Matching Church Scholarship

Anderson University will match gifts up to $750 per semester (for a total of $1,500 per school year) for each undergraduate student (12 hours or more). Churches from any denomination or independent congregation from any country can participate. When a church chooses to partner with AU, this can add up to $1,500 per semester ($3,000 per year) towards the student’s Financial Aid Package.

• AU Encourages a Submission Deadline of April 1 – Annual Student Award Forms received by April 1 of the year preceding enrollment are assured a matching scholarship. AU will continue to accept forms after April 1, and any match is dependent upon remaining funds available. There is no cost to the church to enroll in the program.
• Establish a local Church Scholarship Committee to promote the scholarship program in your church. The committee will also determine which students will receive funds, and the amount they receive per semester. Early action by the Church Scholarship Committee may make the difference between receiving and NOT receiving an Anderson University Matching Church Scholarship.
• Since the IRS does not allow the use of the Matching Church Scholarship Program to channel funds from family members to AU students, all funds donated through this program must be from persons or sources that are “detached and of disinterested generosity” as defined by the IRS Regulations. Specifically, this means funds from a student’s parents or the student recipient cannot be used to fund awards.

Also, the IRS does not allow a charitable income tax deduction if a donor names a specific student to receive his/her contribution, nor can Anderson University provide matching funds to such targeted gifting.

Who is eligible for matching scholarships? 
Any full-time undergraduate student not enrolled through the Department of Adult Studies. Because adult and continuing education students benefit from an alternate fee structure, they are not eligible for the Matching Church Scholarship Program.

Which churches may enroll?
Any organized church from any country may enroll. The church only needs to enroll in the program one time and there is no fee.

Will AU match any scholarship from a church?
There are a few guidelines:

1. They must direct their funds to full-time undergraduate students not enrolled in the Department of Adult Studies.
2. The scholarship recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
3. Churches must submit an Annual Student Award Form to Anderson University for the academic year in which the scholarships are to be used. This form is required each year for each student being supported by the church.
4. Please refer to the Guidelines for the Matching Church Scholarship Program.

Are students eligible for a matching church 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.  The church must complete the Annual Student Award Form each year for each recipient being supported by the church.

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 $750 per semester or $1,500 per student per year. 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 are encouraged to submit an Annual Student Award Form to the Matching Church Scholarship Office by April 1 each year. Churches are encouraged to equally divide available funds among their eligible students enrolled at Anderson University.

Why have a local committee?
Local committee action assures the program is administered within the framework of applicable regulations for charitable deductions. If procedural questions arise, local scholarship committees should seek counsel and approval from the office 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 to determine eligibility for a matching church 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.

Can a donor designate a gift for a particular student?
No. The donor contributes to the church’s 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?

This program is designed to provide the student with a scholarship that has not originated from the student or the student’s parents. Therefore, funds from the student’s parents or the student recipient should not be used for awards while the student is a matching scholarship recipient.

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.