Tuition & Financial Aid

  1. The cost for the current academic year is $375 per credit.
  2. The standard fee for auditing a course on campus is $100 per credit and $150 per credit for language courses. This fee is not refundable. Spouses of Seminary students accepted into a program of study and retired CLB pastors may audit courses free of charge.
  3. Students accepted into a program of study may audit courses and take J-Term courses free of charge.
  4. Directed study courses carry an additional $50 per credit fee for production, administration, mailing, and faculty involvement.
  5. A course retaken to change a previous grade will be charged regular tuition.
  6. Other fees include:
    •  Registration fee of $10/credit with a maximum of $120/semester;
    •  Student activity fee of $20/semester;
    •  Technology fee of $30/semester;
    •  Graduation fee of $100/final semester.
    •  Testing fee of $250/course when registering for PT 512 and PT 515.
  7. A course retaken to change a previous grade will be charged full tuition per credit and fees. No financial aid is available for courses retaken.

    Refunds

    In the case of students who drop a course or withdraw from the Seminary before the end of a semester, refunds on tuition will be made at the following rates: (Fees are nonrefundable.)

    1. Within the first week, full tuition refund with proper approval of the Administration.
    2. Second and third weeks, 75%
    3. Fourth and fifth weeks, 50%
    4. No refunds after the fifth week.

    Financial Aid

    The churches of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren support the Seminary by providing two-thirds of the school’s operating costs. In this way the amount of financial responsibility to the student is significantly reduced. The remaining one-third of the Seminary cost is covered through student tuition for which the student is responsible. Financial aid is available to assist some students with these tuition costs. No financial aid or scholarships are available to Open Studies and auditing students. LBS does not participate in federal student aid programs.

    Health Insurance and Housing

    Students are responsible for their own health insurance and housing.

    Student Accounts

    10% of tuition and fees is due by the first day of each semester. The remaining balance is to be paid before the student can register for the following semester. For those unable to pay their bill in accordance with this policy, a payment plan may be arranged with the Seminary President and Chief Financial Officer. A maximum balance of $2,500 will be allowed to be carried over from one semester to the next. Fall semester balances begin accumulating monthly interest at a rate of 6% on January 1. Spring semester balances begin accumulating monthly interest at a rate 6% on July 1. The balance of any single semester must be resolved within twelve months.

    A student’s account must be paid in full (or the student must be current on an approved payment plan) to receive a diploma, certificate, etc. or to obtain the release of official transcripts.

    Veterans

    Lutheran Brethren Seminary is approved by the Minnesota State Approving Agency for training under the GI Bill®. (GIBill® is the registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).) Applicants for these benefits should apply for educational assistance at their nearest regional Veterans Affairs Office or Lutheran Brethren Seminary.

    A person who meets the basic service requirements and who has been separated or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable may be entitled to educational assistance. A student receiving VA educational assistance is required to maintain satisfactory progress and conduct according to standards established and enforced by the institution, fully and clearly published in the institution’s catalog, approved by the State Approving Agency, and accepted by the Veterans Affairs. If the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress or conduct, payments will then be suspended. Regardless of whether the student desires to remain in the same program or desires to change institutions or programs, VA counseling is required before benefits can be resumed.

    Refund Policy for Veterans

    For students enrolled under the provisions of Public Law 89-358, the school will refund the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges in the event the veteran or eligible person fails to enter the course, withdraws, or is discontinued at any time prior to completion. The amount charged to the veteran or eligible person for tuition, fees, and other charges for a portion of the course will not exceed the approximate pro rata portion of the total charges for tuition, fees, and other charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to its total length. LBS will not impose any penalty on the VA beneficiary student due to the delayed disbursement of VA funding under Chapter 31 or 33.