McAfee School Of Theology Financial Information

Compare the cost of theological education with costs at other seminaries and divinity schools and you will be surprised at the affordability of a McAfee education. Mercer University is making a significant commitment to underwrite much of the cost of studying at the McAfee School of Theology. In fact, every student at McAfee receives significant financial assistance.

Cost to Attend
Merit Based Scholarships
Need Based Financial Aid
Private Foundation Financial Aid
University Financial Support

With the financial support of Mercer University, founding and supporting churches, the McAfee School of Theology is able to offer a grant of $ 447 per credit hour to every student who is accepted into the school. Additionally, students who are members of a Baptist church recieve a scholarship of $35.00 per credit hour. These generous grants reduce the cost of a full load of 15 hours to about $3,826 for Baptist students and $4350 for non-Baptist students. This represents a 60% reduction in the 2008-2009 Tuition Rate of $737 per semester hour.

Tuition is evaluated in April of every year, and if any changes are found necessary, they will be made at that time. In addition to the Mercer Study Grant, McAfee awards a number of merit based scholarships. Below is a summary of financial aid opportunities that are available to McAfee students.

2008/2009 Tuition Rate	$737.00
Mercer Study Grant	- $447.00
Final Cost per Credit Hour non-Baptist	$290.00
Final Cost per Credit Hour Baptist	$255.00

MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT MCAFEE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed Scholarship awards are presented to incoming students with commendable academic and leadership experiences. Candidates must complete their applications for admission prior to interviewing. These awards vary from an additional half-tuition scholarship to full-tuition with a living expense stipend. Each Fall/Winter the McAfee School of Theology hosts two events for students entering the next academic year. The first Preview Conference and Scholarship Interview event will be held November 16-17, 2008. The second event will be held February 23-24, 2009. Students interviewing for scholarships at these two events must be nominated or meet the minimum eligibility requirement of a 3.25 undergraduate GPA and be accepted into the Master of Divinity program. Scholarship recipients must enroll as full-time students completing 30 credit hours each calendar year and must maintain a “B” average in the Master of Divinity program. Students who are unable to attend or otherwise miss the application deadline for merit based scholarships should contact the Office of Admissions regarding additional opportunities.

Application deadline for early admission and merit scholarship consideration is October 24, 2008 for students intending to enter Spring 2008 or Fall of 2009. The application deadline for students who wish to be considered for the merit scholarship event in February, 2008 must apply by January 30, 2009. Please contact the admissions office regarding scholarship availability during other times of year.

Endowed Scholarships	Qualifications	Process	Dates and Deadlines
Jesse Mercer Fellowship for Ministry (provides full tuition plus stipend)	Undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher Nomination from specified list of recommenders Completed application Acceptance to McAfee by eligibility deadline	Participation in Scholars' Day, which consists of group interviews, panel discussions, group interaction, and individual interviews with faculty members	Fall 2008 Preview Conference and Scholarship Interviews November 16-17, 2008 Scholarship Application Deadline October 24, 2008
Josiah Penfield Scholarship (provides full tuition)	Same as above	Same as above	Spring 2009 Preview Conference and Scholarship Interviews February 23-24, 2009 Scholarship Application Deadline January 30, 2009
McAfee School of Theology Dean's Scholarship (provides 50% tuition)	Same as above	Same as above	Spring 2009 Preview Conference and Scholarship Interviews February 23-24, 2009 Scholarship Application Deadline January 28, 2009
Preaching Scholarship (provides full tuition plus a cash award)	Same as above plus submission of a sermon manuscript and preaching video	Panel review of manuscript, video and participation in Scholars' Day	Submit all materials by January 30, 2009. Contact the Admissions office for application guidelines.

The Jesse Mercer Fellowship for Excellence in Preaching will be awarded each year to two incoming students who demonstrate gifts, talents, leadership, and academic potential with regard ministry and discipline of preaching. Mercer Preaching Fellows will be awarded full tuition scholarships to the School of Theology plus cash awards of $500 each. Recipients must enroll as full-time students and maintain a “B” average in the Master of Divinity program. Candidates for the preaching scholarships must meet the criteria for Merit-based awards and additionally submit an 8 page manuscript and a 20 minute video. These items must be received in the admissions office by February 1, 2009. Complete details on applying for the Mercer Preaching Fellowship are available from the admissions office.

International Tuition Grants: Each year, the McAfee School of Theology will offer two tuition grants to international students who are coming to McAfee on an F-1 visa. International students who want to be considered for one of these tuition awards must have their application files completed no later than January 15 (including the affidavit of support) prior to the upcoming Fall term or August 1 for the following Spring term. International students who receive a grant must also show evidence of $14,000 in annual living expenses. This guarantee must be in the form of personal funds available in a bank or that of a sponsor. Please be aware that these expenses are for one year only and you should have sponsorship or personal funds to support you during the entire course of study. In addition, we require that the student or sponsor(s) deposit $7,000 into the student’s account at Mercer University by July 1 for students entering Fall semester and December 1 for Spring semster students. The student or sponsor(s) will also be required to deposit another $7,000 by January 15 of the following semester. The university will then distribute $1,166.66 per month to the student for living expenses. This process will continue during the student’s tenure at McAfee. McAfee has a stewardship responsibility with regard to grant funds. Students who are on an F-1 Visa and are not able to meet these obligations will jeopardize their grant from the University.

Other merit based scholarships include the National Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Leadership Scholarship and the CBF of Georgia Seminary Scholarship. Additional scholarships and grants may become available throughout the year. Please contact the McAfee Office of Admissions for more information on these programs and other private organization scholarship opportunities.

Need-based financial aid is available for qualified students through loans, the federal work-study program, and the Montgomery GI Bill. Information concerning need-based financial aid including monthly payment plans is available from the Financial Planning Office or by calling 678-547-6400 or by going to the Financial Aid Information website.

* This discount is provided by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and is for students who are members of a Baptist church. You should contact your local, state, and national denominational headquarters and inquire regarding further tuition assistance.
** The reduced tuition rate for non-Baptist students is $290.00 per credit hour. The cost to attend can be additionally reduced through gifts from your home church and Private Foundation Scholarships.

For more information on university-wide financial aid, see Mercer's Financial Aid website.

Please contact the admissions office at McAfee School of Theology theoadmiss@mercer.edu or call 888-471-9922 for more information about financial aid opportunities available for incoming students. Fax 678-547-6478.