Taylor University has received a landmark $20 million gift—the largest in the school's 177-year history—dedicated exclusively to student scholarships, enabling more students the opportunity of a Taylor education.
The anonymous gift will serve as the catalyst for a scholarship challenge match where each gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, from $10 to $10 million.
The endeavor is named the 10:10 Scholarship Challenge which alludes to Jesus’ words in John 10:10 that He came to give “life to the full.” The University recently adopted this verse as inspiration for their new brand rollout, Life to the Full.
This transformational gift will turn $20 million into $40 million for student scholarships, funding seven new scholarship categories. We invite alumni and friends to make an investment that will extend Taylor's reach to even more deserving students, equipping them to be servant-leaders committed to carrying the light and faith of Christ to a world in need.
Competitive Experience
The ATHLETICS scholarship will benefit Taylor’s 16 intercollegiate teams, increasing their performance and enhancing the overall stature of each athletic department.
In 2022–2023, 10 of our 16 teams received a ranking or are projected to be ranked in the top 25 teams in the NAIA. Additional resourcing through scholarship funding will allow each athletic team to realistically compete at the top of the Crossroads League and at the NAIA national tournament each year.
BANNER YEAR
International Diversity
GLOBAL scholarships provide for students who bring a geographic diversity and a diversity of experience to campus, and who are unable to obtain domestic student loans or federal/state aid. As the importance of globally-informed education steadily increases, more voices bring different perspectives to campus and contribute in meaningful ways to class and social discussions. It is a way to prepare young people to live and work in an increasingly interconnected and global economy.
WELCOMING STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
Taylor aspires to develop a student body that reflects the diversity of the GLOBAL church. Currently, Taylor is home to international students from more than 26 countries, spanning the continents of North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Diversity of Race, Ethnicity, National Heritage
We believe all Taylor students are better prepared for the future by interacting with a diverse global community. The KINGDOM DIVERSITY scholarship is focused on our multi-cultural community and will strengthen the Taylor educational experience as we bring together students from different cultures and perspectives, leading to greater understanding and unity in the Kingdom of God.
MOVING TOWARDS 25% MULTICULTURAL STUDENTS
Taylor is committed to fostering healthy relationships in our community regardless of differences in race, ethnicity, or national heritage. There is value in developing a student body that reflects every language, background, and nation of the global church. Through the KINGDOM DIVERSITY scholarship, we aspire to increase the percentage of multi-cultural students to 25 percent of the undergraduate student body on campus.
Families in Full-time Missions and Ministry
Families serving the church or on foreign mission fields face special challenges in sending their children to Christian colleges. Often, they lack the resources to pay for a college education without significant financial aid or debt.
MINISTRY SERVICE scholarships honor the lives of ministerial professionals. They ensure that the children of families in missions and ministry callings have access to a quality, Christ-centered higher education.
SUPPORTING MKs, PKs, AND OTHERS IN VOCATIONAL MINISTRY
College affordability is a major concern for families, and paying for college looms large for families in a ministerial capacity (missionaries, pastors, and vocational ministry). Currently, children of families in MINISTRY SERVICE represent 12 percent of Taylor’s student body.
High Financial Need
The OPPORTUNITY scholarship is need-based and has a two-fold purpose: it enables first-year students from the widest range of backgrounds to obtain an education they may not have access to otherwise and it provides for current students who face unforeseen financial hardship to continue their education.
60% OF STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR AID
Sixty percent of students are eligible for need-based aid. OPPORTUNITY scholarships support access and are a gateway to success, helping students afford, persist, and complete their education, regardless of background and without taking on burdensome debt or excessive outside work that reduces the odds of completing a degree.
Children, Grandchildren, Siblings
TAYLOR LEGACY celebrates the excellence of a Taylor education for alumni families who maintain a wholehearted commitment to the Taylor mission. As tuition costs in higher education increase, there is concern that Taylor will be financially prohibitive. The TAYLOR LEGACY scholarship enables Taylor to remain within financial reach of families who encourage a family tradition of attending Taylor.
STRONG HERITAGE
Academically Gifted
TOP SCHOLAR is a merit-based scholarship related to academic performance. Recipients are high achievers and stand out among their peers. Beyond an outstanding record of academic achievement, a TOP SCHOLAR student demonstrates strong leadership qualities and has a history of volunteer service participation.
GIFTED SERVANT-LEADERS
Last year’s freshman class came in with an average 3.76 high school GPA, with 32% in the top 10% of their high school class. This strong high school academic foundation allows classes at Taylor to be even more rigorous.
Give to the 10:10 Scholarship Challenge and your gift—from $10 to $10 million—will be doubled!
Taylor has received a gift of $20 million that will be leveraged to make Taylor more accessible. If you give to one of the seven endowed scholarships identified as Taylor’s greatest need, your gift will be DOUBLED, dollar-for-dollar.
Yes. If you give $50,000 or more, you may name an endowed fund within one of the seven categories.
Yes, your gift can be anonymous, or you can choose to hear from the recipient. Each year, the annual President’s Dinner or Scholarship Reception provides an opportunity to hear a student’s story, experiences at Taylor, and their aspirations once they graduate.
Yes, gifts of $10,000 and above can be given over a three- to five-year period. You may give with stock, donor-advised funds, or through your IRA or other non-cash assets. You may set up automatic monthly or annual gifts from your checking, savings, or credit card.
You can help students in an area of interest, but you cannot specify a student due to IRS regulations. By selecting one of our seven scholarship categories that match your passion, you can help a student (determined by Taylor) with high financial need, a student representing Kingdom diversity, a top scholar, a dependent of those in Christian missions or service, a legacy student whose parents or sibling have had the Taylor experience, a student-athlete, or a global student who brings the world to Taylor.
Taylor uses multiple investment advisors to manage our endowed portfolio. These fund managers are regularly reviewed to ensure our endowments are optimized and balanced to provide the best yields while safeguarding the investment. The award is calculated using a 60-month rolling average of the scholarship principal. This avoids dramatic swings in the amount that is awarded annually.
Yes, Taylor is a 501(c)(3) organization that issues tax-deductible receipts. As part of making your gift, check with a trusted financial advisor to maximize the potential of your donation.
Executive Director of Development
Regional Director of Development—Chicago Area & Southwestern States
Regional Director of Development—Northeastern States
Regional Director of Development—Chicago Area & Northwestern States
Regional Director of Development—Southeastern States
Regional Director of Development—Indiana, Illinois, Michigan & Ohio