IMAGINE WHAT BOSTON HAS IN STORE FOR YOU.
From unrivaled academic resources to art, history, and culture, this historic, diverse, and beautiful city is a world-class destination for theological studies. You’ll find countless opportunities in Boston, and the Clough School of Theology and Ministry (CSTM) is committed to giving you the tools to pursue each one—starting with scholarships and paid assistantship positions. We invite you to imagine yourself here because financing your education is possible.
100
of master’s students are offered a CSTM scholarship—no additional application required.
97 of recent graduates were employed within one year of graduation.
SCHOLARSHIPS & ASSISTANTSHIPS
Scholarship Opportunities
All CSTM master’s students are offered a tuition scholarship. You will be automatically considered for a range of scholarships when you apply; no additional application is required. In most cases, you will be notified of your scholarship award when you receive your admission acceptance letter, although some awards are announced on a rolling basis.
Sample Merit-Based Scholarships
The Dean’s Fellowship: These full-tuition scholarships support students who approach theological study with rigor and zeal, and who demonstrate an exceptional academic record.
The Thomas and Mary Donnelly Fellowship provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing a career in campus ministry.
The Forster Family Fellowship Fund provides financial assistance to students enrolled in the CSTM who are pursuing studies in Hispanic ministry.
The Arlan and Alice Fuller Family Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to two women pursuing graduate studies at CSTM.
The Michael E. Murphy Fellowship supports needbased financial aid for qualified graduates in the Clough School of Theology and Ministry.
The Kathryn M. Leonard Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarship assistance to two students enrolled at CSTM, with first preference to lay students who have served with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps; otherwise to any other lay student needing financial aid.
The Fr. Joseph Redfield Palmisano, SJ Memorial Scholarship supports a student studying theology, specifically interreligious dialogue.
Magis Scholarship: Named for the Jesuit value of magis (Latin for “more”), this scholarship award honors applicants who are pursuing studies in ministry later in life.
Holistic Healing Chaplaincy Scholarship: Recognizing the unique opportunities that Boston provides for students interested in healthcare ministries, the CSTM supports this legacy through a commitment to the education and formation of professional chaplains.
50 + Scholarships/Awards
4.5M in Total Aid Given
Agent of Transformation Full-Tuition Scholarships
Lift Every Voice Scholarship: “What does it mean to be Black in the Church in society?” In 1989, Sr. Thea Bowman gave a moving speech to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and raised this important question. She goes on, “It means that I come to my Church fully functioning...I bring myself; my Black self, all that I am, all that I have, all that I hope to become.” This scholarship recognizes the need for transformative ministry and amplified voices in pursuit of racial justice and reconciliation.
Care for Our Common Home Scholarship: In Laudato si’, Pope Francis invites humankind to hear the “cry of the earth” and the “cry of the poor,” calling each of us to care for our common home. This scholarship seeks to provide support for students who hear both cries and act with courage and conviction to meet creation’s urgent need for care.
Women’s Witness Scholarship: This scholarship remembers all of the named and unnamed holy women who have served as ministers, leaders, and prophetic proclaimers of Good News. Through this scholarship, CSTM recognizes students who witness and advocate for the powerful ways that women lead, minister, and inspire our Church.
Transcending Borders Scholarship: Central to the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus is “to create conditions of hospitality, to accompany all these people in their process of integration into society, and to promote the defense of their rights.” With this scholarship, CSTM honors deserving recipients who are committed to welcome for the weary and hospitality for the stranger.
Building Bridges Scholarship: Through this scholarship, CSTM recognizes applicants who seek to serve as bridge-builders within our Church in pursuit of greater inclusion and justice for the LGBTQ+ community.
“That They May Be One” Scholarship: This scholarship provides support for students who demonstrate a commitment to ecumenical dialogue, and who are passionate about seeking out ways to integrate ecumenism into their theology or their ministry practices.
Graduate Assistantships
CSTM has more than 30 graduate assistantship positions available. Assistantships offer students an opportunity to pair their studies with a placement that enhances their ministerial skillset. Most assistantships offered through the CSTM come with a full-tuition scholarship and living stipend in exchange for 20 hours of work per week.
