Admissions

Merit-Based Scholarships

In addition to need-based financial aid, Union Theological Seminary offers a variety of Merit-based Aid to applicants for Master's level programs. These scholarships are determined by the Admissions Office and awarded at the time of admission to the Seminary. They require no separate application. In order to be eligible for a merit-based scholarship, the Admissions application must be filed and completed no later than February 15 of the year for which one is seeking admission.

Note: Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for the federally funded loan and work programs. No aid, scholarships, and fellowships, can be awarded to students currently in default on federal loans. In order to maintain eligibility for need and merit based financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and apply annually for financial aid.

Type of Merit-Based Scholarships

The Presidential Scholarship
This highly competitive scholarship will be given to one outstanding candidate in the entering class. The Presidential Scholarship consists of full tuition for each year and a $5,200 stipend for each year of the student's program. In addition, this award includes an allowance for an on-campus dormitory room for nine months each academic year of the student's program.

The Union Scholarship
These special awards of full tuition are granted to honors candidates who demonstrate academic achievement and vocational promise.

The George Andover Taylor Award
This $3,500 Scholarship is given to one or more African-American applicants entering the Master of Divinity program who show promise for parish ministry. This award may be given in conjunction with a Union Scholarship or grant.

The Hispanic Ministries Scholarship
This $3,500 Scholarship is offered to one or more Latino/a students entering the Master of Divinity program who demonstrate significant promise for ministry in Hispanic churches. This award may be given in conjunction with a Union Scholarship or grant.

The Allen Wright Scholarship
Named in honor of the first American Indian graduate of Union Theological Seminary in 1855 and the first Native American to obtain the M.A. degree in the United States, the Allen Wright Scholarship is awarded annually to a Native American student entering Union's first degree programs who shows unusual promise for ministry. The award is $3,500 and may be given in conjunction with a Union Scholarship.

The Asian Ministries Scholarship
This $3,500 Scholarship is offered to one or more Asian students entering the Master of Divinity program who demonstrate significant promise for ministry in Asian churches. This award may be given in conjunction with a Union Scholarship or grant.