Final – April 2005

Seabrook Seventh-Day Adventist Church Seventh-Day Adventist School Education Assistance Policy

The mission of the Seabrook SDA Education Department is to develop the whole child mentally, socially, physically, and spiritually and provide opportunities for them to be educated in a learning environment that exposes them to God and helps them to develop Christian character and values. In addition, our goal is to inspire and motivate the church to support Christian Education based on the belief that all true wisdom and knowledge comes from God.

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13.

The Seabrook Seventh-day Adventist Church has a long history of supporting Christian education. The Seabrook SDA Church believes that each child is a gift from God and therefore of inestimable value. The Education Committee, in conjunction with the Finance Committee and the Church Board, has established this SDA School Financial Assistance Policy to set forth the criteria for granting financial assistance to Seabrook SDA Church members supporting students attending SDA -sponsored church schools. This policy is effective as of the 2010-2011 school year. This policy is presented in five sections: I. Financial Assistance Programs

A. SDA School Assistance Program (“SDASAP”) B. SDA School Assistance Program Based on Hardship (“SDASAP-H”)

II. Funding Sources/Payments III. Eligibility IV. Application Process V. Definitions

I. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS A. SDA School Assistance Program (“SDASAP”) 1. Each Seabrook SDA Church member/student that meets the criteria detailed in

Section III – Eligibility shall be eligible for SDASAP. The primary requirements are as follows (See Section III for a complete description of the requirements):

o Seabrook SDA Church Membership o Seventh-Day Adventist Church School Enrollment, Attendance and Academics o Seabrook SDA Church Attendance and Involvement o Faithfully Returning Tithes and Offerings

2. SDASAP is available for students enrolled in K – 16 (Kindergarten through Undergraduate

College) programs at SDA-sponsored church schools. The targeted amount of assistance for each student may vary each school year and will be established/announced before the end of the prior school year.

B. SDA School Assistance Program – Hardship (“SDASAP-H”)

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In addition to the SDASAP members that demonstrate a need for additional financial assistance my apply for Hardship assistance (SDASAP-H). More documentation will be required on a case by case basis to determine financial hardship for this program.

II. FUNDING SOURCES/PAYMENTS A. Funding Sources The Seabrook Church has pledged its continued support for each eligible student and will establish the amount of assistance that the church will fund through SDASAP for each school year. The Education Department will work through fundraising efforts to raise a portion of the funds to be used for the SDASAP and SDASAP-H. The Education Department will maintain the following funds for the purposes outlined below. 1. Education Scholarship Fund. This will be the “general” fund of the Education Department to be used for the expenses of the Education Department to include the following:

• SDASAP and SDASAP-Hardship Awards • Education Sponsorships

The Children’s Offering collected during the regular worship services will be applied to the Education Scholarship Fund.

2. Education Fundraisers.

Specific Student Benefits. This fund will be used for fundraiser proceeds and expenses when the fundraiser is to specifically benefit the child/student associated with the fundraiser activity. Education fundraisers for the benefit of a specific child/student are available to all Seabrook SDA Church students regardless of the school enrolled. Therefore, students in public, non-SDA private and home schools can participate in fund raisers for their specific benefit to help cover their school/education costs. Funds raised will be directly applied to the students account or given as a scholarship.

Education Department Benefits. The funds raised from the Education Department fundraisers that were not designated for a specific student, will be applied to the general education fund net of the fundraiser activity expenses.

3. Education Weekend/Bazaar. This fund will be used toward education department

expenses.

4. Gospel Concert Fundraiser. This fundraiser will be used for individual scholarships (student participation required) and expenses.

B. Payment Frequency. The frequency of SDASAP and SDASAP–H payments will be as follows: • Grades K – 12: Payments will be made on a monthly basis based on the number of monthly

tuition payments required by the school. • College: Payments will be made on a semester basis during the first month of the semester. III. ELIGIBILITY–WHO CAN GET SDA SCHOOL EDUCATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

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A. Seabrook SDA Church Membership. The applicant must qualify for at least one of the categories listed below. In each case, the student/child is enrolled and/or currently attending a Seventh-Day Adventist Church-sponsored School:

1. Students/children who are members of the Seabrook SDA Church. 2. Seabrook SDA Church members who are:

a. The Primary Caretaker of Seabrook SDA Church children/students or b. The Non-Custodial Parent of Seabrook SDA Church children/students or c. Members able to provide proof of financially supporting a Seabrook SDA

child/student’s tuition. Church member is required to provide proof of financial support equal to at least 75% of Non-Constituent Tuition (SDA Tuition Rate) and 100% of registration fees, other school fees and books.

3. Applicants must be a member of the Seabrook SDA Church for a minimum of three

months prior to the application process.

B. Seventh-Day Adventist Church School Enrollment, Attendance and Academics.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11.

The applicant that meets one of the categories in Section A (Seabrook SDA Church Membership) must either be a student or support a student enrolled in and attending a Seventh-Day Adventist Church-sponsored School. This includes SDA Church-sponsored elementary schools, academies, colleges and universities. Assistance is available for students enrolled in K-16 (Kindergarten through Undergraduate College) programs. The student is encouraged to maintain grade point average of “C” (2.0) or higher (“S” for students in grades with a grading system of E, S, and NI). Applicants must promptly notify the Education Committee, in writing, of a change in/withdrawal from an SDA school during the semester/school year. C. Seabrook SDA Church Attendance and Involvement.

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.

1. Each applicant that meets one of the categories in Section A (Church Membership) must be an active participant in at least one of the Education Department subcommittees, for example, Fund-raising, Academic Enrichment, Academic Achievement, Education Day or other committees/programs that may be developed. 2. The Seabrook SDA Church member identified in Section A is encouraged to attend Seabrook SDA Church Education Department meetings during the applicable school year. The Education Department will develop methods to inform applicants such as the use of email, Education Department Quarterly Newsletter, and the Seabrook Church bulletin. 3. The Seabrook SDA Student or Child is encouraged to regularly attend Sabbath School at the Seabrook SDA Church and participate in one of the following Church sponsored programs:

• Pathfinders • Tutoring • Adventurers • Sports Programs

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• Children’s or Youth Choir • Volunteering • AYS

D. Return of Tithes and Offerings.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:18.

In addition to the Children’s Offering, education financial assistance provided by the Seabrook SDA Church is resourced from the weekly offering of members and visitors to Seabrook which is designated as local church budget or church expense on the tithe/offering envelope. Seabrook members who apply for education assistance are expected to participate in the financial support of the Seabrook SDA Church and the Potomac Conference by regularly and consistently returning an offering to both local church budget/expense and tithe, respectively. Therefore, the use of the tithe/offering envelope is necessary. E. SDASAP-H Financial Information. Members/families applying for Hardship assistance (SDASAP-H) in addition to satisfying the requirements for the SDASAP program, detailed above shall be responsible for the following:

• Paying for a minimum of 40% of the tuition and 100% of the following: registration fees, laboratory, computer and other school fees and textbook costs. If assistance is needed to cover these other costs, then this will be considered on a case by case basis.

• More documentation will be required on a case by case basis to determine financial hardship.

Applicants will be encouraged to assume greater financial responsibility from year to year by increasing the percentage of tuition paid by the applicant. IV. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS.

Let all things be done decently and in order. I Corinthians 14:32. A. The Financial Assistance Application Form will be available on the credenza in the Seabrook

Church Foyer. The application deadlines will be provided (as a reminder) in the Seabrook SDA church bulletin. The Financial Assistance Application Form must be fully completed and submitted on a timely basis as follows: • First Semester Deadline – May 14 • Second Semester Deadline – October 15

Applications should be deposited in the Education Department Lockbox located on the Copier Room door. Applications received after the applicable deadline could be subject to a reduction in the amount of funds awarded to the Seabrook Church student/Seabrook Church member for the applicable semester. Appropriate consideration will be given to late applications of new Seabrook SDA church members due to a membership change, recent baptism or moving into the area. B. The review and approval process for the Financial Assistance Application Forms is as follows: 1. Applications reviewed and evaluated by the Education Committee.

2. Recommendation of eligible applicants to the Seabrook SDA Church Finance Committee.

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3. Recommendation of eligible applicants to the Seabrook SDA Church Board for approval.

C. Applicants will be notified via letter or email of the Seabrook SDA Church Board decision. V. DEFINITIONS Education Committee. The Education Committee is elected by the Seabrook SDA Church Board and charged with the oversight of the education programs and responsible for the review of education policy and recommendations to the Finance Committee and the Church Board. Education Department. The Education Department includes the elected Education Committee and all Primary Caretakers and Non-custodial Parents of children/students in the Church. The Education Department members shall serve on sub-committees to facilitate the implementation of the Church’s education policy under the supervision of the Education Committee. Non-custodial Parent. A person who does not have legal custody of a child, but, to the extent permitted, is actively involved in the exercise of and performs parental duties including the emotional, disciplinary, spiritual and financial support of a child. Primary Caretaker. A person who is a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling or legal guardian of a child. This person is actively involved in the exercise of and performs parental duties including the emotional, disciplinary, spiritual and financial support of a child. SDA School Assistance Program (“SDASAP”). This program awards a set amount per child per semester to applicants who meet each of the four requirements as follows:

o Seabrook SDA Church Membership o Seventh-Day Adventist Church School Enrollment, Attendance and Academics o Seabrook SDA Church Attendance and Involvement o Faithfully Returning Tithe and Offering

SDA School Assistance Program based on Hardship (“SDASAP-H”). This program is available to provide financial assistance for tuition based on extreme financial hardship circumstances. More documentation will be required on a case by case basis to determine financial hardship. Seabrook SDA Church Member. A person who either by baptism, profession of faith or transfer of membership from another SDA church is reflected as a member of the Seabrook SDA Church through the membership records maintained by the Seabrook SDA Church Membership Clerk.