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Why don't SBC Seminaries accept Federal Loans?

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by labaptist, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. labaptist

    labaptist Member
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    I was wondering what the underlying reason is for all SBC seminaries (With the exception of Midwestern) refusing to accept federal aid for either their undergrad or graduate programs? I know their tuition is still the lowest for an ATS accredited school (because of CP), but still, for someone of limited means $220+ a credit hour is more then they can pay out of pocket. Wouldn't a minister be more limited with a big private loan then with a federally subsidized loan? This is just something I was wondering about.
     
  2. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    When the goverment funds you, they are able to control you.
    And that goes for any organization or other govt organization
     
  3. labaptist

    labaptist Member
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    So Salty, are you saying the government controls Midwestern, Liberty, Luther Rice, and other seminaries that do accept federal funds? Arent they already controlled by ATS since they dont offer 100 percent distance ed degrees cause they forbid it?
     
  4. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    Yes, the government does have a great deal of influence on those schools.

    The difference is ATS may limit how classes are taught while the government can tell them what is taught.
     
  5. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Historical separation as I understand it. The SBC has long provided a system of such low cost tuition for its seminarians that federal loans weren't needed and it also had no desire to partner with the federal government for education.

    The rise in tuition over the past decade has changed a lot of what the SBC is offering. I remember at one point in my education at SWBTS I was paying $75 a credit hour (plus a $1000 matriculation fee.) Now I think the costs are substantially higher.

    Some students can apply for private loans, but the federal loans are not welcome for (as I understand it) theological reasons. ATS doesn't care if you accept federal funding or not.
     
  6. mjohnson7

    mjohnson7 Member

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    I do not know their reasoning for not accepting them, however I would never advise a student to take loans for any ministry related vocation. Maybe an MBA, even though I'm not a fan of debt at all, but it is just too foolish to take out loans for a career where you're likely to be in the "working poor". Short answer, the loans are too burdensome.
     
  7. RG2

    RG2 Member
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    I can tell you from someone that's worked at a University, federally funded financial stuff really adds a ton of paperwork. That combined with the fact that most all federal financial aid is at the undergrad level and loans are usually frowned upon, it's probably determined it isn't worth doing. So it's not like it's just "oh we don't accept it", it's due to the fact that it's not as simple as just accepting it. Plus most if not all seminaries usually have plenty of need based aid that's available so people don't have to take out loans.
     
    #7 RG2, Jan 18, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2013
  8. Martin

    Martin Active Member

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    This is simply untrue. At this time, government monies in the form of loans to students or pell grants have no impact upon what a college, seminary, or individual professor is allowed to teach. I'm not sure the answer to the original post. However I teach at a college that recently stopped allowing students to apply for and accept federal loans. The reason has nothing to do with what is taught the reason has to do with the negative impact upon the college's credit. If a student fails to repay the loan it impacts the college's credit rating and if that credit rating is hit too much the college will be in danger of a variety of penalties (loss of accreditation, loss of funds for veterans, loss of pell funds, etc). Again, I don't know the reasoning behind the decision by the SBC schools. However, since each of these schools is accredited by regional and national accrediting bodies that are recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education the worry of government interference in academics is probably not the reason.
     
  9. Martin

    Martin Active Member

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    I agree 100%. Student loans are a wonderful way to get into serious debt trouble. It would be better to work through a degree (mainly graduate degree) one class at a time than to accept a private or government loan. Seminary students should also have other avenues of assistance (church, denomination, etc). I know the SBC seminaries offer discounts to Southern Baptist students.
     
  10. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    It seems I remember that GI vets at Bob Jones could not use the GI Bill back in the 70' and 80's.

    Can anyone verify that info?
     
  11. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    I could be wrong (just ask my wife) but didn't that have something to do with accreditation?
     
  12. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    No, it had to do with BJ's dating rules and racial policies.
     
    #12 Squire Robertsson, Jan 28, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 28, 2013
  13. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    do you have a link on that, I couldnt find anything myself
     
  14. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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  15. RG2

    RG2 Member
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    I'm not saying if it's good one way or the other, or taking sides... but doesn't this go back to an earlier post on this thread. Wouldn't this mean that the Government does have some control over what a University does if they want funds from them?

    I could see especially now with ObamaCare and the new abortion/contraception health care stuff, that this could cause friction as well with Federal Aid.
     
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