Creative ways to raise tuition aid funds

Consider creative ways to raise funds designated for scholarship or tuition assistance.

It's okay if tuition assistance moneys come out of your budget. Most schools do it that way.

However, if you are giving away 5% of your tuition income as tuition assistance, and then raising that same 5% through fund raisers to subsidize your budget, you may find fund raising much easier if the appeal is for scholarships rather than for general expenditures.

Also consider delivering written proposals to churches from which you get a number of students, asking for a monthly commitment to tuition assistance specifically for families from that church. (Clients of CFS have sample proposals in their CFA Manual "A One-Day Tuition Assistance Program.")

Two other ways schools have successfully raised funds for tuition aid:

Matching gifts. Find a donor who is willing to commit to a fund raising program in which donors give funds for either your General or Annual Fund, or for a specific project - like you always have. The difference is this: for every dollar given, your matching donor will give a dollar to your aid fund. Donors will often give more if they know their gift is doubled. They will often give more if they know the "match" is going toward tuition aid.

Enterprises. Some schools have successfully started book stores, thrift stores, or even services within the community. These enterprises can provide part-time employment opportunities for families needing a little extra cash, while all the profit goes to your tuition aid fund.