BTSR
EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FORM
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MISSION STATEMENT
The primary mission of Bridge To Self Reliance is…
To bridge financial gaps to education and/or economic self-sufficiency through scholarships and/or small business grants and loans to needy but talented individuals from less developed countries. Preference will be given to individuals who have themselves given significant voluntary service to their church or community and, for business grants, have received some education beyond secondary school, and/or have completed training in an entrepreneurship or small business management course.
A secondary purpose is…
To give grants and supplies to needy orphanages, primary and/or secondary schools in less developed countries. This, too, will help bridge the gap to self-reliance for orphans and other young students who are living in poverty.
A tertiary purpose is…
To give compassionate grants for medical treatments and/or travel or other emergency needs that will facilitate bridging a difficult situation to a successful outcome.
EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
Funds granted under this program are to help talented but financially needy individuals from less developed countries that have provided significant voluntary service for at least one year to their community or church. Examples would be qualifying returned missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They must be recommended by their service leader (such as mission president) as having above average leadership ability and also have evident financial need. They must have strong academic credentials and be accepted for enrollment at a qualifying school such as one of the LDS Church’s institutions of higher learning, or a university in the individual’s home country. Funding generally only covers expenses for the first year. It is expected that students will do what is necessary to fund the balance of their education through other school grants and scholarships, and/or part-time and summer employment. Upon graduation and finding employment, it is expected that the student will repay 50% of the funds advanced within the first five years after graduation. It is also expected that upon graduation the applicant will continue to serve faithfully in his/her church and to proactively endeavor to make a positive difference in his/her community.
Following are the general requirements to be considered for scholastic financial aid from BTSR. Rare exceptions may be considered by the approving committee:
- Be a non-United States citizen/resident
- Be an unmarried person with no children
- Are age 35 or younger
- Have successfully completed a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or have provided meaningful other voluntary service in the community.
- Are a current temple recommend holder.
Applicant’s service leader must:
- Recommend you
- Give you a leadership rating of at least 3.5 on a scale of 1-5
- Opine that financial assistance is necessary for you to obtain a higher education
If planning to study in the USA, must have applied and been accepted at a Church school (BYU, BYU-I, BYU-H, Ensign College) or other qualifying institution:
- Must obtain a student (F-1) visa
- Must be able to provide your own round-trip airfare.
Once approved:
- The approval is valid for 12 months. If not enrolled within 12 months financial assistance approval is withdrawn.
- Must maintain a 2.5 out of 4.0 grade point average each semester/term.
- Must write a brief status report to BTSR at each mid-term and end of term describing how the schooling is going, scholastic grades earned, etc.
- Must apply for all forms of financial aid available and offered through the school to foreign students.
- Must remain a student in good standing with the school.
Funds from BTSR may cover:
- Housing, up to $500 per month during fall winter and spring terms, $400 per month during the summer.
- Tuition, required books, other required school fees.
- Small stipend for transportation food and recreation.