Jump directly to the content

Feature

Hard Choices For Higher Ed

In a bleak economy, Christian colleges reinvent themselves.

After nearly two decades of soaring growth, evangelical colleges and universities are seeing their fortunes turn downward, and—in a few instances—fall off a cliff. The severely weak economy is hurting private higher education as it is nearly every other business.

Heavily dependent on tuition-paying students, these schools are doing everything they can to maintain their enrollment numbers for this fall 2009 semester. The challenge is immense. Job losses and a growing inability to borrow for college are two major factors at play.

Naomi Spinella is a senior psychology major at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. Her parents emigrated from Italy to provide more opportunities—including college education—for their children. But her family had to start from scratch when they arrived in the U.S., and by 2007, her family's income was just above $20,000.

When it came time for Naomi and her older brother to enroll, her parents weren't able to afford Azusa Pacific, the school Naomi had dreamed of attending. Instead, she relied heavily on grants and scholarships, which nearly paid for her first two years. She then turned to student loans to make up the difference.

Naomi also relied on California's generous Cal Grant program, which provides grants (not loans) to qualified low-income students. More than 280,000 students expected to receive a grant for the 2009—2010 school year. Instead, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed phasing out the popular program to save more than $500 million for the state's crippled budget.

Having used Cal Grants for eight semesters, Naomi struggled to figure out how to pay for the rest of her schooling, since she needed four and a half years to complete her degree. "This last semester was a struggle," Naomi says. "The Cal Grant saved me $33,000 in the past three years, and that's hard to make up." She had to work furiously with Azusa Pacific's financial aid office—where she is employed—to arrange funding for her final year, but there was no guarantee.

"Going into my senior year, I was really afraid," Naomi says. "I wondered, How do we get through my last semester?" Azusa Pacific was able to arrange $6,000 in financing for her fourth year, making Naomi one of several students for whom Azusa Pacific has provided emergency financing. But she plans to graduate in December 2009, leaving her final semester still unpaid for.

Multiple Challenges

Naomi's story illustrates the multiple challenges facing private Christian higher education across the country. Families have seen sharp declines in household income, and the crippled national banking system and near-bankrupt state governments are unable to maintain existing aid programs.

In order to keep students on campus, some colleges have launched new strategies. Last fall, for example, Biola University in La Mirada, California, initiated a student economic response council, which created two funds. One, raised mostly through student giving, provided $90,000 to students who would have otherwise needed to drop out.

"These tough economic times have been very hard on my family, as my dad works in the financial industry," one student wrote in a thank-you note to the school. "And I most likely would have had to leave had I not been granted this scholarship."

The second fund provided $100,000 for international students who were hit by the spike in the value of the U.S. dollar. In all, 150 students were able to stay on Biola's campus because of the program.


More from Christianity Today
A Fractured and Beautiful Faith

A Fractured and Beautiful Faith

How songwriter Audrey Assad transcended "positive and encouraging" to create music for the church.
A Terrifying Grace

A Terrifying Grace

Why God’s omniscience is good news for us.

Streaming This Weekend, May 24, 2013

What to watch this weekend (hint: don't make a huge mistake).
Can a Christian Family Ever Be Too Big?

Can a Christian Family Ever Be Too Big?

Experts weigh in.
Get Instant Access
Christianity Today Magazine
Subscribe now for a year (10 issues) at $24.95 for print, iPad, and instant web access.

International Orders

Comments

Displaying 1–3 of 10 comments

Anonymous

September 20, 2009  7:56pm

"Naomi also relied on California's generous Cal Grant program, which provides grants (not loans) to qualified low-income students. More than 280,000 students expected to receive a grant for the 2009—2010 school year. Instead, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed phasing out the popular program..." Popular? With whom? Those receiving free money, or those paying taxes to a bankrupt state? An ill-advised bit of editorialized word choice.

JESUS Christ1 andrew tucker

September 14, 2009  8:30pm

Psalm99:9-outside pray.Roman3:23!Purposely sin is sin.Christian supremacy!Wow a group wanting more after spoiled.Well i heard an angel say that father God is displeased.All christian groups not going out and helping. Pentecost churches, Record companies, busines. Served with big money in the usa.Served dedicated christian girls at colleges.30,000 debt is astrange decision by christians.Part timers took over and had a blast.Now dedicated christians waiting for rapture but zero help to mountain side! Remeber business,bands aint helpin much. Scared by anti christy armys.Usa gov is 100 % puke. Seriously. yea common sing rock bands,Angels yell to serve God but i dont.I like spoilism by satan.You are a failure. Aint goin teel you everything part timers and evilists. Christian girls you broke my heart.I brag on predicting, knocking on doors of anointed and true Christians!I dont have a raidio station.The Screaming jeolous USA gov.Seriuosly.Telecom can be taken over.Liar offi. IN.Go estMO.OVER

Shannon

September 13, 2009  3:08am

John has it exactly right. If evangelicals continue to tie their fortunes to the conservative movement, they're going to go down with them and destroy what little credibility they have left. Most laymen have difficulty wondering why Christ would be opposed to universal healthcare, for example.

See All 10 Comments
You must be a Christianity Today subscriber to post comments
(on articles open to the public, you must at least register for a free account).
Login
or
Subscribe
or
Register

Don't Miss

Rob Bell's 'Ginormous' Mirror

Rob Bell's 'Ginormous' Mirror

To read his book is to read about our fascination with ourselves.
Losing my Edge

Losing my Edge

When your initial enthusiasm fades, you need a plan if you're going to bring your best to your calling

War and Peace

War and Peace

Pastor Tullian Tchividjian survived a leadership coup by finding rest in the liberating power of the gospel.

more | current issue

Today's Christian Woman

Ministering to Military Families

Ministering to Military Families

Five tangible ways to...

Books & Culture

A Measure of Forgiveness

A Measure of Forgiveness

Memories of a British...

Small Groups

Conflict in Small Groups

Conflict in Small Groups

Work through conflict...

Out of Ur

Review: Missio Alliance Gathering 2013

Review: Missio Alliance Gathering 2013

Reflections on mission...

Facebook

CT eBooks & Bible Studies


Shopping