Financial Aid
Finances should not be a barrier to pursuing your seminary education. PLTS offers generous need-based grants and merit-based scholarships to support the total cost of attendance for PLTS seminarians.
See below for a list of the scholarship and grant opportunities available for qualifying PLTS students enrolled in the MDiv, MASSC, or CATS programs. Each of these scholarships and grants are awarded based on a set of criteria set by the Office of Admission and the Financial Aid Office. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admission at admissions@plts.edu.
The average amount of tuition covered by scholarships and grants
Scholarships and Grants
Students enrolled in at least six credits per semester are elligible for the scholarships listed below, unless otherwise noted.
Each scholarship listed here requires that you submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. Some scholarships require an additional application as indicated.
Note: Some of our scholarships cover more than the total cost of tuition and fees. Students should be aware that any scholarship or grant funds received and not used for tuition, books and fees (for example, funds used toward housing), may be considered taxable by the IRS. Students are encouraged to consider this and to consult a financial advisor if they have any questions about potential tax implications. For more information, please visit the IRS qualified education expenses website.
- Full Tuition
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PLTS Tuition Grant
Automatic Consideration - PLTS commits to meeting 100% of a student’s unmet need for tuition through the PLTS tuition grant. Grants are offered to support the cost of tuition for students with financial need. Receipt of the PLTS Grant is determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA or CADA.
Students with an SAI under $40,000 will automatically receive a 100% tuition grant!
Lord of Life Lutheran Church Scholarship
Automatic Consideration - Consideration is given to people who display exceptional leadership and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship is funded by Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City, AZ.
Amount: Full tuition
Hans Petersen Memorial Scholarship
Application Required - This full-tuition renewable scholarship is awarded to a student who shows interest in the intersection of social justice and liturgy. Hans Petersen was a student at PLTS who was passionate about connecting social justice and worship. To be considered for this scholarship, an essay (500-700 words) is required that seeks to answer the question: How can liturgy speak to the most pressing social justice issues of our time?
Submit your essay to admissions@plts.edu.*
* Submissions closed for the 2026-2027 academic yearAmount: Full tuition
- Partial Tuition
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The following scholarships are flat-rate scholarships. Students enrolled in six credits or more are elligible to receive these tuition scholarships.
Year-of-Service Scholarships
Automatic Consideration - Many people who come to seminary have had experience with Young Adults in Global Mission, Urban Servant Corps, ALT Year, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Peace Corps, or other year-long volunteer opportunities. This experience often prepares people to be thoughtful leaders. A $3,000 per year renewable scholarship is considered for any applicant who applies to seminary and has completed a year of service.
Amount: $3,000
ELCA College Graduate Scholarship
Automatic Consideration - Renewable scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each year are available to those who have earned their bachelor’s degree from an ELCA institution.
Amount: $10,000
Cal Lutheran Graduate Scholarship
Automatic Consideration - Renewable scholarships in the amount of $10,000 per year are available to those who have graduated from Cal Lutheran undergraduate or master's degree programs.
Amount: $10,000
Veterans Benefits
Application Required - As a participating institution in the Yellow Ribbon Program, PLTS of Cal Lutheran will fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed what is covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program was established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the benefits payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Amount: Up to full tuition
- Exceeds Tuition
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DL Travel Reimbursement Scholarship
Application Required - PLTS offers a scholarship to help cover the cost of travel and lodging for distributed learning students when you are required to attend in-person orientation and courses.
Amount: Up to $2,000 per required visit
Congregational Partners in Education Award
Application Required - PLTS will match congregational support up to $2,500 for students enrolled in the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Spirituality and Social Change, and Certificate of Advanced Theological Studies programs. We encourage students to reach out to their congregations regarding this scholarship. If your church community is able to provide monetary support for your education, be sure to follow the guidelines* to be eligible for matching funds.
*Click here to access a sample scholarship letter a congregation may submit.
Amount: Up to $2,500
- ELCA
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ELCA Fund for Leaders Direct Scholarship
Application Required - The ELCA has a special Fund for Leaders in Mission that provides scholarships for people seeking to be rostered ministers (pastors or deacons) in the ELCA who attend an ELCA seminary. The Fund for Leaders in Mission looks for people who show leadership promise and an ability to articulate a call to serve for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This scholarship is awarded by the ELCA, and not by PLTS or Cal Lutheran.
Amount: Full tuition