All master’s-level students taking at least six units per term are eligible for financial aid in the form of tuition scholarships. The chart below uses a 70% tuition scholarship example to show what students might expect in terms of tuition and total academic costs per year of their program, using 2025-2026 tuition rates:

Terms listed above are the number of terms it takes to complete the program if taking a traditional course load of four classes per terms (12 units). Part-time students also receive tuition scholarships, but should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine how their curriculum choices could affect the number of terms they can receive tuition scholarship aid.

*Final scholarship awards may vary.

Dean’s Fellowships may be awarded on the criteria of proven academic excellence and extra-curricular commitments. To be considered for a Dean’s Fellowship one must apply with a 3.3 or above cumulative GPA from their most recent degree program. To maintain their Dean’s Fellowships these students must earn a cumulative 3.3 GPA during their studies at BUSTH. Apply by the Priority Admissions Deadline to be considered for a Dean’s Fellowship award.

Leadership fellowships may be awarded upon admission and seek to support students whose vocational paths align with core academic strengths and values of the School of Theology. These awards are renewable for the length of the student’s program so long as the student maintains a minimum 2.7 GPA and remains in good academic and disciplinary standing. Visit our Funds page to read more about available named scholarships at STH. (Please note, students may only be awarded one STH Fellowship during the admissions process. Students cannot receive both a Dean’s Fellowship and a Leadership Fellowship.)

Howard Thurman Fellowship

Howard Thurman Fellowships may be awarded to one or more applicants who reflect Thurman’s ideals and who exemplify in their lives a commitment to deepening spirituality and moral leadership in service to the church and the world.

Raíces Latinx Fellowship

Raíces Latinas Fellowships may be awarded annually to up to three students who pursue historical and theological studies relevant to Latinx communities and who display commitment and service to the Latinx communities as part of their vocational pathways.

Indigenous Studies Fellowship

Indigenous Studies Fellowships may be awarded annually to up to three applicants who seek to study theology in relation to indigenous cultures or to prepare themselves for leadership with indigenous communities worldwide.

Sacred Worth Fellowship

Sacred Worth Fellowships may be awarded annually to up to three applicants who are committed to understanding the rich diversities in sexuality; exploring the intersection of sexuality, theology, and ethics; and working toward the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in church, academy, and society.

Mary Elizabeth Moore Fellowship

Moore Fellowships may be awarded to a limited number of applicants who are committed to the empowerment of women in the theological academy, religious institutions, or wider society.

UMC Leadership Fellowships

UMC Leadership Fellowships may be awarded to those pursuing ordination as an elder or a deacon in the United Methodist Church. Students must be registered candidates with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry on the UMCares site prior to the start of classes each term to be eligible for the UMC Leadership Fellowship, and must make steady progress in their ordination process to maintain their award.

United Methodist Ordination Scholarships

MDiv, MTS, and MSM students (those without a prior MDiv/MTS) pursuing ordination as an elder or a deacon in the United Methodist Church may be eligible for a 100% tuition scholarship. Students must be registered candidates with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry on the UMCares site prior to the start of classes each term to be eligible for the UMC Ordination scholarship.

AME/AMEZ/CME Ordination Scholarships

MDiv, MTS, and MSM students (those without a prior MDiv/MTS) who are candidates for ordained ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church may be eligible for a 100% tuition scholarship.

Non-Degree Ordination Scholarships (UMC, UCC, Episcopal, or UU)

Non-degree seeking students who are pursuing UMC, UCC, Episcopal, or UU ordination and have already graduated with an MDiv may be eligible to receive 70% tuition scholarships toward courses required for ordination. Individuals seeking to take a course to meet ordination requirements must apply and register as a “special student” so that the work completed may appear on an academic transcript with a grade. Please contact the Admissions Office at sthadmis@bu.edu for more information about the streamlined Special Student application process.

The chart below shows what students matriculating into the PhD program can expect in total financial awards for 2025-2026:

PhD fellowships include stipends each term, full scholarships for tuition and university-mandated academic fees, and individual health coverage through the University’s student medical insurance plan at the basic level. These awards are made on the basis of merit upon admission for the first five years of doctoral study, do not include housing or living expenses, and require teaching and research internships and assistantships as per the schedule below. Students may not be otherwise employed during the 8 months of the academic year in order to receive any PhD Fellowship.

Note: Eligible students may apply for a service-free dissertation fellowship in Year 5 if they have an approved prospectus by the end of Year 4.

The Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin) in Transformational Leadership is a professional doctoral degree meant to enrich religious leaders already embedded in traditional and non-traditional settings, to deepen their understanding of and commitment to ministry, and to refine its practice.

The DMin costs approximately $26,440 in tuition and fees over the course of three years (six terms) of part-time study, plus travel to Boston for the intensive seminars. During the first year of the program, the intensive courses and cohort-building last nine nights for each stay in August and January. During the second year, the intensive courses are a five-day commitment with the preceding evening optional.

*Figures shown use 2025-2026 prices. Tuition and fee rates change a few hundred dollars each year.

Students in the Doctor of Ministry program benefit from a reduced per-unit tuition cost as compared to students in other STH degrees. As such, they are not eligible for other scholarships from the School of Theology itself. We encourage DMin applicants to explore funding their programs using a combination of personal funds, continuing education funds from their place of ministry, outside awards and scholarships (such as from their denomination), and, if necessary, federal unsubsidized loans.

• Outside Scholarships: To aid students in their scholarship search, the School of Theology’s Financial Aid Office maintains a large list of outside awards and scholarships, arranged by eligibility, here.
• Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Students taking at least 6 units per term are eligible to apply for a federal unsubsidized loan with the STH Financial Aid Application (below).