Types of Financial Aid
The Seminary’s low rate of tuition provides students with indirect financial aid in an amount of approximately 45% of actual cost of tuition. Additionally, some students are awarded financial aid based mainly on need, the number of credit hours being attempted during the semester, and their assessed ability to complete the work satisfactorily. Financial aid is administered by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Committee on the advisement of the President. Applications for financial aid are available in the Admissions and Financial Aid Office. The Seminary awards financial aid in four categories:
Grants-in-aid are amounts awarded to assist students with payment of tuition. One source of that aid is the Woman’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society (W.H.&O.M.S.) of the AME Zion Church, which gives an annual sum of money to the Seminary from which to award grants-in-aid to AME Zion students in need. This annual gift is a major source of the financial aid income of the Seminary. Other sources are the Seminary’s own resources and any grants received from foundations.
Tuition remission is a reduction of tuition offered to full time employees of the Seminary.
Scholarships are varying amounts awarded annually to students on the basis of academic merit and applied toward the payment of tuition.
Student loans from the federal government are available to qualified students. Applications for student loans are available at www.studentloans.gov. Students receiving federal student aid must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) each semester. For more information contact the Financial Aid Office.
Veterans and Their Dependents
The Master and Doctoral Programs of the Seminary are approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency for the enrollment of persons eligible for education assistance benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Information about policies and procedures for veteran students and dependents using VA benefits are provided by the Registrar, who is the Veteran Certifying Official, and local county VA offices. Students must be accepted in a VA approved program of study and meet all institutional and VA requirements before certification can be made by the Seminary to the Veterans Administration. In order to facilitate the receipt of VA benefits, prospective students should apply for VA benefits through the website http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/benefits.htm as soon as they have completed the admissions process for the Seminary. In addition to the VA website, specific application for benefits can be made through county VA offices (upon presentation of a certified copy of the DD Form 214) or with the VA Certifying Official. To be eligible for full monthly allowances, Master Program students must be registered for nine (9) or more credit hours per semester. Those enrolled for fewer hours will be eligible for part-time assistance. Students are responsible for reporting to the VA Certifying Official any changes in their enrollment status as well as changes to contact information.
Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes
Through the generosity of alumni, alumnae, and friends, the Seminary awards, at the beginning of semesters and during an Honors Convocation, a number of prizes and certificates of merit in recognition of grants to the Seminary. Such prizes and certificates are given to students of high academic performance who meet criteria set by the donors. The amounts received are added to the financial aid pool of the Seminary to be disbursed on the basis of need to recipients of the certificates and to other students in good academic standing.
THE WOODSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP— A scholarship endowed by the Margaret C. Woodson Foundation. The honoree is a first year, first career student with financial need, who has displayed academic excellence and outstanding promise for ministry.
THE ROBERT AND LOIS PRUEHSNER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP – A scholarship provided by Robert and Lois Pruehsner to a deserving student or students selected by the faculty based on need and a demonstration of academic excellence and outstanding potential for ministry.
The DWIGHT F. AND DEBORAH MESSINGER SCHOLARSHIP— A scholarship awarded to a student entering his or her first year of seminary.
THE BISHOP CLARENCE AND BARBARA S. CARR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP— A scholarship established by Mrs. Barbara Carr and the late Bishop Clarence Carr awarded to a deserving A.M.E. Zion student based upon academic merit and financial need.
THE BISHOP AND MRS. RICHARD K. THOMPSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP— A scholarship based on need and merit endowed by Bishop and Mrs. Richard K. Thompson for an entering student in the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church.
THE DR. ALBERT J. D. AYMER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP— A scholarship established in honor of Dr. Aymer by the First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, North Carolina, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Stanback, Mr. and Mrs. Miles Smith, and a bequest from the Lawrence Lacquement estate (Morristown, New Jersey) and awarded, based on academic merit and financial need, to a deserving student who shows outstanding potential for ministry.
THE DR. FRANK AND FLETCHER BROWN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP -- A scholarship established in the memory of Dr. Frank and Fletcher Brown by their son, Mr. Reginald Brown of Salisbury, North Carolina, and awarded, based on academic merit and financial need, to a deserving student who shows outstanding potential for ministry.
THE BISHOP GEORGE E. BATTLE, JR. ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP – A scholarship established in honor of Bishop Battle and awarded to a seminary student showing great promise in the field of ministry with strong consideration given to need and merit.
THE DR. ROBERT HARKRADER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP -- A scholarship established anonymously by a friend in the First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, North Carolina, and awarded, based on academic merit and financial need, to a deserving student who shows outstanding potential for ministry.
THE THOMAS WILLIAM LANGFORD ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP -- A scholarship established with endowment funds given by Thomas and Barbara Langford, members of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, North Carolina, in memory of their infant son and awarded, based on academic merit and financial need, to a deserving student who shows outstanding potential for ministry.
