LoginHome » Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership » National Ordained Ministry » Bursaries
Bursaries
Foundation students are expected to support themselves through their foundational studies. Ordinands are not eligible for financial support until they have completed their foundational theological studies and entered the ordination studies programme.
In case of hardship some limited funds are available at the Director’s discretion to assist National Ordained Ministry Foundation Studies Students experiencing financial difficulties. Students experiencing such difficulties should contact the Director.
In 2008 we will have two forms of Bursary support for ordinands operating concurrently.
One is for those beginning their ordination studies under the new internship programme.
The other is for Dunedin-based residential (OSP2) students and existing distance students (OSPD) in their final year of ordination studies under the residential programme.
Bursary Support for Interns
The Bursary is set at 80% of the Basic Minimum Stipend. It is tax-free, which means the Intern should receive around $31,000 per annum.
If the Intern is already serving in the parish as a Local Ordained Minister, and/or employment in the parish is guaranteed beyond the period of the internship, the Bursary is likely to be taxable.
If an Intern has a dependent spouse and children, limited alternative sources of income, and is clearly struggling to make ends meet, a top-up grant may be applied for through the Registrar.
Full Bursary support begins when Interns commence their parish-based Internship. Partial Bursary support will be given for attendance of pre-Internship training events. This will amount to a daily allowance of $45.
Ministry related costs, such as car mileage, will be reimbursed by the parish. All costs associated with training, including travel to and from block courses, will be met by the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership.
Bursary Support for Ordinands Resident in Dunedin
The Bursary for Dunedin-based ordinands is set at 31.23% of the Standard Minimum Stipend. It is tax free. On the basis of extra costs, taking all other income into account, students may also be eligible for a housing allowance of up to $200 per week. (This figure is related to the rents charged for Church-owned student houses and will move in conjunction with these). The bursary and housing allowance will be paid on a 52-week basis from the start until the end of the OSP course.
Students must apply to the Registrar for the housing allowance. In general it is expected that students with a dependent spouse and children and no other income apart from Family Support will receive the maximum allowance.
In addition to the above, ordinands will receive an annual book allowance equal to 115% of the Ministers' Book Allowance.
Students completing their studies by way of distance learning will receive the same level of financial support that Dunedin-based students receive, but on a pro rata basis, based on the number of credits undertaken in any given year. Distance students shall also be reimbursed of basic costs for travel while attending required block courses and intensives.
For distance students, the payment of Bursary and allowances will cease at the time they have satisfactorily completed their last assignment or course requirement.
For students resident in Dunedin, the payment of Bursary and allowances will cease either one month after the Valedictory service or when the student moves to take up a call to ministry, whichever comes earlier.
Beneficiary Fund (Ministers' Superannuation fund)
National Ordained Ministry ordinands who are married are, from the day of the first Spring School at the beginning of their studies covered by the benefit provided by the Fund to the spouse and children under 16 years of a member dying in the active ministry.
Those who marry during their ordination studies are covered under this provision from the date of their marriage.
This extends while they are a licentiate for up one year following the valedictory service. At the time of ordination and induction into their first parish National Ordained Ministers are required to join the Beneficiary Fund.
Note that due to the nature of the deed setting up the beneficiary fund, it is not possible for Local Ordained Ministers to be members of the Beneficiary Fund and parishes and LOMs need to make alternative arrangements