Financial Aid

Pursuing graduate theological education often involves significant financial investments for students and their families. Duke Divinity School is committed to partnering with students, enabling them to fulfill their call with passion and purpose.

The Financial Aid Office at Duke Divinity School is responsible for managing all federal, state, private, and institutional financial aid programs within Duke Divinity School. This includes determining student eligibility for various financial aid programs, assisting students in determining their best financing options, processing aid requests, and providing student loan debt management counseling.

Financial aid options at Duke Divinity School encompass a range of possibilities, including institutional scholarships, field education grants, student employment allowances, and student loans. Our aim is to ensure that students have access to the resources and guidance needed to pursue their educational goals while minimizing the burden of loan indebtedness.

In addition to the financial assistance provided by Duke Divinity School, students are encouraged to pursue diverse funding options, including assistance from local congregations, foundations, and civic groups. This comprehensive approach helps to further reduce the financial strain on students and their families.

Federal Student Aid

The Financial Aid Office awards federal financial aid (student loans and work-study) in accordance with regulations and guidelines published by the Department of Education. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student aid. Federal loans are awarded after any grants or scholarships, including external scholarships, and are applied toward any unmet cost of attendance amount. Students receiving federal aid must maintain at least half-time enrollment. To maintain eligibility for federal student aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, which include maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA, completing a minimum of 65% of attempted credit hours, and graduating within a specified timeframe, depending on the length of the academic program. Nondegree students are not eligible to apply for or receive federal financial aid.

Financial Aid on Student Bills

Financial aid awards will appear as anticipated aid on a student’s billing statement once a student has accepted their financial aid awards. A student billing statement will include anticipated financial aid transactions when calculating the amount the student needs to pay. Financial aid is credited to a student’s account ten days before the start of each term. Disbursement of a student’s awards will occur once the student has completed all required applications and provided all required documentation and information. Students may check the status of their financial aid awards on DukeHub.