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Financial Support

Financial Support

All international students seeking to study in the US must demonstrate, according to US regulations, that they have the funds to cover their first full year of tuition, books and living expenses. 

Once you are admitted, you will be sent a Financial Guarantee Form that is based upon your campus, living situation, and degree that you are seeking.  Tuition remains the same for each campus. 

Expenses

2022-23 Expenses

The following are expenses for the MA degree students at the Portland and San Jose locations of Western Seminary. Additional amounts would be added for the following degrees: Portland MA Counseling students would substitute $10768 ($673/credit x 16 credits). Th.M. students substitute $7704 ($642/credit x 12 credits) for tuition while doctoral students substitute tuition as $8580 for Doctor of Intercultural Studies/EdD ($715/credit x 12 credits) and $4038 for D.Min. ($673/credit x 6 credits).

Please note that these are costs that admitted students must demonstrate they have in order to receive their I-20 documentation and F1 visa. 

Single M.A. online student coming for 2 week threshold courses

Tuition (8 credits x $642/credit) $5136
Educational technology fee $220
Books $333
Total Tuition and Books $5689
Rent/Food $782
Transportation $87
Personal Expenses $123
Medical Insurance $0
Dependent Costs $0
Total Living Expenses $993
Total All Living Expenses $6682

Single M.A. student living in Greater Portland Area

Tuition (16 credits x $642/credit) $10272
Educational technology fee (2 terms) $440
Books $1,000
Total Tuition and Books $11712
Rent/Food $17156
Transportation $1296
Personal Expenses $3214
Medical Insurance $2160
Dependent Costs $0
Total Living Expenses $23826
Total All Living Expenses $35538

Married M.A. student living in Greater Portland Area

Tuition (16 credits x $642/credit) $10272
Educational technology fee (2 terms) $440
Books $1,000
Total Tuition and Books $11,712
Rent/Food $20372
Transportation $2106
Personal Expenses $5347
Medical Insurance $5602
Dependent Costs $0¹
Total Living Expenses $33427
Total All Living Expenses $45139

¹For the Portland Campus, add $7,194 for each dependent child

Single M.A. student living in San Jose

Tuition (16 credits x $642/credit) $10272
Educational technology fee (2 terms) $440
Books $1,000
Total Tuition and Books $11712
Rent/Food $25925
Transportation $1069
Personal Expenses $3214
Medical Insurance $2291
Dependent Costs $0
Total Living Expenses $32499
Total All Living Expenses $44211

Married M.A. Student living in San Jose

Tuition (16 credits x $642/credit) $10272
Educational technology fee (2 terms) $440
Books $1,000
Total Tuition and Books $11712
Rent/Food $29142
Transportation $1879
Personal Expenses $5347
Medical Insurance $5693
Dependent Costs $0²
Total Living Expenses $42061
Total All Living Expenses $53773
²For the San Jose Campus, add $10,688 for each dependent child

 

Tuition and Fees

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 US law to take a full course load each semester.  For Th.M. and Doctor of Intercultural Studies students, a full course load is 6 hours per semester. For D. Min. students, a full course load is 3 hours per semester.  For all other programs, it is 8 hours per semester.

Portland/Sacramento/San Jose (2021-2022 rates)
$617 for each credit at Masters level (except MA Counseling)
$647 for each credit for the MA Counseling

$647 for each credit for the Doctor of Ministry
$687 for each credit for the Doctor of Intercultural Studies and Doctor of Education

$220 Educational Technology Fee for each term with 1 registered credit
$1,000 yearly for books and fees

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

Other school fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.

Medical Insurance

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 in the US.  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. More information about health insurance can be obtained from the International Student Office.

Families

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 US Department of Homeland Security 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).

Housing

Western Seminary does not have student housing. Students will need to secure their own housing in the Portland area. We advise students to work with the International Student Office in this process.

Funding Sources

Sources of funds can be a students personal funds, family funds, sponsorship from an individual, church support, loan, or scholarship.  Whichever the case, the total must match what is given on the Financial Guarantee Form.  Any declared amount also must be supported by official financial documents. 

Sponsorship

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.

Financial Aid

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 Grants and Scholarships page at the bottom of the page.

Working

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 limited on campus positions of this kind available each year. A student cannot count upon finding significant financial support by working while studying.

Paying Tuition and Fees Internationally

Western seminary now hows the means to accept payments from international banks and sources. For more information, see international payments. Please note that because this is a 3rd party payment, you will need to pay tuition a week in advance so that it clears you account in time for the tuition deadline.