Buntrock Scholars Program

Buntrock Scholarship

The Buntrock Scholars Program supports students who are active and engaged in ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) congregations throughout the Midwest by covering half of the net price of attendance up to $12,000 per year. Funded by Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock, the Buntrock Scholarship is awarded to students who are active and involved in the church before and after graduation from Augustana University.

Buntrock Scholars at AU

Buntrock Scholars Program Requirements

The donor’s vision for this generous scholarship program is to partner with your congregation and synod to make college more financially accessible for you.

The Buntrock Scholars Program provides support for a minimum of 30 first-year students each year. The award is renewable for an additional three years, and can be received alongside other academic and talent-based scholarships.

Available to students who are active and engaged in their Midwest ELCA congregations and remain in good academic standing
Amount Available | Up to $12,000 per year, renewable annually
Application | Must be offered admission to Augustana University and complete this form that includes providing a personal statement on how you plan to be an engaged member of the church before and after graduation, which will then prompt your senior pastor to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
Buntrock Scholarships will begin to be awarded to students in late November.

A Community for Students

Students who receive and accept the Buntrock Scholarship are encouraged to participate in events specifically hosted for Buntrock Scholarship recipients. These events create a community of peers and allow students to connect in meaningful ways. The programming for the events is evolving, and will begin with one event per semester.

Buntrock Scholars Program FAQs

Q: How are applicants selected for the Buntrock Scholarship?

A: After students apply for the scholarship (along with applying for admission to Augustana), the scholarship application is reviewed by an application selection committee. This committee includes representatives from Augustana and the ELCA. Committee members review and score the applications using a defined rubric. Students’ identifying information is removed from the application the committee members receive.

Q: Is this scholarship for first-year students only?

A: Yes. The Buntrock Scholarship is for new, first-year students who attend Augustana.

Q: What does the net price of attendance mean? What is covered by the scholarship?

A: The net price of attendance is the cost of items that are associated with attending Augustana, including tuition, housing, meal plan and fees. The Buntrock Scholarship is meant to cover up to half of the student's net price. In determining the amount of the scholarship, the cost of a double standard room on campus and a qualified university meal plan will be used.

Q: Do students receive the same scholarship amount each year?

A: Yes. Students who receive and accept the Buntrock Scholarship will receive the same scholarship amount for up to four (4) years. Students must remain enrolled full time and in good academic standing at Augustana.

Q: Are students required to live on campus and have a meal plan?

A: First- and second-year students at Augustana are required to live on campus and have a meal plan. This creates community and connects students with peers in meaningful ways. For questions regarding housing, feel free to contact our Residence Life staff.

Q: What if a student is not a member, but is active in an ELCA congregation?

A: The intent of the Buntrock Scholarship is to provide support for students who are active and engaged in an ELCA congregation. If students are not official members of a congregation, but have created a meaningful connection with a congregation and are active in the congregation (and beyond the walls of the church), they meet this requirement.

Q: What if a congregation has a pastoral vacancy?

A: For congregations with pastoral vacancies, the youth pastor, council president or other elected leader may submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Q: Is the scholarship available to any Lutheran student?

A: No. The Buntrock Scholarship is available to students who have a meaningful connection with an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) congregation. The scholarship partner feels a calling to help students who are engaged in an ELCA congregation before and after graduation from Augustana.

Other scholarships at Augustana may be available to students who are not connected to an ELCA congregation.

Q: Do students need to attend seminary after graduation?

A: No. The intent of the scholarship is to help students who are active and engaged in an ELCA congregation now and in the future. If a student goes on to seminary after their time at Augustana, that is wonderful. However, it is not a requirement of the scholarship. The scholarship partner would like to encourage any involvement in the ELCA — this could be as a congregational leader, Sunday School teacher, volunteer, etc.

Q: Are students required to be part of the Office of Faith & Spiritual Life at Augustana?

A: No. Students are not required to hold a leadership or work-study position with the Office of Faith & Spiritual Life. However, students are encouraged to take part in events, services and volunteer opportunities.

Contact

Office of Financial Aid | financial.aid@augie.edu