Financial Information

Student Charges

Tuition charges paid by students cover slightly more than one-half the cost of the normal operating expenses. The continuing support of individuals and churches is necessary for the ongoing ministry of the seminary.

The charges listed here are those anticipated for the next two academic years. The seminary reserves the right to change these charges and it is possible that some increases will be necessary in succeeding years.

Basic Fees

• Application fee (not refundable) $50
• Late application fee; within two months of desired enrollment (not refundable) $60
• Advance tuition deposit (not refundable after June 1 for fall, November 1 for spring, April 1 for summer) $250

M.Div., B.Th., Dip.Th. Programs

• Tuition per credit hour for full-time students (11.5 credit hours or more) $280
• Tuition per credit hour for part-time students (under 11.5 credit hours) $320
• Tuition per credit hour for required classes taken by arrangement $285
• Tuition per credit hour in winterim $270
• Tuition per credit hour in summer $290
• Tuition per credit hour in summer for beginning Greek $150
• Continuing registration/Thesis non-resident fee $75

Th.M. Program

• Tuition per semester in fall or spring $1800
• Tuition per credit hour in summer $285
• Tuition per credit hour in winterim $270
• Continuing registration/Thesis non-resident fee $75

Th.D. Program

• Application fee (non-refundable) $50
• Exams fee (per semester until complete) $150
• Tuition fee (per semester of residency) $2300
• Library fee (per semester of residency) $100
• Carrel rental fee (optional, per semester of residency, payable at Library Only) $75
• Dissertation topic confirmation fee (due upon initial matriculation) $150
• Dissertation fee (due upon submission of first draft) $1000
• Shepherds' Conference fee (spring semester only) $100
• Student activity fee (per semester of residency) $80
• Graduation fee: cost of diploma, cap and gown, and related expenses $125
• Dissertation binding & filming (original plus three copies) $50
• Additional personal copies (each) $25

D.Min. Program

• Application fee (non-refundable) $50
• Tuition fee (per semester hour) $410
• Project (DM 937) confirmation fee (due at time of topic confirmation) $1400
• Project (DM 938) submission fee (due upon submission of final draft) $1400
• Project binding & filming (original plus three copies) $50
• Additional personal copies, each $25
• Graduation fee: cost of diploma, cap, gown, and related expenses $125

General Fees (M.Div., B.Th., Dip.Th.)

• Audit fees same as tuition charges
• Registration/Materials fee; for each fall, spring, winterim, and summer $35
• Late registration/Materials fee; after open registration $75
• Library fee (fall and spring semesters only) $75
• Student activity fee (fall and spring semesters only) $90
• Shepherds' Conference fee (spring semester only) $100
• Extended payment plan (5-month plan)
• Semester set-up fee $75
• Late payment fee $25
• Class schedule changes after registration, each transaction $5
• Thesis (M.Div., Th.M.) binding & filming (original plus 2 copies) $50
• Additional personal copies (each) $25
• Graduation fee: cost of diploma, cap and gown, and related expenses $150
• Transcript fee $3
• Parking lot security fee (fall and spring semesters only) $15

Computer

Within six weeks after enrollment all regular students are required to own a personal computer with approved word processing and record-keeping software. Information and recommendations on approved systems and software programs are available from the Administration Office. Estimated cost: $1000 to $1500.

Housing and Other Costs

The seminary does not provide housing for either married or single students; students are responsible for making their own living arrangements (cf. Student Life section). Married students are usually able to rent one or two bedroom apartments for $650 to $900 per month. Single students are usually able to obtain housing for $500 to $600 per month, or less if a roommate shares expenses.

With the exception of housing and automobile insurance, which are somewhat higher than the national average, other living expenses are comparable with costs elsewhere in the nation. The following estimates of typical annual costs may be of help in budget planning.

Typical Annual Budget

Students should be aware that books, syllabuses, and supplies will cost approximately $400 per year. Medical insurance is required for all students. Those who do not have coverage through employment or other means are required to purchase minimum coverage at the approximate cost of $218 per year (Information on medical insurance coverage for dependents is available from the Administration Office).

With careful budgeting or special management, many students are able to reduce these budget figures. Married students who have children should anticipate the additional expenses involved.

