How did you pay for bible college or seminary, if you went to it?

[linux.poet]

Right now, after several months of a comically failed job search and various desperate attempts to earn money to pay for my theology education, I am seeking God's will as to how He wants me to fund this thing.

So I'm looking for funding methods and concrete stories that actually work to jog the brain cells here, because clearly I have no idea what I am doing.

 

[bèlla]

Moody's program was free but you had to attend full-time during the day. I don't know if that's changed but you may want to check. If it still holds true you'll want to looking into their housing options. I don't know the cost but the area is very expensive. You won't be able to find an affordable place to rent. Living on campus may be cheaper.

Otherwise, the best way to go about it is to start a business focused on the subject you want to address. Build a site and establish a presence on social media and start creating content. Bear in mind the principles of marketing before you do.

Who are you serving?
What is their struggle?
How will you solve it?

Everything hinges on that. Move from micro to macro in your products. Don't go for the slam dunk. Start with quick wins and low hanging fruit and ladder your offers. Focus on passive income until you build your nest. One and done items you can make once and resell like printables, stickers, etc.

Consider your demographic in light of that. You don't have to be where they are financially to offer solutions. But it helps if you can speak their language. Create a profile and flesh it out.

If you're going to be in school build your business with that in mind. Don't offer services that are too involved or subscriptions that place demands on your time. Opt for easier wins that provide steady income and don't forget about SubStack. A weekly word of encouragement or teaching with a monthly charge can add up. Digital content and products are ideal for your purposes.

Good luck.

~bella

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Right now, after several months of a comically failed job search and various desperate attempts to earn money to pay for my theology education, I am seeking God's will as to how He wants me to fund this thing.

So I'm looking for funding methods and concrete stories that actually work to jog the brain cells here, because clearly I have no idea what I am doing.

Way back when I took a year of Bible College, someone at my church paid for a third of the cost and the rest was supplied through a typical college loan ................................ This isn't to say I recommend getting a loan since you have to pay it back at some point, the paying of which will then later depend on how successful your eventual employment will be. With the state of our nation's economy and the job market being what it is, I'm not sure loans are a good way to go anymore.

I know. This whole "job thing" and finding another occupation is frustrating, isn't it?

 

[Diamond72]

So I'm looking for funding methods

My son was talking classes from four colleges when he was in High School. They are setting up a program now where people can graduate from high school with a two year college degree. Him and his friends mostly got a free ride because they took advantage of what was available to them. The higher your grades the better your chance is that you are going to graduate debt free. My son even had two friends that got $90,000 schlorships to the best universities that a lot of people have a problem getting into because of their high standards.

Of course there is always ROTC to pay for your college. For some people that is the only opportunity they have. People will serve in the service just to get the help they need. My one brother was in the Army and my other brother did civil service work. So they got a lot of help from the government for that.

There are colleges that take anyone and everyone. They have a 50% graduation rate. Then there are colleges like Harvard that are very difficult to get into. They have a 95% graduation rate.

 

[Diamond72]

I'm not sure loans are a good way to go anymore.

The Bible says that God will make us the lender and not the borrower. People who borrow money become the servant of who they borrow the money from.

Larry Burkett, a well-known Christian financial advisor, strongly advocated for avoiding debt. In his teachings and books, such as "Debt-Free Living", he emphasized the importance of living within one's means and avoiding borrowing. Burkett often cited biblical principles to support his advice, such as Deuteronomy 28:12, which says, "The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow."

Burkett's teachings focused on promoting financial responsibility and stewardship, encouraging people to rely on God's provision rather than accumulating debt.

 

[Paidiske]

What was available to me won't be available to you (different country, different context). I would advise, if you can, talking to other students in your denomination and chosen institution for study; how do they manage it? Are there church scholarships available, do many of them find part time jobs, that kind of thing?

 

[linux.poet]

My son was talking classes from four colleges when he was in High School. They are setting up a program now where people can graduate from high school with a two year college degree. Him and his friends mostly got a free ride because they took advantage of what was available to them. The higher your grades the better your chance is that you are going to graduate debt free. My son even had two friends that got $90,000 schlorships to the best universities that a lot of people have a problem getting into because of their high standards.

Of course there is always ROTC to pay for your college. For some people that is the only opportunity they have. People will serve in the service just to get the help they need. My one brother was in the Army and my other brother did civil service work. So they got a lot of help from the government for that.

There are colleges that take anyone and everyone. They have a 50% graduation rate. Then there are colleges like Harvard that are very difficult to get into. They have a 95% graduation rate.

To be clear, I’m trying to fund a graduate degree in theology. I got through my undergraduate educatIon completely on government financial aid, but I’ve heard from professors that graduate school isn’t the same and that financial aid may not cover 100%.

The online graduate program I want to enter is willing to waive my application fee and give me a $250 scholarship, but that probably won’t cover it by a comical long shot. It’s off an accredited Christian university (Master’s University) which I would be inclined to trust. The total cost is 14K, which a part time job would easily pay for along with what financial aid I get. (That’s why I was trying to get one.)

Anyway, I’m not going to risk taking on debt for this type of degree. There’s no guaranteed job payout at the end for me, and if I can’t get a job otherwise, how am supposed to pay the debt? I just want the structured knowledge this degree will give me.

Anyway, that’s enough rambling, I appreciate the ideas, carry on.

 

[Diamond72]

I’m trying to fund a graduate degree in theology.

I thought they had that stuff on YouTube. Are you able to find anything online at a lower cost? I did a google search and saw that you can get up to $20,000 a year student loan. It would take a serious job to pay that back. We are not suppose to borrow money. Just trust and believe for God to provide. If that is HIs will and plan for you.