George Fox University | Offices and Services | Seminary

Seminary Financial Aid Information

Why do we think financial aid is so important?

At George Fox Evangelical Seminary, we know that choosing a seminary involves many different factors-including cost. While financial limitations often prevent students from attending the school of their choice, many students don't explore the financial aid possibilities available to them. That's why we want to provide you with all the information we can to help you make the right decision.

While it is ultimately your responsibility to fund your own seminary education, GFES staff members are available to answer your questions and help you through the financial aid process.

Our personal commitment extends to our "financial aid mission" as well. Not only will we do everything possible to help make it financially affordable for you to enroll at GFES, we are devoted to making it possible for you to finish your degree here. We endeavor to support our mission in the following ways:

• by providing students with services that facilitate their educational experience in a manner reflective of the University's values
• by doing what we can to help ease students' transition into seminary life
• by providing excellence in customer service
• by being Christ-minded and treating others with love, dignity, and respect
• by providing information that is accurate and honest

We are committed to serving all of our students as Jesus would, by helping them grow to be their very best as we build relationships with love, concern, compassion, and good stewardship. We look forward to your joining our campus soon.

What is financial aid?

In most cases, the cost of a seminary education is met by funds from several sources. While the responsibility for financing an education rests with each student, other sources of funding include loans and outside scholarships.

What are the types of awards?

Scholarships are considered "gift aid" and do not need to be repaid. Scholarships are usually based on a student's particular skills, achievements, or personal attributes-traits a donor wishes to recognize and encourage.

Grants are also considered "gift aid" and do not need to be repaid. Grants are usually based on a student's financial need.

Loans are considered "self-help" aid because the student must repay the balance and the interest accrued. Loans are educational funds provided by the federal government through George Fox University. Interest rates are low, and repayment does not begin until the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Depending on their financial situation and the availability of funds, graduate students are eligible for the Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Note that interest on the Subsidized Stafford Loan does not begin to accrue until the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Interest on the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan begins to accrue immediately.

What are the awards based on?

Financial aid to supplement the student's contribution is offered on the basis of three factors: need, merit, and the availability of funding.

Need-based awards are offered in consideration of the student's financial situation as demonstrated by a federal analysis form, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Merit-based awards are offered in consideration of an individual student's academic potential, personal interests and abilities, and promise for future leadership.

Availability of funds often becomes a critical issue if students wait until later in the year to apply for financial aid.

Other than need, merit, and availability of funds, what are the conditions for receiving financial aid?

Graduate students must be enrolled at least half time (at least 4 credits per semester) to receive loans. You must also meet the eligibility requirements of the programs from which you receive assistance, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, maintaining a minimum grade point average, demonstrating financial need, and other specific conditions of federal, state, or University regulations.

Where can I get more information on financial aid?

In addition to talking to our financial aid counselors, you can call 800-4-FED-AID or refer to publications including The Student Guide and Funding Your Education. You will also find information at the following addresses:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Oregon State Scholarships Commission
• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post Secondary Education
• FastWEB Scholarship Search
• Financial Aid Information Page

How is need determined?

Financial need is determined by a uniform method of analyzing the information you provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The need analysis helps Student Financial Services determine the contribution each student is expected to make. The difference between your expected student contribution and the cost of attendance at the seminary is the need that financial aid attempts to meet. Need is determined by the following formula:

Cost of Attendance - Student Contribution = Need

The "cost of attendance" can only approximate the actual cost of your education because it includes both fixed and variable figures. Tuition and fees are the same for all students, but other expenses will vary according to your personal needs. Variable expenses include living expenses, transportation, medical insurance, personal expenses, and other items.

The "student contribution" is determined from calculations prescribed by federal law. You have the primary responsibility for paying for the cost of your education. Your spouse (if you are married) is also expected to contribute toward meeting your educational expenses.

1. Student contributions from taxable income
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) collects information regarding the previous year's income for you and your spouse, as appropriate. Taxes, typical living expenses, and other expenses allowed by law are subtracted from your reported income, and a portion of what remains is assumed to be available to help pay for your education.

