Seminary Loan Repayment Aid |
For Active Clergy Serving Congregations. The simple truth is that over several decades in the Episcopal Church, seminary costs have skyrocketed while parish and diocesan support have decreased. Our expectations and requirements for well-educated clergy, however, have not changed. Our clergy are caught in the middle with some saddled with huge seminary debt. Others called to ministry may be deterred from going to seminary at all because of the cost. This is difficult for clergy and their families, but the greatest loss may be the health of our congregations when pastoral leadership and care become scarce.
The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis is committed to assisting our clergy to overcome this barrier. Utilizing the Ministerial Excellence Fund, the diocese offers seminary loan assistance to our active, stipendiary and non-stipendiary clergy serving congregations. The Ministerial Excellence Fund will provide $500 for loan assistance to each person submitting an application. Additionally, the Fund will match the applicant’s personal loan payments made in 1/12th increments for each year of participation in the program. For example, a cleric participating for the first time will receive $500 PLUS a 1/12th match of personal seminary loan payments made the previous year. During the second year, the cleric will receive another $500 PLUS a 2/12th match of personal payments made, and so forth.
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Questions? |
Please contact Melissa Hickman, Pathways to Vitality Program Director, at melissa.e.hickman@gmail.com
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