• You will be asked to submit an Affidavit of Financial Support along with statements from persons or institutions providing any financial support. In addition, we will require copies of Bank Statements from financial institutions. These documents must be submitted before your application will be reviewed.
• Complete the International Student Application form
  • M.Div. and M.A. applicants:  select “International Application – Master of Divinity and Master of Arts” on the dropdown menu
  • Th.M. applicants: select “Master of Theology” on the dropdown menu
  • D.Min. applicants: select “Doctor of Ministry” on the dropdown menu
  • Look for and submit any required supporting documents including writing samples, recommendations, and official transcripts from a college or university.
• International applicants for Fall semester must apply by March 15 of the year you intend to attend, so that all application materials can be received and processed as well as provide enough time to obtain the F-1 Visa.
  • D.Min. applicants who require a student visa must apply 5 months prior to the start of the specific cohort you wish to join (each cohort starts at different times of the year)
• A $250 non-refundable deposit is required within 30 days of acceptance to hold your spot in the program. If you decide to attend, the $250 will be applied toward your tuition.

If you have lived in the United States and have demonstrated a sufficient mastery of English, you may be exempt from taking the TOEFL. A mastery of the English language is crucial for academic success at WTS. If English is not your native language, TOEFL scores must be submitted.

International applicants must submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS score of at least:

• 550, TWE 4 (paper based)
• 80 (internet based)
• Overall 6.0 (IELTS)

The TOEFL exam can be taken online. Information regarding times and locations for these can be found at www.ets.org.

The IELTS exam can also be taken online. For information, go to: www.ielts.org/en-us

The cost of the various degree programs can be found here.

International students can also expect to incur costs for getting their visa and traveling to and from the USA.

Housing costs can be found here.

Institutional Financial Aid is offered on a student-by-student basis and is subject to availability or changes in requirements. Financial Aid packages can range between $3000 to $6000 depending on a number of factors. This will be determined during the admission process.

Specific programs such as the Master of Theology (ThM) may provide higher scholarship but are limited to a specific number of students. Apply quickly for consideration.

Financial Aid information is found on this page. You will find instructions for applying for financial aid, as well as the financial aid application.

International students are prohibited from working off campus and must maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester, in accordance with immigration regulations. International students may get jobs on campus, but those funds can’t apply to their Affidavit of Financial Support.

Please be aware that international students cannot apply for loans from the U.S. Department of Education.

There is no financial aid for the Doctor of Ministry program.

Before students can apply for a F-1 student visa for the USA, they must apply to and be accepted by Western Theological Seminary (this school is approved by the SEVP).

After your Western Theological Seminary Application package and Affidavit of Financial Support is submitted and approved, the seminary will review your information for approval for acceptance.

Once you’re accepted, you will be required to pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee ($350) in order to be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Then, Western Theological Seminary will provide you with a Form I-20. This form will be presented to the consular officer when you attend your F-1 visa interview.

Students are responsible for connecting with the U.S. Consulate Office in their home country. More information is  here. If your spouse and/or children plan to reside in the USA with you while you study, they will be required to have individual Form I-20s, but they will not need to be enrolled in the SEVIS.

Applying for the F-1 student visa may vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate you are dealing with. You will be required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee. There is an online visa application available, which allows you to complete and print the Form DS-160 to take to your F-1 visa interview.

The following F-1 Visa Cycle from www.internationalstudent.com is a step by step instruction process:

You can schedule your F-1 visa interview with the U.S. embassy or consulate. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. An F-1 student visa for the USA can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date. You will only be able to enter the US with an F-1 visa 30 days before your start date.

The following documents are required for your F-1 visa interview:

• A valid passport
• The Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The application fee payment receipt
• A passport photo
• A Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status (Form 1-20)

Additional documents may be requested to prove your eligibility for the F-1 student visa, including academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates. Test scores such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT may also be requested, as well as proof of your intent to depart the U.S. after your program is complete and proof of your financial stability.

Your F-1 visa interview will determine whether you are qualified to receive an F-1 student visa for the USA. Assuming that you have prepared the appropriate documents and meet all of the F-1 visa requirements, your visa will be approved at the discretion of the consular officer.

You may be required to pay a visa issuance fee. Digital fingerprint scans will be taken for records. Your passport will be taken so that you can get your visa and you will be informed when you can get it back, either by pick-up or in the mail.

Never make final travel plans until you have your visa approved. If your visa is denied, you will be given a reason based on the section of law which applies to your ineligibility. Filing a waiver of ineligibility is possible in some cases.

More information.

For further questions, please contact international@westernsem.edu