Matching Church Scholarship Program
Each year Anderson University faces the challenge of making Christian higher education affordable to a broad range of students. The Anderson University Matching Church Scholarship Program is one of the ways we attempt to meet that challenge. Through this program, churches provide financial assistance to their local young people who attend AU, and the university doubles the scholarship value by matching the amount dollar for dollar (up to $1,500 per year or $750 per semester). Since 1978, the program has grown to include over 1100 churches with annual awards of over $1 million. The program benefits approximately 600 students each year.
It is very important that you understand the Guidelines for the Matching Scholarship Program before completing the Student Award Form. Please also look through the Frequently Asked Questions for more valuable information about the program.
Guidelines for the Matching Scholarship Program
Enroll your church.
Mail a completed Enrollment Form to the university. Obtain the signature of approval of the pastor.
Use your committee.
A scholarship committee should be formed to make your local decisions about student awards.Send in Student Award Forms.
Complete all information on Student Award Form. Your local scholarship committee should determine the amount of student award. Committees are encouraged to give equal awards to students.Act before March 1.
Awards received by March 1 of the preceding school year are assured a matching scholarship. After March 1, a potential match is dependent upon available university funds. NOTE: The number of scholarships matched by Anderson University is limited to the available size of the Anderson University financial aid budget. Early action by a committee may make the difference of receiving an available Anderson University Matching Scholarship.Encourage donors to contribute to your scholarship account—not to individual students.
Your local committee should independently decide which students receive a scholarship and how much of the scholarship will be from your church.Exclude gifts from family members.
Available monies in this program must be from sources that are "detached and of disinterested generosity." Funds from student's parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, uncles and aunts must not be used to fund awards.Encourage donors who work for matching employers to contribute directly to Anderson University.
The list of companies that will match "student aid funds" is available to Anderson University. The donor may not designate a specific student recipient, but may designate that his or her gift be placed in the church's scholarship account here at Anderson University to be used for awards for students from his/her church.Use your Scholarship Certificates.
When your committee notifies Anderson University of a student award, a Scholarship Certificate will be sent to your committee from the Office of Church Service. Presentation of this certificate to your student will encourage others to participate as well as honor your student for his/her commitment to attending Anderson University.Questions
Questions concerning the program, church account balance, student awards, and general information should be directed to the Office of Church Service by calling 765-641-4069, or by e-mailing parogers@anderson.edu. You may also write to Matching Scholarship Program, Office of Church Services, Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana 46012.
FAQ's
Who is eligible for matching scholarships?
Any full-time undergraduate student not enrolled through the School of Adult Learning. Because adult and continuing education students benefit from an alternate fee structure, they are not eligible for the Matching Church Scholarship Program.
Will AU match any scholarship from a church?
There are a few guidelines:
- Churches must submit Student Award Forms to Anderson University by March 1 preceding the academic year in which the scholarships are to be used.
- They must direct their funds to full-time undergraduate students not enrolled in the School of Adult Learning.
- The scholarship recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Which churches may enroll?
Any organized church may enroll.
Are students eligible for a matching scholarship every year?
Yes, as long as the church meets the existing guidelines each year, and as long as the students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Is there a limit on the scholarship amount given by a church to a student?
No. A church may give any amount to a full-time undergraduate student. However, the university will match a maximum of $1,500 per student per year or $750 per semester. This rule applies even though a student may receive funds from more than one source.
Who determines how much to award and to which student?
The local church committee recommends the recipient and the amount of the award. Committees must submit a Student Award Form to the Matching Church Scholarship Office by March 1 each year. Churches should equally divide available funds among their eligible students enrolled at Anderson University.
Why is March 1 important?
This date conforms to our budget planning schedule. A match cannot be guaranteed after March 1 preceding the academic year in which the scholarship is to be used.
Why have a local committee?
Local committee action assures the program is administered within the framework of applicable regulation on charitable deductions. If procedural questions arise, local scholarship committees should seek counsel and approval from the director of the Matching Church Scholarship Program.
What if the student doesn’t qualify for financial aid under existing federal and state guidelines?
It does not matter. No federal or state financial aid form must be submitted for evaluation to determine eligibility for the matching scholarship.
If my company matches gifts to AU, will my gift and the company gift help provide a student scholarship?
Yes, in most cases. Individual donors may make contributions directly to Anderson University and designate them for the Matching Church Scholarship Program. Many accounts grow rapidly as donors use the company match for this unique student scholarship program. Anderson University must make final determinations of awards from direct contributions but will seek the recommendation of local committees. You can obtain a listing of matching companies at www.anderson.edu/develop/employer.html.
Can a donor designate a gift for a particular student?
No. The donor contributes to the scholarship account, and the local committee decides the amount of the award and the student recipient. Most committees equally divide their available funds among eligible students. Compliance with Internal Revenue regulations for charitable donations is the responsibility of the church and the individual donor.
May a parent or student give to this fund?
No. Available monies in this program must be from sources that are "detached and of disinterested generosity." This program is designed to provide the student with a scholarship which has not originated from the student or his or her family members. Therefore, funds from the student’s parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, uncles, and aunts should not be used for awards while the student is a matching scholarship recipient. Any family’s restricted matching scholarship monies given to the church while the student is participating in the Matching Church Scholarship Program should be reserves for use when the student in question in no longer a participant. Questions about family contributions should be addressed to the director of the Matching Church Scholarship Program.
Should we wait until we have enrolled students at Anderson University before participating in the program?
No. Begin now to prepare for students who will be attending Anderson University in a year or two. Churches that enroll early will have more time to encourage individual donors and companies to participate in the program.
Whom can we contact about this program?
Director of the Matching Church Scholarship Program
Anderson University
1100 East Fifth Street Anderson, IN 46012-3495
(756) 641-4055
(800) 421-1025, ext. 4055 or 4069
