Bob's Blog

I'm always looking for creative ideas for college-age curriculum. By "creative" I mean blending my ideas with others. That's why I like to see what other college-age ministries are doing and see how that would fit into my ministry or how that can be adapted for others to use. One of the many resources I like to use are books.

Some books are designed for a small group study. They'll have short chapters with questions at the end of each section so that the group can go over the section they just read. Some books even offer study aids or a curriculum package. These are all great resources and have been a help to many teachers who are looking for materials that are laid out for them.

One focus that I think many college-age ministries are missing is doctrine. If you look in Christian bookstores under young adults, you'll find that much of the curriculum has to do with relationships. There are some materials dealing with finances and "life-after-college" issues but very little on doctrine. That's why I'll tend to look for doctrinal books that I can adapt to college-age level thinking. Here are a few that I hope will be of help to you.

• Mars Hill Church has a series called RE:LIT "A Book You'll Actually Read" (www.crossway.org). There are four in this little series (they are no more than a hundred pages and deal with the basics of the Old & New Testament, God, and Church leadership) and are great for those that are new to Christ or want to use these books as "starter questions" for your small group.
• Vintage Jesus is another great book from Driscoll and Breshears. What I enjoy so much about this book is that it is straight forward on the person of Jesus that communicates to a younger generation.
• John Piper and Justin Taylor's book The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World is an excellent read of understanding a biblical Christ that is so much superior than the postmodern Jesus we see from the Emergent culture.

These books are inexpensive, get you into the Scriptures, and are great resources in helping young college-age think through their faith.

"I'm not sure how we're going to do it," shared a very tired dad. "I told my daughter that she was spending her college tuition if she continued to attend here [a private school]." And with that, he looked at me and said," So, what's your advice?"

This conversation took place at one of the college fairs I worked at for Grace College. Through the different fairs, I continued to hear from parents who wondered aloud how they were going to pay for their child's (or children) education. With the economy on the down side and seemingly not getting any better soon, parents are looking for answers to pay for the increasing high cost of college education.

It can seem bleak, but there is hope. Schools do not want to loose their best students because of financial difficulties. Many schools have increased their financial aid to keep students from leaving and continue to offer great financial aid packages for those who qualify. But for some families, that might not be enough. So, where does help come from? Here are some terms you'll need to know before you start searching for ways to pay for your future lawyer's or teacher's education.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The key word here is "free." There are on-line web sites that tell you that they'll do this form for a fee. Don't do it. It's a free service offered by our government. FAFSA is the financial aid application that is used by all colleges. Your financial aid package is determined by your FAFSA form, so make sure you fill this out first (senior year after January 1st) before you do anything else.

Pell Grants
This is free money (awards) given by the government. Grants are determined through your FAFSA application.

Perkins Loans
This is a student loan that must be paid starting nine months after the student graduates.

Stafford Loans
There are two types of Stafford Loans; one is subsidized and the other is unsubsidized. The unsubsidized loan is for those who can prove a genuine need. There is no interest payment while in school. The unsubsidized loan is open to anyone regardless of need, but you do have to pay interest while in school.

There are more terms that parents should be aware of when looking for financial help. You can get more information at The Student Guide 1-800-4-FED-AID. Also look on www.savingforcollege.com for great ideas on how you can start putting money away today for your child's education.

Finishing up from last weeks post.

• Meet Deadlines - Gone are the days when you could hand in your application whenever you felt like it. It's a rough and competitive world in trying to get into colleges, so have a schedule of school deadlines posted somewhere in your house. The sooner you meet those deadlines the quicker you help that school's admissions people to do their work and get you processed through the system.
• Visit Campus - The first time I saw Grace College was the day I drove up for school. I actually thought there would be mountains because friends told me it snowed there (for those wondering...there are no mountains). Every school admissions counselor will tell you that visiting the campus is a make or break for most students. How students feel about a campus plays a major role in choosing a school. Thankfully for me, I loved being at Grace, but I know of others who just didn't think it was a fit for them. A campus visit should tell you, "I fit here." From landscaping to your room to the feel of the dinning hall, how you "feel" about campus will be important to you. After all, you'll be spending the next four or five years there, so check it out first before you commit all that time and money.
• Involve Others - Sometimes, we need a different perspective. That could be a friend or a parent who could be of assistance as you bounce off your thoughts and impressions. Remember that it always helps to get a second opinion, but ultimately you will make the final decision.

Adapted from Five Action Steps to the Right Fit by Janna Jones (Campus Life's Christian College Guide; October 2008; christiancollegeguide.net)