Dean’s Fellowships

Masters-level applicants who received a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA in their previous degree program and complete their application by the Priority Admissions Deadline are considered for Dean’s Fellowships. Dean’s Fellows are chosen during the admissions process on the basis of proven academic excellence and extra-curricular commitments. The awards range from full tuition to full tuition plus an annual stipend, renewable for the length of their program so long as they maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA. Annual stipend amounts vary and individual offers are determined based on the size and competitiveness of each year’s applicant pool. Most Dean’s Fellowships are awarded to students applying for Fall matriculation and the recipients are chosen in early March. However, when funds are available, students applying for Spring matriculation are considered for Dean’s Fellowships. Stipends are awarded in 4 monthly payments per terms and paid on the fourth Friday of each month (September-April).

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 are 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 are 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 are eligible to receive 70% tuition scholarships toward courses required for ordination. Individuals seeking to take a course to meet ordination requirements must 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 application process.

Leadership fellowships are normally awarded upon admission and, at minimum, include a full-tuition scholarship and an annual stipend. Annual stipend amounts vary and individual offers are determined based on the size and competitiveness of each year’s applicant pool. 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 Latinx Fellowships is designed to recruit and support students who are interested in Latinx studies. The fellowship may be awarded to one or more applicants who display commitment and service to the Latinx community.

Indigenous Studies Fellowship

Indigenous Studies Fellowships may be awarded to a limited number of applicants who seek to study theology in relation to indigenous cultures or to prepare themselves for leadership within indigenous communities worldwide.

Sacred Worth Fellowship

Sacred Worth Fellowships may be awarded to a limited number of 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 are for 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.

Students taking at least 6 units per term are eligible for financial aid in the form of Tuition Scholarships, which remove a significant percentage of that tuition cost. Tuition Scholarships are different for each degree program, depending on the length of the program. The chart below shows what students can expect in terms of actual tuition and total academic costs for 2024-2025:

Degree Program	Percent of Tuition Scholarship	Cost of Full-Time Tuition after Tuition Scholarship	Required Fees
Master of Divinity (MDiv) 6 terms	70%	$7,215/year	$1,206
Master of Theological Studies (MTS) 4 terms	70%	$7,215/year	$1,206
Master of Sacred Music (MSM) 4 terms	70%	$7,215/year	$1,206
Master of Sacred Theology (STM) 2 terms	70%	$7,215/year	$1,206

Terms listed above are the number of terms it takes to complete the program if taking a traditional course load of 4 classes per term (12 units). Students taking fewer than 12 units per term may end up using all of their terms of financial aid eligibility prior to completing their degree requirements. For that reason, students should be cautious in keeping in mind their maximum number of terms of financial aid eligibility when planning their registration each term.