The assistantship application process runs concurrently with the admissions process. If you would like to be considered for the positions we have available, make sure to indicate your interest on your application form.
CSTM Assistantships
▶ Service Center (multiple positions available)
▶ Admissions Office (multiple positions available)
▶ Continuing Education
▶ Liturgy
▶ Student Affairs
▶ International Student Liaison
▶ New Testament Abstracts
Assistantships in Partner Offices
▶ BC Campus Ministry (multiple positions available)
▶ Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies (multiple positions available)
▶ Roche Center for Catholic Education
▶ Graduate Ministry Corps (multiple positions available)
▶ Volunteer and Service Learning Center
“The financial support I have received from the CSTM to fund my degree program has supported me more than just financially. It has given me renewed confidence to pursue my academic ambitions and heart to serve the Church. For me, receiving financial support from the CSTM not only meant that I could focus my energy on my studies rather than on work to support myself, it also meant that the school recognized potential in me and let me know that I am a valued member of the community who is truly wanted here.”
–Charlotte McNamee, M.T.S. ’26
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships offer a limited number of admitted students the opportunity to work directly with a faculty member to support research projects. These positions come with a living stipend in exchange for 10 hours of work per week.
“I am deeply grateful for the generous financial assistance from the Clough School of Theology and Ministry, which has allowed me to continue my spiritual and intellectual formation in a special community that deeply embodies the values of the Jesuit tradition I cherish. It is an immense blessing and privilege to study and be formed alongside such a dedicated and inspiring group of peers and faculty who constantly inspire me to go out and make a difference.”
–Greg Abbott, M.A. ’26
Other BC Positions
In addition to positions through CSTM, there are many positions offered throughout the Boston College campus. Boston College’s Office of Graduate Student Life maintains a listing of these positions, which are open to all BC graduate students.
List of Boston College Positions:
Tuition Partnerships
▶ Catholic Volunteer Network Partnership
CSTM is committed to providing scholarship funds to cover at least 75% of tuition costs for lay students in our M.A., M.T.S., or M.Div. programs who have served in a Catholic Volunteer Network member program in the last five years.
▶ Boston College Parish Partnership & Partnership for Catholic Education
CSTM offers at least a 50% tuition scholarship for qualified lay applicants working full time in parish ministry or Catholic education across the U.S. and world who are admitted to a CSTM master’s or 18-credit certificate program.
▶ Hispanic Ministry Partnership
Qualified lay applicants, Hispanic and nonHispanic, who demonstrate a clear commitment to Hispanic ministry and theology, and who intend to work with Hispanic communities after completing their studies are eligible for at least a 75% tuition scholarship.
LOANS
Federal Loans
To qualify for federal aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the following eligibility requirements:
▶ You have been accepted to a degree-seeking program.
▶ You are enrolled at least half time each semester, as defined by the Office of Student Services (half time is generally 6 credits).
▶ You are not in default on a Federal Stafford or Perkins Loan, and you do not need to pay a federal grant overpayment.
▶ You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.*
*International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but are eligible for all CSTM funding opportunities.
Private Loans
Private student loans are available through banks and other financial organizations. Please ensure that you review all the terms and conditions before securing a lender.
If you have questions about loans, please contact Boston College’s Office of Student Services at (617) 552-3300 or studentservices@bc.edu. The loan process is not facilitated by staff members at the Clough School.
LIVING IN BOSTON
Boston is a hub for higher education, home to rich history, diverse communities, and a wide range of opportunities to launch your career.
Housing
Located just six miles from downtown Boston, Boston College offers proximity to the city with a dedicated, bucolic campus and access to public transportation. CSTM students often choose to live together near campus with roommates or with family members. The nearby neighborhoods offer a range of different price points, and it’s worth exploring multiple areas to find the living situation that’s right for you. For housing search resources, visit offcampushousing.bc.edu
Formation Communities
▶ CSTM House is a lay formation community for students at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry. In this community, students focus on formation in prayer based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, and formation for ministry in the Church. The house will accommodate 10 to 12 individuals per year in a structure that fosters communal living, prayer, and conversation.