Payment of Accounts

All tuition, fees, and charges are due and payable at registration. Students who are unable to pay their entire semester charges may elect to use the Extended Payment Plan (5-month payment plan). This plan allows students to budget more easily, reducing the size of the tuition payments by spreading them over the semester. Actual monthly payments are automatically adjusted when courses are added or dropped, or when enrollment plans change. For those who choose this plan, a student's semester tuition charges, based on his enrollment, are paid over a five-month period, beginning in July and ending in November for the fall semester, and beginning in December and ending in April for the spring semester. No interest is charged in this plan. There is a $50 per semester set-up fee and a charge of $25 for each payment received after the due date. Each payment is due on the tenth of each month. Any balance remaining after the final payment date will be charged interest at the rate of one percent per month.

Student tuition accounts must be paid in full by the following deadlines:

• November 10 for the fall semester
• April 10 for the spring semester
• June 10 for the first summer session
• August 10 for the second summer session

Winterim tuition costs can be rolled into your spring tuition payment plan. Students with unpaid balances after these dates will be immediately suspended from classes, receive an "F" for those classes, and forfeit the opportunity to enroll in courses for the subsequent school term, participate in graduation or the seminary's annual Israel trip. Transcripts and diplomas may also be withheld. Note: If your tuition is being paid by another person or organization, it is your responsibility to make sure your tuition is paid on time to avoid the penalties listed above.

Questions regarding the payment of accounts should be addressed to the:

Refunds

A student who chooses to withdraw from a class or classes, or from all classes for which he has registered, whether he has attended them or not, must officially withdraw by completing the forms which are available from the Administration office. Failure to withdraw officially will result in a W, WP, or WF, on the student's transcript, as appropriate, even though the student may never have attended the class(es), and a student who does not withdraw officially will not be entitled to any refund. Refunds of tuition payments are based upon the week that the official withdrawal form is signed by the Administration office, not on the time the student ceases to attend the class(es).

• Withdrawal during the first two weeks 100%
• During the third week 90%
• During the fourth week 75%
• During the fifth week 60%
• During the sixth week 45%
• During the seventh week 30%
• During the eighth week 15%
• During the ninth week 5%
• During the tenth week or later 0%
• Lab fees, 100 percent refundable during the first two weeks, become non-refundable thereafter.
• The registration fee is non-refundable.

Summer school and Winterim refunds: 100 percent refund if dropped prior to or during the first two days of class. There is no refund if dropped after the second day of classes. The date used to establish the amount of refund will be the date that the drop slip is signed by the Administration office.

Students who receive federal or state loans will receive a refund of the amount remaining after tuition has been paid. The refund will be processed the week after the official add/drop period has ended.

Student Employment

The seminary offers limited opportunities for student employment, most often for work in The Master's Grace Library. Hourly wages are above the minimum wage but usually not competitive with common industry or commercial averages.

The seminary is fortunate to be located in the greater Los Angeles area which offers many excellent opportunities for employment both in secular and church related areas. As a general guideline, it is recommended that students who find it necessary to work more than 20 hours per week should reduce their seminary course work.

Home Church Assistance

Assistance from your home church does more than help meet the budget-it provides an accountability for the student and a prayer commitment by the church. Consequently, students are encouraged to discuss financial assistance possibilities with their pastor and church leaders. Ask for the financial aid brochure for further information.

Veterans Educational Assistance

The Master's Seminary has been approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons under the provision of Title 38. Eligible persons should submit Form DD2-14, available from the Veterans Administration. An original or certified copy of release papers is needed.

Scholarships

Scholarships and tuition grants come through the endowment funds and sacrificial gifts provided by friends of TMS. As it is, tuition covers only slightly more than half of the costs, so each student automatically receives a 40 percent scholarship due to reduced tuition. Beyond that, a limited number of scholarships, based on merit and need, are available only for tuition expenses of full-time students, and only after the applicant has pursued assistance from his home church. To qualify, students must demonstrate that their home church has been approached for matching funds. Scholarship funding is rarely available for students in their first year at TMS. A scholarship brochure is available upon request.

Stafford Student Loans

This is a California state, long-term 8-10 percent interest guaranteed student loan. Applications must be filed with the Financial Aid Office by March 1 for the fall semester, and by November 1 for the spring semester.

Bachelor of Theology Program

Those students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology program may be eligible for additional Federal scholarships and grants. For further information, contact the Administration Office.