THE ANDREW MCLEAN SPAULDING ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP -- A scholarship established with endowment funds given by Rev. Spaulding's son, Dr. Henry Moses of Nashville, Tennessee, and awarded, based on academic merit and financial need, to a deserving student who shows outstanding potential for ministry.
THE BISHOP GEORGE JUNIUS LEAKE III ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP -- A scholarship established with endowment funds to perpetuate the legacy of Bishop George J. Leake III and awarded to qualifying A.M.E. Zion ordained clergy. The recipients are designated Leake Scholars.
THE BISHOP JOSEPH AND DR. DOROTHY SHARPE JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP - An annual scholarship established by Bishop and the late Dr. Dorothy Johnson to a deserving A.M.E. Zion Church female student entering her second year at Hood.
THE ELLEN AND JAMES ROBERT KEEVER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP – A scholarship established with endowment funds, given by the Keever family in memory of Ellen Keever and in honor of James Robert Keever, and awarded to a student who demonstrates significant improvement in research and writing skills.
THE JIM ARTHUR WADFORD ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP -- A scholarship established by Dr. Jim R. and Mrs. Pam Wadford in memory of their son and awarded to an incoming Doctor of Ministry student.
THE HOOD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP – An award given to the Seminary by the Hood Alumni/ae Association, in recognition of a student who shows outstanding academic progress, the promise of competent leadership in the church, and selfless service in the Seminary community.
THE GEORGE E. AND EDNA B. ARMSTRONG MEMORIAL AWARD - An award given to the Seminary by the Reverend James David Armstrong in memory of his mother and father, and in recognition of the student demonstrating the greatest proficiency in studies relative to the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
THE MABEL HARRIS GRAVES AWARD - An award given to the Seminary by Robert H. Graves, Mrs. William T. Graves (in memory of her husband), and Lucille Graves Barnum in honor of their mother, and in recognition of the student who, like their mother, exemplifies loving kindness and Christ-like devotion to others.
THE ANNIE WRIGHT JONES AWARD - An award given to the Seminary by Rev. Althier Jones and the Hood SGA in memory of Rev. Annie Wright Jones to a middler or senior MTS or M.Div. student with academic merit and financial need, and who demonstrates commitment and servanthood.
THE J. ROY VALENCOURT PRIZE IN GREEK - An award given to the Seminary by Mrs. Carol Valencourt in memory of Dr. J. Roy Valencourt, who was a professor of New Testament Studies, in recognition of the student who over at least two semesters of Greek language study, shows the greatest zeal and determination in learning Greek and dedication to lifelong study.
THE CLINTON L. WILCOX SCHOLARSHIP – An award given by the Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church in Mt. Vernon, New York, to a deserving A.M.E. Zion ministerial student.
THE GEORGE CLAYTON THARRINGTON MEMORIAL AWARD - An award given to the Seminary by Bishop Joseph Johnson in recognition of the senior student who best exemplifies the outstanding preaching qualities of Reverend Tharrington. These qualities include biblical preaching with evangelistic emphasis, keen imagination, creative homiletics, and extemporaneous style.
THE HARLEE H. LITTLE MEMORIAL AWARD - An award given to the Seminary by Reverend Dr. Andrew E. Whitted in memory of the Reverend Harlee H. Little, and in recognition of the senior student with the highest average in practical theology.
THE REVEREND DR. WILLIAM M. WHITE SR. PASTORAL THEOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP – An award given to the Seminary in memory of the Reverend Dr. William M. White Sr. by his immediate family, in recognition of the student who has completed two years at Hood, with a ‘B’ grade or better, and who demonstrates desirable qualities of character and leadership.
THE GEORGE LEILE PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE -- In memory of the founding pastor of the First African Baptist Church, Savannah, Georgia, this prize is awarded annually to the Baptist student who, having earned at least 60 credit hours, holds the highest grade point average.
THE REVEREND REID R. AND MRS. RUBY M. WHITE SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – An award given to the Seminary by the White/Taylor family to a deserving seminarian from a rural charge, a dedicated student of the Bible and biblical history, passionately committed to the teaching ministry, in good standing and deserving financial assistance.
THE L. C. ASBURY MEMORIAL AWARD – An award given to the Seminary by the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society of the Concord District in memory of the late Dr. Louico Cecil Asbury, Presiding Elder, to a student who aspires to become a minister, has exemplary leadership ability, a high ethical Christian character, and is a member of the A.M.E. Zion Church.
THE EUGENE AND ENID SMITH SCHOLARSHIP - An award given by Reverend Lester E. and Fredricka E. Smith to a deserving veteran ministerial student who demonstrates exemplary leadership ability and high ethical Christian Character and who is deserving of financial assistance.
THE FACULTY AWARD - An award given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence and who has made the most outstanding contribution to the life of the Seminary.
THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD – An award given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated excellent academic performance and outstanding citizenship in the Seminary community.
* * *
Additional Scholarship Opportunities:
Church Mutual Ins. Co. Foundation Scholarship.pdf
Military Chaplains Association Scholarship