Students

Costs and Financial Aid

Au Sable works very hard to offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and grants to assist students in meeting the cost of tuition. In 2010, every student who applied for financial aid received some scholarship, fellowship, or grant. We encourage you to read carefully about the scholarships, fellowships, and grants below. Please contact the admissions office, if you have any questions.

Paying for Au Sable

Tuition at Au Sable is $600 per credit hour, almost $150 per credit hour cheaper than the median tuition of Coalition for Christian Colleges and University (CCCU) schools. Since most Au Sable courses are 4 credit hours, tuition is typically $2400. Students who attend one of our sustaining partner schools are eligible for a $300 tuition reduction. In addition to tuition, there are the following fees:

  • Application Fee: US $25 (non-refundable, not applied to tuition)
  • Tuition Deposit: US $250 (per academic session, applied to tuition)
  • Room & Board: US $280 per week per student for all North American sites1
    1No room and board for India; $1510 for in-country costs in Costa Rica

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Sustaining Partner College Grants – Certain schools have selected to become a Sustaining Partner College. Students from these schools receive an automatic grant of $300 per course. Current sustaining partners are Bethel College (IN), Bethel University (MN), Calvin College, Cedarville University, Cornerstone University, Geneva College, and Spring Arbor University.

Au Sable Fellows and Fellowship – The Institute recognizes certain students having abilities, interests, and leadership potential in environmental stewardship by designating such students as “Au Sable Fellows.” Au Sable Fellows are granted financial support of $1400 (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 for a fellowship by their College’s Faculty Representative according to the following criteria:

  1. Superior academic ability, exceptional interest in environmental studies, and good potential for leadership in environmental stewardship.
  2. 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).
  3. Demonstration of the biblical principles of love, service and stewardship in their daily life.

The nominated student fills out an application form available online (www.ausable.populiweb.com), 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.”

Grant-in-aid – Grants are provided for students who have financial need and do not qualify for an Au Sable fellowship (see above). The following are requirements for this grant:

  1. Financial need must be demonstrated.
  2. The student must have good to excellent academic ability.
  3. Fellowship recipients are not eligible for grant-in-aid.

Grants will be awarded in the amount of $500 (May or Summer Sessions). A student may apply for a grant during the application/enrollment process through Au Sable’s online registration system. Awards will be made on the basis of demonstrated financial need, available funds and date of application.

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 $1400 (summer courses) or $700 (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. The deadline for the fellowship is on or before January 15. Awards are announced by February 15.

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 recipient receives a $5100 Leadership Fellowship that will be applied to the recipient's expenses for one summer session (two course enrollment required). In addition to academic excellence, 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:

  1. 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;
  2. A personal statement (500-600 words) by the student reflecting on experiences which demonstrate past leadership, interest in and commitment to Christian environmental stewardship;
  3. Personal belief and future goals and aspirations;
  4. Three letters of recommendation;
  5. Current copies of all college transcripts, and
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

Honors Scholarship – 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. It is an automatic grant of $250 (for January and May courses) and $400 (per session for summer courses). Receipt of the Au Sable Honors Scholarship does not diminish the alumni’s opportunity to qualify for additional financial assistance.