Grants and Scholarships
Eligibility: To be eligible for financial aid in a given semester at °µÍø½ûÇø, students must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.
Application Process: To apply, students must first complete the (use school code G07178), then complete the appropriate in SIS. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free application that helps students determine their eligibility for federal financial aid. The FAFSA is NOT an application for aid at °µÍø½ûÇø. In conjunction with the FAFSA, you must also complete an application for the type of aid you are seeking (including loans) in your SIS account. Unless otherwise specified, grants and scholarships are awarded for a single term, and students must re-apply each semester. International Students do not need to complete the FAFSA, and most should only complete the .Ìý
Awards: Grant and Scholarship awards are usually made during open registrationÌýfor the upcoming semester. Applications are processed once all required materials are submitted. Most awards are percentage based, with an amount calculated based on the number of anticipated credits listed on the student's need-based grant application.Ìý
Grant Stacking Policy:ÌýIt has always been Western's best practice to award students the maximum amount of financial aid they are eligible for, up to 15% of total tuition. Please read Western's grant stacking policyÌý(updated fall 2024)Ìýfor more information.
Disbursement: Grant and Scholarship disbursements are made directly to student accounts, starting on the Monday before the semester begins.Ìý
Paying Tuition: Tuition is due in full by the tuition deadline, regardless of when a grant or scholarship is disbursed. If a student's grant or scholarship has not disbursed by the tuition deadline, they can either pay in full and receive a refund onceÌý aid is disbursed to their account, or they can sign up for a monthly payment plan and make the first payment. In the latter option, any amount disbursed above the remaining balance will be refunded to the student, up to the amount already paid.Ìý
Please click below for details on individual grants or scholarships.Ìý
Named ScholarshipsÌý
These named scholarships are non-renewable, and in most cases cannot be combined with other grants and scholarships from °µÍø½ûÇø. Please review the eligibility requirements below before applying.
2025–2026 Named Scholarships
The 2025–2026 named scholarships list below provides pertinent information related to named scholarships that are available for students to apply for in the 2025–2026 academic year. Instructions pertaining to reviewing criteria and eligibility statements and then submitting an application are included in the linked document below.
- View available 2025–2026 named scholarships.
- Complete the .
Need Based
°µÍø½ûÇø Grant
Grants will be based primarily on financial need and will depend in large part on the amount of money available and the need of the applicant. Grants are awarded for a single term. Students must re-apply for grants every semester. All degree programs are eligible.Ìý
In order to qualify, students must:
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Have an SAI (Student Aid Index, formerly EFC) of $3,000 or less, as determined by FAFSA data.
Partnerships
Venture Church Network Grant
°µÍø½ûÇø and the Venture Church Network (VCN) have partnered to provide VCN staff and members with exceptional opportunities for advanced theological studies! Here’s how you can benefit from this exclusive offer:
25% Partnership Grant: All verified members or staff of VCN churches will receive a 25% tuition grant for credit courses that satisfy degree program requirements. Course or program fees are not covered by this grant.ÌýApplications must be submitted through SIS, and VCN students must list Joyce Mercado as their reference. Joyce's email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Credit for Previous Studies: You can request credit for prior studies accepted by °µÍø½ûÇø faculty.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligibility: In order to receive this partnership grant, VCN staff and members must complete a grant application every semester before the financial aid deadlines (August 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer), and applicants must list Joyce Mercado of Venture Church Network as their reference. Joyce’s email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Note: Admission to °µÍø½ûÇø is not guaranteed. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and submit all necessary materials, including reference forms and financial aid documents.
Partnership Grant
°µÍø½ûÇø partners with a variety of organizations and churches to offer the Partnership Grant, which provides financial assistance to eligible staff and volunteers. Grants are awarded on a term-by-term basis, and students must reapply each semester. To apply, students must complete the , theÌýÌýand theÌý. While many partnership grants provide a 15% grant toward tuition and fees, some grants have unique terms based on specific partnership agreements. This grant cannot be combined with the Need-Based Grant.
Important Note: Eligibility criteria and discount percentage varies by partnership
The following is a list of participating churches and organizations:
Parachurch
Church Partnerships
- // Portland, OR
- // Roseville, CA
- // New York, NY
- // Tulsa, OK
- // Elk Grove, CA
- // Portland, OR
- Ìý// Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina
- // Portland, OR
- // Vancouver, WA
- // Seattle, WA
- // Tualatin, OR
- // Eugene, OR
- // Vancouver, WA
- // Los Gatos, CA
- (formerly CBAmerica)
- // Santa Cruz, CA
- // San Jose, CA
Alumni Scholarships
Alumni ScholarshipÌý
Graduates of a °µÍø½ûÇø masters program are eligible for a 20 percent tuition scholarship for their doctoral program at °µÍø½ûÇø. The awarding process is automatic, so no application is necessary. Scholarships are awarded for a single term. This scholarship does not stack with the Need-Based grant.Ìý
Alumni Audit Opportunity
Degree graduates of °µÍø½ûÇø are invited to audit one course per year at no charge. Degree graduates include those who have completed a full master's or doctoral degree program.
Church Matching Grants
Church Matching Grants
°µÍø½ûÇø offers a church matching grant, matching contributions from partner churches up to 15% of a student's tuition. To qualify, students must be enrolled at least half-time and referred by their partner church. The agreement must be signed by the church’s executive leadership; students cannot sign on behalf of their supporting church. While churches are welcome to contribute more, Western's match will not exceed 15%. Eligibility criteria and deadlines apply. For questions, please contact the Financial Aid department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Other
International Student Scholarships
Most international students are not eligible for other institutional grants or scholarships, and should complete the form below. Students coming to study residentially in the USA will need to apply by April 1 each year. Students planning to remain abroad are subject to the standard financial aid application deadlines. International Student Scholarships are awarded one year at a time, so the application form only needs to be completed once per academic year.ÌýInternational students working on campus may stack tuition waivers with the International Student Scholarship.
International Students that are eligible for a Partnership Grant should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss whether they should apply for the International Student Scholarship or for the Partnership Grant. If the tuition discount percentage is greater through the Partnership Grant, students should submit the and applications. Since International Students cannot complete the FAFSA, other means will be used to assess financial need, if required for the grant in question.Ìý
Learning Together Program
If you are the spouse of a currently enrolled student in a master’s or doctoral degree program, you may qualify for the Learning Together Program. This program allows spouses to audit one on-campus course per semester at the regular audit rate and provides scholarships based on the enrolled student's credit load:
- Spouses of full-time students (8+ credits) receive a 75% scholarship.
- Spouses of half-time students (4–7 credits) receive a 50% scholarship.
- Spouses of students enrolled in 1–3 credits are not eligible.
The Learning Together Program cannot be combined with the Advanced Studies Certificate Program or Partners in Ministry Programs and does not include online or coaching courses.
How to Register:
- Set up an for enrollment and registration.
- Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to notify Financial Aid of your registration and request applicable waivers or tuition adjustments. Be sure to include the degree student’s name in your email.