Student Financial Services

The Department of Education has certified that The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology is eligible for Title IV student financial aid assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The Seattle School is part of the Federal Direct Loan Program. Students may apply for Federal Direct loans to cover their educational expenses. Types of aid include: Direct Loans, Scholarships, Work-Study and Veteran Affairs Funding.

For student loan assistance, the contribution toward college costs expected from the student is calculated according to a federal mandated needs analysis system, which takes into account many factors representing the student’s financial and family situation. Students must be enrolled half-time (a minimum of four credits per trimester in Fall and Winter terms and a minimum of three credits in Spring trimester) in a program leading to a degree to receive financial aid. Please note that all Direct Loans are loan money, not student grants and must be repaid. 

Some work-study positions are available for students who have eligibility for this program. Each fall a notice will be placed in the student newsletter requesting applications from interested students. For additional information about work-study opportunities and eligibility questions, please contact Student Financial Services.

The Seattle School participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students to help pay for the cost of a student's education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. As of July 1, 2012, graduate/professional students are only eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate Plus Loans. The Unsubsidized Loan is not based on financial need, while the Plus loan requires a credit check to determine eligibility. Interest is charged during all periods, upon disbursement. Students can borrow up to $20,500 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans per year and may also apply for Graduate Plus Loans, the total of which may not exceed the yearly Cost of Attendance, which is based on enrollment status.

To be eligible to apply for and receive a student loan, a student must:

• Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen.

• Be admitted to a regular degree program. Students classified as non-degree (this includes certificate students) are not eligible for federal student loans.     

• Satisfy Selective Service requirements; all men ages 18-25 must register at www.sss.gov.

• Not have defaulted student loans.

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); available at www.fafsa.gov.

• Enroll halftime with a minimum of four credits (Fall/Winter; 3 in Spring): cannot include audit credits.

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Students who do not maintain eligibility may be required to return all financial aid and may be required to start the repayment process on any federal student loan they have received.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Eligibility: Not need-based; must still file FAFSA.

Amount: Cannot exceed $20,500 per academic year.

Interest Rate: To view current interest rate go to: 

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates 

Repayment: Begins six months after graduation or student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time for

six consecutive months. Borrowers are responsible for interest as long as there is a balance

owing on their Direct Unsubsidized or Graduate Plus loans.

Graduate Plus Loan

Eligibility:           Need-based; it is an additional loan after the Unsubsidized Loan has been maxed.

Amount:            Varies based on enrollment status, maximum can be up to $30K per school year. 

Interest Rate:  Typically higher than the Unsubsidized Loan, view current interest rate: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates 

Repayment: Same as Unsubsidized Loan, see above.

Application:   https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/

Financial Aid Application Deadlines

July 15th is the priority deadline for filing the federal financial aid application. This deadline is in place to secure funding availability within the first week of classes. If you do not successfully complete a financial aid application on or before July 15th you may still be eligible but funding may not be available the first week of classes.  

Students are eligible to apply for Title IV Funds through the Direct Loan program. To apply, applicants must:

• Complete the admissions process and be fully admitted to The Seattle School.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) located online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The federal code for The Seattle School is G34664.

• Complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note. 

• Submit additional documentation to verify eligibility as requested by the office of Student Financial Services.

Process

Accepted students should file their FAFSA to begin the financial aid process. Student Financial Services will create financial aid offer letters which will inform the student of their aid eligibility. Student offer letters will be available to review and accept online on the student portal, Populi starting in mid-August.

Once an offer letter has been accepted the loan will be originated with The Department of Education and new students will have additional instructions to complete the aid process. Please refer to the financial aid checklist for more information.

Disbursement

Once the student has completed the financial aid application and award process, their loans will be scheduled for disbursement. These funds will be applied to the student’s account to cover the amount due in their student account, and any unused funds will be issued to the student within 3 business days of the start of term classes in the form of a stipend check. Students may then use these stipend funds to cover other school-rated expenses as discussed in the Cost of Attendance section, below. Students can also opt out of any extra funding by contacting Student Financial Services, staff can assist with returning funds back to the lender, to help reduce their loan amount. 

Borrowing Additional Funds

Students are encouraged to speak directly with Student Financial Services if needing to inquire about applying for Direct Graduate Plus Loans.

