SCHOLARSHIPS & TUITION GRANT-IN-AID 

Shepherds Theological Seminary offers a limited pool of in-house scholarships and tuition grant-in-aid to eligible students. The Financial Aid Office sends out applications for awards to active students of the seminary prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters each year. A scholarship committee reviews the completed applications and distributes available awards.

To be eligible for an award, a student must be:

  • In a degree program or diploma program if allowed by the scholarship
  • In good academic standing
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 (unless the scholarship has a stated minimum GPA requirement)
  • Actively taking courses and progressing toward graduation

Traditional degree-seeking students can begin applying for awards once they have completed a full academic year at STS; one-year students can apply after completing their first semester. The awards are for future semesters, not semesters already completed. Note: students employed by Shepherds Theological Seminary or The Shepherd’s Church (working at least 20 hours per week) are not eligible for in-house awards.

Below are a list of potential scholarships that an eligible student could receive. In addition to the general eligibility requirements outlined above, several scholarships have additional parameters that further define eligibility. Please note that award availability and amounts vary from semester to semester.

Art & Donna Willis Family Scholarship

This scholarship was established to help a full-time student(s) who is preparing for full-time pastoral ministry upon graduation.

  • Demonstrated ministry abilities.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Seeking M-Div or MA in Christian Ministry.
Wiggins Pastoral Scholarship

The family of Carson and Moeine Wiggins desire to honor their lives of dedicated service to the Lord by providing financial and spiritual encouragement to a student at Shepherds who is both married and preparing for pastoral ministry. 

Elizabeth Fitch Scholarship for Families with Special Needs
This scholarship grant is made available to alleviate the financial burden for a degree-seeking student who has: one or more children with developmental, physical, or cognitive disabilities; or one or more live-in family members with developmental, physical, or cognitive disabilities. 
  • Enrolled in a Degree Program students with a family member that meets the criteria listed with the intent of the scholarship.
Stu Epperson Family Pastoral Scholarship

This scholarship was established to cover the tuition needs of an active Pastor who desires to complete his studies in any of our programs, one who is willing to continue his pastoral ministry while giving ample time to finish a degree at STS. This scholarship requires continuous enrollment.

  • Active pastor in a local church.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Bear the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
  • Requires continuous enrollment in pursuit of Masters or Diploma
James F. Langley Memorial Scholarship
In loving memory of James F. Langley – a Christian gentleman, faithful husband, and loving father – this scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need, a desire to serve the Lord in full-time ministry, and a life of consistent Christian living in attitude and actions.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Desire to serve the Lord in full time ministry.
  • Lives a consistent life of Christian living in attitude and actions.
Jane Lassiter Baker and Emma Lee Huggett Scholarship

It is the desire of Paul W. Baker Jr. and Deborah H. Baker to honor the lives of Jane Lassiter Baker and Emma Lee Huggett by providing financial and spiritual encouragement for students at STS who are committed to vocational Christian ministry and service. 

  • Must present personal testimony of commitment for a life of vocational Christian ministry.
  • Completed at least one semester toward seeking MA or MDiv degree.
  • Minimum 2.70 GPA.
Matthew 28 Scholarship
This scholarship is made in honor of Rev. Morris L. & Leoma Barber to provide financial assistance to those planning to serve in the pastorate or as a missionary to a mission field (or similar activity). Candidates for this scholarship must  exhibit an observable passion towards the Great Commission and have the following:
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Seeking a role in the pastorate or missionary field.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Paul K. Jackson Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student who shows a heart for a teaching ministry. The namesake of this scholarship, Paul K. Jackson, had a heart for teaching and was the first professor of Old and New Testaments at STS, as well as Pastor of Adult Ministries at The Shepherd’s Church.

  • Demonstrates a heart for teaching.
  • Demonstrates a desire for full-time ministry.
Pettegrew Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a select student each academic year who has demonstrated commitment and proficiency in theological studies. The student must be training for vocational ministry, in a professional degree program (MDiv, MABLL, or ThM), and actively engaged in local church ministry. The fund was created in honor of the enduring contribution of Dr. Larry Pettegrew to STS.

Scholarship candidates are selected by faculty. This scholarship provides free tuition to one student for one academic year.

 

  • Consistently demonstrates spiritual maturity.
  • Fully engaged in a local church.
  • Seeking M-Div, MABBL, or ThM
  • Demonstrate deep interest in theological thought & research.
  • Full tuition for the academic year.
  • STS Faculty and Staff must submit nominations by April 1st of prior Spring Semester.
Tuition Grant-in-Aid

This fund was established specifically to assist students who are struggling financially in order to attend seminary. It is supported by private donations only. The fund is open to students in any degree program.

  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Faculty and staff may nominate students who are experiencing financial hardship.
Tully M. Fletcher Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student who best demonstrates a spirit of compassion for the lost by the habitual practice of personal or church group evangelism. The namesake of this scholarship, Tully M. Fletcher III, had an intense interest in winning souls.
  • Demonstrates personal love for evangelism.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
Wiggins Pastoral Scholarship
This scholarship honors the Wiggins family’s faithful service to the Lord by supporting a married Shepherds student preparing for pastoral ministry. Carson Wiggins, a former scholarship recipient, served many years as a pastor.
  • The student must be married.
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • Purposefully training for pastoral ministry.
  • Enrolled in a degree program.
Fill Out Scholarship Application