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FINANCIAL AIDStudent Financial ServicesFuller Seminary is committed to helping you meet your financial needs through grants, scholarships, work-study employment, and government loans, since financial aid is limited and may not be available to cover all the costs of your program. We encourage you to make an appointment with a Student Financial Counselor in the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss all funding options available to you. Student Financial Services is located in on the third floor of the Student Service Center at 250 North Madison. You can reach us at 626-584-5421. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Making Informed Choices. Deciding to come to seminary is a lifestyle-changing choice that requires a major investment of time, effort, and money. The Office of Student Financial Services suggests you start the process of financing your education by estimating the total cost of your program, then investigating all available financing options. You should consider whether educational debt is necessary to obtain your educational goals and what impact student debt will have on your future lifestyle. You should also consider all alternatives to borrowing.
Institutional Aid: Grants and ScholarshipsThe details regarding institutional aid vary somewhat depending on the school and program in which you are enrolled. The eligibility requirements, types of aid, and applications deadlines for the three schools and their programs are detailed below. For further details, go to the Financial Aid website at www.fuller.edu/finaid.
School of Theology (M.Div. and M.A.)Eligibility RequirementsAdmission Status. You must be accepted as a Regular or Probation student in a degree or certificate program, or as a Special Student. Students accepted with Provisional or Late Conditional status, or as Limited Enrollment, Certificate, Unclassified, or Visiting students do not qualify for School of Theology grants and scholarships. Need-based Grants. You must plan to take a minimum of 24 units from the Summer Quarter through the Spring Quarter. Scholarships. You must take 12 units in each of the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. African-American Church Studies and Latino Leadership Grants. You must plan to take a minimum of 24 units from the Summer Quarter through the Spring Quarter. Campus. You must attend classes at a half-time level (or greater) at the Pasadena campus. If you plan to attend one of Fuller's extension campuses, contact Student Financial Services for information about extension grants and scholarships. Types of Theology Institutional AidThe following list outlines the types of institutional aid available for MDiv or MA students. For all need-based aid, you must complete a financial aid application and return it to Student Financial Services by the deadlines listed below. All the aid listed below must be applied for on an annual basis. Need-based Grant. This grant provides assistance to students in the M.Div. or M.A. program who demonstrate financial need. Awards are based solely on financial need. Scholarships. Through the gifts of generous donors, special funds have been set up for students with or without financial need who meet additional specific criteria desired by the donors. Application procedures differ by scholarship. Contact Student Financial Services for more details about applying. Team Ministry Grant. This need-based grant provides assistance to married couples pursuing a team ministry. Both students must be enrolled in master's-level degree programs in the School of Theology. Under this program, eligible students pay full rate for the first 16 units of their combined tuition each quarter, and receive a 75-percent tuition grant for the remainder of their tuition that quarter (up to 16 units). Latino Leadership or African-American Church Studies Program Grant. This need-based grant provides assistance to students admitted to Fuller through the African-American or Hispanic Church Studies programs. Deadlines for applicationNote: Grants cover the period from Summer Quarter through Spring Quarter. Students applying after the dates below receive funds as they remain available.
Students with complete applications will receive notification within approximately 45 days of the respective deadline dates. All terms and conditions related to institutional aid are printed on the back of your official offer letter, and in the Financial Aid FAQ's brochure. School of Intercultural Studies (MA , ThM , DMiss , PhD )Eligibility RequirementsAdmission Status. You must be accepted as Regular or Probation student in a degree or certificate program, or as a Special Student. Students accepted with Provisional or Late Conditional status, or as Limited Enrollment, Certificate, Unclassified, or Visiting students, do not qualify for School of Intercultural Studies grants and scholarships. Need-based Grants. MA and ThM students must plan to take a minimum of 24 units from the Summer Quarter through the Spring Quarter. Doctoral students do not have a minimum unit requirement. Scholarships. MA and ThM students must take 12 units in each of the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Doctoral Students must plan to take 16 units from the Summer Quarter through the Spring Quarter. Campus. You must attend classes at a half-time level (or greater) at the Pasadena campus. If you plan to attend one of Fuller's extension campuses, contact Student Financial Services for information about extension grants and scholarships. Types of Intercultural Studies Institutional AidThe following list outlines the types of institutional aid available for all School of Intercultural Studies students. For all need-based aid, you must complete a financial aid application and return it to Student Financial Services by the deadlines listed below. All the aid listed below must be applied for on an annual basis. Need-based Grant. This grant provides assistance to SIS students who demonstrate financial need. Awards are based solely on financial need. Scholarships. Through the gifts of generous donors, special funds have been set up for students with or without financial need who meet additional specific criteria desired by the donors. Application procedures differ by scholarship. Contact Student Financial Services for more details about applying. Team Ministry Grant. This need-based grant provides assistance to married couples pursuing a team ministry. Both students must be enrolled in master's-level degree programs in the School of Intercultural Studies. Under this program, eligible students pay full rate for the first 16 units of their combined tuition each quarter, and receive a 75-percent tuition grant for the remainder of their tuition that quarter (up to 16 units). Note: The Team Ministry Grant is not currently available. Deadlines for ApplicationNote: Grants cover the period from Summer Quarter through Spring Quarter. Students applying after the dates below receive funds as they remain available.
