basket holiday-bow
About PC(USA)

Presbyterian Study Grant is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s financial aid program for students planning for careers in the church. The program serves approximately  100 students per year. Because the number of students awarded is significantly less than the number of students enrolled in seminary, there are additional restrictions. Only MDiv and MACE/F students are eligible for award and those students must be enrolled full-time and demonstrate financial need as calculated by the Student Aid Index (SAI). If you would like to know more information about need-based aid and the Student Aid Index (SAI), please visit the Federal Student Aid Website here.

young adult male sitting with other students reading the bible
Salvador Chang reads during a Bible Study at the beginning of orientation. The second day of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) orientation for the 2024-25 class focused on the Matthew 25 goal of dismantling structural racism wi | Credit: Rich Copley

MACE/F students must be a member of a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation.

MDiv students and MDiv/Dual degree students must be under care of Presbytery.

  • Inquirers may be awarded twice.
  • Candidates are eligible for award until the requirements for the MDiv degree are met or the student graduates, whichever occurs first.

Presbyterian Study Grant applications are evaluated by staff to determine completeness and eligibility. Complete and eligible applications are are considered by reading committee if there are more than 100 eligible applicants. No more than 100 students are awarded each year.

After a student is selected for a Presbyterian Study Grant award, the student is evaluated for supplemental grants based on need. Supplemental grants are awarded to promote diversity, and/or to observe donor restrictions.

Criteria

  • Active member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  • Enrolled full time at an ATS accredited seminary (May include field education, and less than full-time in final year of studies)
  • Demonstrate Financial Need after the student has been considered for aid by the seminary or divinity school.
  • To learn more about “need” and use a calculator to estimate Student Aid Index and Need, visit Federal Student Aid Estimator.

Range of awards

Up to $6,000.00

Supplemental Awards

  • People of Color Supplemental Award up to $2,000.00
  • Native America/Alaska Native Education Grant awards are based on availability of funds and the number of students eligible to receive aid from funds restricted for the support of Native American and Alaska Native students.

Deadlines

For Applicants: Second Monday in May
For Recommenders: First Monday in June

Application

Applications are now closed. Please check back in February 2027 for a new application. 

Managing Educational Debt

Federal Student Loan borrowers working at least 30 hours a week for a 501(c)3 organization are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you have student loans and want to learn more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness for church workers visit Student Loan Coaching.

Resources