Financial Aid

ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID

 The school seeks to provide financial assistance to needy students to help them complete their course of study at EAST. To be eligible for financial aid a student must have a financial need, be enrolled as a full-time student (ten credits or more per semester), meet minimum GPA requirements for degree program and not have outstanding bills within EAST. A student’s character, current ministry involvement, and ministry potential are also considered. Applications for financial aid are reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee.

Financial aid is determined by considering the cost of tuition and fees (plus immigration fees, living expenses, and accommodation for international students) and the resources currently available to the student. Financial need equals the costs minus a student’s contribution and outside support and resources.

 

FINANCIAL AID AND NEW STUDENTS

 Entering students who wish to be considered for financial assistance must have all admissions documents (including transcripts, references, and financial documents) submitted by 1 March for international students and 1 April for Singapore residents.

 Financial aid applications will not be evaluated until admissions eligibility has been determined. Thus prospective students who wish to apply for financial aid should plan their admissions process accordingly. Financial aid applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered if funding has been awarded to others. Financial aid awarded to incoming international students will start at the beginning of EAST Aleph.

 

FINANCIAL AID AND CONTINUING STUDENTS

 Continuing students who wish to be considered for financial aid must apply in writing at the latest by 1 June for first semester and 1 December for second semester.  Application forms are in the EAST Admin Office and must be submitted to the Financial Aid Coordinator. The Coordinator will inform the student of the Financial Aid Committee’s decision in writing.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

 All students receiving financial aid and/or scholarships through EAST have certain responsibilities. These include:

  • Submit application for financial aid and all supporting documentation on time (see deadlines stated above).
  • All students must follow the program of study indicated in the Prospectus and enrol for a minimum of ten credits per semester or equivalent for EFS students (unless the student is graduating at the end of the semester).
  • Bachelor’s students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 in order to remain eligible for assistance. Master’s students who receive financial aid must maintain a GPA average of at least 2.7 in order to remain eligible for assistance.
  • Serve actively with an assigned EAST student service program at an average of two to three hours per week or between 30-40 hours per semester.
  • Four times a year (during mid-semester break and within one week after the end of a semester) submit to the Financial Aid Coordinator a “thank you” letter and progress update to be forwarded to donors who provide financial aid for the student.
  • If a student receives financial aid or a scholarship through EAST and also receives additional financial assistance from another source, it is the student’s responsibility to report this to the Financial Aid Coordinator.

Evaluation of students receiving financial assistance is done before the start of a new semester. Failure to meet one or more areas of these responsibilities may result in the loss of financial aid the following semester.

 

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

EAST provides several types of financial aid: Application forms for financial aid are located in the Admin Office or online. All application forms are submitted to the Financial Aid Coordinator.

  1. New Student Bridging Aid

 New Student Bridging Aid is designated for entering students. This includes tuition subsidy for one year as well as a designated amount given to the student which he/she can use for textbooks, immigration fees, living costs, or accommodation. The bursary starts the first day of EAST Aleph and extends for the first academic year and summer.

  1. Tuition Assistance

 Tuition Assistance is available to students who have tried but are unable to raise full financial support for their studies (students will need to document their efforts to develop financial support). The money is not given directly to the students, but is used to settle the students’ tuition fees. Tuition Assistance is awarded according to the needs of the student, the amount of the fund available, and the number of recipients.

  1. Living Assistance

Living Assistance helps students in need to defray the costs of the basic living expenses in Singapore. The amount given depends on availability of funds, the number of recipients, and the needs of the students. The money is normally given directly to the student on a monthly basis or as a one-time gift. Cru or CCC staff will have the funds credited to their staff donation account.

  1.  Alumni Epaphroditus Aid (AEA)                                                                

The alumni of EAST have set up the Alumni Epaphroditus Aid (AEA) to render practical aid to full-time students who have contingency needs related to their internship or personal welfare. The amount given is dependent on availability of funds, the needs of the student, and the stated terms and conditions of this aid. There is a specific application form for this which available from the Admin Office or online.

  1. Korean Alumni Assistance Fund (KAAF)

 Korean alumni established this fund to provide financial aid for students needing assistance with tuition and the cost of living in Singapore. The KAAF is designed to assist Korean students studying as EAST as well as other international students.

WALTER STEITZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Walter Steitz Memorial Scholarship was set up in memory of the outstanding service and contribution of the late Dr Walter Steitz to East Asia School of Theology. The award is given to a current outstanding student doing the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies or Master of Divinity (Teaching & Exposition).  The scholarship recipient is selected by the EAST faculty at the beginning of an academic year. Academic achievement, leadership potential, and school involvement are the criteria by which the candidate is judged. Further information is available from the Scholarship Coordinator for terms and conditions.

 

BRASH SCHOLARSHIPS

 Murray Brash started this scholarship fund for two reasons: to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to assist needy persons in their preparation for full-time Christian work or mission. Applicants for BA, MA, or MDiv studies at EAST who apply for this scholarship must meet five conditions:

  • Men who are Malaysians, Indonesians, or Chinese citizens of Singapore.
  • Approved Protestant denomination or background.
  • Born again evangelical of sound character.
  • Preparing for full-time Christian work or missionary service.
  • Financially needy.

While this is not an EAST scholarship, deserving EAST students who met the criteria have received it in the past. For more information about this scholarship, download the Preliminary Application Form from EAST website (under Admissions, Financial Aid). All further inquiries about this Scholarship should be directed to the Brash Scholarships at:

The Brash Scholarships
c/o Tricor Business Outsourcing
8 Cross Street #11-00  PWC Building
Singapore 048424
Tel: 6236-3333 or Fax 6236-4399