The student must pay tuition and fees in full at the beginning of each semester. Tuition is charged by the number of credits taken each semester. F-1 students are required by the United Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to take a full course load each semester.  For Th.M., and D. Miss. students, a full course load is 6 hours per semester. For D. Min. a full course load is 3 hours per semester.  For all other programs, it is 8 hours per semester.

Must take at least 3/6/8 hours per term (depending upon program); 6/12/16 hours per year (fall and spring semester) are required as a minimum, but 30 hrs. per year required to finish most programs in 2-3 years.

For the welfare of the international student and because the seminary cannot assume financial responsibility for hospitalization, international students must have health insurance coverage acceptable to the seminary.  This can be coverage from your home country that covers you here in the US or you can obtain your own insurance here.  We also provide students with an insurance plan they can take part in.  Spouses and dependents are not required to have insurance, but it is highly recommended that they be covered because of the high costs of the US healthcare system.

Accepted students who desire to bring family members with them to Western Seminary must show proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses and all transportation costs for family members. The USCIS requires that proof of financial support be given before the proper forms for visa application can be issued.  Family members are issued papers showing they have dependent status (F-2).

Although Western Seminary has no campus housing for students, we work closely with an affiliated non-profit organization that provides housing for international students attending Western Seminary at the Portland campus. The cost is subsidized.  

The following are a few examples of expenses. Doctoral students substitute tuition as $5,760 for DMiss ($480/ credit x 12 credits) and $2880 for DMin ($480/credit x 6 credits):

(These are costs that admitted students must demonstrate they have in order to receive the F1 visa. Actual costs may differ and so each student must consider their actual budget when they come.)

Single MA student living in Greater Portland Area

Married MA student living in Greater Portland Area

Single MA student living in Northern California

Married MA student living in Northern California

Sponsorship may be important to you. Western Seminary requires that every student secure prayer and financial support from his/her endorsing church, mission agency, or school. Prayer is absolutely vital for your success. Financial sponsorship, even if partial, increases commitment to your church and the church to the student. Costs for enrollment vary by the program of study, family size, living and travel expenses. While limited school scholarships may at times be available, students should seek the Lord’s provision first through their church, mission agency, school, family, friends, mission board, or para-church agencies.

All international applicants must show evidence of financial support for educational and living expenses before an I-20 can be issued. Serious consideration of the high cost of living and studying in the United States must be made. Western Seminary has very few scholarships for international students. Information and applications for international student scholarships can be obtained on the Financial Aid web pages and submitted to the International Student Coordinator.  

A student entering the U.S. with student (F-1) status may not work except on the campus of his/her institution. Western Seminary has very few positions of this kind available each year. A student cannot count upon finding significant financial support by working while studying.