Students with complete applications will receive notification within approximately 45 days of the respective deadline dates. All terms and conditions related to institutional aid are printed on the back of your official offer letter, and in the Financial Aid FAQ's brochure. School of Psychology (All degree programs)Eligibility RequirementsAdmission Status. You must be accepted as a Regular or Probation student in a degree or certificate program. Students accepted with Provisional or Late Conditional status, or as Limited Enrollment, Unclassified, or Visiting students, do not qualify for School of Psychology grants and scholarships. Need-based Grants. You must plan to take a minimum of 24 units from the Summer Quarter through the Spring Quarter. Scholarships. You must enroll for units of credit in each of the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Campus. You must attend classes at a half-time level (or greater) at the Pasadena campus. If you plan to attend one of Fuller's extension campuses, contact Student Financial Services for information about extension grants and scholarships. Types of Psychology Institutional AidThe following list outlines the types of Institutional Aid available for both doctoral and Master of Science students. For all need-based aid, you must complete a financial aid application and return it to Student Financial Services by the deadlines listed below. All the aid listed below must be applied for on an annual basis. Need-based Grant. This grant provides assistance to students in the School of Psychology program who demonstrate financial need. Awards are based solely on financial need. Scholarships. Through the gifts of generous donors, special funds have been set up for students with or without financial need who meet additional specific criteria desired by the donors. Application procedures differ by scholarship. Contact Student Financial Services for more details about applying. Deadlines for Clinical Psychology applications:
Deadlines for Marriage and Family applications:
Federal Work-StudyA limited number of federally subsidized Federal Work Study (FWS) positions are available for eligible students who are enrolled at least half-time. After financial eligibility has been established by Student Financial Services, qualified students are hired through participating seminary offices. Income earned through the FWS program is considered financial aid and may reduce a student's eligibility for other forms of financial assistance.
Educational LoansUnderstanding Credit. Applying for an educational loan is a step toward establishing credit. Credit is simply a promise to pay later for goods, services, or money that a person receives now. You are encouraged to control your use of credit and protect your credit record by budgeting, planning ahead, and considering how educational debt will affect your future lifestyle. Consider these factors carefully before making an educational loan commitment. Eligibility. Most financial aid requires demonstrated financial need. Your need level is determined by calculating the amount that your estimated educational expenses exceed your anticipated outside resources and expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is calculated by using information you report to Student Financial Services about your income and assets. Student Financial Services uses a formula developed by the U.S. Department of Education to determine a student's EFC. Eligibility Requirements. To qualify, you must be admitted as a Regular or Probation student in a degree program, maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress, be enrolled at least half-time, and be in compliance with Selective Service laws, Social Security regulations, and Department of Homeland Security requirements to receive loan proceeds. If you have prior unresolved loan defaults, or owe a refund of Title IV funds, you are ineligible for student loans. In accordance with Section 428 of the Department of Education's Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991, Fuller Seminary reserves the right to refuse to certify an otherwise eligible borrower's loan application on the following grounds:
In cases in which the seminary refuses to certify a your loan application, the reason for such action will be documented and provided to you in writing. In certain cases, the enrollment criteria for loan origination (i.e., getting a new loan or receiving loan proceeds) are more strict than the criteria for deferment of payment on previous loans. Check with Student Financial Servcies about the loan implications of an atypical course load or enrollment options (e.g., any zero-unit registration option, field education, thesis units, dissertation, continuation, CPE). Choosing Educational Loan Credit. You should carefully determine whether you will be able to repay your educational loans. Inability to repay the loan according to the repayment schedule and agreement will affect your ability to make future credit-based purchases such as a car or home. Eligibility for educational loan programs is determined by Student Financial Services according to federal guidelines. Application forms are available in Student Financial Services for eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Withdrawal from Classes. If you withdraw completely from classes after receiving Federal Stafford Loans or Perkins Loans, you are subject to a Federal Return of Title IV Aid Calculation. This calculation determines the amount of federal loan funds that Fuller may retain for the academic period, and the amount that Fuller must return immediately to your lender. Note that if Fuller returns loan funds to your lender, then you will owe Fuller whatever charges for tuition and fees that those funds formerly covered. This will show up as a balance due on your student account. The Office of Student Financial Services regularly runs reports to identify students who have completely withdrawn from classes, either officially or unofficially. Official withdrawal occurs when students withdraw officially using a Drop/Add form. An Unofficial Withdrawal occurs when a student stops attending classes without dropping, usually resulting in failing grades for all classes. For official withdrawals, the date of withdrawal is the date on which you notify Fuller of the intent to drop all classes. For unofficial withdrawals, we generally uses the midpoint of the quarter as the withdrawal date. Fuller may use an alternative date if we can document that you attended to that point. The Federal Return of Title IV Aid calculation stipulates the following:
