From the very beginning, one of the foundational commitments at SES has been encouraging our students to graduate without debt. There are many burdens you will face in ministry, and we don’t want staggering loan payments to be one of them. Rather than relying on government funding and large student loans, we work very hard to keep our education as affordable as possible for as many students as possible. In addition, SES is firmly committed to not accepting FAFSA applications or federal loans. Why? Because we are committed to teaching what’s true and biblically sound without interference.
We are currently approved to accept V.A. benefits (see below), but even that is under constant threat from outrageous government mandates. We are pleased to offer the following discount and scholarship possibilities as financial aid. The reality is this: if God is calling you to ministry, God is also planning to provide for your education and equipment to do that work. If funds are still an issue or you have ideas for additional ministry partnerships and discounts, please contact the Admissions Department. Please note that the tuition discounts and scholarships below cannot be combined.
Thanks to some very generous donors, the Frank Turek Scholarship Program provides 75% tuition discounts (based on the Master’s Degree tuition price) for qualifying apologetics-focused degrees, certificates, or even individual courses. Applicants are expected to be either currently serving in ministry (paid or volunteer) or planning to serve in ministry in some capacity.
You may apply for the scholarship using the button below. Please note, while this application is maintained by SES, Gateway Church and the foundation funding the scholarship have sole discretion regarding scholarship application reviews and awards. SES is not involved in the scholarship application review or awarding process. Please follow the application instructions if you have questions.
The degree programs of education at SES are approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency for the enrollment of persons eligible for education assistance benefits from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.). Entitled veterans, participants in the GI Bill® contribution programs, active duty military in voluntary education programs, drilling National Guard, drilling Reservists, and eligible spouses and offspring who have applied, met all admissions criteria, been fully accepted, and matriculated may be certified to the V.A. Regional office as enrolled and in pursuit of an approved program of Education. For information about monetary benefits contact your local U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office. For information contact the Registrar.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
While SES is a nondenominational institution, we do have strategic partnerships (both official and unofficial) with certain evangelical denominations (other denominations will be added as available). We understand that some denominational institutions are either simply non-existent or are struggling with outside cultural pressures. SES is committed to remaining steadfast in the truth as we equip students in the broader evangelical world. Please contact the Admissions Department with any questions or suggested partnerships.
We are pleased to partner with the following ministries and invite you to explore the work they are doing. Current and potential SES students associated with these various organizations may be entitled to tuition discounts. Contact SES for details. Various discounts cannot be combined. SES does not necessarily endorse every view promoted by any particular ministry partner.
Full-time employees of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses. Proof of employment status can be uploaded during the application process.
Full-time employees of Samaritan’s Purse are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses. Proof of employment status can be uploaded during the application process.
Led by SES alum and CrossExamined.org President, Dr. Frank Turek, CrossExamined Instructor Academy (CIA) is an intense three-day program where you will learn how to present I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist—which involves four main topics: Truth, God, Miracles, and the New Testament—and how to answer questions about those topics in a hostile environment. CIA graduates receive a 25% discount on all for-credit courses. Proof of CIA completion can be uploaded during the application process.
An Online Christian Courses (OCC) student who earns a certificate from a full-length Premium OCC Certificate Course (contact OCC for accepted courses list) may earn three (3) credit hours at SES for Introduction to Christian Apologetics (AP501/401) by completing the following:
• Present their certificate of completion
• Read I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist [Geisler/Turek] (if not read already)
• Read Answering the Music Man [Keltz/Scribner] (if not read already)
• Write a five (5) page report (double-spaced, 12pt font) for each book and submit to SES to be reviewed and accepted by a designated SES faculty member
This is a one-time benefit regardless of the number of OCC premium courses taken. The student must complete the SES application and be accepted into a degree or certificate program. Contact the Admissions Department for more information.
In addition, all OCC graduates receive a 10% discount on all for-credit courses. Proof of OCC course completion can be uploaded during the application process.
Originally birthed at SES, Ratio Christi establishes apologetics clubs on college and high school campuses. Ratio Christi staff and missionaries receive a 25% discount on for-credit courses at SES. In addition, for those willing to commit to full-time service to this unique and important mission, the Ratio Christi Missionary Apologist Training Fellowship (RCMA Training Fellowship) is your path to get fully trained, fully funded, and fully equipped to join the fight. RCMA students receive the same 25% tuition discount in addition to training provided by Ratio Christi such as support raising, practical experience, and more. Contact Ratio Christi for details.
Graduates of the Colson Fellows program as well as full-time Colson Center employees are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses. Proof of Colson Fellows graduation or Colson Center employment status can be uploaded during the application process.
In addition, Colson Fellows graduates receive six (6) credit hours applied to elective courses in an SES degree program (not applicable to the SES certificate program as no electives are required) upon proof of Colson Fellows graduation
SES is pleased to partner with the following Bible Colleges in both articulation agreements and discounts for graduates. Credits from these institutions are accepted at SES, and graduates of these schools are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses at SES. Proof of graduation will be provided during the application process:
Discount application deadlines are as follows based on your start date:
Fall Terms – July 15
Winter/Spring Terms – December 15
Summer Terms – April 15
One amazing thing about our immersive digital campus experience is that it makes our apologetics-focused Christian education available to anyone with an internet connection throughout the entire English-speaking world. While every seminary student makes sacrifices to be equipped for his calling, we understand that many international students do not have the same buying power as US residents.
That’s why we are offering qualified international students the opportunity to apply for an “equal sacrifice” discount. We will have a limited number of these discounts available each year. They are awarded to qualifying students on the basis of financial need, Christian character, and the potential for academic success.
If awarded this discount, we will calculate your personalized tuition discount on for-credit courses based on the purchase power index rating of your country of residence at the time of your applying (rounded to the nearest whole number). For example, the PPI rating for South Africa is 20, a difference of 80 compared to 100 for the US. Hence, South African students would receive an 80% discount on for-credit courses.
Degree-seeking and certificate students may apply for this discount, but they will not be considered until granted academic acceptance. This discount cannot be combined with other discounts and will be valid for the completion of your degree or certificate unless there are substantial changes to your status warranting a reevaluation. Please contact the Admissions Department for more information.