GUIDELINES

STUDENT AID FUND FOR NONREGISTRANTS (MENNONITE CHURCH USA)

  1. This special non-budget fund was established in 1983. The purpose is to help replace potential government grants and loans lost by students who for reasons of Christian conscience choose not to register with the U.S. Selective Service System. Applicants will be asked to complete a statement outlining their reasons for choosing not to register.
     
  2. The Executive Board's peace advocate will supervise the operation of the fund, joined by an administrative committee (yet to be designated). Persons eligible to receive help from the special fund include:
     
    1. All nonregistrants enrolled in Mennonite Church USA colleges and seminaries and
       
    2. Nonregistrant Mennonite students in undergraduate or graduate studies in other-than-Mennonite institutions.

     
  3. Funds will be gathered from three sources:
     
    1. After clearance from the student, the home congregation of each nonregistrant student will be invited to make special contributions for the need. The student will be expected to be an integral part of the communication process with his congregation.
       
    2. If necessary, loan funds will be sought from Mennonite Foundation and other sources to replace Title IV government loans.
       
    3. Congregations and individuals of Mennonite Church USA will be invited to make contributions to the fund.

     
  4. Contributions should be made payable to Mennonite Church USA Fund for Nonregistrants.
     
  5. The Peace Advocate office will provide staff time for the administration of the SAFNR and fundraising. These administrative costs will be deducted from the total contributions received each year.
     
  6. Distribution of available funds will be based on formulas that would have been used if the student were eligible for government aid. In no case will a student receive more funds than would have been awarded through Title IV channels. If funds designated for a particular student are received in excess of need for that student, the excess will be available for distribution to others. If total contributions in an academic year are not sufficient to meet the total need for that year, the total available funds will be distributed in proportion to individual needs.
     
  7. Individual students at Mennonite colleges should work through the Financial Aid offices of their schools, which will report needs to the Executive Board Peace Advocate office. Students at non-Mennonite schools should contact their financial aid officers and the Executive Board Peace Advocate office.
     
  8. Requests for grants and loans should be received by September 1 and will be distributed in December for the entire academic year.
     
  9. Students borrowing funds from SAFNR will be asked to sign a promissory note. Parents of students considered dependents will be required to co-sign the note.
     
  10. No interest will be charged for funds loaned to SAFNR recipients until six months following their exit from undergraduate studies. At that time the recipient will begin repayment of the total amount borrowed. Payments shall not be less than $50 per month and the total repayment period shall not exceed 10 years. Interest on the unpaid principal will be a fixed rate to be based upon the long-term 120% see note AFR monthly rate to the nearest tenth, to be set 90 days after the student graduates or discontinues school. The student's first loan payment would be 180 days following graduation or discontinuance from school. We will use the same interest rate calculations for both undergraduate and graduate loans.

    All graduate students who received loan funds from SAFNR for undergraduate studies, including those enrolled in Mennonite Church USA seminaries, will be required to begin and continue repayments of that loan even while attending graduate school or serving voluntary service according to the guidelines stated above.
     

  11. In the event of a loan default, appropriate collection procedures will be made.
     
  12. Business offices in Mennonite Church USA educational institutions will be asked not to charge interest to the student for any portion of the student's bill not paid from July 1 to December 31, which is projected to come from SAFNR sources.
     
  13. If the need for this fund should cease and undistributed funds remain, the remaining resource will be disbursed by determination of the Executive Board peace advocate for use in harmony with the purpose of this fund.
     
  14. Changes to these guidelines will be the responsibility of the Peace Advocate office.

Contributions may be made to:
 Mennonite Church USA Executive Board
Student Aid Fund for Nonregistrants
PO Box 1245, Elkhart, IN 46515-1245
Ph. 574 523-3041

For more information contact:
Mennonite Church USA Executive Board
Student Aid Fund for Nonregistrants
PO Box 173
Orrville, OH 44667
Ph. 330-683-6844


PJSN » Youth » Registration and draft » SAFNR » Guidelines Want to talk to someone about Christian peacemaking? Contact me and I'll find you a mentor. Susan Mark Landis, Mennonite Church USA peace advocate.