Raising Support

Every student that attends Bear Valley must raise their own support. For many this is a new and challenging experience. However this is doable, and with some work and persistence you can get it done. We offer the following guidelines as a help to you in raising your support to attend school. Please prepare a number of these "packets" and send them to prospective supporters that you know (i.e. relatives, elders, missions committees, other individuals, etc.).

I: Preparation

  1. Think through exactly what you hope to accomplish
    1. Short term support
    2. Long term support (5 + years)
    3. Monthly contributions verses lump-sum
  2. Get together the materials you will need
    1. Plastic sheet folder
    2. One folder for each elder/mission committee member
    3. Good quality paper

II. Construction of Presentation

  1. Page #1: Resume
    1. Photograph of you and your family
    2. Brief educational background
    3. Brief description of work experience (including secular work history)
    4. Family history: wife, children (ages of), where raised, etc.
    5. Christian background (conversion, work in local church
  2. Page #2: Goals
    1. Short range (raise support for school, attend school)
    2. Sometimes best to ask for only 1 year of support at a time
  3. Page #3: School Fact Sheet
    1. History – include oversight by Bear Valley elders
    2. Teachers – experience, excellent teacher/student ratio
    3. No tuition
    4. Full 128 credit hour program in two years
    5. Sample class schedule
    6. School brochure
  4. Page #4: Letters of recommendation
    1. Include two or three
    2. Note others are available (if you have them)
    3. Give names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of references
    4. Acceptance letter from BVBID
  5. Page #5: Financial Information
    1. Budget – what your monthly needs will be. Itemize these, putting your contribution to local congregation as the first item.
    2. Needs – Be reasonable – take into account your family, include health insurance, etc.
    3. Check with school office to see what are reasonable support amounts are for your situation (e.g. single, married with no kids, married with 2 kids, etc.).
    4. Be specific in what your needs are and what you are asking them to do. Think about this before your put it in your presentation. For example, don’t tell a church of 50 people you need $30,000 a year. Can they contribute $100/month?
  6. Other considerations
    1. You should pray frequently and fervently before you meet with these elders or mission committed members
    2. You should carefully go through these packets, making sure they are VERY professionally done (easy to read, no typos). You can rest assured that you will not receive any help if you do not have your act together, or that your packet does not look well thought out, neat and organized. Remember, most congregations receive dozens of requests each month (hundreds if a larger church).
    3. Mailing these packets usually will not work. Most congregations are inundated with financial requests. Instead, find a key person who will set up the meeting for you if possible.
    4. Determine if you want to hand these out at the beginning of your presentation (not recommended - unless you are going to go over it with them point by point) or have them available to distribute after you make your presentation.
    5. BVBID does have a limited number of scholarships available. Check with the Vice President of Operations, Michael Hite, for more information.
    6. Also there are a number of Christian foundations that provide some support for students. Please check with the school office for more information about these foundations.