Overview
Drew offers financial assistance through merit and need-based aid.
Merit scholarships are awarded by the Admissions Committee each semester. No separate application is required; all admitted applicants are automatically evaluated for a merit scholarship. Applications completed by March 1 (Fall) or December 1 (Spring) will receive priority consideration for scholarships.
Need-based loans and work-study are available to qualified applicants who have completed both the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the Drew Theological School Supplemental Financial Aid Form. Students seeking need-based aid should complete applications for Federal Work Study and the Federal Stafford Loan.
Outside Scholarships are available from a number of sources. As a service to current and future students, Drew Theological School has compiled a list of more than 200 outside scholarship opportunities for students to all of our masters-level programs.
International students are considered equally for merit-based scholarships. However, international students are not eligible to receive financial aid under any U.S. Federal program. Drew’s list of outside scholarship opportunities has several scholarships open to international students.
Learn more about financial aid in the Theological School by contacting the Office of Financial Assistance, finaid@drew.edu, (973) 408-3112.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the program cost?
Information about the cost of tuition and housing is available from the Office of Financial Assistance.
What scholarships and grants are available for Theological School students?
A separate application is not required for any of the Drew Theological School scholarships. All admission applications completed by March 1 receive priority consideration for a major scholarship. Scholarships will be available beyond March 1 based on availability. Drew structures financial assistance using two principles: (1) avoid unduly increasing any accumulated indebtedness; and (2) give priority consideration to students in the Master of Divinity program. In general, merit scholarships are awarded to applicants with a 3.3 cumulative GPA or better and evidence of outstanding promise for ministry or scholarship.
Theological School merit-based scholarships are given as a percentage of tuition, and that percentage remains constant during the degree program. Scholarships for the Master of Divinity program range from 40% to 100% of annual tuition. Drew awards a limited number of M.Div. students 100% tuition scholarships plus a stipend. Students in the M.A. and M.A.M. programs may receive up to 50% of tuition, and 75% tuition awards are available for M.A.M. students who are pursuing ordination as United Methodist Deacons. Students in the S.T.M. program are eligible for scholarships up to 20% of tuition. Domestic students in all theological programs may qualify for federal need-based loans and often successfully apply for independent off-campus awards.
How do I apply for federal need based aid?
Once you have accepted your offer of admission to a degree program, Drew requires the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Theological School Supplemental Aid form.
What other sources of financial aid are available?
You should investigate all possibilities for financial assistance, including church scholarships and grants, denominational assistance, and community service agencies such as Women’s Club, Rotary, etc. Here are two sites you can use to begin your search: