford Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Charles A. Maddry and Kate C. Maddry Crouch Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Marler Scholarship Fund
The Marie Mason Scholarship Fund
The William Otis McClung Memorial Scholarship Fund
The John Allen Moore and Pauline Moore Scholarship Fund for International Students
The Virginia and Roy Morser Memorial Scholarship Fund
The John P. Oliver/First Baptist Church of Front Royal Student Scholarship Fund
The Vernelia Wrenn Smart Puckett Scholarship Fund
The Janet Stevenson Memorial Scholarship Fund
The William Peyton Thurman Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Emma W. Tinken Memorial Scholarship
The J. Wash. and Mattie Leila Watts Memorial Fund
The Gene Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Ruth C. Wilson Scholarship Fund
Scholarship funds designated for specific types of aid include:
The Thomas Albert and Eunice Bland Mission Scholarship Fund
The Marjorie and Ed Bratcher International Student Seminary Scholarship Fund
The Brown Missionary Scholarship
The following scholarship funds held in trust by other institutions provide scholarships for BTSR use:
The I. Madeline Devers Scholarship Fund
The Dogwood Hills Baptist Church Charitable Trust Fund
The Leathers Scholarship Fund
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Awards
The J. Morris Ashcraft Theology and New Testament Award is for the graduate who shows the most promise as a denominational teacher in the area of theology and New Testament.
The John and Charlotte Canning Pastoral Ministry Award is awarded to the graduate who shows the most promise as a pastor and preacher.
The Crouch Leadership Award recognizes the graduate who has given excellent leadership to the seminary family during three years of involvement.
The New Highland Baptist Church Award is given to the graduate who shows the most promise in the area of pastoral ministry.
The Amy and Clyde Hickerson Greek Award is for a returning student exhibiting excellence in the study and use of the Greek language.
The Will Landon Miller Gold Scholarship Medal Award for Academic Achievement is given to the graduating student with the highest grade point average.
The John Grover Scales Preaching Award recognizes a returning student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of homiletics and skill in the presentation of sermons.
The Smyth & Helwys Seminarian Award is given to the graduate who best exemplifies the mission of the seminary, being effective in ministry, gifted in scholarship, and committed to the work of the church in today's world.
The Audrey J. Stridiron Award is given to an African-American or international student who is a rising senior and exhibits outstanding academic achievement and promise in pastoral leadership.
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