Financial Assistance Overview
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Drew currently offers merit-based scholarships ranging from 80% to 100% of tuition. They are based on the student’s academic record and promise. A small number of stipends in addition are currently offered to the most outstanding applicants. Applicants interested in being considered for these awards should indicate this on the application form and fill out the Supplemental Financial Aid form located in the application packet. Note, however, that scholarship levels can vary from year to year, based on larger budgetary issues. In addition, students may qualify for federal financial aid in the form of loans and work-study money, which requires completion of the FAFSA, available both on-line and at the GDR Admissions Office after January 1. There are also a number of student employment opportunities on campus, including teaching and research assistantships, as well as off-campus jobs, which are publicized through Drew’s Career Center. See the information below for more complete details.
The intent of Drew University 's financial assistance program is to provide assistance to eligible full- and part-time students on the basis of demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. Financial need is defined as the difference between the comprehensive cost of attending Drew and the student's ability to pay. Ability to pay is determined annually by using a nationally applied needs analysis system. Drew's comprehensive cost includes tuition, fees, room and board, textbooks, travel, and personal expenses.
Students seeking financial assistance should file for aid at the time of their application for admission. Students must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal student aid processor no later than February 15. The application may be filled out on-line at www.fafsa.org. A Drew Supplemental Form must also be completed and returned to the Office of Financial Assistance. The Committee on Financial Assistance meets monthly beginning in mid-March to review completed applications for new students, and the FAFSA form and Drew Supplemental Form must have been filed before any aid can be awarded.
Financial aid is offered in a combination of grants (scholarships and other nonrepayable awards), loans (usually at lower than prevailing interest rates), and part-time employment (on and off campus). Each financial aid package is tailored to meet the specific needs of the recipient. For students in the Graduate Division of Religion, the grant portion of the package is currently either 80 or 100 percent of tuition. Loans generally range from $1,500 to $8,500 per year, while earnings from part-time employment, both on campus (clerical and career-related work) and off campus, may account for $1,000 to $2,500 of the total financial aid package.
One-half of a student's annual grant award and loan amount is credited to the student's account each semester. Those with federal work-study jobs or other campus employment receive regular paychecks for time worked. Work-study is NOT credited to the student's account.
State Financial Assistance. In this catalog, only New Jersey state grant graduate student financial aid programs are discussed. Residents of other states should inquire at their state's Office of Student Assistance (or its equivalent).
Consequences of Noncompliance with Verification Deadlines. Federal regulations require aid administrators to verify selected financial aid applications by comparing reported data with income tax returns and other documentation. Federal aid awards cannot be credited to student accounts until verification is completed. Failure to provide the requested documentation within the specified time period may thus result in the following:
- Denial of financial aid for a semester or academic year;
- Drew's inability to process your future financial aid applications;
- Delay in forwarding of your financial aid application materials to the U.S. Department of Education for review.
Financial Assistance for Study Abroad Programs. Students who are interested in using state and federal aid to cover study abroad educational expenses should contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 973/408-3112.
International Students
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International students who qualify for financial aid will find resources limited. If a student is not an American citizen or permanent resident alien, he or she is not eligible to receive aid under any federal program. This includes the federally funded on-campus work-study program. Except in cases of exceptional merit, the need-based grants made are restricted to assisting with tuition only. All other expenses associated with study at Drew, including room and board, books, fees, and personal expenses, must be borne by the student.
Because of the stringent financial reporting prerequisite by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) (formerly the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS]) to the granting of a visa for prospective students and their families, students are required to submit financial documentation, such as sponsor support forms, bank statements, or certifications from other outside funding sources to certify all funds are available to cover the cost of attendance at Drew for one calendar year. Part of these funds can include Drew scholarship assistance and on-campus employment if the student has been appointed to a job prior to arrival.
International students must file an International Student's Financial Aid Application and Declaration with the Office of Financial Assistance, as well as the Drew Supplemental Form.
Loans
[Top of Page]United Methodist loans frequently are available to students through the United Methodist Conferences and the Board of Education of the United Methodist Church. Applications to the United Methodist Church are made through the Office of Financial Assistance, after the student is in residence and has demonstrated a high quality of academic work.