Please note that you must establish eligibility for federal aid by attending classes at a half-time level during the quarter. When you withdraw completely, officially or unofficially, Fuller will use attendance records from the first two weeks of classes to verify attendance at a half-time level. If you never attended at a half-time level, then Fuller must make a 100% return of Title IV Aid (see the points above). Your lender will also be notified that you did not establish eligibility for the loan(s). The lender has the option, in these cases, to demand accelerated repayment of any amount given to you for living expenses. It is very important that you attend classes at a half-time level, especially during the first two weeks when attendance is taken. If you receive Title IV Aid and then consider dropping all of your classes or dropping below half-time, then you are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with a financial aid counselor. For further information and examples of the Return of Title IV Aid Calculation, visit or contact Student Financial Services.
Types of Student LoansFederal Perkins Loans. These loans are funded by the federal government, Fuller Theological Seminary, and alumni/ae Perkins Loan repayment. The federal government pays the interest while you are at least a half-time student. Repayment begins six to nine months after you were enrolled less than half-time, depending upon when you first borrowed in the program. On that date you begin to pay five-percent simple interest. Perkins loans are awarded as part of the financial aid package and are based on exceptional need, as determined by Student Financial Services. Federal Subsidized Stafford Student Loans. Depending on your financial need, you may borrow up to $8,500 per year (an aggregate maximum of $65,500, including undergraduate borrowing). The federal government pays the interest while you are at least a half-time student. For loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006, the interest rate is variable, changed annually, with a cap of 8.25 percent. Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 have a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent. Any prior Stafford Loans which have not been repaid may be subject to different terms than your new loans. Loans are need-based. Since other rates may apply, contact Student Financial Services or a lender for further information. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loans. These loans are equivalent to the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan in every respect except that the government does not pay any interest. Eligibility depends upon enrollment and other aid. Interest on the Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan accrues from the date of disbursement. Principal and interest may be deferred for half-time students. Unpaid interest will be capitalized by the lender. The combined Subsidized and Unsubsidized annual loan limit is $20,500 (an aggregate maximum of $138,500 including undergraduate borrowing). Clinical Psychology students may borrow up to an additional $16,667 annually and have an aggregate limit of $189,125 including undergraduate borrowing. Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. The Grad PLUS loan is an unsubsidized federal student loan with a fixed annual interest rate of 8.5 percent. Interest begins accruing immediately upon disbursement. Payment of principal and interest can be deferred while you are enrolled at least half-time. There is no grace period and repayment begins immediately upon graduation or dropping below half-time. The amount that may be borrowed depends on your enrollment and other aid. A credit check is required and you may not have an adverse credit history, as defined by federal regulation. Applicants with adverse credit may gain eligibilty for the Grad PLUS loan if they apply with an endorser (co-signer) without adverse credit. Contact Student Financial Services for more information. Federal Stafford Loan Program Timelines. You can apply for Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans year-round. The following materials are required for loan processing: (1) Fuller Financial Aid Application (2) the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); (3) any other materials requested by Student Financial Services. Please allow a minimum of 30 days for your loan request to be processed. For specific quarterly and annual deadlines, contact Student Financial Services. Alternative Educational Loans. These loans are offered by various financial institutions and are in addition to and distinct from the federally funded loan programs. Terms vary among plans. The most recent information is available from Student Financial Services. Short-term Emergency Loans The seminary has a small fund to help in case of emergencies (e.g., car repairs, unexpected medical bills) and may loan students who are enrolled for at least eight units up to $300. Repayment is due in two months and no interest is charged unless repayment is late. Failure to repay per the terms of the loan forfeits future eligibility. No more than two emergency loans will be approved for a student in a 12-month period.
