One of the values of BCS that you've espoused in this letter in the past is that of affordability.

We believe strongly in providing an outstanding educational experience at a cost that most students should be able to afford. While it varies some depending upon the program, our students pay approximately $5,000 for tuition each year. We do this because of the growing problem with student debt that we see across the country. We want our students to be as debt-free as possible so that they will be free to go and minister wherever the Lord leads them following graduation.

We are able to keep our tuition this low for the following reasons:

1. We have a very low overhead cost for our operation. We don't own a campus that needs to be maintained. Even if we do someday need to own a building, we are committed to doing it in such a way that it will not involve significant debt on our part.

2. We are committed to raising the majority of our operating expenses through fundraising. We are asking those people who are also committed to raising up the next generation of God-honoring, Bible-believing, Christ-exalting, pastors, missionaries, teachers, etc., to join us in this bold, radical vision of affordable, theological education.

3. We do not participate in the federal financial aid programs of the U.S. government. This system is at the core of the education "bubble" that I've written about in a prior prayer letter. The cost of administering federal financial aid is high--both in terms of human labor, and also in terms of excessive entanglement with the government.

However, despite our comparatively low tuition rates, there are occasionally students who cannot even afford these low rates. We do our best to make it possible for the right students to come to BCS even if they may find it difficult to pay our low tuition. To serve these students, we have established two internal tuition assistance funds. One is specifically aimed at international students, and the other is focused on any student who is in jeopardy of needing to drop out of school because of their inability to pay their tuition. These are quiet funds which are used very judiciously to help those students who are in the greatest need of tuition assistance. As donors contribute to these funds, we then have the ability to help out the occasional student who has fallen on difficult circumstances and may otherwise have to drop out of school.

Would you please pray with us that the Lord would provide for our students--especially our incoming students for this fall. We have learned of a couple of students in our incoming class whose circumstances have changed and they may no longer be able to attend BCS unless they receive some assistance. Pray that the Lord would make it possible for them to come to BCS after all. And if you or someone you know would be interested in making a gift to our tuition assistance funds, we would be so grateful--and so would the students who would be the beneficiaries of your generosity.

May the Lord bless you for your faithful prayers on our behalf and on behalf of our students. Only the Lords knows the ultimate impact of your prayers on this strategic initiative called BCS.

Privileged to be in partnership with you,