Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary // FAQ

FAQ

Are my gifts tax deductible? Answer

What does it cost to attend seminary? Answer

Don't the ELCA and supporting Synods in ELCA Region 9 cover the expense of theological education at Southern Seminary? Answer

Why should I support theological education at Southern Seminary? Answer

What kind of financial condition is the seminary in? Answer

How can I help? Answer

How can I get more information about supporting Southern Seminary? Answer

Are my gifts tax deductible? Every gift made to the seminary is receipted for tax purposes. Gifts made to Southern Seminary are tax-deductible with the exception of Directed Student Aid for an individual student. Directed Student Aid gifts are considered as gifts to the individual and not to the seminary as a charitable institution. There are ways to make tax deductible gifts through your church in support of a son or daughter of the congregation, however. Contact Ron Walrath at RWalrath@ltss.edu for more information on tax deductibility. Back to top.

What does it cost to attend seminary? While many focus solely on the cost of tuition, tuition represents only about a third of the total cost of attending seminary each year. The following table details the real cost of attending Southern Seminary for one year. Back to top.

	Lutheran	Non-Lutheran
Tuition	$12,295	$13,510
Fees	$ 200	$ 200
Housing	$ 5,000	$ 5,000	Average of all types of housing
Health Ins.	$ 4,134	$ 4,134	Required
Board	$ 700	$ 700	Lunch in the Refectory
Utilities	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	Average cost
Food	$ 1,800	$ 1,800	Varies with the person
Transportation	$ 3,600	$ 3,600	Varies with the person
Books	$ 1,500	$ 1,500
Misc. expense	$ 2,700	$ 2,700	Varies with the person
Total	$33,159	$34,934

Don't the ELCA and supporting Synods in ELCA Region 9 cover the expense of theological education at Southern Seminary? Churchwide and ELCA Region 9 Synodical support are crucial to funding the operations of the seminary, but the Church and ELCA Region 9's Synods cannot do it alone. The following graph illustrates the sources of support received by Southern Seminary. Back to top.

Why should I support theological education at Southern Seminary? The training of men and women for public ministry is a mission vital to the current functioning and future viability of the church. Congregations, social ministry organizations, camping ministries, and church colleges need highly-qualified, Christ-centered pastors and associates in ministry. Without these public ministers in place, every ministry of the church is constrained in its ability to fulfill the mission it has been charged with performing. Southern Seminary prepares capable and committed women and men that God has called to minister to, with, and for us in the days ahead. Back to top.

What kind of financial condition is the seminary in? The seminary is blessed with a broad base of support throughout the South and across America, and Southern Seminary, like every ministry of the church, must be an excellent steward of resources in order to fulfill her mission. The seminary's budget is tight, but not austere – for each expenditure, the seminary's leadership must answer, "Yes" to the question, "Does this expenditure contribute to our ability to accomplish the mission Southern Seminary is charged with?" Back to top.

How can I help? Thank you for asking! Firstly, pray for Southern Seminary and the other seminaries of the church each time you pray. Secondly, look for women and men who have the ability to and interest in serving as public ministers as a vocation and assist them with discerning whether God is calling them to seminary. Thirdly, tell the story of Southern Seminary to your brothers and sisters in Christ. And lastly, if God is moving you to support the work of Southern Seminary, please give generously to this ministry. Contact RWalrath@ltss.edu for more information about financially partnering with the seminary or Give on-line. Back to top.

How can I get more information about supporting Southern Seminary? E-mail RWalrath@ltss.edu or call (803) 461-3237 or toll-free (866) 921-1157. The seminary's development staff stands ready to answer your questions and assist you with any aspect of giving to Southern Seminary. Back to top.

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