The Seminary maintains a policy of keeping the expense of theological education within the reach of its students. The charges for tuition and fees reflect only a portion of the overall cost of providing this education, so we rely on the students to meet their own expenses as much as possible. Because we are sensitive to the financial needs of our students, Financial aid is available if the cost of tuition presents a hardship or if there is a special need. Prospective students should apply for financial aid as early as possible.

    Identifying the clear call of God to pursue a Theological Education can be difficult.  Much prayer, time in the Word, counsel and self-examination are essential for making such a decision.  One of the important aspects of identifying the Call is also to identify how God is ordering your life so that when you take that step through the door of the Seminary, you may rest assured that following your completion of your studies, you will not only be equipped, but will also not be shackled with debt burdens that will keep you from the ministry.

    New studies have shown the potential calamity that is facing those pursuing education.  Students are leaving college with increasing indebtedness and then moving on to advanced studies and accumulating even more debt.  With this in mind, the Seminary wants to do all it can to help prospective students identify the warning signs and help counsel them to do all they can to minimize their indebtedness and be in a better position following Seminary to move into a position of ministry.

    Certainly, students should explore all areas of financial aid** to help minimize the cost of their education, so below are a few steps you should take if you would like to receive counsel on how to make Seminary affordable and how to ensure you leave RPTS prepared and able to move into ministry within Christ's Kingdom:

**Check out the Church Match Grant to avoid or at the very least minimize the need for loans during Seminary

1. Students planning to pursue Federal Financial Aid should first complete the FAFSA application.  Following the completion of this application, be sure to safely store your Department of Education PIN and to print out a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).  
2. All students who are contemplating the use of TITLE IV Stafford Loans to help offset expenses should first complete the following AES/PHEAA Entrance Interview and submit it to the Seminary Office to be held in your file. Complete Your Online Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling Session
3. In the 2008-09 academic school year, the average full-time student in either the M.Div. or M.T.S. programs can expect a tuition bill of approximately $8,820.00 USD.  Books for the year would be approximately $800-1,000 USD.   
4. If you are contemplating the use of TITLE IV Stafford Loans to help offset the cost of Seminary, please complete a Stafford Loan application (Master Promisory Note).  After you have finished these things, please download a copy of the 2008-09 Cost of Attendance form and fill in the blanks and submit it signed and dated. Complete Your Online Stafford MPN
5. After those things have been received, please call the Seminary at (412)731-8690 and we will be happy to set up a time to talk through these items and do all we can to help you work through the financial aspect of your theological education.  
6. Some students may have their application for Stafford Loans reviewed in a process called "Verification."  In this process, your school will be comparing information from your application with signed copies of your (and your spouse's, if you are married) Federal tax forms (for the year prior to the current academic year (for example if you are applying for the 2008-09 academic year, you would submit signed Federal Tax forms for 2007. If you are selected for review, you must fill out the Verification Form and submit it to the Financial Aid office.  Further instructions may be found on the Verification form and in the Verification Policy.  
7. If you are a student who has participated in TITLE IV Stafford Loans while at RPTS, please complete the Department of Education Exit Interview and submit a copy to the Seminary Office to be held in your file.  You will need to have your Department of Education PIN number to log in and complete the Exit Interview. Complete Your Online Stafford Exit Counseling

Click on one of the topics below to learn more about financial aid at RPTS.