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 and our educational partners are 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 which brings down the tuition to well below the national average for ATS accredited schools.
The application deadline for Fall 2009 is July 1 and Spring 2010 is January 4.

Cost to Attend
Merit Based Scholarships
Need Based Financial Aid
Private Foundation Financial Aid
University Financial Support
The Fund For Theological Education
Managing Seminary Debt
NASFAA Brochure on Financing Graduate Education

With the financial support of Mercer University, founding and supporting churches, the McAfee School of Theology is able to offer a grant of $484 per credit hour to every student who is accepted into the school. Additionally, students who are members of a Baptist church receive a scholarship of $22.00 per credit hour. These generous grants reduce the cost of a full load of 15 hours to about $4,020 for Baptist students and $4350 for non-Baptist students. This represents a reduction of over 60% for the 2009-2010 Tuition Rate of $774 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, students may apply for federal student aid, private foundation scholarships, and McAfee awarded merit based scholarships. Below is a summary of financial aid opportunities that are available to McAfee students.

2009/2010 Tuition Rate	$774.00
Mercer Study Grant	- $484.00
Final Cost per Credit Hour non-Baptist	$290.00
Final Cost per Credit Hour Baptist	$268.00

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.
Please contact the admissions office (678-547-6474) or email allen_l@mercer.edu for information regarding scholarships available after the deadline.

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 15-16, 2009. The second event will be held February 28-March 1, 2010. 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 scholarship applicants applying for early decision Fall 2010 or Spring 2009 admission is October 23. Otherwise students applying for scholarship for Fall should apply by January 29. Please contact the admissions office regarding scholarship availability during other times of year.

Scholarship Levels	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 2009 Preview Conference and Scholarship Interviews November 15-16, 2009 Scholarship Application Deadline October 23, 2009
Josiah Penfield Scholarship (provides full tuition)	Same as above	Same as above	Spring 2010 Preview Conference and Scholarship Interviews February 28-March 1, 2010 Scholarship Application Deadline January 29, 2010
McAfee School of Theology Dean's Scholarship (provides 75% tuition)	Same as above	Same as above	Same as above
McAfee School of Theology Ministry Scholarship (provides 50% tuition)	Same as above	Same as above	Same as above

Additional Scholarship Opportunities
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 semester 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 678-547-6444 or by going to the Financial Aid Information website.

Private Foundation Scholarships: Follow this link to learn more about specific scholarships from sources outside McAfee School of Theology.

* 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.