2. Student contributions from assets and untaxed income
On the FAFSA, you must report resources such as veterans benefits, Social Security, ADC, AFDC, child support, and other untaxed income. A percentage of these, in addition to earned income and a percentage of both the student's and the spouse's assets, will be considered available to help meet seminary expenses.

In addition to asset and income information, the "student contribution" is also based on factors including family size and the number of family members in college.

"Need" defines the maximum financial aid you may receive if federal aid is included. To determine the estimated amount you may be required to pay, you should use the Financial Planning Worksheet contained in this brochure.

How will my financial need be met?

Virtually every student at George Fox Evangelical Seminary who can demonstrate financial need is awarded funds to assist in meeting the cost of attendance.

Whenever federal funds are part of the financial aid package, the total of all aid cannot exceed the need determined by the FAFSA. An exception to this rule is the Unsubsidized Stafford loan, which may be borrowed regardless of need or financial aid provided. Outside scholarships are not an exception to this rule. If you are offered an outside scholarship after receiving a financial aid award, it may be necessary to reduce part of your original financial aid award -- usually a loan -- to avoid exceeding your determined need.

It is not always possible to meet your documented financial need entirely. Unmet need can sometimes be met by outside scholarships or gifts, and we encourage you to pursue such funding.

What is the timeline for the financial aid process?

* "Priority date" simply means that students who have filed their FAFSA by March 1 will receive priority consideration for institutional funds over students who file after March 1.

When should I apply for financial aid?
File the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. This means you will need your income tax information as soon as possible. Estimate these figures if necessary, but try to use actual information.

What happens after I file the FAFSA?
Once you have filed your FAFSA with the federal processor, it will be four to six weeks before you receive the results. The processor will send you an output document called the Student Aid Report (SAR). If you listed George Fox University on the form, the processor will send your information to us electronically at approximately the same time they mail the SAR to you. Based on the information on the SAR, George Fox University will send you a letter explaining the financial aid package you are being offered. If you are a new student, the Student Financial Services Office will offer you a financial aid package after receiving notification of your official acceptance into a program from the GFES Office of Enrollment Services.

After you have received and accepted an award offer and completed all necessary paperwork for any loans you accepted, the aid will be applied to your student account at the beginning of each semester.

What types of awards are available?

Unless otherwise noted, student must be full-time (8 or more credits) to qualify for scholarships and grants.

Scholarships

The submission of the FAFSA and the Seminary Scholarship Application serve as the full time application for the following scholarships:

• The Daniel and Laura Memorial Brose Scholarship was established for MA or M.Div students, preference to students 1) who are of asian descent; 2) minority; 3) international.
• The Julius Clifton Bruner Scholarship Fund was established by Iris J. Bruner, in memory of her husband, for graduate theological education.
• The Phillip S. Clapp Scholarship is awarded to a Master of Divinity student.
• The Hawks Ministerial Sholarship is provided to students in the final two years of preparation for a pastoral, missions or teaching ministry. Preference is to students from Idaho, Oregon or Washington.
• The Ketterling-Schlenker Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist students demonstrating financial need. Preference is given to students from North Dakota, Montana, or the Midwest.
• The Clara and Harlan Memorial Macy Scholarship is intended for a student seeking a pastoral ministry.
• The Chuan Cheng Morrisey Missions Memorial Scholarship Fund is awarded to students preparing for cross-cultural ministry (preferably with Chinese) or to Chinese students preparing for cross-cultural ministry to non-Chinese.
• The George Fox Evangelical Seminary International Grant is awarded to an international student.
• The George Fox Evangelical Seminary Multicultural Grant is for a U.S. citizen who who a member of an ethnic minority group.
• The H.W. and Wilma Ogden Scholarship helps a needy Free Methodist student.
• The Richard Parker Ministry Scholarship provides support for M.Div., MATS or MA in Christian Education students forthesis research. A 3.5 G.P.A is required.
• The John and Emma Pike Scholarship is awarded to Master of Divinity students committed to full-time pastoral ministry after graduation.
• Earnings from the Arthur T. Shelton Scholarship Fund are awarded to students coming from Oregon and Washington.
• Earnings from the Lydia C. Sundberg Memorial Scholarship Fund are awarded to international students who will return to their homeland or to students planning to enter missionary service.
• The Wesche Scholarship for Theological Studies students
• The Glenn and Allee Yoder Memorial Scholarship was established in 1993 by their family for the educational advancement of Christian students.

