Student Fund Committee

Mandate

Provide financial assistance to members of churches in Classis Alberta North who are preparing for full-time ministry (ordained or unordained) in the Christian Reformed Church. Ordinarily no financial assistance will be provided to students enrolled in non-seminary post-secondary institutions.

Membership

Three members plus the Classical Treasurer. There shall be one alternate.

Meetings

As needed

Specific Tasks

  1. Consider whether support to new applicants can be given and, if so, to advertise this in the churches and the official church papers.
  2. Report to Classis on applicants to the Student Fund.
  3. Consider the form of financial help to be given to the applicant, i.e., underwriting a student loan that shall be repayable in part or whole when the student enters the ministry, or by providing an annual grant.
  4. Provide an annual report of the finances of the fund through the Treasurer of Classis.
  5. Report each year on the standing, progress, and financial need of the students supported by Classis.
  6. Requirements for application. Each applicant must
    • Be a professing member of one of the churches of Classis Alberta North.
    • Submit a letter of application to the committee by July 1 before the anticipated academic year.
    • Present a satisfactory letter of recommendation from his/her home church council as to godly conduct and suitability for employment in full ministry in the Christian Reformed Church.
    • Submit a transcript of high school and/or college credits, which will indicate the applicant’s ability to pursue academic programs of study in preparation for employment in full-time ministry in the Christian Reformed Church.
    • Upon first application, appear before the Student Fund Committee for an interview. The need for financial assistance must be demonstrated at this interview.
  7. Requirements of beneficiaries. Beneficiaries shall:
    • Apply each year for assistance for the upcoming school year and demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
    • Follow a course of study appropriate to the intended field of work.
    • Inform the committee of any intention to suspend studies temporarily and to re apply for assistance when studies are resumed.
    • Be under no obligation to repay any money received from this fund provided that he/she serve in full-time ministry in the Christian Reformed Church.
    • Repay within five years all monies received from the fund upon failure to complete the required academic program and/or to enter into full-time ministry in the Christian Reformed Church.
  8. Special Cases
    • Anyone indebted to Classis on account of student aid repayment (section f.v above), for whom the payment of such debt causes extreme hardship, may apply to Classis, with the recommendation of his/her church council, to be acquitted of his/her debt either in whole or in part. Classis shall consider each case on its own merit.
  9. Procedure
    • Applications will be reviewed at the July/August meeting of the committee for approval at the fall Classis meeting.
    • Grants will be limited to available funds. When insufficient funds are available to meet all requests, preference will be given to seminary students seeking ordination.