In celebration and commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Board of Regents recently approved a special one-time financial aid award for its residential pastoral ministry students that will completely fund tuition for most Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students next year.

The “Reformation Jubilee” award will provide all M.Div. students in residence during the 2017-18 academic year with additional aid amounting to about 5 percent of the published average full-time tuition charge. Average full-time tuition is expected to be $25,920 next year.

The award, combined with other forms of financial aid, will enable most M.Div. students to meet 100 percent of their tuition costs. Some students may end up with a net credit on their tuition accounts, allowing them to use their award for housing, insurance or living expenses.

Concordia Seminary is blessed by many faithful donors who support the Seminary’s mission to prepare men to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Over the past several years, donor generosity through Generations: The Campaign for Concordia Seminary has enabled the average student out-of-pocket cost for tuition to be lowered to about $1,240 each year over four years of study. As donors continue this strong support, the Seminary can continue to keep student tuition costs to a minimum.

M.Div. Tuition and Financial Aid brochure 2017-18

“With the approaching 500th anniversary the Reformation, we celebrate again the work of Christ, the Gospel and justification by faith,” said Provost Dr. Jeff Kloha. “Through this award, Concordia Seminary is pleased to make it possible for even more men to enter into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Through them, the Gospel will move forward the mission of the church in the next generation.”

Donor support is essential to reducing the students’ tuition burden. Each M.Div. student receives a “Residential Grant” which amounts to 25 percent of the tuition charge. The funds for this are drawn from the Seminary’s endowment earnings and other donor giving. The “Reformation Jubilee” award will be added next year, bringing that discount to 30 percent of the students’ tuition charge.

In addition, M.Div. students also receive the following support from donors:

• Adopt-A-Student awards, through which donors provide direct aid to students
• Earnings from priority endowments, which provide financial aid for students who meet certain criteria
• LCMS district and congregation support, given by the student’s home district and home congregation, which provides direct support to the student and his family
• Outside aid

All of these sources of donor giving have resulted in the lowering of tuition costs for students. By maintaining this strong support, donors will continue to ensure that men are able to be formed as pastors and enter the ministry with as little financial burden as possible. To learn more about Concordia Seminary’s financial aid, click here.

“This is yet another example of our commitment to reducing financial barriers to Seminary education, and it would not be possible without the awesome generosity of our friends and donors,” said Vicki Biggs, senior vice president for Seminary advancement. “It’s our prayer these faithful friends experience great joy and satisfaction in knowing that they are making provision for ongoing Gospel ministry. We have been blessed by many faithful donors through the years. With the ongoing help of these faithful supporters, we look forward to keeping the tuition charge low for students in the future.”

To make a financial gift to Concordia Seminary, click here.

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.