▶ The Newman House Student Community is an informal community of graduate theology students from the CSTM and Boston College Theology Department. Members of the community provide friendship as well as academic and spiritual encouragement to one another. While only open to graduate theology students at Boston College, the Newman House is not formally affiliated with Boston College.
Transportation
Public Transit: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is the Boston area’s public transportation system. BC offers a student discount for its subway, bus, and commuter rail passes. Visit bc.edu/mbta for more information.
Parking: All graduate students at Boston College can purchase a parking permit for $370 a year. Parking is available in several lots near CSTM, as well as in Beacon Garage and Commonwealth Garage.
Zipcar: Students save up to $65/year on an annual Zipcar membership.
“Boston has so much to do in all parts of the city. I have found a lot of helpful tips through some social media accounts that suggest things to do in the city, especially on a budget. A couple Instagram accounts I use are: @boston. travel and @boston.bucketlist. Boston is a great place to get to know people from all walks of life and even get to know your classmates outside of the classroom. There are many hidden gems within every neighborhood which can help you feel like a true Bostonian before you know it!”
–Fatima Vasquez-Molina, M.A. ’25
Museums and Attractions
The following institutions offer free admission with your Eagle ID card or through the Office of Student Services:
▶ McMullen Museum of Art
▶ Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
▶ Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
▶ Harvard Art Museum
▶ Harvard Museum of Natural History
▶ MassArt Art Museum (MAAM)
▶ Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
A free membership with the Boston Public Library or the Minuteman Library Network also offers discounted or complimentary passes to nearby attractions.
BENEFITS FOR CSTM STUDENTS
As a student at CSTM, you will have access to a range of complementary and discounted programs and offerings, both on campus and across Boston.
Books and Media
▶ The Boston College Theology and Ministry Library (TML): The TML supports research, teaching, and learning at the CSTM, and houses the largest collection of Catholic literature outside the Vatican, comprising over 300,000 volumes.
▶ Boston College Libraries: Through BC, you’ll have free access to the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, streaming collections, OverDrive, and technology and equipment loans.
▶ Boston Public Library: All Massachusetts residents are eligible for a BPL card, which provides access to books, streaming services, museum passes, and free events.
Technology
▶ Free Google Suite access
▶ Free Microsoft Office access
▶ Student discounts with Adobe
▶ Apple Store education pricing
▶ Best Buy discount program
▶ Xfinity Wifi student discounts
Health & Wellness
The Margot Connell Recreation Center: Graduate students can purchase a membership to BC’s 244,000-square-foot Rec Center for $400 annually or pay by the semester. The Rec Center offers an aquatics center, a golf simulator, locker rooms, a climbing wall, a spin studio, cardio and strength spaces, a mind/ body studio, tennis/volleyball courts, a jogging track, squash/racquetball courts, group fitness classes, small group training, personal training, and more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
The financial aid offer made by CSTM is for the duration of your program; you do not need to reapply yearly. Federal aid does require a student to apply each year.
Am I eligible to receive financial assistance during the summer?
Yes.
Are there opportunities to work on or off campus?
Yes. Graduate assistantships and other on-campus employment options are available for CSTM students. In addition to the financial benefits of these positions, our students and alumni often report on the professional and ministerial skills gained from their time as graduate assistants. Both the BC Office of Graduate Student Life and the BC Office of Student Services maintain listings of potential assistantships and work-study positions open to all Boston College graduate students.
On-campus jobs only permit students to work a maximum of 29 hours per week (most graduate
assistantships are 20 hours per week), typically during normal office hours. Off-campus employment can be a good option for more flexible hours. The Boston area offers many employment opportunities, ranging from food services to hospitals and mental health facilities.
What other options do I have if the aid I have received is not enough?
Please get in touch with us! We want to make sure we’ve explored all possible options to help you make studying with us a reality. Please email cstmapply@bc.edu and our team will direct you to the right person.
Questions? We are here to help. CSTM Admissions (617) 552-6506 cstmapply@bc.edu
