Financial Aid

Financial assistance from a number of sources may be available to students who cannot meet the costs of theological education. Below are some of the options.

Students are encouraged to investigate outside sources of financial support which might be available. Students may also research scholarship sources through their local library. The Graduate Scholarship Book and The Directory of Financial Aid for Women are both good resources. Also, Koerner Library, on the UBC campus, has a large section on scholarship searches.

Government Student Loans
Canada Student Loans
The Canada Student Loans program is available to Canadians in all provinces and territories except Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut who run their own student assistance plans. This means that, in addition to a federal student loan, students may also be eligible for student loans or grants from the province or territory in which they live. Use the links below to find out more about provincial student aid. Remember that while eligibility for federal and provincial loans is generally assessed using a single application form, these programmes have somewhat different rules. For details on student financial assistance programmes, see the provincial/territorial financial assistance office. Applications must be made through the province in which the student resides. BC residents can apply for student loans at the Student Aid BC website http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/. Vancouver School of Theology code is APAP.

First Nations students can apply for financial assistance through Tribal government or the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs.

U.S. Student Loans
If you are from the United States, VST has been assigned a school code number (G30783) by the U.S. Department of Education. This designation enables students from the U.S.A. who are attending VST to apply for either a U.S. Guaranteed Student Loan or deferred payment of an existing GSL. To be eligible for aid, an American student must be registered in 18 credit hours per academic year; although some funding may also be made available to students taking as few as 9 credit hours over the year. Students must first complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.nela.net. For more information contact the Registrar at 604-822-9563 or registrar@vst.edu

Courses leading to the Diploma of Christian Studies, M.Div., M.A.T.S. and Th.M. degrees have been included for the enrollment of eligible U.S. Veterans under the Veteran's Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966.

Please see the International Students section for more information.

Denominational Support
A student's own congregation / parish / diocese / presbytery may be a source of financial assistance. In many cases, there is an established fund for students of theology, or a willingness to offer some financial support.

Master of Divinity by Extension students are also eligible for VST student aid. Please contact the Native Ministries Program Office for details by phone at 604-822-9480 or by e-mail at nmp@vst.edu. For Native Ministries Grant guidelines please click here. For a Native Ministries Grant Application form (pdf) please click here.

Applicants are expected to supply a detailed budget click here for a pdf version of this form for the academic year, showing anticipated resources and expenses. Applicants must demonstrate that they have searched for other possible sources of financial support including congregational and denominational assistance.

Applicants are interviewed in mid-September by the Financial Aid Officer before consideration by the Awards and Bursaries Committee in early October. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee financial assistance. For more information contact the Registrar at 604-822-9563 or registrar@vst.edu .

In addition, students should enquire about special sources that apply to particular situations (e.g., some grants are available to students from a particular province).

To estimate the year's expenses for Government Student Loans or for VST Student Aid, all students should assume full tuition. Partial tuition will not satisfy the minimum registration requirement for this purpose or for Revenue Canada.