MVNU Nazarene Challenge Grant Program

Students that are active members of the Church of the Nazarene are awarded the Nazarene Challenge Grant for their college careers at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. MVNU offers up to $2,500 annually to students toward tuition and general fees, based on their regular attendance at a Church of the Nazarene. MVNU challenges churches to partner with us by also providing a gift to their students.

MVNU affirms and encourages Nazarene congregations that have scholarship programs designed to help their students with the cost of higher education. Churches that provide assistance to their students through a scholarship program must have the program approved by its governing board and meet Internal Revenue Service guidelines for charitable deduction.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, gifts qualify for a charitable deduction only if they "proceed from a detached and disinterested generosity and not from anticipation of economic gain." Parents who contribute to this program through the church and direct their gift to their child's scholarship will not meet the requirements for a charitable deduction. In addition, gifts that are given with the "understanding"' that they will be designated for a specific person cannot be considered for a charitable deduction.

Please consider matching this annual grant to help offset your students' Christian higher education expenses. We understand that every church has different financial capabilities, so please know that your students will receive the Nazarene Challenge Grant even if your church is unable to participate.

Churches that are able to participate must also complete and return the Nazarene Challenge Grant Participation Form and the annual Student Eligibility Form. Please contact Becky Rockwell at 740-397-9000x4524 or at rrockwel@mvnu.edu if you have any questions about the grant or if you need help in identifying students who have listed your church as their home church. We value your partnership and are happy to assist you.