Disclosures

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Accreditation

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). More information about accreditation here.

Consumer and Safety Information

LSTC posts policies and procedures related to consumer and safety information in compliance with federal regulations. These policies and procedures are described:

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Grants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, signed March 27th, 2020), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA, signed December 27th, 2020) and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA, signed March 11, 2021) provided monetary assistance to those who are experiencing economic hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over $76 billion of funding from these laws has been provided to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (commonly referred to as HEERF I, HEERF II and HEERF III, respectively).

During 2020 and 2021, LSTC completed applications to participate in the programs made eligible to our institution.

HEERF Student Aid Portion
Total allocated to LSTC: $57,168
Total disbursed to LSTC: $57,168
Total expended as of March 31, 2022: $57,168

1. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, the applicable amount of funds received under section (a)(1) of the programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

2. The total amount of the funds available to the institution from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under HEERF I, II and III as of March 31, 2022 is indicated above.

3. The total amount of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the programs as of March 31, 2022 is indicated above.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in the applicable programs and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students: 116

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the programs as of March 31, 2022: 22

6. The institution has established a committee to facilitate the distribution of this emergency funding while adhering to the regulations established by the Department of Education. This committee is in the process of reviewing applications from students to distribute the majority of this funding to provide maximum benefit to impacted students to spend on qualified expenses, as defined under the programs. Grants are being distributed based on assessed need determined on a student by student basis.

7. Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Students were informed and acknowledged that this is a grant program which does not require repayment and that such funds were solely for costs incurred for qualified expense categories related to the disruption resulting from coronavirus COVID-19.

HEERF Institutional Aid Portion
Total allocated to LSTC: $72,313
Total disbursed to LSTC: $72,313
Total expended as of March 31, 2022: $72,313

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
CARES Act Section 18004(a)(3)

Additional funding was made available to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education that are eligible under Part B of Title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and received less than $500,000 total from HEERF (a)(1) and (a)(2) programs.

Total allocated to LSTC: $477,595
Total disbursed to LSTC: $477,595
Total expended as of March 31, 2022: $477,595

Supplemental Aid for Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE)
CRRSA, Section 314(a)(3)

Additional funding was made available to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education that met specific priorities. LSTC qualified under Priority 7 which provided funds with high percentages of graduate students. An institution funded under this priority must use funds awarded for financial aid grants to graduate students with financial need associated with the coronavirus.

Total allocated to LSTC: $60,724
Total disbursed to LSTC: $60,724
Total expended as of March 31, 2022: $60,724

All institutions participating in the HEERF Institutional, FIPSE and SAIHE programs are required to post Quarterly Budget and Expenditure reporting on a quarterly basis.

LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 9.30.20
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 12.31.20
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 3.31.21
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 6.30.21
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 9.30.21
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 12.31.21
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 3.31.22

Student Complaints

LSTC is committed to providing a positive educational experience for our students. Enrolled and prospective students can file a complaint related to the accrediting standards, ecclesiastical commitments and/or applicable state or federal laws and regulations with the Dean of Student Services:

Dean of Student Services
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 East 55th St.
Chicago, IL 60615
773.256.0685
schalmers@lstc.edu

LSTC also operates in compliance with the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Register an institutional complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education here:
http://complaints.ibhe.org

Once the complaint is filed, the Dean of Student Services will follow the grievance policy as outlined in the All Students Handbook. The complaint will be shared with the Director of Human Resources for submission to the appropriate agency (ATS, HLC, ELCA, state of IL or the federal government). Both the Dean of Student Services and the Director of Human Resources will maintain a record of the formal complaints. The Director of Human Resources will maintain the outcomes of any review completed by an outside agency.

Student Diversity

To obtain a copy of the report on student diversity contact Scott Chalmers at schalmers@lstc.edu.

Graduation Rates

For students who enrolled and graduated from the same degree program (transfers between degree programs not counted). Time intervals defined by the Association of Theological Schools.

Master of Divinity
Graduation rate within six years of enrollment: 71% (2021), 67% (2020), 73% (2019), 80% (2018), and 100% (2017)

Master of Arts in Ministry
Graduation rate within four years of enrollment: 100% (2021), 100% (2020), 50% (2019), 50% (2018) and 43% (2017)*
*Includes affiliate or Lutheran Year students, some who choose not to receive a degree

Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
Graduation rate within four years of enrollment: 50% (2021), 100% (2020), 33% (2019), 50% (2018) and 40% (2017)

Doctor of Ministry
Graduation rate within six years of enrollment: 50% (2021), 0% (2020), Not reported (2019), 70% (2018) and 80% (2017)

Master of Theology
Graduation rate within two years of enrollment: N/A (2021); N/A (2020), 75% (2019), 100% (2018) and 72% (2017)*
*Does not include students who completed ThM requirements in the process of obtaining a PhD

Doctor of Philosophy
Graduation rate within eight years of enrollment: 64% (2021), 67% (2020), 50% (2019), 67% (2018) and 45% (2017)

Vocational Placement Rates

For graduates serving in positions for which the degree program prepared them. Includes graduates placed prior to graduation or within 12-18 months of graduation.

Master of Divinity: 80% (2021), 95% (2020), 87% (2019), 100% (2017) and 100% (2016)

Master of Arts in Ministry: 100% (2021), 75% (2020), 33% (2019), 50% (2017) and 50% (2016)

Master of Arts (Theological Studies): 50% (2021), 67% (2020), 38% (2019), 33% (2017) and 50% (2016) 

Doctor of Ministry:  placed prior to enrollment

Master of Theology: N/A (2021), N/A (2020), N/A (2019), N/A (2017) and 6% (2016); 100% pursued higher study in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 and 88% pursued higher study in 2016.

Doctor of Philosophy: 50% (2021), 100% (2020), 44% (2019), 83% (2017) and 67% (2016)

Retention Rates

2020: 93%

2019: 94%

2018: 90%

2017: 97%

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