Scholarships

Northeastern Seminary is committed to keeping the cost of education low for all students. The following scholarships and grants are available to eligible master’s students (who meet eligibility requirements and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 unless otherwise indicated). Incoming students apply for need-based awards while returning students apply each year in March for scholarships. Returning students are notified before May 1 of what awards they will receive the coming year. Most awards are given as a percent off tuition. Students are expected to provide a thank you note to the donors who have contributed to their scholarship. For specific information regarding the details of eligibility for the grant or scholarship, please contact Student Financial Services in the Rinker Community Service Center on the Rochester campus or at 585.594.6150.

Seminary Sponsored Scholarships for Northeastern Seminary Graduate Students

• Babcock Scholarship for Ethnic Diversity: for students of African-American or Hispanic descent preparing for a career in ministry or theological education
• Bishop Richard D. Snyder Scholarship for Ministry Excellence: for students preparing for the ministry in the Free Methodist Church with preference given to students who are Conference Ministerial Candidates or Elders and who have a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Broadstone Scholarship: need-based award for seminary students
• Clark William Snyder Scholarship: for students with financial need who are preparing for ministry
• Clarence H. and Elizabeth Zahniser Scholarship: for Free Methodist students in their final year of study, in the top 20% of their class, and who intend to pursue pastoral ministry or foreign missions in the Free Methodist Church
• Comenius International Scholarship: for international students from a developing part of the world
• Denton P. and Alice F. Harris Scholarship: for students with financial need
• Founder’s Scholarship: for students of a broadly inclusive faith perspective
• Freda Burritt Lamson Award: for gifted students who are members of the Free Methodist Church and are preparing for pastoral work in North America or for lifetime Christian service overseas; applicants prepare a 2-3 page essay according to guidelines for review by the Scholarship Committee
• Matthew H. Jones Memorial Scholarship: for students pursuing the Master of Divinity degree for pastoral ministry in the Free Methodist Church or other denomination within the Wesleyan tradition
• Matthew R. Plumeri Memorial Scholarship - for under-represented students, first-generation college students or Roberts Wesleyan College graduates
• Open Access Award: for individuals with a physical disability who are preparing for ministry or to persons preparing to serve the disability community; applicants include in their ministry profile/autobiographical statement a description of how their disability has impacted their goals for Christian service, or why they desire to strive for greater accessibility for individuals with disabilities
• Patricia Jordan-Smith Endowed Scholarship: preference given to M.Div. students within the Wesleyan tradition
• Robert L. Conner Memorial Scholarship Fund: for students planning on full-time Christian service in the Free Methodist Church
• Robert E. Smith Seminarian Award: for students with financial need who are preparing for either pastoral or teaching ministry with preference given to students from the greater Rochester, New York area
• Social Justice and Theology Scholarship: for students in their second year of the Theology and Social Justice master's program
• Dr. Wayne G. McCown Scholarship: for students with financial need and strong academic ability who are preparing for full-time ministry or a career in Christian higher education
• Wesley R. and Charlotte A. Skinner Seminarian Award: for students with financial need and strong academic ability who are preparing for ministry
• Norman P. Leenhouts Memorial Scholarship: for students with financial need
• Wilson Endowed Scholarship: Seminary students pursuing a Master of Divinity degree in preparation for pastoral ministry
• Stephen and Norma Grover Seminary Scholarship: Seminary students pursuing the Master of Divinity degree in preparation for pastoral ministry in the Free Methodist Church or other denomination within the Wesleyan tradition
• Rev. Jack A. Logan Scholarship: for students with financial need
• Fred & Floy Willmott Scholarship: For United Methodist master's students enrolled in an on-campus degree program
  
  

Denominationally Sponsored Scholarship Options

Contact your denomination or church affiliation for options not listed here.

• The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship: The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship was founded to remove financial barriers that impede Pentecostal scholarship by funding doctoral- and post-doctoral-level research projects focusing on Pentecostal theology. LINK
• Genesis Conference of the Free Methodist Church-Seminary Scholarship: Annual scholarships of $250 will be provided to Genesis Free Methodist Conference LMC’s, CMC’s, and elders who are pursuing an M.A., M.Div., or D.Min. degree at a seminary approved by the John Wesley Seminary Foundation. If the local church will match this amount, an additional $250 will be provided by the conference (total available: $500 conference + $250 local church = $750). LINK
• John Wesley Seminary Foundation Grant: This scholarship is for those pursuing full-time ministry in the Free Methodist Church. The applicant must be enrolled in a master’s program in biblical, theological, missiological, or pastoral studies. LINK
• The Free Methodist Canadian Leadership Scholarship Plan: This scholarship was initiated to provide financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary educational studies. You must be from the Canadian Free Methodist Church to be considered for this scholarship. LINK
• The United Methodist Church: As a University Senate approved seminary, Northeastern students can seek scholarship and loan aid through the United Methodist Church. LINK
• Presbyterian USA Theological Student Loan Program: for theological students preparing to serve in a PC(USA) congregation. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Theological Student Loan program serves Presbyterian M.Div. students who are inquirers or candidates and MACE students attending accredited seminaries in the United States. Check the website for the interest rate for new borrowers. LINK
• American Baptist Church USA: Scholarships available for seminarians ranging in the amount of $500 -$1000 per academic year. Options also available for Ph.D. candidates enrolling in a preparative course of study for a church related vocation. Scholarship amounts vary. LINK
• Episcopal Church: There are a few graduate study scholarships available through the Episcopal Church Center; many of these are designated for very specific constituencies. LINK  
  
  

Additional Theological Scholarship Options

• Fund for Theological Education Fellowship: for students responding to God's calling who are 35 years of age or younger. For information and application, go to www.thefund.org. Deadline for application is March 1 and April 1, depending on type of fellowship application. LINK
• Philanthropic Educational Foundation Scholarship: The Philanthropic Educational Organization was one of the pioneer societies for women. Founded in January 21, 1869 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa this organization provides scholarship opportunities to women. LINK  
  
  

Scholarship Search Engines

• Scholarship Search: Build your personal profile and receive information about relevant scholarship offerings. LINK
• Christian School Scholarship: A list of Christian school scholarships can be found at: www.christianscholarships.us
• Student Scholarship Search: The scholarship search engine not only focuses on national scholarships, but also includes scholarships by state and level of education. LINK
• Financial Aid Scholarship Search: FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into a comprehensive source of student financial aid information including a large amount of scholarship options. LINK
• Fast Web Search: For nearly 15 years, FastWeb has been the leading scholarship search provider for every student, whether you’re in high school or a mother of two returning to graduate school. LINK  
  
  

Tuition Payment Plan

A tuition payment plan is available by contacting Student Financial Services at 585.594.6461.