Student TAP Coach - Religious Study

Education Law does not permit you to receive State student financial aid to pursue religious education. The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education implement the law by specifying that “General and academic performance awards shall not be provided for study in programs that, in the determination of the commissioner, provide professional training in theology or religious education. . .”

The regulation also states that financial aid shall not be provided to students enrolled in programs leading to any of the following theological degrees:

• Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)
• Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.)
• Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.)
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
• Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.)
• Master of Arts in Religious Education (M.A. in R.E.)
• Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)
• Master of Theology (Th.M.)
• Master of Arts in Theology (M.A. in Th.)
• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
• Doctor of Religious Education (D.R.E.)
• Doctor of Theology (Th.D.)

However, if you study religion as part of a liberal arts curriculum in programs that lead to liberal arts degrees such as the Associate in Arts or Bachelor of Arts, you are eligible for New York State financial aid.