Funds

While a minister of the gospel has a unique vocational calling which gives the church primary responsibility for his preparation, Mid-America serves the church by helping in this preparatory period. The church expects its ministers to be thoroughly educated. Most students bear the high cost of a college education and some face the expense of a growing family during their seminary years.

This places a significant financial burden on full-time seminary students. While Mid- America does all it can to make seminary affordable, a seminary education can be a financial burden for many students and their churches. It is Mid-America’s goal to minimize this burden by providing aid to needy students. Without student aid, attending seminary would simply be impossible for many students.

In order to be eligible for financial assistance from the Student Aid Fund, students must seek out available financial resources, including assistance from their church. Students are required to complete a financial aid request form that provides information on their expenses and sources of income.

Each financial aid request is reviewed by the Student Aid Committee at the seminary and awards are granted based on the need demonstrated by the student. Canadian students are eligible for a slightly larger award since a Canadian student visa does not permit him or his wife to work. Student aid awards are made each semester.

The Student Aid Fund is invested to grow the principal balance and provide investment revenue. The Board of Trustees’ Finance Committee oversees the Student Aid Fund investment strategy. Charitable contributions to the Student Aid Fund are combined with investment income to provide revenue for student aid awards.

An increase in student financial need and student body size have placed growing pressure on the Student Aid Fund. In recent years student financial need has surpassed revenue generated by the Student Aid Fund. Mid-America is seeking to reinforce this fund to be certain student aid is available for needy students for years to come. As you can see from the following chart, student aid expense has increased significantly over the past five years with no corresponding increase in student aid income.

Your gift to the Student Aid Fund will help assure that student aid for students with financial need will be available in the future. Please designate your gift for the Student Aid Fund and mail it to:

Mid-America Reformed Seminary
229 Seminary Drive
Dyer, IN 46311

Mid-America is committed to serving the church. We believe the church is ultimately responsible for identifying and ordaining those with gifts for gospel ministry. Mid-America seeks to partner with the church in helping to prepare men for this ministry. Thus, all students who are admitted to Mid- America must receive a strong ecclesiastical recommendation from their church. This includes international applicants. Additionally, international students must prove they have the requisite English language skills to handle graduate level study in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination.

We believe the world missions opportunities God has given us at Mid-America are unique. Funding a cross-cultural missionary is very expensive. Mid-America can provide three years of ministry preparation for about the cost of one year of support for a traditional missionary. This includes housing, food, clothing, books, tuition and other living expenses. When international students graduate they will return to their home country knowing the language, knowing the culture, and ready to train others. International students are required to pledge that they intend to complete their theological studies at Mid-America and return to minister in the church in their homeland.

Mid-America has gained a reputation in the international community as a good place to study. We receive many more international applicants than we are able to admit due to financial limitations. A problem for many international churches is that they do not have the financial resources to send men to Mid- America. They must rely on the gracious giving of God’s people in North America.

Mid-America maintains an International Student Aid Fund designed to provide student aid to international students (i.e. students outside the U.S. and Canada). Student aid is not part of our annual operating budget. The student aid available to Mid- America students is based on what God is pleased to provide through donations to our student aid funds.

Mid-America would be able to admit more international students if we had the necessary financial resources to do so. The home churches of international applicants are usually unable to provide the necessary financial support for their students. We request that their church be responsible for the travel expenses of international students, but our International Student Aid Fund covers the rest. Our desire is to create a network of friends with a vision and passion for this aspect of world missions.

Would you prayerfully consider how you might support the work of training international students? Perhaps you are able to provide regular support to international student aid? Perhaps you are able to provide a sizable one-time gift to international student aid? Perhaps you or a group of friends wish to “adopt” an international student for three years? If you wish to discuss how you may support an international student please email Mid-America’s Vice President of Advancement at mdeckinga@midamerica.edu.

Mid-America’s annual budget revenue is derived primarily from the annual contributions of churches and individuals throughout North America. Studies show that 95% of charitable giving to organizations like Mid- America is derived from discretionary income (i.e. income available after essential living expenses are paid). It is estimated that discretionary income will steadily disappear over the next 20 years due to declining numbers in the donor pool. The faculty endowment takes a long-term view of the financial needs and security of the seminary while providing a unique stewardship opportunity for men and women who believe in the mission of Mid-America.

Mid-America’s primary mission is to prepare pastors for the service of Christ in His church. Mid-America’s Board of Trustees believes it is important to protect and preserve this mission by establishing an endowment to provide critical financial resources for the future. As the name implies, the faculty endowment has been established to generate investment income that will enhance the work of the faculty by allowing the seminary to increase faculty resources without placing an additional burden on the general operating budget. Almost three-quarters of Mid-America’s annual budget is used to pay salaries and benefits. Through the faculty endowment Mid-America can augment the work of the faculty and provide increased opportunities for existing faculty. It will also help create more flexible programs of study and enhance student instruction. Finally, Mid-America’s faculty carries a heavy load of administrative duties which would be eased by additional faculty assistance.

Mid-America’s Board of Trustees has established a goal of raising $2 million dollars for the Faculty Endowment. By contributing to the development of this endowment you have an opportunity to help Mid-America build a strong foundation both now and into the future. To reach her endowment goal, Mid-America will need the participation of many donors both large and small. With many participants, this goal is attainable.

While cash gifts are common, gifts to the Faculty Endowment can be made in many forms including stock, real estate, bequests, or any other transferable asset. Considerable tax savings are often possible through the donation of non-monetary gifts.

Would you consider a gift that will outlast you and benefit your children and grandchildren? Mid-America’s Faculty Endowment is designed to provide a lasting financial benefit. Your special gift will benefit Mid-America’s work for many years to come. Please prayerfully consider how you might participate in this important ministry. If you would like to discuss your participation in building the Faculty Endowment please contact Mid-America’s Vice President of Advancement at mdeckinga@midamerica.edu. If you would like to give to the Faculty Endowment, send your gift to:

Faculty Endowment
Mid-America Reformed Seminary
229 Seminary Drive
Dyer, IN 46311.