Concordia University Chicago has launched the Prepared to Serve: Church Professional Guarantee, exemplifying the University’s commitment to equipping undergraduate students though its church professional degree programs. Beginning fall 2025, new, full-time students pursuing a church professional degree will pay a maximum of $5,000 in tuition and mandatory fees each academic year. This amount includes all CUC institutional scholarships, Illinois MAP grants and federal Pell grants.
The University is committed to providing one of the most affordable pathways for undergraduate students pursuing church work vocations within the Concordia University System. Doing so is integral to preparing graduates for a life of service in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
The guaranteed tuition rate is available to all incoming, full-time church work students who enroll in one of the following programs:
- Classical Lutheran Educator
- Deaconess
- Director of Christian Education
- Director of Parish Music
- Lutheran Teacher Education
- Pre-Seminary
“As a testament to Concordia-Chicago’s commitment to supporting church professionals, I am pleased to introduce the Prepared to Serve: Church Professional Guarantee,” says Dr. Russell Dawn, president of Concordia-Chicago. “What’s more, this guarantee is not the only way that CUC demonstrates the importance of making a truly Christ-centered university education affordable. In fact, every single one of our undergraduate students receives financial aid. We have also strengthened our commitment to students who are the first generation in their families to attend college; this year, we doubled the annual financial award that these students receive.”
This University-wide commitment also supports the Set Apart to Serve initiative of the LCMS, which encourages young people to consider church vocations as honorable, sacred and joyful ways to serve God and His people.
CUC’s dedication to making a Christ-centered education achievable for future church professionals is made possible due to the support of generous donors. To learn how you can support the Prepared to Serve: Church Professional Guarantee, contact the CUC Foundation at Foundation@CUChicago.edu or call 866-448-3867.
To learn more about the tuition guarantee for church professional programs, visit CUChicago.edu/prepared-to-serve.
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