Other Scholarship Programs for GFES Students

Information and applications for the following scholarship programs may be obtained by contacting the appropriate denominational and conference offices directly.

• Brethren in Christ Church Scholarships -- A $500 annual tuition scholarship is provided to students of the Brethren in Christ Church.
• Evangelical Church, Pacific Conference -- The Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Church offers financial aid to its ministerial students attending GFES and under the guidance of the conference Board of Ministerial Relations. Both basic tuition scholarships and service-grant loans are available.
• Evangelical Men Scholarship -- The Evangelical Men of the Evangelical Church (Pacific Conference) grant an annual tuition scholarship to a student of their choice.
• Free Methodist Church Scholarships -- Tuition scholarship assistance is provided for all Free Methodist students who meet the standards determined by the denomination.
• Higbee Memorial Scholarship -- The Oregon Conference of the Free Methodist Church is custodian of a scholarship fund, created in honor of Dellno Higbee, for Free Methodist students.
• Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church Scholarship --A limited number of Friends students may receive tuition scholarship assistance from allocated funds set apart for this purpose by the Yearly Meeting.
• Paul T. and Vera E. Walls Foundation Scholarships -- These scholarships are designated to provide assistance to seminary students who are members of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church.
• Waldo Hicks Memorial Scholarship -- Frances Hicks French, along with her two sons, Bruce and David, established this annual scholarship in honor of her late husband and designated it to assist a student of the Friends Church.
• Wesleyan Church Scholarship -- Funds are made available to Wesleyan students on a loan basis. Repayment is dependent on years of service in the denomination following seminary training.

Grants
Veterans Administration (V.A.) Assistance -- George Fox University and George Fox Evangelical Seminary are listed with the U.S. government as a recognized graduate school for the training of veterans. All prospective students eligible for V.A. assistance should write to the university registrar for V.A.-approved program information and follow procedures required by the Veterans Administration for transfer of training credits to GFES. To be recommended for V.A. assistance, you must continue as a bona fide registrant throughout the semester, meet the minimum academic standards of the seminary for enrollment, and show progress toward degree completion.

George Fox Evangelical Seminary Grants:

• GFES Grants are awarded annually. All students who submit FAFSAs will be considered for GFES Grants. FAFSA results must be received by the University by May 1. This grant is based on full-time enrollment, need and GPA.
• Church Matching Grants up to $600 are awarded annually. Participating churches must be approved and must provide a completed application form by August 1, indicating the designated student and amount contributed. Additional information and application forms are available. STUDENTS MUST BE FULL TIME TO RECEIVE MATCH!
• Partners in Ministry Grants are provided for all spouses enrolled in the Partners in Ministry Certificate program. Grants are limited to one course per semester and will be applied only to those courses in the program. Submission of the FAFSA is not required for this grant.
• Pastor and Teacher Enrichment Grants are available for full-time pastors, Christian educators, and mission personnel not pursuing a degree program for courses taken on an audit basis. Submission of the FAFSA is not required for this grant.

Loans
Federal Stafford Loans -- Eligibility for the Direct Loan Program is based on the information you provide on the FAFSA. There are two types of Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. The subsidized loan is based on financial need, and the government will pay the interest on the loan until six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half time. The unsubsidized loan is not need based, although you must file the FAFSA to be considered, and you are responsible for paying the interest quarterly or capitalizing it until the time of repayment. For more information on loans, please click here.