External Support
Finding external scholarships and grants to supplement your institutional aid, though often tedious, can be an important part of funding your education. There are few places that every future theological student should explore.
First and foremost, if you are considering formal ministry in a denomination or particular tradition, check for scholarship resources at the national and regional level of that organization. Many denominations or traditions offer some sort of competitive scholarship opportunities for students from their communities. Sometimes, these are focused on students of particular heritage or with specific interests. Regardless, prospective ministerial students should always start with their own tradition.
Outside of your denomination or tradition, numerous scholarships exist for students studying religion and the humanities in general. Other scholarships focus on how students want to use their degree, such as in ministry or service to society. Numerous online search resources are available, including popular sites like www.finaid.org and www.fastweb.com that allow you to establish a profile and search through thousands of scholarship sources for possible profile matches. These sites also offer good information on popular scholarship scams. ("If you have to pay money to get money," they warn, "it's probably a scam.") Financial aid offices also may have a list of local or regional scholarships for which you may apply.
Most importantly, look for these scholarships early. Their deadlines may not always coincide with that of the application process, so be sure to know what scholarships you are eligible for and when to apply for them.
You may also find other sources of financial support for theological studies through FTE's FundFinder listing.
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