Admissions

1) Fill out the Financial Worksheet using your projected financial situation for next year. Use the completed form and the attached letter to speak with your diaconate about your finances. Your deacons should help you budget if you need help. The Seminary can help estimate cost of living for those who are coming from out of the area. Please do this promptly so your church can include this in its budgeting process.  2) Fill out the Financial Aid Application.  Forms will not be processed until you have been admitted.  The application deadline is May 1. Any applications received after that date will be considered at a reduced rate based on the availability of funds.  Aid is awarded for one academic year at a time. The financial aid committee reserves the right to reevaluate aid should your financial situation, degree program, or intended course load substantially change.  Priority for aid is given to full-time M.Div. students.  3) Turn in the Financial Aid Application and a signed copy of the Financial Worksheet.  Note that the scholarship application is part of the financial aid application. If you would like to be considered for scholarships, but are not requesting a grant, please note that on the form. To be eligible for a scholarship based on financial need, you must fill out all the financial information and outside assistance information.  Financial aid awarded by Mid-America is confidential between the student and the Student Aid Committee. Aid may be discussed with your council or session, but should not be discussed with other students. Any such discussion with students could result in the forfeiture of financial aid.

On-campus employment, which includes grounds and maintenance, library assistance, audio recording, security, and more. Preference is given to Canadian and international students. Applications for work study can be filled out at registration.

Grants are based on financial need. They can be applied to tuition or in some cases given directly to the student to help with living expenses. Scholarships are made in the summer and are based on high academic standing and other criteria as specified. Scholarships are available for full-time M.Div students who meet specific criteria. Scholarship applications are included in the Application for Financial Aid. Applications are due by August 1, and awards are announced at the first chapel of the academic year. Scholarships are available for full-time M.Div students who meet the stated criteria. The scholarship applications are included in the Application for Financial Aid. Applications are due by May 1. The following scholarships are available to students: Mid-America Alumni Entrance Scholarship The Mid-America Alumni Entrance Scholarship is awarded each year to an incoming full-time junior student who demonstrates, in word and deed, an aptitude for pastoral ministry. Financial need is a secondary consideration for this scholarship. (Click here for more info). Mid-America Alumni Association Scholarship for Pastoral Ministry The Mid-America Alumni Association Scholarship for Pastoral Ministry is available to full-time second and third year students based upon the student’s involvement in ministry related labors over the previous few years, his demonstration of academic aptitude, and pulpit skills as judged by a committee of alumni. (Click here for more info). Russell E. Horton Ministerial Scholarship This tuition scholarship is offered to a full-time seminary student on the basis of financial need. Preference will be given to students who are enrolled in the Master of Divinity program and who are members of the Presbyterian Church in America. Iowa Falls Foreign Student Scholarship Through the generosity of the Iowa Falls Christian Reformed church of Iowa Falls, Iowa, this scholarship will be available to foreign students applying for study at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. If no foreign student applies, this scholarship may be awarded to a North American student. Albert M. and Eleanor Rodenhouse Scholarship This scholarship is offered to one of more full-time upperclassmen on the basis of personal resume and academic transcript, upon recommendation of the faculty in consultation with Mr. & Mrs. Rodenhouse. Garrit and Kathryn Schiebout Tuition Scholarship This academic scholarship is awarded, upon recommendation of the faculty, to a full-time Master of Divinity junior student (non-transfer) who receives no other academic scholarship. Garrit and Kathryn Schiebout Biblical Exegesis Award This award is offered to the upperclassman whose exegesis paper on an assigned text is judged by the faculty to be superior in format and content. Application should be made to the Registrar. Garrit and Kathryn Schiebout Mission Essay Award This award is offered to the upperclassman for superior essays on an assigned topic in missions or evangelism as evaluated by the faculty. Application should be made to the Registrar. Tuininga Scholarship Through the generosity of the Trinity Reformed Church of Lethbridge, Alberta, this scholarship has been established in loving memory of the late Rev. Jelle Tuininga. This tuition scholarship is designed to assist qualified Master of Divinity students preparing for the ministry in a confessionally Reformed church. Consideration will be given to full-time students with financial needs who exhibit Christian character and submit a suitable academic resume. Roger Vander Veen Memorial Scholarship This tuition scholarship is offered to a full-time upperclassman on the basis of personal resume, academic transcript, and financial need. Preference will be given to Canadian students. Kay Ribbens-Vogelzang Scholarship for International Students This tuition scholarship is offered to a first-year foreign student on the basis of financial need and academic transcript. Carrie Van Surksum Venema Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is offered to students on the basis of academic transcript and financial need. Preference will be given to a student from New Zealand when possible. Albert & Janet Vedders Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is offered to a student on the basis of financial need. Bartel Zandstra Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is offered to a student on the basis of financial need. Preference will be given to a US citizen. Nelson Sterken Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the Master of Divinity program. Richard & Edna Darby Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is offered to a student on the basis of financial need. Preference will be given to a member of an Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Harold and Wilma Den Besten Scholarship This scholarship is awarded to any full-time student on the basis of academic qualifications and financial need.

