Types of Financial Aid
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary offer low tuition. Financial aid is available should students need assistance. Below are some of the financial aid programs available. For additional types of aid, please also check our scholarship and Veterans Assistance links on this website.
- Grants
- Work-study programs
- Scholarships
Tuition and Costs
Pursuing higher education is an important investment in your future. It’s essential to plan ahead and understand the tuition and associated costs before enrolling. A detailed schedule of expenses is provided prior to each academic year, and students are responsible for covering these costs. View the tuition and costs for U.S. and International.
Net Price Calculator
Use this tuition net cost estimation calculator to estimate your total yearly cost of attending SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary. Based on your answers to these questions this calculator will help you estimate your total cost of attending for a year.
Completing the Financial Aid Application Process:
Please use the toolbar at the top of this page. They are helpful links that will provide you with more information on the types of financial aid available, policies and forms you may need to complete should your aid application be selected in a process called “verification.” Below are the three initial items all applicants must complete to begin the financial aid process:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
All students (except international) must complete the FAFSA upon admission to SUM. Complete the FAFSA online at FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid. The SUM School Code is 037524.
By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and/or Federal Work study.
HELPFUL NOTE: The FAFSA is now available on a mobile app from the AppStore (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Download the “myStudentAid” app to complete the application on your smartphone.
For questions or assistance on completing the FAFSA, please visit http://www.studentaid.gov. For questions regarding the status of your financial aid application, please contact the SUM Office of Financial Aid at [email protected].
Helpful Federal Student Aid Videos:
Financial Aid Information Videos
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Beginning with the 2025-26 academic year, SUM will offer an affordable low tuition rate to all students. As a result, SUM will no longer participate in the Federal student loan program. However, SUM encourages you to consider the following alternatives to borrowing:
Consider the SUM Payment Plan:
If your full-term tuition would be too much for you all at once, consider the four $400 payments per trimester. For more information contact the Business Office at [email protected].
Congregational/Church Scholarships:
Check with your local congregation to see if they offer scholarships or tuition assistance for its members. You may also wish to visit private scholarship searches like ScholarshipOwl: The fastest path to college scholarships
Third-Party Scholarships:
Thousands of dollars in potential scholarships go unclaimed every year. That’s money you could be using to pay for your tuition. You may search for third-party scholarships via our website at: Scholarships – SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
Employer Paid Tuition Benefits:
Often our Partner Organizations will offer to pay the remaining tuition for their employees or members as part of a job training or educational benefit program. Check with your site to see if there is program funding available for you. Please email [email protected] to get it set up on your account.
Military TA & VA Benefits:
If you are an active-duty Servicemember or Veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a qualified survivor or dependent, you may be eligible to receive Educational & Training funding from the Military Tuition Assistance program or the Post – 9/11 or Montgomery GI Bills. Visit vets.gov to determine your VA eligibility and apply or contact your base’s Educational Center for TA funding details.
Private Student Loans:
We highly recommend students not take out loans because we know that the future financial burden of taking on debt is not without risks. This is one reason why we don’t participate in the federal student loan program.
In instances where some students may need to obtain a loan to pay for living expenses, they are encouraged to pursue private student loan funding by visiting their local bank or a national student loan provider. You can find out more by performing a Google search or visit: Best Private Student Loan Rates 2025 | BestMoney for more information on what to consider when looking for a private student loan and how to apply. Note: SUM does not refer to or can recommend any private student loan lenders.
Should you have a prior Federal direct student loan and have questions regarding repayment or deferment, please contact Federal student aid at www.studentaid.gov.
