Students, Families, and Friends of Shepherds College:
We are saddened to announce that Shepherds College was recently informed that the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) has determined that the school and its students no longer qualify for participation in Federal Student Aid (FSA). This is disappointing news to the Shepherds College community as we believe our mission is vitally important: to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their unrealized God-given potential and lead fulfilling lives.
Despite our accreditation as a post-secondary school, the DoE does not believe Shepherds’ program meets their own post-secondary requirements for federal funding and views our students’ level of cognitive functioning as prohibitive to participation in FSA.
While we don’t agree with the DoE’s decision, we have chosen not to fight it legally; instead, we have decided to explore every other option to help students in pursuing and completing their education. We want to make it clear that this does not affect the ongoing viability and vitality of our school as a whole. We recognize that federal funding was significant for some families with students enrolled here and are doing everything we can, as best we can, to help affected students and families.
Please prayerfully consider supporting our affected students by donating to the Shepherds College Annual Scholarship Fund and share this opportunity with friends and loved ones who might also feel led to donate. Friends, we are asking for your help. By donating to the Shepherds College Annual Scholarship Fund, you can directly impact the lives of these deserving students, giving them the chance to pursue their dreams and realize their God-given potential.
https://www.shepherdscollege.edu/ways-to-give/ways-to-give/donate
Please continue in prayer for the families affected, offering your encouragement and joy. We must come together in Christ and remember that no matter the trial, “God’s got this.” For more information, visit https://www.shepherdscollege.edu/program-and-admissions/admissions/federal-student-aid-and-scholarships/announcement-from-the-dept-of-ed.
😟🙏
All things work together for good
Sometimes we can’t understand the will of our Lord , but we know He has a plan . So we know it will turn out well. We will continue to pray
We will be praying , the Lord knows all about these children, they are His and His will be done ,
Definitely praying
Praying 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you for informing us about this. I’ll pray.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Saddens by this news, but we must understand that the government needs that money for the illegal immigrants invading our country! The use of my tax dollars should go to those in need. America must take care of those which cannot care for themselves. Shame!
Very sad.
As you know, our Joey went to Shepherds. He did not complete the FAFSA paperwork as he had a non-traditional high school completion (not graduation). He successfully completed Shepherds in 2016 and still lives in the extremely disabilities friendly town of Union Grove, Wisconsin.
I believe the school’s statement about not fighting the Feds on this but putting their dollars instead toward educating those who have lost federal funding is the most faith-based, lovely thing they have ever said. I believe God allowed this so our community will rely on Him, not on man and his fickle ways.
Thanks for your prayers, friends.