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. 

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"Receiving scholarship support during my experience at Duke Divinity has been a blessing in many ways. I am abundantly grateful for Duke Divinity’s commitment to invest in students, partnering with us as we answer our calls and prepare to be leaders in the Church of today and tomorrow."

Featured Scholarships and Fellowships

Black Church Studies and Latinx Studies Fellowships
Our fellowships offer full-tuition scholarships, signature programming including mentoring, and professional formation supported by the Office of Black Church Studies and/or Hispanic House of Studies.
Thriving Communities Fellowship
The Thriving Communities Fellowship program is designed for those pursuing a residential Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree who are exploring a vocation as an ordained pastor and who have a vision of the church as a catalyst for social healing, local economic development, and community revitalization.
Rural Ministry Fellowships
Each year, Thriving Rural Communities awards full merit-based scholarships, sponsored by The Duke Endowment, to Duke Divinity School 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.
Students listening in Goodson Chapel at TMC Catena lecture

Theology, Medicine, and Culture Fellowship

TUITION GRANTS AND FULL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Theology, Medicine, and Culture (TMC) Fellowship at Duke Divinity School encourages theological formation among those with vocations to health care. 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.

Lipe Leadership Fellowship

Full Scholarship and Stipends

The Lipe Leadership Fellows program supports promising and gifted residential M.Div. students who are preparing for ministry in large, dynamic congregations. One incoming student from each entering class will be chosen.

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More Scholarships

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.

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).  

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR M.DIV. PLACEMENTS

Field Education Internships

In addition to scholarships, residential M.Div. students are eligible for paid field education internships paying $10,000 per placement through the Office of Field Education. Students are required to complete two placements, and have opportunities for more.