Scholarships & Fellowships
Duke Divinity School offers a number of scholarships and fellowships that can help fund your education, and 100% of students admitted to the M.Div., M.T.S., M.A. in Christian Practice, D.Min., and Th.D. receive some scholarship support. Applicants are not required to submit a separate application to be considered for a Duke Divinity scholarship or fellowship, and all admitted students are automatically considered for internal Duke Divinity scholarship support. Applicants normally receive information about Duke Divinity scholarships at the same time they receive admission decisions.
100% of M.Div., M.T.S., M.A. in Christian Practice, D.Min., and Th.D students receive some form of scholarship support.
Black Church Studies and Latinx Studies Fellowship
In addition to receiving full-tuition scholarships, Black Church Studies and Latinx Studies fellows participate in signature programming tailored to their vocational aims, including mentoring, cohort-based professional formation and events, and the ability to earn the Certificate in Black Church Studies or the Certificate in Latinx Studies. Fellows are also eligible to receive stipends totaling up to $24,000 through participation in internships offered by the Office of Field Education in Latinx or Black church contexts.
Thriving Communities Fellowship
In addition to receiving full-tuition scholarships, Thriving Communities Fellows participate in signature programming tailored to their vocational aims, including mentoring, a travel experience hosted by Duke faculty, and cohort-based professional formation and events. Fellows are also eligible to receive stipends totaling up to $24,000 through participation in the Communities of Learning program offered by the Office of Field Education.
Field Education Internships
In addition to scholarships, residential M.Div. students are eligible for paid field education internships paying approximately $8,000 per placement through the Office of Field Education. Students are required to complete two placements, and have opportunities for more.
Rural Ministry Fellowships
Each year, Thriving Rural Communities awards full merit-based scholarships, sponsored by The Duke Endowment, to Duke Divinity School residential M.Div. students from the two United Methodist conferences in North Carolina who exhibit the gifts, passion, and signs of a calling to exceptional ordained leadership in rural United Methodist churches in the state.
Theology, Medicine, and Culture Fellowship
The Theology, Medicine, and Culture (TMC) Fellowship at Duke Divinity School encourages theological formation among those with vocations to healthcare. It offers scholarship support for theological study and formation through either a one-year or two-year fellowship track. In addition, three full-tuition scholarships are available for students in the MTS program.
Scholarship Details
Through the generosity of many, including those who give to Duke Divinity School’s Annual Fund and established endowments such as the Lipe, Eason, and Stange Endowment Scholarship Fund, the Divinity School provides significant scholarships to help students afford the cost of theological education. A full listing of endowment and scholarship funds can be found in the Divinity Bulletin.
M.Div. Merit Scholarship
More than 60 merit scholarships are awarded each year to full-time residential and hybrid M.Div. students. Merit scholarship awards are for 50% to 100% of Duke Divinity tuition. Merit scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and exceptional promise for either ordained or diaconal/lay ministry. Approximately 20-25 merit scholarships are for United Methodist students who demonstrate academic excellence and who are considering or have started the candidacy process. Some merit scholarships are reserved for second- and third-year students who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and leadership in the community. Specific named merit scholarships include Duke (100% of tuition), Distinguished Service (75% of tuition), Dean’s (50% of tuition), and Dean’s Ministry (50% to 100% of tuition, primarily for Hybrid M.Div. students).
Lipe Leadership Fellow (M.Div.)
Each year one residential M.Div. student is selected to be the Lipe Leadership Fellow, which funds 100% of tuition and fees, a $12,000 per year stipend, paid Field Education internships, and funds for continuing education after graduation. Eligible applicants need to be a certified candidate seeking ordination in the United Methodist Church and a graduate of Furman, Duke, Davidson, or Johnson C. Smith.
Ministerial Promise Scholarship (M.Div.)
This scholarship is awarded to entering and continuing students who have not been awarded a merit scholarship. The Ministerial Promise scholarship for residential M.Div. students covers 33% of tuition for full-time enrollment at Duke Divinity School in the first year of the program. In subsequent years, when students are able to earn support through the Field Education program, the Ministerial Promise Scholarship is for 25% of tuition. Hybrid M.Div. students receive 25% of tuition costs for all 4 years of their program through the Ministerial Promise Scholarship.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Endowed Fund Scholarship (M.Div.)
MLK scholarships are awarded annually to entering full-time students who identify as Black or African American. MLK scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding promise for ministry and strong academic performance. The scholarship is awarded for the first year of the M.Div. program, and the scholarship award amount is normally $2,000.
Baptist Scholarships (M.Div.)
The Baptist House awards scholarships annually to entering and returning Baptist students. Scholarship recipients are expected to participate in the programs offered by the Baptist House of Studies. Students should contact the Baptist House of Studies to learn more.
Anglican/Episcopal Scholarships (M.Div.)
The Anglican Episcopal House of Studies awards scholarships annually to entering and returning Anglican/Episcopal students. Scholarship recipients are expected to participate in the programs offered by Anglican Episcopal House of Studies. Students should contact the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies to lean more.
Ray C. Petry Scholarship (M.T.S.)
Up to 10 Ray C. Petry merit scholarships are awarded to entering full-time M.T.S. students. Scholarship awards are for 50% to 100% percent of Duke Divinity tuition. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and promise of significant future contributions in the field of religious studies. Some merit scholarships are awarded to second year M.T.S. who demonstrate academic excellence.
M.T.S. Scholarship
The M.T.S scholarship is awarded to entering and continuing students who are not awarded a merit scholarship. The M.T.S. scholarship is for 25% of tuition for full-time enrollment at Duke Divinity School.
University Scholar (Residential M.Div. or M.T.S.)
The University Scholars program offers a one-year full-tuition scholarship, The University Scholars program was created with a gift by Bill and Melinda Gates to stimulate an interdisciplinary, intergenerational community of scholars. It is awarded to one exceptional, creative student with interdisciplinary interests. University Scholars have the opportunity to participate in a monthly seminar with undergraduate scholars and other graduate and professional students at Duke.
Emerging Leaders Scholarship (M.A. in Christian Practice)
All admitted students in the M.A. in Christian Practice program are awarded an Emerging Leaders Scholarship. The Emerging Leaders scholarship is for 25% of tuition costs for full-time enrollment at Duke Divinity School.
International Student Scholarship (Th.M.)
In cooperation with the Crusade Scholarship Committee of the United Methodist Church and other authorized church agencies, international students are selected and admitted to courses of study. The Divinity School offers one scholarship per year to an international student in the master of theology degree program. The scholarship offers up to one year’s full tuition.
Christian Tradition Scholarship (D.Min.)
All admitted students in the D.Min. program are awarded a Christian Tradition Scholarship. The Christian Tradition scholarship is for 25% of tuition costs for full time enrollment at Duke Divinity School.
Th.D. Scholarships/Fellowships
Students admitted to the Th.D. program are awarded scholarships that covers tuition and fees for full time enrollment at Duke Divinity School. Th.D. students also receive additional financial support through fellowships.