CHURCH MATCHING SCHOLARSHIPS

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Church Matching Scholarship (CMS) program limited to certain denominations?

A: All Christian denominations are eligible to participate.

Q: Is there a minimum or maximum limit IWU will match?

A: There is no minimum. IWU will match up to $750 per student, per year. Churches are encouraged to support their students with larger scholarships, but IWU will only match dollar-for-dollar the first $750.

Q: Are students eligible for the CMS every year?

A: Yes. Once a student is enrolled in the program, he or she may continue to benefit from it as long as the student meets the guidelines and the student's church notifies IWU by June 30* of their intent to provide another scholarship and their scholarship check is received by the first day of classes for the fall semester and by December 1 for the spring semester.

Q: Can a church scholarship be matched when ever it is given by the church?

A: No. The church must notify IWU by June 30* preceding the academic year in which the scholarship is to be awarded. The scholarship check must be received by IWU by the first day of classes for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester.
* Please note, June 30 is our preferred date for timely processing. However, we will accept and match awards received prior to the first day of fall classes annually.

Q: Is the CMS available to graduate students and students in IWU's adult and professional studies programs?

A: No. However, churches are encouraged to assist the student with direct scholarships to the student's account. Other aid is available for these specialized programs.

Q: What if a student doesn't qualify for financial aid under the existing federal and state guidelines?

A: The student can still receive a CMS award of up to $750 from IWU. The middle-income student is most helped by such a scholarship. No federal or state financial aid forms need be submitted to qualify.

Q: May a parent of an IWU student give to this fund?

A: No. Gifts by parents are not acceptable during any year the contributor's child is a recipient of a CMS.

Q: Why is a student not allowed to benefit from a gift contributed by his or her parents?

A: The intent of the program is to provide new forms of financial aid for students. Awardable monies in this program must be derived from sources which are "detached and of disinterested generosity." It is not intended to match money that would have been provided through other channels.

Q: If I work for a company that matches gifts to IWU, will my gift and the my company's matching gift go into our church's CMS account?

A: Yes, only if your child is not benefiting from the CMS program that year. A church's scholarship account at IWU will grow more rapidly as donors utilize their company matching programs. We encourage you to take full advantage of your employer's matching gift program, if they have one. Click here to learn more about the Employer Matching Gift program.

Q: What special benefits are available to Indiana residents?

A: Indiana donors are eligible for a 50 percent tax credit on gifts up to $400 when filing a joint return, $200 on individual returns. Click here to learn more about the Indiana Tax Credit.

Q: What if a student withdraws from school or decides not to attend?

A: Any unused scholarship money remains in the church's account for future use.

Q: Should our church wait to enter the program until we have a student coming to IWU?

A: No. Begin now so you will be prepared when students from your church do enroll. Planning ahead two or three years will be beneficial to your students. It is easy to miss the June 30 preferred deadline for the first year student.

Q: Will someone visit our church and answer further questions about how the Church Matching Scholarship Program works?

A: Yes. Contact the Director of Church Relations at IWU to plan a visit.

Q: Do you still have unanswered questions?

A: Contact our Church Relations Office staff and they will be glad to answer any questions you may have about IWU's Church Matching Scholarship program. Over 1,800 churches have already participated in this program. IWU (and your students) would appreciate it you would participate too!

Indiana Wesleyan University
Church Matching Scholarship Program
Church Relations Office
4201 S. Washington Street
Marion, IN 46953

(765) 677-2113
Fax: (765) 677-2624
e-mail: Church Relations Office