Graduate Program Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year for Eastern Mennonite Seminary are available on the Business Office website.

Financial Aid

Many seminary students receive financial assistance. We are fortunate to have a community of supporters who believe in the impact of an EMS education and who have given generously to offer financial aid and scholarships to help degree-seeking students. EMS has scholarships that can cover up to 100% off the cost of tuition.

A financial aid guide is provided to students at the time they receive admission to EMS. You will be notified of your scholarship award at the time of your admission offer. This guide will help you navigate your options, and the processes associated with securing the financial support you need.

Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are contingent on availability of funds and qualified students.

Available to students of all denominations
1. Church Matching Grants are available for students who are enrolled in at least 5 credits. Students must be admitted and degree-seeking. Half-time students (5-8 credits/semester) may receive annual matching grants (dollar for dollar) of $1000 per award year which includes fall, spring and summer terms. Full-time students (9 or more credits/semester) may receive a matching grant (dollar for dollar) of $2000 per award year (includes fall, spring and summer terms) and an additional 1:4 match for any amount over $2000.
  Download the Church Matching Grant Form. The financial aid office has the right to deny matching grants if forms are turned in later than the start of the fall semester.
2. Discretionary funds are small scholarships ranging from $1000-3000 per year. These funds are decided on the basis of academic merit, sense of call, and financial need. Scholarships are only awarded to degree-seeking students.
3. Coffman Leadership Award is a half-tuition scholarship for full-time students with interest in mission or church planting. Students should express interest to the director of admissions and discuss their sense of call to mission in their application essays.
4. Other Coffman Center awards are available to those students who are working in church planting or mission assignments. Awards range from one semester of full-time tuition for those on sabbatical or missionary leave to smaller $1000 awards for church planters who take online courses. Students should express interest to the director of admissions. Students must be degree-seeking and taking at least 5 credits per semester.
Available to Mennonite students
1. Mennonite Student Grant is awarded to full-time, degree-seeking Mennonite students. This is an automatic discount of $750 per semester.
2. Ministry Leadership Awards are grants for one-half or one-quarter tuition for an MDiv or MAR degree. EMS will invite qualified persons from the current pool of new applicants. This award is for Mennonite or Anabaptist-affiliated students. Students must submit applications by Feb. 28 to be considered for this grant for the following fall semester.
3. Bridgebuilders is a full-tuition scholarship for Mennonite students who are bi-lingual in English and Spanish. Awards will be given based on sense of call, academic merit, and financial need. Students who qualify should express interest to the admissions director. Priority will be given to students who have interest in working on building relationships in Hispanic Mennonite congregations.
4. International Student Scholarships are full-tuition scholarships plus a $600 book stipend per semester. Students with support from mission agencies will be given priority. The student must return to his/her home country following the period of study. There are a limited number of these scholarships available and there is currently a waiting list.