Financial Aid Repayment Policy

Students receiving financial aid assistance through the Title IV Federal Direct Loan Program may be required to repay the loan should they withdraw or drop below half-time standing before 60% of the term has passed. Calculation of the amount to be repaid is based on the number of weeks the student was enrolled at least half-time (four credits in Fall & Winter terms and three credits in Spring term).

Institutional Scholarships

The Seattle School has developed some institutional scholarship programs with the intent to invest funds in students who possess unique qualities important to be recognized. Students are invited to consider and apply for any of the appropriate scholarship programs offered by The Seattle School. Applications, deadlines and award dates will be posted on The Seattle School website during the Spring term of each academic year. All scholarship recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in this catalog.

Family Aid Fee Waiver Assistance

Funds are available to assist first-year or continuing students who are married (to another student) or single parents enrolled in degree programs who demonstrate financial need. Both members of the married couple must be enrolled full-time with at least seven credits in Fall & Winter terms and six credits in Spring term, not including credits taken for audit. The amounts of the awards vary according to need and number of applications received each year. Applications, deadlines and award dates will be posted on The Seattle School website during the Spring term of each academic year. All Family Fee Waiver Assistance recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in this catalog.

The staff of The Seattle School Office of Student Financial Services is committed to the highest standards of professional conduct. We follow the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators code of conduct. We invite you to contact us if you have any questions.

An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out their responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity. In doing so, a financial aid professional should:

• Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.

• Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students he or she serves.

• Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.

• Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

• Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.

• Disclose to his or her institution, in such manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

Financial aid is intended to cover more than your tuition expenses. Your tuition costs are just a part of the overall cost of education. We recognize that students may have expenses which may not be included in the standard student budget.  

Students with special circumstances may wish to discuss their particular financial needs with the Student Financial Services Coordinator. Other non-tuition costs (books, room and board, transportation, and other living expenses) are estimated in the indirect costs table below.  

The Student Financial Services Coordinator is available to meet with you to discuss your individual financial aid package and per term charges.

Tuition and fees are due in full by the 25th of the first month of the term. Tuition is paid per term, and determined by the number of credits you are taking. You may pay tuition charges with financial aid, personal resources, and/or employer benefits. If you choose not to use financial aid or have remaining charges after financial aid is applied to your account, you may arrange a payment plan directly with the Student Financial Services office.

Recognizing that many students are not able to pay full tuition and fees at the beginning of each term, students may utilize a monthly payment plan for a fee of $50 (per term). This means students can make three equal payments throughout the term, each due by the 25th of each month. If payment is not received by the 25th of each month, a finance charge will be assessed on the entire balance due at the rate of one percent per month. If the student does not utilize the monthly payment plan and their full payment is not received by the 25th of the month, students will be subject to late fees. Late fees will accrue monthly. These fees can be avoided by making arrangements prior to the start of the term to cover your student account balances.

Any student with a balance remaining at the end of a term may not secure grade reports or attend classes in any subsequent term. Students will be placed on a business/student account hold which will also prevent registration for future terms. 

Failure to Pay

Students who fail to pay their full student account balance within a reasonable timeframe will be assessed administrative fees associated with the costs of collection for the account. Account balances that are sent to collections will also be reflected on a student’s credit report and could adversely affect their credit profile. The Seattle School will make all best efforts to work with students around payment plans and notices around payments due before accounts are sent to collections.

Financial aid is determined by need and cost of attendance. Your financial need is the difference between the cost of your education and your financial ability to pay for it. Your financial need is determined by an analysis of the information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). From this data, a federal calculation determines what you should be able to pay from your own resources. This amount is subtracted from your total cost of education. The difference is your financial need, and the amount we will try to help you meet with financial aid. 

The cost of attendance includes tuition, books and supplies, room and board, utilities, transportation, personal expenses, mandatory fees and required psychotherapy (for MACP students) while enrolled at The Seattle School. A standard student budget is comprised of these components, as specified by the school, and financial aid cannot exceed the student budget amount. Your financial lifestyle choices and personal expenses (such as credit card bills and car payments) cannot be included in the student budget. Many students save money by buying used books, sharing housing, and using public transportation.

