Church Partnerships

In support of our mission to work with and for the church to equip men and women for strategic ministry roles, Western Seminary partners with churches and parachurch organizations to make seminary more affordable for their members. Partnerships allow students from specific churches and organizations to pursue training at Western with a sigificant tuition discount. We currently offer two partnership options:

How to Apply

If you are a church or student wanting to take advantage of either a Church Matching Grant or Partnership Grant, refer to our Education Collaboration Agreement, which must be signed and current before any grants are provided. Please contact our Financial Aid Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 503.517.1821 with questions. 

Current Partnership List

We offer Partnership Grants to the following list of participating churches and organizations. Eligibility criteria and discount percentage varies by partnership. This list is not exhaustive, so please contact us for more information.

Church Partnerships

• A Jesus Church Network // Portland, OR
• Antioch International Movement
• Bridgeway Christian Church // Roseville, CA
• Calvary Global Network (CGN)
• Church of the City // New York, NY
• Church on the Move // Tulsa, OK
• Creekside Christian Church // Elk Grove, CA
• Door of Hope PDX // Portland, OR
• Grace Church // Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina
• Hinson Baptist Church // Portland, OR
• New Heights Church // Vancouver, WA
• Reach Church // Seattle, WA
• Rolling Hills Church // Tualatin, OR
• The Gospel Coalition Hawaii
• University Fellowship Church // Eugene, OR
• Van City Church // Vancouver, WA
• Venture Christian Church // Los Gatos, CA
• Venture Church Network (formerly CBAmerica)
• Vintage Faith Church // Santa Cruz, CA
• Westgate Church // San Jose, CA

Parachurch

• Cru
• Navigators

Frequently Asked Questions

Matching Grants

Are the Church Matching Grants based on financial need?

No, the Church Matching Grants are not based on financial need. Any student members of a partner church may receive them if verified and approved.

May students who have further financial need also apply to receive need-based financial aid?

Yes, students with further financial need may also apply to receive need-based aid. However, a student may not receive both, as Western does not stack need based grants with any other form of aid.

Why do students have to take at least 4 credit hours to qualify to receive the grant?

Every student who applies for financial aid must take at least half time credit hours per semester for their program (this can vary by program). Students below half-time status unfortunately do not qualify to receive financial aid.

Partnership Grants

Is there a minimum number of students attending Western Seminary that churches must meet?

To establish a new church partnership with Western, a church must have a minimum of three concurrently enrolled students at Western. The goal of having a minimum number of students is to encourage both the church and Western to have a vested interest in the partnership.

With a minimum of three students, what are the church’s obligations?

Western's hope with partner churches is that they would remain actively engaged in the lives of the students they are either financially supporting or encouraging to attend Western. This could look like meeting with the students regularly for prayer, discussing what they are learning in class, etc.

What if the number drops below the minimum requirement of students?

We understand this can happen for various reasons as students have unexpected life circumstances arise. The goal would be to start with three or more students when entering a partnership with Western and to determine an agreed-upon length of time for the partnership to be initially established and then reviewed. If the number of students drops below three concurrently enrolled students when the partnership is up for review, we will engage in a conversation together to discern the best path forward, with the stakeholder at the participating church or organization. We understand each church partnership is unique and we treat it as such to ensure ongoing mutual collaboration and benefit.

When the initial group of students in the church partnership agreement complete their degrees, does the number still have to remain at a minimum of three concurrently enrolled students for the partnership to continue?

Yes. After the initial group that began within the partnership finishes their programs, we would revisit the partnership together to discern if the partnership served its intended purpose, or if there are more students who may benefit from a continued partnership.

How long is the partnership typically structured for?

Typically, we structure partnership agreements for a calendar year, with students required to apply for a partnership grant semesterly. Western works with the stakeholders of the church or organization to review and revisit the partnership after that timeframe.

Assuming that many or some of the students are part-time students and full-time workers, is there a minimum time period for students to complete a degree? Is there flexibility in that time period?

Great question! Please visit this link on degree pacing and Satisfactory Academic Progress. Many Western students work either part-time or full-time jobs while completing their degrees. As such, there is great flexibility for students completing their degrees. Students should contact their advisor with questions.

What kind of tuition discount can churches expect when entering a church partnership?

Most church partnerships provide a 15% tuition discount to eligible students with an agreement in place.