“How do I pay for my classes?”

The simplest way to pay for your course work is to increase your salary (assuming you are under your salary cap). If you are at your cap, you can reimburse your classes (as taxable income) through a reimbursement; however, you name must be on listed of “approved” staff with the reimbursement department.

“Can I reimburse my courses as a ministry expense?

If you are going full-time, the answer is no. Therefore the best thing to do is to increase your salary. As long as you are under your cap, you will have no problem. If you are going part-time (taking one or two classes), see question three.

“But doesn’t the HR policy manual say that a staff member may take up to one class each semester and reimburse it as a ministry expense?”

Yes, it does say this; however, this does not apply to the person going to school full-time. Someone going part-time (i.e., taking one or two classes) could reimburse one class as a ministry expense. (If someone is taking two courses, he or she would need to take additional salary for the second course.) Along with their reimbursement, an individual must attach a letter from someone on the HR team indicating they are taking this course as a part of their professional development.

“Do I need permission to take a night class on my own time?”

No.

“I’m thinking about working with a different ministry when I finish. What do I do?”

If you planning on working with a different ministry (or even region) when you finish your graduate study, you must seek sponsorship from the ministry with which you will serve when you finish.

“My classes begin in September but I have not finished raising my support. Can I begin my course work?”

You cannot begin your course work until you have achieved “Level two” support and your support coach has certified this.

“A family member (parent, grandparent, etc.) is paying for my graduate study. Does the year-for-year payback apply to me since I am not using CCC funds?”

Yes, it does. Even if you are not using ministry funds to pay your tuition, CCC is paying your salary. The IRS considers your salary to be directed toward your education inasmuch as you are being paid to go to school full-time. (See “Explanation of Year-for-Year Payback” above.)

“Seminaries offer so many different degrees. I know I want to grow deeper
biblically and theologically, but I am not sure which to choose. How do I decide what degree program is best for me?”

Master of Divinity programs typically require about 100 semester hours while some other master’s degrees require only about 50 semester hours. (Most staff do not need all the content included in a typical Master of Divinity program.) You may find it helpful to ask yourself the following questions: “What do I hope to gain from this study?” “Do I want to learn Greek and Hebrew?” “What areas do I want to grow deeper in biblically and theologically?” One advantage to pursuing graduate theological study part-time is that it allows you more time to decide what program to enroll in. When you begin your graduate theological study, stick with core courses that apply to every degree program at the institution you are enrolled at. This will give you more flexibility if you decide to switch. You may also find it helpful to talk with other staff who have pursued formal theological training in order to find out why they chose the degree they did.