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Financial Aid

Saint Meinrad School of Theology has many generous benefactors committed to supporting lay ministry in the Church. Their gifts allow current and future Church ministers to take advantage of the quality academic, spiritual and personal formation offered by Saint Meinrad.

Tuition grants, coupled with moderate costs, make Saint Meinrad an affordable option for graduate students of theology. Part-time and full-time students are encouraged to apply early for financial assistance as awards are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility for Aid
Lay students seeking financial aid should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, available from Saint Meinrad's Enrollment Office. To be eligible for federal loan and work-study programs, a student must take at least six credit hours per semester and be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Students receiving aid must maintain progress toward a degree and continue to demonstrate need on financial aid applications submitted annually.

Grant and Loan Opportunities
Lay Ministry Grant
The Lay Ministry Grant program offers tuition assistance for lay degree students who are engaged in paid or volunteer ministry in parishes, dioceses, Catholic schools, chaplaincy positions and other ministry services. Tuition awards for the Lay Ministry Grant are based on average weekly hours of ministry service, and do not distinguish between paid and volunteer ministry. The amount of the grant is based on weekly time commitment to lay ministry, and is added to whatever need-based financial aid students receive from Saint Meinrad, up to a maximum of 100% tuition. This tuition assistance applies to all Saint Meinrad courses, in weekly, weekend, online or other formats, and is renewable on a yearly basis.

Need-Based Tuition Grants
Saint Meinrad's scholarship endowment makes it possible to offer need-based financial assistance to all qualifying lay students, to help offset tuition costs. Tuition grants up to 75% are available for full-time and part-time lay students.

The Raymond & Genevieve Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Dr. & Mrs. Timothy Hupfer Scholarship Fund
These grants are available to lay students from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. They offer assistance with tuition and may be renewed annually.

The Carl G. & Clara Brott Ritzel Memorial Scholarship
This fund is available to lay students from the Diocese of Evansville. The grant offers assistance with tuition and may be renewed annually.

Diversity Scholarship Program
As a theological school with the mission of quality preparation of ministers to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse Church, Saint Meinrad seeks students from a wide variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds. Saint Meinrad’s Diversity Scholarship program aims to make master’s-level theological education affordable. Lay students who are committed to ministry in the Church and are of non-Anglo ethnic or racial heritage may qualify for full-tuition scholarships while they pursue a Master of Arts in Catholic Thought and Life or a Master of Theological Studies degree.

Matching Grants
Saint Meinrad School of Theology will match an employing agency's (diocese, parish, school, etc.) grant up to $150. Students may apply for this grant up to three semesters per academic year.

Guaranteed Student Loans
Guaranteed student loans are available through the federal government to full-time students from local banks or lending institutions. These loans (up to $8,500 annually) are at a variable interest rate. Eligible students must submit a FAFSA form.

Government Assistance to Veterans
Saint Meinrad School of Theology is approved for veterans' educational benefits under Section 1775 of Title 38 of the United States Code. New students applying for veterans' educational benefits should contact the Registrar upon their arrival at Saint Meinrad.

For additional information contact:

Ruth Kress
Director of Financial Aid
200 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577
(812) 357-6561
Fax: (812) 357-6965
financialaid@saintmeinrad.edu