The Federal Family Education Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program provide need-based federal student loans that require repayment and have favorable interest rates and a generous repayment period, beginning after enrollment ends. Additional information is available in the Office of Financial Assistance.
The Federal Perkins Loan (if available) is offered to students who have significant need on a funds-available basis. The interest rate during repayment is 5 percent, and aggregate borrowing is limited to a total of $18,000 for graduate/professional study (including all undergraduate loans). This loan is awarded as part of a financial aid package by the Office of Financial Assistance.
The Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan is up to the amount of need, but not more than $8,500 per year for graduate/professional students. Cumulative borrowing limits are $65,500 for graduate/ professional study (including all undergraduate loans). Interest is paid by the federal government until six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time status.
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for Middle-Income Borrowers are available for the first time. Loan amounts are minus any loan amount received under the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan program, and the annual loan limit is $12,000.
Scholarships and Awards
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Graduate scholarships are available to students admitted into the Graduate Division of Religion who indicate that they wish to be considered for them. The student's academic record and promise determines the amount of scholarship awarded. Scholarship awards currently range from 80 percent of tuition to full tuition plus stipend for full-time students. Please be aware that not all scholarships listed below are available to students in all programs.
Graduate Academic Merit Scholarships. Merit scholarships are awarded at three levels: 80 percent of tuition; a full tuition waiver; or (in cases of exceptional academic merit) a full tuition waiver in addition to a stipend. (In 2006-07 the amount of the stipend was $10,000 per annum.) Recipients for the scholarships are nominated by the area faculty in consultation with the Dean of the Theological School and the Office of Financial Assistance. The purpose of these scholarships is to enable students’ full participation in the academic life of the Graduate Division of Religion, and to enable them to complete their degrees in a timely manner. To retain the scholarship, students must be enrolled full time and display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Named Merit Scholarships. Several full-tuition scholarships (with stipend at the discretion of the Dean) - the Will Herberg, Robert G. Smith, John W. Bicknell, Shirley Sugerman, Bard Thompson, President's, and Alumni Awards - are given to entering graduate students. Recipients for the scholarships are nominated by the area faculty in consultation with the Dean and the Office of Financial Assistance. To retain the scholarship, students must be enrolled full time and display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in New Jersey Award (AICUNJ). This award provides a 50 percent scholarship to all full-time employees of the member institutions of this state-wide association of colleges. Interested applicants should contact the Graduate Division of Religion Admissions Office for the required certification form.
Outside Awards/Resources. Any funds received from sources such as civic organizations or foundations, and other benefits, must be reported to the Office of Financial Assistance. Federal regulations require that these awards be treated as educational resources meeting the financial aid applicant's need. Drew University's policy is that such resources are used first to reduce unmet need, then loan eligibility, the work eligibility and, only if necessary, scholarships and grants. Several GDR students have been fortunate to receive funding from such sources as the Hispanic Theological Initiative and the Fund for Theological Education, among others.
Teaching Assistantships. Faculty teaching required M.Div. courses at Drew Theological School ordinarily employ one or more paid Teaching Assistants per course. These Teaching Assistants are drawn from the ranks of the Ph.D. students in the Graduate Division of Religion.
Research Assistantships. Faculty in the Theological School/Graduate Division of Religion engaged in research frequently employ GDR students as Research Assistants at hourly rates set by the University.
Part-Time Employment
[Top of Page]Graduate students may participate in any of several part-time employment programs of the University. The federal government appropriates funds for post-secondary institutions under the Federal College Work-Study and Community Service Program. Under the FWSP, students are hired on campus in part-time jobs that range from clerical positions to career-related work. Eligibility is determined through the filing of the FAFSA.
Students in the Graduate Division of Religion are eligible for several internships, such as in the GDR Office, the Theological School Office, or the Center for Christianities in Global Contexts.
A number of other campus-based, part-time employment opportunities are available to graduate students through the Office of Student Employment. In addition, a variety of off-campus employment opportunities may be available through the Career Center.
