Results of analyses conducted to date along with observations from our limited experiences in group and individual contacts are the bases for some of the content of this website. Additions will be incorporated as they become available from further, expanded  applications of the project and any further analyses. Questions and results offered by readers could be handled and passed to other readers, perhaps serving as a useful “information exchange”.

In summary, we offer the following suggestions and observations:

1. Clearly, greater seminary enrollments are essential.

 2. Cost implications of enrollment increases are formidable, given that seminaries’ revenues are not meeting current costs though enrollments are inadequate

3  Recent history, especially since late 1990s, have demonstrated significant sensitivity by potential new students to changes in net costs of attending a seminary.
 
4. Present financial aid for eligible students is 60 to 65 percent of tuition but in the range of one-forth to one-third of total costs, now $28,000 to $42,000 per academic year.

5. The project here presented encompasses information dissemination on two subjects: 
  a) The financial plight of seminaries/seminarians;
  b) Convenient, available procedures for transferring funds ($10 or more per month) directly to a seminary for tuition assistance.

6. Transferring funds to a seminary can be done in a number of relatively simple ways. Members of Thrivent usually can arrange for 50% (up to $300) in match donations up to $600 once per year. Some employers offer similar matching opportunities.

7. Intensive information on the plight of seminaries probably will vastly broaden
 participation. As givers come to more deeply realize the benefits from aggregate giving, many will increase their periodic amounts. Moreover, some individuals, upon learning of the situation, will decide to make major one-time gifts that would  expand a seminary’s future income base as well as bring immediate tax savings to donors.

8. Both seminaries are constantly seeking major donations described in (slide 7). Information dissemination this project offers should enhance their solicitation results for the seminaries.

9. Some individuals otherwise inclined to participate may be reluctant to do so out of concern such involvement would stimulate flow of mailings from other LCMS entities. Concordia, St Louis, suggests this can be avoided by including with the initial contact, deposit or otherwise, just three words: “DO NOT TRADE”.