Tuition & Fees for 2025-2026

Application Fee (non-refundable)

Degree or Non-degree $50 

Late Application Fee $25 

Advance Tuition Deposit $250 

Tuition per credit

Graduate Credit $761

Non-credit Certificate $325

Audit $380 

Community Audit $325 

Alumni tuition rate* $500

*Please see Academic Office for full policy 

Fees per term

Practical Training Lab Fee $210

Student Services & Lifecycle Gathering Fee $120

Registration & Information Technologies Fees $210

Certificate Student Fee* $325

*This is the only per term fee for certificate students. 

Miscellaneous Fees

Graduation* $185 

Alumni Association* $150

Writing Workshop $350

Writing Seminar $250

Integrative Project Continuation (see policy) $150

Licensure Test Preparation (MACP students) $50

Late Registration $30 

Course Change $25 

Official Transcript (plus NSC surcharges) $5

Payment Plan Fee (per term) $50 

*Degree program students only.

All courses (including intensives and Listening Lab) are subject to the same drop policy. Students may make changes to their registration until the end of business day (5:00 pm) on the second Friday after weekly classes begin without penalty. Students may make changes to their registration after the second Friday but will be subject to only a 50% refund of tuition until the third Friday at 5:00 pm. All changes made after this time will be charged the full tuition rate. Students who have experienced hardship forcing them to change their registration may apply for a financial appeal if they wish to receive a tuition refund.

Financial Appeals

Exceptions to financial aid policies may be appealed. Financial Appeals are handled by the Academic Services Committee (ASC). Please see Appeals policy under the Academic Policies and Procedures section.

To remain eligible for financial assistance, including Direct Loans, Scholarship, Veteran Affairs Funding and Work Study, students must have satisfactorily completed previous work and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Please see the Academic Satisfactory Progress policy in the Academic Catalog for more information.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time at The Seattle School to be eligible for loans or loan deferments. Students who change degrees will be eligible for Direct Loans for all courses required to complete the new degree. Please see the Statute of Limitations Policy in the Academic Catalog for more information on completing additional degrees or changing degree programs. Students who are not currently seeking federal financial aid may still be monitored to determine their eligibility for future possible financial aid awards.

If a student receives Direct Loans and fails SAP for a specific term but successfully completes at least half of what they registered for in that term they will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Warning is not a status that will affect the next term disbursement. After completion of the subsequent term the SAP will be evaluated again. If the student passes, the warning status will be recorded and removed. If the student fails to meet SAP that subsequent term, they will be subject to Loss of Eligibility (Suspension) as described below.

The following events will result in immediate Financial Aid Suspension and loss of eligibility:

• Failure to meet SAP for three terms

Make Satisfactory Academic Progress: Meet All 3 Standards to be Eligible for Financial Aid

• Grade Point Average: Maintain a term AND cumulative 2.7 GPA 

• Course Completion: Successfully complete 70% of attempted credits each term

• Degree Progress: Master of Arts in Theology and Culture: 3 years; Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: 5 years

We understand that circumstances sometimes prevent students from making satisfactory academic progress towards their degree. If you are ineligible for financial aid because you are not meeting SAP requirements, and extenuating circumstances have hindered your academic performance, you may submit a SAP Appeal to have your eligibility reconsidered. 

Examples of extenuating circumstances include:

• Death of an immediate family member (spouse, parent, guardian, sibling, child)

• Major medical issue (i.e. requires hospitalization) experienced by the student or an immediate family member of the student (as designated above)

• Domestic violence

• Involuntary call to active military duty

• Other extreme circumstances (case by case basis)

Students are limited to a maximum of two approved appeals during their program of study and a second repeat appeal must be for reasons different from the previous appeal to be considered for approval. Please be aware that submission of an appeal is not a guarantee of approval. We strongly encourage you to submit your SAP Appeal immediately after you receive notification that you are not meeting SAP requirements so that you may receive a decision on your appeal in a timely manner. SAP Appeals need to be received within 30 days of notification. 

• If your SAP Appeal is approved, you will be responsible for following specific conditions each term in order to maintain your financial aid eligibility. We will notify you via email of the conditions you are required to meet to maintain eligibility, and we will review your progress before we disburse any additional aid to you each term.

• If your SAP Appeal is denied, you will be responsible for all costs associated with your enrollment during the academic year. 

A student who has lost eligibility for Financial Aid must meet SAP requirements. A student does not automatically regain eligibility simply by paying for their own classes or passing their classes or by sitting out a term. Notices regarding loss of eligibility will be sent to all students who fail to meet SAP standards within two weeks of the final submission of grades.