Cost & Financial Aid

Costs		Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees Other Expenses Refunds		Sustaining Partner College Grants Au Sable Fellows and Fellowships Missionary Earthkeeping Fellowship Honors Scholarship Grant-in-aid Calvin B. DeWitt Leadership Fellowship

Costs
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is normally paid by students to their home college for all courses taken at the institute. Beginning academic year 2009-2010, Au Sable charges a uniform tuition rate of US$2300 per course, regardless of credit granted by the student's home institution. Courses taken at Au Sable Institute are listed on student transcripts as courses offered by the home institution. An application fee of US $25 must be paid with the enrollment application. This fee is not applicable to tuition, nor is it refundable, unless the application for admission is denied before formal enrollment. Upon official acceptance to the Institute, a tuition deposit of US $250 for each academic session must be received within 14 days in order to reserve space in class. These deposits are applied to the student's account. All tuition and fees paid by the applicant shall be refunded if requested by the applicant within three business days of their acceptance and all refunds shall be returned within thirty days. After three business days have elapsed, however, the policy noted below under Refunds shall apply. Room and board will be charged through the home college at the rate of US $265 per week for all North American sites. Room and board and travel for international programs varies by site. Students from other than Participating Colleges may arrange payment through one of the Participating Colleges or directly to the Institute. Contact the Institute's Registrar's office for assistance. The Au Sable office may be closed on federal holidays.

Other Expenses
Students should plan on approximately US $150-160 per course for textbooks and supplies. Students may also be asked to help defray costs on specific off-campus travels, such as extra camping or meal fees. Travel to the session site in North America, or to the designated international departure point for International sessions, is over and above published rates and will be at the student's own expense.

Refunds
Once three business days have elapsed, application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable unless the applicant is rejected. Withdrawals or drops after the start of class will be refunded as follows: After one day (i.e. 10% of class time), 50% tuition will be refunded; after two days (20%), 25% tuition will be refunded. Following the second day of class, no refunds will be allowed. Scholarship and grant amounts will be adjusted on a prorated basis for drops and withdrawals. Withdrawals for health reasons will be handled on a case by case basis.

Financial Aid
To assist students in meeting the cost of tuition, Au Sable Institute, through the support of its generous donors, provides a modest financial aid program according the following categories: 

Sustaining Partner College Grants - Because of special support given to Au Sable by select participating colleges, students from these schools, also called sustaining partner colleges, receive and automatic grant of $200 per course.  Current sustaining partners include: Bethel (IN), Bethel (MN), Calvin, Cedarville, Cornerstone, Geneva, and Spring Arbor. 

Au Sable Fellows and Fellowship - The Institute recognizes certain students having abilities, interests, and leadership potential in environmental stewardship by designating such students “Au Sable Fellows.” Au Sable Fellows are granted financial support of $1000 (summer courses only).  Fellowships are merit-based and require evidence of excellent academic ability (min. 3.0 G.P.A.).  Fellowship recipients must enroll in two courses per summer session. 

Students are nominated by their Official Faculty Representative for Au Sable Fellow designation according to the following criteria:

a. Superior academic ability, exceptional interest in environmental studies, and good potential for leadership in environmental stewardship.

b. Completion of at least a two-semester sequence in a natural science or two courses in the natural sciences before the summer of enrollment, or high school Advanced Placement (AP).

c. Reflection of the biblical principles of love, service and stewardship in their daily life.

The nominated student fills out an application form available online, and submits it to their Representative. The Representative writes a letter of support that affirms the student's qualifications and interest in environmental studies and submits this letter and application to the Institute by January 15. Fellowship awards will be announced as early as January 31. Fellowship applications will continue to be accepted, with deadlines of February 15 and March 15, if fellowship funds are still available. In each case, new Fellowship awards will be announced at the end of the month. Students who qualify for receipt of this fellowship but who elect not to receive the fellowship funds will nevertheless be designated “Au Sable Fellows.” 

Missionary Earthkeeping Fellowship - These fellowships are awarded to qualified students that  demonstrate a strong vocational commitment to a career in missions and missionary earthkeeping. This award normally provides $1000 (summer courses) or $600 (January and May courses). Summer fellowship recipients must enroll in two courses per summer session.  This aid is also merit-based, requiring excellent academic ability and a sincere interest in a career in missions. Students must be nominated for this scholarship by the Au Sable representative from their campus.  Required credentials include a vocational statement that confirms a dedication to a career in missions, an academic transcript, a resume, and letters of recommendation from a missions professional, academic advisor, and Official Representative. Deadlines are the same as the Leadership Fellowship. 

Honors Scholarship - $250 (January and May courses) and $400 (summer courses).   This award is granted to institute alumni who have achieved at least a 3.0 G.P.A. in each of their prior Au Sable courses.  Receipt of the Au Sable Honors Scholarship does not diminish the alumni's opportunity to qualify for additional financial assistance. 

Grant-in-aid - $350 (January and May courses) and $500 (summer courses).  Grants are provided for students who have financial need and do not qualify for a fellowship.

a. Financial need must be demonstrated,

b. The student must have good to excellent academic ability.

c. Fellowship recipients are not eligible for grant-in-aid.

A student may apply for a grant through their Au Sable Official Representative. The request for a Grant-in-Aid should accompany the student's application and course enrollment form. Awards will be made on the basis of demonstrated financial need, available funds and date of application. 

Calvin B. DeWitt Leadership Fellowship - Participating Colleges may nominate one student for a Leadership Fellowship each year. Au Sable will normally select one student to receive this award.  The Au Sable Board has approved a $5000 Leadership Fellowship for 2010 that will be  to the recipient's expenses for one summer session (two course enrollment required). In addition to academic excellences, nominees must show high potential for leadership in Christian environmental stewardship as documented by the nominating institution in the case statement prepared of behalf of the nominee. The case statement must accompany the nomination letter by the college and should include:

a. A statement from the college describing the student's financial need and giving evidence of the student's leadership potential, including personal growth in recent years;

b. A personal statement (500-600 words) by the student reflecting on experiences which demonstrate past leadership, interest in and commitment to Christian environmental stewardship;

c. Personal belief and future goals and aspirations;

d. Three letters of recommendation;

e. Current copies of all college transcripts, and

f. A resume listing education, service involvement, leadership positions and community, church, and co-curricular activities.  This fellowship is granted to a student enrolled in either summer session. Nominations, including case statement, must be filed with the Institute Registrar by the home institution on or before January 15 and should accompany the student's application and course enrollment form. Awards are announced by February 15.