Repayment of Student LoansRepayment Options. Specific guidelines apply depending on the loan program and when you borrowed. Options for deferment, forbearance, graduated repayment, income contingent repayment, loan consolidation, and cancellation of a debt will vary by program. Student borrowers interested in more details should contact Student Financial Services and the lender or servicer of their loans. Most students enter repayment six to nine months after graduation or last half-time attendance. In some instances repayment can begin immediately. A lender or its servicer will usually remind you of your debt and arrange a repayment plan. Even if your lender does not contact you, you must contact your lender no later than 90 days before repayment as part of your responsibility to the loan program. Promptly paying a student loan payment monthly will help you establish a good credit record. Good credit is an asset when applying for other credit, such as a home mortgage or car loan. Frequent late payments constitute delinquency and may harm your credit history. Following are tips on avoiding delinquency:
The Grace Period. The interval between graduation (or termination of at least half-time enrollment) and the beginning of repayment is called the "grace period." The purpose of the grace period is to give students time to establish themselves financially. During the grace period, repayment is not required and interest does not accrue on Subsidized Stafford/GSLs and NDSL/Perkins Loans. Repayment of principal and interest may be deferred on Unsubsidized Stafford/SLS, consolidated loans, and HEALs, but interest continues to accrue and, in some cases, to be capitalized. There is no grace period for Graduate PLUS Loans and repayment begins immediately upon graduation or being enrolled less than half-time. A grace period is six or nine months long, depending on when you received your first loan. The length of the grace period is disclosed to the you at the time you receive the loan. During your grace period, you should expect to receive a repayment schedule and disclosure statement from the lender or its servicer. This schedule gives specific information about the terms of repayment, such as the amount of monthly principal and interest payments, the first due date, and subsequent monthly due dates. Coupons or statements, which are to accompany monthly payments, are forwarded at a later date. If the payments are too low or high, you should contact your lender or servicer immediately to discuss other payment amounts. You should not wait until the first payment becomes due. If you can make payments on the loan during your grace period, you should do so. All payments made during the grace period are interest-free and will greatly reduce the amount of interest you will pay on the loan. You should contact your lenders for more information about prepayment. How and Why to Avoid Default. A default on an educational loan is a claim paid by the guarantee agency to a lender of that loan. It occurs when borrowers fail to repay within the repayment guidelines. Some consequences of defaulting on educational loans are listed below.
Default is avoidable. It requires careful planning when you make the decision to borrow, and when you make choices about your lifestyle and throughout the entire repayment period. Your choices about student loan debt will enable you to finance your educational investment and to make repayment comfortable.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress PolicyPolicy. To be eligible for institutional and federal financial aid, you must meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (FASAP). Fuller's Financial Aid SAP policy is designed to meet federal regulations and is therefore stricter than the seminary's regular Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. In most cases, if you maintain a 2.50 or greater cumulative GPA and complete your courses, you should have no trouble with the FASAP policy. Student Financial Services measures your academic progress each quarter in two ways:
The FASAP measurements are conducted during the fifth week of each quarter. If you currently receive financial aid and fail a measurement, you will receive a notification letter from Student Financial Services. Consequences. Failing the FASAP can adversely affect your eligibility for current and future financial aid. If you fail a measurement, you will not be eligible to receive institutional grants or scholarships, federal student loan funds, Perkins loan funds, and Federal Work-Study funds until you regain eligibility or a petition is approved on your behalf. Even if your petition receives approval, you may not be eligible to receive funds from past quarters. FASAP Petition Policy. Federal regulations limit the types of circumstances in which a FASAP waiver may be granted due to
To petition, you must submit the following documentation:
The Policy Review Team will review the petition or, if the team is unable to convene, the director of Student Financial Services will make a decision and notify you of a decision within 30 days of submission. Decisions of the Policy Review Team or the director are final.
Petition Policies for Institutional AidUnder certain circumstances Student Financial Services may be able to either waive certain institutional requirements or increase your financial aid award because you experience a change in your situation. Petition to Waive Eligibility Requirements. You can request a waiver of the following eligibility requirements:
To petition, you must submit a letter explaining the circumstances that affect your ability to meet the requirement being petitioned. The director will evaluate the petition and notify you in writing within 30 days or your submission. Petition to Increase Grant or Scholarship Award. You may request a reevaluation of your grant for two reasons. Increase in unitsSince institutional grants and scholarships are disbursed in a variety of ways, different policies apply to different types of institutional aid. For School of Theology, School of Intercultural Studies, and Marriage and Family institutional need-based grants, and African American Church Studies or Latino Leadership grants:
For Clinical Psychology need-based grants:
For a Dean's or Trowbridge Scholarship:
If you have experienced unusual circumstances that have changed your financial circumstances, you may petition. Some examples include:
You must complete a Change in Circumstance form and submit it to Student Financial Services. The director will evaluate the petition and notify you in writing within 30 days of your submission.
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