FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Giving » Adopt A Seminarian

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How is a student selected for adoption?

Luther Seminary currently has over 800 students enrolled. Individual donors or congregations who wish to adopt a seminarian can indicate various preferences, but the final decision is need-based and made by the office of financial aid at Luther Seminary. To initiate the process, complete the enrollment form. Whenever possible, you will be matched with a student who has financial needs from your own synod.

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How will we know which student(s) we are adopting?

After you complete the enrollment form, Luther Seminary will match you with a student and send you a packet of information, including a photograph and a biography of the student. You can also expect to hear from the student within the first couple of months and again mid-way through the school year.

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May I contact my student through the Adopt A Seminarian program?

Yes. You are encouraged to write to your student at any time. Students often comment that the prayers, cards and letters supporting them in their studies help them as much as the scholarship dollars.

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Our congregation has a member currently attending seminary. Can we adopt that student?

Absolutely! We encourage you to support your own students first.

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Our congregation isn't able to fully fund tuition for a student. Can we still participate?

Yes. You can choose to adopt a student by providing half tuition rather than full. If the gift you can provide is smaller than that amount, your scholarship gift will go into the seminary's general scholarship fund rather than receiving one-to-one placement through the Adopt-A-Seminarian program.

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We already adopted one seminarian, but would like to do more. How can we help?

There is no limit to the number of students you can adopt. Luther Seminary has more than 800 students and many still need to be adopted. You can also talk with individual members of your congregation about incorporating Luther Seminary into their charitable giving plans.

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What if my student leaves seminary prior to graduation?

This is rare, but if the student you have adopted has to leave seminary, you will immediately be assigned a new student following the same criteria.

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What is the commitment required for a congregation or an individual to adopt or sponsor a seminarian?

With a one-year commitment to provide full or half tuition, you will qualify to adopt a seminarian. We hope that you will continue to provide this level of support throughout the student's years of study at the seminary.

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Why do seminarians need financial assistance?

Seminarians often come to Luther Seminary with great sacrifice. By responding to God's call they often uproot families, leave careers, and bring along accrued debt from undergraduate study. Your support can help ease the financial burden and ensure no student has to leave seminary or postpone enrollment for financial reasons.

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