Resources for Youth


Scholarship Programs

Scholarship opportunities to help you make a CLU education a reality.

Congregational Partners in Education
Swenson Scholarship
Lundring Youth Leadership Endowed Scholarship
ELCA Pastor's Family Award


Congregational Partners in Education (CPE)

Purpose

California Lutheran University is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and values the contributions that students from all faith backgrounds bring to the University.  This award allows congregations of any faith to support young people who have demonstrated a commitment to the life and work of their congregation. It also gives the University an opportunity to show its support for students who actively demonstrate their religious convictions.

Who Is Eligible for the CPE Award?

Any student who enrolls at California Lutheran University and receives the endorsement of his or her congregation is eligible.

Award Details

The University will match monies received from our partner congregations in support of an entering first-year or transfer student will be matched as institutional gift aid up to $2,500. For students entering in the fall semester, funds must be received by March 1st in order to receive the full $2,500 match. For students entering in the spring semester, funds must be received by November 15th in order to receive the full $2,500 match. Monies received after these deadlines will be matched up to $1,000.

In certain cases, a student’s award may be altered to comply with federal and/or state requirements.  This award is non-transferable and is usable only at California Lutheran University.  It will be credited toward the student’s account at CLU.  The award is not payable in cash.

Procedure

Clergy are asked to complete the form included in this brochure, listing the student or students they wish to support and return it to California Lutheran University by March 1.  A check for the amount of support should be enclosed.  The check should be written to “California Lutheran University,” with the student’s name or students’ names noted in the memo section.  CLU will fund the matching amount once the complete contribution of the congregation has been received.  The check must come from the congregation to the University and should not be written directly to the student attending CLU. 

This award may be renewed each year, up to three times, after the first year.  It is the responsibility of the student receiving this award to request the support of his/her congregation and to ask that the form be completed and be sent to the University in a timely manner.  The CPE Endorsement Form will be sent to the student each year as soon as they have been awarded. 

Guidelines for Financing the CPE Award

Given that the CPE Award is meant to be an expression of congregational support for a student’s pursuit of higher education in a church-related University, the governing body of each congregation is responsible for determining the procedure by which the congregation provides for and finances its portion of the award.  Some congregations may decide on a case by case basis, when a request is made by the member who is attending CLU.  Others may choose to establish a general scholarship fund, which is designed to support students who meet certain predetermined criteria or even take a special offering on behalf of this member.

It needs to be noted that IRS tax code Section 170 (a) states a charitable deduction may not be taken for a contribution from which the donor receives or expects to receive an equal financial or economic benefit, or for personal, living or family expenses.  This would prohibit a relative of a CLU student from personally financing the CPE Award by making a contribution to the congregation solely for that purpose.  If you have any questions, please call the Church Relation Office at 805-493-3936.


Brochure form