Scholarships

Due to the generosity of its donors and benefactors, the Seminary maintains several scholarship funds to assist qualified applicants demonstrating genuine financial need and/or the criteria outlined for merit-based awards. Scholarship funds may be restricted to tuition or to room and board. In special circumstances, scholarships may be applied to all charges.

As a result of our recent accreditation, students at the Seminary now qualify for third-party scholarships and are encouraged to apply.

Students should be aware that, although the Seminary is an accredited institution and therefore eligible to enroll in Title IV funding, it is declining to do so at this time. For this reason, students applying to the Seminary are not eligible for federal financial aid programs.

Those wishing to apply for any of the Seminary-sponsored scholarships listed below or to learn of the requirements and restrictions should contact the Seminary Registrar, Gabrielle Asgarian, at: registrar0@*spotsl.$edu. The Application for Financial Aid may be downloaded by clicking here.

Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund

This general scholarship fund was established to assist qualified Seminary applicants demonstrating financial need with tuition.

The Gombos Orthodox Christian Foundation Scholarships

This charitable foundation has established a scholarship fund to assist qualified Seminary applicants demonstrating financial need with tuition or room and board, or, in special circumstances, tuition and room and board.

Holy Archangel Michael Memorial Scholarship Fund

Michael N. Gombos, Sr., dreamed of one day having an active parish life in the Holy Archangel Michael Orthodox Mission in Bakersfield, California. He recognized, however, that a lack of clergymen was a problem throughout most of the country and especially on the West Coast. He essentially helped found the Seminary in an effort to provide a long-term solution to “making Priests,” especially for his own local parish. This scholarship fund is specifically focused on honoring his hopes for more clergymen in the parish and mission communities of the Holy Diocese of Etna and Portland. May his memory be eternal!

Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established to honor the memory of the great Wonderworker of San Francisco, Saint John. May he intercede for all of us!

Saint Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sofia Scholarship Fund

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, this fund was established in honor of Saint Seraphim, the Wonderworker of Sofia, to provide occasional funds to help meet tuition and other study-related needs for students either entering or already enrolled in the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Holy Ascension Parish Scholarship Fund

The Holy Ascension of Christ Orthodox Church in Rochester, New York, generously established this scholarship fund to help meet tuition and other study-related needs for students either entering or enrolled in the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary. Married students seeking aid with their housing and family expenses may also apply.

Saints Faith, Hope, Love, and Sophia Married Student Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund is restricted to cover tuition for a married student willing to serve the Church in either a clerical or educational capacity following graduation. One of the donors, who wishes to remain anonymous, has three young children, and is thus especially hopeful that the Seminary will train future generations of clergymen and Sunday School teachers. The lead gift was given in memory of the donor’s reposed mother Lubov. May her memory be eternal!

Future Scholarship Funds

The Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary is grateful to all of its donors and benefactors who have contributed to the scholarship funds listed here, none of which are endowed; all are dependent on the generous ongoing support of donors and benefactors. May God’s continued blessing be on all who, in support of the school’s mission, have contributed to ensure that any qualified student be afforded the opportunity to attend the Seminary. Those interested in supporting an existing or initiating a new scholarship fund should contact the Office of the Communications and Development Director: Alexei Bushunow Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary Post Office Box 797 Etna, California 96027‒0797 United States of America email: apb@spots.edu telephone: (585) 490‒9650

We pray for God’s continued blessing on all who have contributed in support of our mission to ensure that any qualified student be afforded the opportunity to attend the Seminary.

Those interested in supporting an existing, or initiating a new, scholarship fund should contact Alexei Bushunow at: development@spots=.Yschool