How do I pay for education at a Mennonite college/university?
	You may have dreamed since your child was in kindergarten that you could provide a Mennonite higher education. But year after year, the price has gone up and your dream seems to be fading.
	When we peel back all the layers of resistance, the money issue is key. But families must realize that the choice of a college or university shapes the rest of their child’s life.  It may affect who they marry, where they worship and what they do.
	Mennonite higher education comes with a price. But the supposed difference in net price between a Mennonite school and state school is a myth that began in the last couple decades because media and government reports look at sticker price without factoring in other things such as mutual aid from congregations and the generous scholarships our colleges and universities provide. Facts show that when all scholarships, grants and other support are tallied, a Mennonite higher education often parallels the cost of attending a state school, or comes in lower.
	Our schools want to remove cost as a barrier for anyone who wishes to attend. Few students pay the list price of tuition. Overall, about 98.6 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid—grants, loans and on-campus work compensation, along with congregational and area conference support, which schools match. Families who demonstrate the greatest financial need have on average 89 percent of their need met.
	From 1998-2004, the proportion of students receiving institutional grants rose from 93 percent to 97 percent, reducing real out-of-pocket family expenses.
	We offer strong programs that allow students to be successful and to graduate on time. Nationally, students at independent colleges are twice as likely to graduate in four years as students in state institutions.
	Some facts and figures may help to dispel needless fears, without denying the fact that a church school education is a significant investment:
	The tab at a Mennonite school as of the 2007-08 academic year could total $30,000 each year for four years. But in many cases, students receive between $10,000 and $15,000 in grants and scholarships each year, which pares down the total by nearly half in some cases.
	Where do these grants and scholarships come from? An example:
	A standard academic scholarship and grant package a student receives from a school could reach up to $13,000.        On top of that, a student could receive special departmental scholarships. In addition, congregations with a church matching grant program often support a student with a $1,000 scholarship (or more, or less). All the schools match dollar per dollar up to $1,000, and 25 percent after that. This doesn’t factor in scholarships a student may receive for good academic performance from high school. Don’t forget student and parent loans, part-time work and family contributions. Our schools are committed to making sure that every student who desires to attend a particular school will be able to do so—and work very hard to put together a financial package that is sustainable.
	We are willing to do our fair share because we know you can’t put a price tag on students' spiritual growth and maturity. Because of close relationships with peers and professors and world learning experiences, their lives are changed.    Families have an important role as well.
	Families have to be willing to plow through financial aid and admissions forms as they pertain to their own individual situations. You can’t listen to your neighbor or your extended family. Nobody’s average—each family is different. Many families, after they do the paperwork, are surprised to see how affordable Mennonite higher education is.