Financial Aid

Although Dio has some of the lowest tuition of any theological college in Canada, many students still need to seek financial assistance to fund their degree.

The college has a small amount of bursary funds that it distributes primarily to students studying full-time for full-time ministry and on the basis of need. Applications for the coming year must be received by June 15 for priority consideration and students will receive rapid notification thereafter. A new application must be submitted each academic year. If your financial circumstances change during the year, please submit an amended application.

In addition to bursaries, our United Church Studies program offers financial aid in the form of scholarships awarded on the basis of academic merit. The form below can be used to apply for both bursaries and scholarships.

We recognize that paying for theological education can seem expensive. There are many other sources of funding theological study. These include:

  • Many Anglican dioceses and regions of the United Church of Canada contribute towards the cost of theological education for students preparing for ordained ministry. Anglican students should talk to their bishop or other responsible person in their diocese about the amount that the diocese is able to contribute towards the cost of their education. United Church students can visit the regional websites for similar information. For Nakonha:ka Region, visit: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/bursaries/. For Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Region, visit: https://eoorc.ca/resources/funding-sources/. 
  • Many congregations that sponsor students for ordination also contribute towards the cost of their study. Talk to your priest, minister, or other responsible person about whether the congregation is able to contribute towards the cost of your education.
  • Certain organizations support theological students. In Canada, the Anglican Foundation of Canada has bursaries for theological students. In the United States, the Society for the Increase of Ministry also has similar bursaries. The St. Augustine’s Foundation in the United Kingdom funds theological education around the world. 
  • Other church organizations, such as Anglican Church Women, Daughters of the King, Girls Friendly Society, and other similar organizations occasionally have bursaries available for theological students. Contact branches of such organizations in your diocese to see if additional funds are available. 

Scholarships for United Church Studies:

The college is the steward of donated assets that are made available annually to United Church Studies students on the basis of academic merit as demonstrated in student transcripts. 

  • No reporting of financial circumstances is required; 
  • Scholarships are provided in two instalments, in September and January. 

The A.R. Gordon Scholarship

The A.R. Gordon Scholarship was established in 1998 by a bequest from Janette R. Gordon in memory of her father, Rev. Alexander Reid Gordon, who was a Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Literature at McGill University from 1907 to 1931. 

The Gordon Scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit by McGill’s School of Religious Studies to undergraduate or graduate students affiliated with the United Church Studies Program at Dio. 

  • Students are recommended to receive this scholarship by the college in consultation with the Director of the School of Religious Studies; 
  • To be eligible, students must be registered full time (minimum of 12 credit hours) at the School of Religious Studies;
  • Up to three scholarships may be awarded from this fund in the Fall or Winter semester. 

Scholarship Criteria

Successful applicants for a scholarship are required to have a minimum B average. In considering a student’s qualification for a scholarship, a student’s academic merit, their potential for ministry, and their contribution to the college community will be considered. 

Applying for and Maintaining a Scholarship

The Financial Aid Application form issued in the Spring includes a section on Scholarships.. 

Scholarship recipients must: 

  • notify the college of any changes in their academic standing during the year; 
  • be prepared to refund the college if all course requirements are not completed for the academic year identified.