The Federal Immigration and Control Act of 1986 requires Drew to certify identity and determine eligibility of every employee, including students who work at Drew or in a Drew-referred job. Therefore, all students who work at Drew (and/or their spouses who work) must file in advance of their employment an I-9 form with the Student Employment Office.
Financial Assistance Academic Progress Policy
Students must be making qualitative and quantitative academic progress to maintain financial assistance eligibility.
Qualitative Progress. Students who are subject to academic review are also subject to financial assistance review. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in master's programs and a 3.1 G.P.A. in doctoral programs to remain in good academic standing. Failure to maintain this average will result in a letter of warning in the first semester after the average fails to meet the standard. Continued failure to attain the minimum G.P.A. can result in academic probation, awarding of a terminal M.A. in the case of doctoral students, or termination from the program.
Quantitative Progress. Students who are receiving merit scholarships of full tuition and stipend must be enrolled full time. Students receiving 80 percent of tuition or a full tuition waiver must carry a minimum of six credit hours per semester.
Appeals. Appeals of decisions made by the Committee on Academic Standing must be made in writing by the student to the committee or to the dean of the Graduate Division of Religion.
Named Awards
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Funding for many Drew Scholarships comes from the earnings of endowed scholarships created by trustees, alumni/ae, and friends of the University.
Richard and Marian Berkefeldt Student Help Fund. Established in 1968 by Richard N. Berkefeldt, a generous Methodist layman, and his wife, Marian Berkefeldt, to help needy and worthy students.
Darwin R. and Yen M. Chang Scholarship. Endowed by Darwin R. and Yen M. Chang of Madison. Awarded annually to a student of Chinese descent who demonstrates good character.
Thomas H. Denman Scholarship. Established by Thomas H. Denman C'40, T'44 to assist students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise and have financial need.
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship. Endowed by the Hearst Foundation in 1992 and awarded to minority students seeking teaching careers in the United States.
Dr. Stanley R. Hopper Scholarship. Endowed by family, friends, and colleagues to honor the first dean of the Graduate School. Awarded annually to a candidate in biblical studies.
Korean Society of Caspersen School Alumni/ae Scholarship. Established by the Korean alumni/ae of the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies in honor of James Pain. Awarded to assist students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise and have financial need, with a preference for Korean students.
Merrill Trust Scholarship. For United Methodist students.
Taiwanese Student Scholarship. Awarded annually by Mr. and Mrs. Shing-Long Lin in honor of fellow Taiwanese who are seeking a quality education. Mr. Lin is a former member of the Drew community who appreciates the value of the University in our global community. Awarded to Taiwanese students with need at Drew who are in good academic standing.
Bishop Prince A. Taylor Jr. Scholarship in the Liturgical Studies Program. Endowed in 1997 by United Methodist Bishop Prince A. Taylor Jr. trustee emeritus of the University. Awarded to a deserving student in the liturgical studies program who, through commitment to ecumenical scholarship and homiletics, demonstrates an interest in preparing pastors to engage in Christian/ non-Christian dialogue in preaching, public speaking, and teaching.
Carol and Douglas Wingeier Scholarship. Established in 1999 and re-established in 2004 by Carol and Douglas Wingeier. Awarded to students in a Ph.D. program in a religious discipline, with preference for students from Samoa or Polynesia.
Sponsored Scholarships and Grants
Black and Hispanic North American doctoral candidates in religion who show financial need may be eligible for scholarship support from the Fund for Theological Education, Inc. This same fund also sponsors dissertation year fellowships for black and Hispanic North Americans. For more information, write directly to the fund at Suite 832, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115-0008. The deadline for nominations is November 20 for the following academic year.
The Hispanic Theological Initiative also provides funding for selected individuals preparing for graduate school.
Educational Opportunity Scholar (EOS) grants are administered by the state of New Jersey to New Jersey residents. Students who were eligible for/or participated in the EOS program as undergraduates may be awarded EOS scholarships of $2,500 per year for graduate level study and should contact Drew's Educational Opportunity Scholars Program.
