"The United States has a long history of churches and other religious organizations giving money to youngsters seeking a college education. Such financial support has been particularly instrumental in the lives of African-Americans, whose denominations and local congregations have helped fund post-secondary education for high school graduates since Blacks first gained access to college campuses," according to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. 

"Churches have raised funds in a variety of ways, from fish fries, cake walks and ice cream socials to budget line items, a special category on offering envelopes and impromptu 'love' offerings for students who need last-minute help with books, transportation or incidentals.

A scholarship from church helps Shaun Ingram and his twin sister, Sherita, pay for college in Ohio.

Whether $250 or $2,500, churches large and small, urban and rural, continue to help ease what can be a major financial burden. Their backing is a continuation of the history of the Black Church as an institution that endeavors to meet the needs of Black people in every aspect of life, and sees education in particular as key to upward mobility.

...Technically, scholarships should be paid to the student’s college – or reported by the student if he or she receives it directly – so that financial aid advisers can adjust the student’s financial aid plan, said Jill Desjean, a policy analyst with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Often, however, churches issue the payment to the student personally, sometimes out of ignorance and other times thinking the student and family can best determine how it should be used – or to prevent the school from cutting back on other aid the student will receive.'

'Eligibility for financial aid is limited by the cost of attendance,' said Desjean. 'Outside money, regardless of where it comes from, is considered 'estimated financial aid' and has to be factored into a student’s financial aid package.'

Such aid, Desjean said, can be applied to decrease a student’s loans or work-study employment, or to reduce scholarship aid a student is to receive from the institution, called 'scholarship displacement.'"

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Publication Date: 10/15/2018