Inspire, Fall/Winter 2011

Cedarville University’s dual enrollment courses offer biblical perspective, challenging academics, and engaging interaction using the latest online learning technologies ... all at a cost families can afford . Online College Courses for High School Students Apply Today cedarville.edu/dualenrollment freshmen — an increase of nearly 20 percent. Fall 2011 results were similar. These students come primarily from middle income families. Three-quarters of all students come from families whose adjusted gross income is $107,000 or less. Thanks to the combination of federal aid, state aid, and Cedarville aid, more students than ever are finding a Cedarville education to be affordable (see chart 3). 6. Are Cedarville graduates getting jobs? Despite tough economic times and a tight job market, job placement statistics for Cedarville graduates, within six months of graduation, are ahead of the national average (see chart 4). 7. Why should I give to help other students when I’m still paying on my own college loans? This is an understandable question college graduates everywhere are asking, but its focus is short-term. By choosing not to give, you may save $25, $50, or $100 a year or more. However, the long-term benefit of assisting other students in their education cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Even if you didn’t receive a defined scholarship, you did not pay the full cost for your education. Alumni who preceded you (along with parents and friends) gave to the Cedarville Fund, helped fund buildings, contributed to the endowment, and supported academic programs that added value to your education and reduced your college bill. Others invested in you. Even if you didn’t know it then or wish they had invested more, as a recipient of others’ generosity, an appropriate response is to pay it forward and invest in someone else. Doing so actually benefits you, too. National college and university rankings factor in alumni giving. Cedarville’s alumni giving percentage is currently 13 percent. Widespread participation is a compelling indicator that alumni had a quality college experience worth supporting. As the alumni giving percentage increases, so does the school’s overall ranking, thus increasing the school’s reputation and the value of your diploma. Broader alumni support would also increase Cedarville’s eligibility for certain charitable grants. A common misconception is that only “million dollar gifts” are significant. That’s not true. When you are helping students, gifts at every level are needed and appreciated. Perhaps you can afford to establish a scholarship that helps a student graduate. Perhaps you can afford to put gas in the tank of a ministry van once or twice a year. The principle is this — when a community of people gives what they can, their individual investments are multiplied and accomplish significant things. God uses Cedarville to shape students’ lives and equip them for Kingdom service. He can use any resource we entrust to Him to bless others. Beyond financial reasoning, it is simply a privilege to participate in His work. Responses were provided by Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, Roscoe Smith ’82, associate vice president for enrollment strategies, and Bill Bigham, vice president for advancement. You may contact them at suppleej@cedarville.edu , smithr@cedarville.edu , or bbigham@cedarville.edu . Cedarville offers a series of college planning webinars and the online ParentPrep blog that addresses these and other key questions about college affordability. Find these free resources at cedarville.edu/webinars and cedarville.edu/parentprep . 2008 Cedarville 2008 NACE 2009 Cedarville 2009 NACE 2010 Cedarville 2010 NACE Employed & Grad School 98.9% 91% 93.9% 85.7% 95.8% * Grad School 18.4% 23% 19.8% 22% 17.4% * Employed 80.5% 68% 74.1% 63.7% 78.4% * Working in Discipline 77.5% N/A 74.9% N/A 84.0% * Chart 4 Where Students Are Within Six Months of Graduation * National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) data for the class of 2010 will be available in March of 2012.