Raising funds from family, friends, and other outside sources is important as you go through seminary. The sooner you begin to communicate with family and friends and apply for outside scholarships, the better your chances of receiving assistance. Below is a list of potential outside scholarships. The Seminary also encourages writing support letters to family, friends, those you have ministered to, etc. These scholarships are offered by external sources, and Mid-America does not have any additional information on, or applications for, these scholarships. Use the links provided for more information. Applications deadlines vary; it is the student’s responsibility to apply on time. The listing of an organization should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the organization. Veterans Education Benefits Mid-America participates in GI benefits. For more information go to http://www.gibill.va.gov/. Acton Institute Calihan Fellowship The Calihan Academic Fellowships provide scholarships and research grants to future scholars and religious leaders whose academic work shows outstanding potential. Applicants must demonstrate the potential to advance understanding in the relationship between theology and the principles of the free and virtuous society. Such principles include recognition of human dignity, the importance of the rule of law, limited government, religious liberty, and freedom in economic life. For more information go to http://www.acton.org/program/student_awards/home. Champions for Christ Champions for Christ Foundation, Inc. exists to assist students who are preparing for Christian ministry by granting scholarships to those committed to going into full time Christian service. For more information go to http://www.championsforchrist.us/. Christian Community Credit Union You must be a member of the Credit Union to apply. You may, however, open an account when you apply for the scholarship. For more information go to mycccu.com/scholarship. Fund for Theological Education FTE’s mission is to call and cultivate a new generation of leaders to serve the church and the world. FTE offers three different fellowships to seminarians. For more information go to http://www.fteleaders.org/pages/support-for-seminary-students. Harvesters Scholarship The Harvesters Scholarship Foundation aims to provide for the needs of missionaries in training. For more information go to http://www.harvestersscholarship.com/home.htm. International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons Student Ministry Scholarships are provided to students preparing for full time religious vocations enrolled in M.Div. programs and who are citizens of the U.S. or Canada. For more information go to http://www.iokds.org/scholarship3.html. Korean American Scholarship Foundation The Korean American Scholarship Foundation helps to meet the financial needs of Korean American Students seeking higher education. For more information go to http://kasf.org/application. Wm. B. Leonard Scholarship Given on behalf of the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel, this scholarship is available for men sensing a call to the civilian or military chaplaincies. Application Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarships are given to U.S. citizens or legal residents who exhibit excellent character, scholastic achievement and need. An interview in New York is required. For more information go to http://www.scheppfoundation.org/wp/. Marguerite Young Endowment Fund The Marguerite Young Endowment Fund offers scholarships to assist seminary students preparing for full-time ministry in a Protestant Church. For more information go to http://www.pittsburghfoundation.org/node/1659. Military Chaplain Association Chaplain Candidate Scholarships are available to students who are enrolled full time, have an ecclesiastical endorsement for future ministry as a military chaplain, and have an appointment and active service as a “Chaplain Candidate” in one of the Armed Services. For more information go to http://mca-usa.org/scholarships/. New Life Church of Chicago Scholarship Program Awarded to Korean Americans preparing for pastoral ministry. For more information, go to www.NLChicago.org. Opal Dancey Memorial Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing a Master of Divinity from an accredited seminary within the Great Lakes region. For more information: www.opaldanceygrants.org. Roothbert Fund, Inc. The fund was created to help men and women who are primarily motivated by spiritual values and who are in need of financial aid to further their education. Preference will be given to those who can satisfy high scholastic requirements and are considering teaching as a vocation. Preference will also be given to students who live in eastern United States. For more information go to http://www.roothbertfund.org/scholarships.php. Schumaker Foundation Offers scholarships to students of ATS accredited schools for both tuition and textbooks. www.schumakerfoundation.com. SeminaryScholarship.com The website offers a $1,000 scholarship with an added digital theological library. Scholarship is not based on degree track, need, denomination, or demographic. Interested students must visit the website and view a demonstration of Logos Bible Software, and then fill out a brief application. For more information go to www.SeminaryScholarship.com.