Scholarships / Announcement from the Dept of Ed
Shepherds College® was recently informed that the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) has determined the school and its students no longer qualify for participation in Federal Student Aid (FSA). This is disappointing news to everyone in the Shepherds College community as we believe our mission is vitally important: to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their unrealized God-given potential and lead fulfilling lives. We are working diligently to ensure this decision will not prevent any student from attending Shepherds College. Below is additional information about this ruling, its impact, and our efforts to continue fulfilling our mission and purpose.
FAQs
Q: Why did the Department of Education disqualify Shepherds College from federal funding?
A: Despite our accreditation as a post-secondary school, the Department of Education does not believe the Shepherds College program meets the DoE post-secondary requirements for federal funding and views our students' level of cognitive functioning as prohibitive to participation in FSA. Please note that this decision is NOT in any sense a punishment nor a response by the Department of Education to something the college has done or failed to do. Further, this action DOES NOT change the status of Shepherds College as an accredited school.
Q: How does this decision impact current students?
A: It is our goal not to lose any Shepherds College students as a result of this decision from the DoE. Our board has approved additional funds for internal scholarships, and we have partnered with Sallie Mae to provide educational loans as an alternative to federal student loans. We are meeting with each impacted student and family to determine their individual needs.
Q: Does this affect Shepherds College long-term?
A: This action does not put the operations of Shepherds College in jeopardy. While we are disappointed in this decision and how it affects our students, it does not affect the ongoing viability and vitality of our school as a whole. We recognize that federal funding was significant for some families with students enrolled here, and we are doing everything we can, as best we can, to help affected students and families.
Q: Will currently enrolled students be "grandfathered in" for this funding?
A: We have been informed repeatedly by the DoE that currently enrolled students will not be grandfathered in for this specific funding.
Q: What is the response of Shepherds College?
A: We do not agree with the decision by the DoE to disqualify our students from this federal aid, and we are disappointed with this action. We considered every option available to us, including a potential legal challenge, to counter the Department's decision. However, it has been determined by our Board of Directors that we do not want to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars and enormous amounts of time and energy to fight the Department's position when our finances and human resources can be better invested in our students and the exciting opportunities we have to impact more lives for the Kingdom.
Q: How could this happen to students and families who have already encountered so many challenges to their education? And when there are so few options available to them?
A: As you process this information, please be reminded that God is in control of this situation. It is our prayer that He will use this challenge as an opportunity to make us stronger. We are grateful to have a community of support around us that is committed to each and every student and to the mission of Shepherds College.
Q: What now?
A: We are working with each current student impacted by this decision to ensure they have scholarships or other funding to continue their education at Shepherds College.
For the future, we are exploring avenues to help us in our mission to provide a uniquely designed learning environment for our students to discover and maximize their potential so they each are empowered to lead a fulfilling life.
Q: Who can I contact with concerns or questions?
A: Please contact President Terrill at (262) 878-6350.
What can I do?
1. Pray
At Shepherds College, we believe that the power of faithful prayer can move mountains. Please join us in prayer as we petition God to help all the individuals and families affected by this change. God's got this. We are confident that the Lord will provide for the needs of those affected. He takes what the enemy means for evil and turns it for good.
2. Donate
It is our hope to have the opportunity to help each and every student we can. Please prayerfully consider supporting our affected students by donating to the Shepherds College Annual Scholarship Fund, and share this opportunity with friends and loved ones who might also feel led to donate.
3. Share our need on your social networks
If you feel so inclined, feel free to share what has happened on social media. One goal is to bring awareness to this issue, putting positive pressure on both the federal government and state government(s) to find alternative ways of helping students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to continue their education. The second goal is to share our need for additional scholarship funds. Here are a few phrases that you can use, but please feel free to adjust the language based on your own preference:
“Students at Shepherds College, [a ministry I support; where my son/daughter attend] were recently informed that they will no longer be eligible for federal student aid. This is an enormous burden for families who depend on this funding to help their students continue their education in a uniquely designed learning environment that helps them discover and maximize their God-given potential.
While it was made clear to us that this does not put the College itself in jeopardy and that they are doing everything they can to help provide additional scholarship and funding opportunities, our hearts go out to all families who are impacted.
We know that God is in control, but if you feel so inclined, we would be grateful if you could post on social media and/or assist us in contacting officials who could help secure creative funding options.
In addition, please prayerfully consider supporting the affected students by donating to the Shepherds College Annual Scholarship Fund – and share this opportunity with friends and loved ones who might also feel led to donate.”
You can also share forthcoming posts made on official Shepherds College social media accounts.
4. Contact your federal representatives and ask for their help in finding state or federal aid for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. You can share your story and provide details about how students at Shepherds College will no longer qualify for federal aid.
- Contact your member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Contact your federal Senator.