Financial aid for Canadians

Reasonable tuition rates and generous financial aid work together to make study at AMBS more affordable than many people think.

Financial aid is available to AMBS students from many sources. Congregations, conferences and government loans all can help to support studies at AMBS.

In the past several years, few full-time students have paid the full tuition fee. Among recent graduates, half of the Master of Divinity students left AMBS with no new debt; almost two-thirds of students in Master of Arts programs left AMBS with no new debt.

The AMBS financial aid program is based primarily on need and aid is available for all admitted students, regardless of course load. Full tuition scholarships, called the Church Leadership Award and the Next Generation Scholarship, are based on demonstration of potential for strong church leadership.

Canadian fund adjustments

Canadian students may pay tuition in Canadian dollars and receive dollar-for-dollar credit in U.S. currency. In addition, full-time Canadian students may exchange at par up to $1,200 each semester. AMBS grants are in U.S. funds and may be used toward tuition. Some assistance also may be used for living expenses. After financial aid is awarded, tuition may be paid at par on the net amount owed.

AMBS grants

AMBS makes grants available to all eligible students, regardless of course load. Mennonite students and students of color studying full-time at AMBS (at least nine credit hours per semester) are eligible for grants of up to 50 percent of tuition. Other full-time students qualify for grants of up to 25 percent of tuition. Students taking less than a full load receive aid for a smaller percentage of their tuition costs.

Some grants are provided through special scholarships in which donors support specific needs. Two examples:

Steiner Bivocational Scholarship assists people who are training for bivocational ministry or who are pastors from a situation where they combined congregational ministry with other employment.

Multicultural Scholarships are available to North American students preparing to minister in a racial/ethnic context and who will contribute to the multicultural ethos of the church.

Congregational and Area Church aid

Many area churches and congregations have loan, forgivable loan and scholarship programs. Applicants should check with their conference and congregational leaders for information.

Partnership funding program

Matching grants are available as follows:

Full-time admitted students: For fall and spring semesters, AMBS may match dollar for dollar the support a student receives from congregations and/or conferences up to $1,000 and will match one-fourth of contributions beyond $1,000 to a maximum of semester tuition.

Part-time admitted students: Contributions from congregations and/or conferences may be matched four-to-one to a maximum grant of $125 each semester, fall and spring.

(Note: When Canadian students pay tuition and receive financial aid for tuition, Canadian dollars are at par with U.S. dollars.)

Church Leadership Award and Next Generation Scholarship

The Church Leadership Award and Next Generation Scholarship are scholarship programs for outstanding Mennonite students who demonstrate strong leadership potential for ministries in the church. They provide full tuition grants for up to three years in the Master of Divinity program and up to two years in a Master of Arts program. The Next Generation Scholarship also includes a stipend to assist with living expenses.

MCEC/AMBS Study Fund

The Mennonite Church Eastern Canada-AMBS Study Fund is available for a pastor or student from the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada who needs approximately one year of residency to complete a degree. If no one from MCEC qualifies for the scholarship by June 1, the funds may be used for MCEC pastors attending Interterm and Summer School. After October 1, pastors from Mennonite Church Canada also can be considered for grants.

Jacob Andres Achievement Scholarship

Education was a passion for Jacob Andres, a long-time teacher at Rosthern Junior College in Rosthern, Sask. He especially longed to promote and encourage students to pursue church-based education. To further this cause he established an endowment fund to provide scholarships for students from the four western provinces of Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Guidelines for selection of scholarship recipients:

• The student is entering the second or subsequent year of studies.
• The student considers one of the four western provinces of Canada his or her home.
• The student, in the opinion of the school’s Scholarship and Bursary Committee or equivalent group, meets the following criteria outlined by Jacob Andres prior to his death: 50% academic excellence; 50% positive Christian character or service (financial need may be a deciding factor).
• The scholarship may be given to the same student in more than one consecutive year.

Canadian Student Loans

Student loans, funded by the government of Canada and administered with participating provinces, are available to Canadian citizens enrolled in full-time study. Repayment is deferred while full-time status is maintained. Students may contact local banks for information. AMBS is registered with the provincial administrative offices for enrollment of students with Canada Student Loans.

How am I expected to contribute?

Students at AMBS assume major responsibility in meeting the costs of their schooling through savings and other assets, employment (including spouse earnings), and grants or loans. We encourage students to explore all the possibilities for support and can offer counsel about sources of support.

Employment opportunities

Employment for a student or a spouse is an option, depending on the kind of visa the student holds. However, there are some restrictions related to where someone can seek employment and how the earnings can be used. For information, contact the AMBS registrar and international student services coordinator at registrar@ambs.edu.

How will my need be determined?

All Canadian students applying for financial aid are asked to complete the AMBS Financial Aid Application (by May 1). Eligibility for financial aid is determined from calculations on this form. The student’s demonstrated need is the difference between the official cost of attendance and the expected contribution of the individual/family. An owned primary residence is not included in the assessment of resources available.

Students are encouraged to discuss unusual circumstances or expenses with the director of financial aid.

Tuition payment options

People taking four or more credit hours who are unable to pay the full amount due upon registration may arrange a deferred payment plan. A payment plan fee of $10.00 will be charged.

Additional information

Contact the AMBS Financial Aid Office:

Jody Walker
1 + 800 964-2627, or
574 296-6266
jwalker@ambs.edu