Photo courtesy of Hamline University.

United Methodist Student Day
offerings vital to fund aid

by Vicki Brown

Muria Kruger wrote a check to the United Methodist loans and scholarship program because she wanted other students to feel the same sense of support she got from her own scholarship to United Methodist-related Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.

“It wasn’t just the money, it was more the symbol of support from the church as I was going forward with my life and education,” said Kruger, now an attorney in St. Paul, Minn. “Now that I’m making money from my college education, I thought it was time to give back.”

Last year, United Methodists gave nearly $4.8 million in scholarships to 3,540 students through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The agency provided another $1.2 million in loans to 500 students struggling to pay college bills. Much of the money came from special offerings, such as that received on United Methodist Student Day, the last Sunday in November.

“It’s been a core value of Methodism that we need an educated laity and clergy for the church and the world,” said Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the board’s Office of Loans and Scholarships. “We recognize that we need to have value-centered education for our leaders.”

Loans and scholarships are one of the chief ways to assure future clergy and world leaders get that kind of education. But as giving to Special Sunday offerings has declined, the board is having to turn away eligible applicants, Current-Felder said.

Last year, gifts to the Student Day offering, which churches are encouraged to receive on Nov. 27 this year, totaled $542,559, far short of the $1 million goal. So far this year, the Office of Loans and Scholarships has turned away 226 applicants.

Ninety percent of the Student Day offering helps support the Board’s scholarship programs, while 10 percent is for student loans. Each United Methodist-related college receives money from the offering for scholarships. Each annual conference gets 10 percent of its Student Day receipts to award to merit scholars, Current-Felder said.

So much depends on individual churches, she said, urging pastors and youth leaders to make plans now to observe Student Day.

It is possible that the student who receives the $1,000 scholarship your church funds will be the pastor who leads your church to new growth 10 years from now.

—Vicki Brown, associate editor and writer,
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Nashville, Tenn.

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Tips for Observing United Methodist Student Day

* Receive the United Methodist Student Day offering on Nov. 27, or schedule the observance for another Sunday.

* Order and use Student Day resources by calling United Methodist Communications (888) 346-3862, or log on to www.umcgiving.org/ss.

* Sponsor a college-bound workshop for high school students and parents to provide information on financial aid, college selection and application, and career choices. Visit www.gbhem.org  for information.