Education Partners In Covenant (EPIC) Program
EPIC is a cooperative venture between congregations of the three Iowa synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Iowa and their colleges: Waldorf, Grand View, Luther and Wartburg.
The purpose of EPIC is to demonstrate to students that their home congregations and the three synods of the ELCA are interested in their education. The congregations and colleges form a partnership of financial support for students. The EPIC grants from congregations, matched by colleges, provide tangible, direct financial assistance to all qualified students from participating congregations. This covenant relationship serves as a visible sign that the congregations of the ELCA share a commitment to the youth of the church and to quality education. EPIC affirms the importance of higher education in the context of the church as preparation for a life of mission and service in the world.
EPIC is a voluntary program for congregations. A covenant is formed when the congregation chooses to participate by filing an EPIC agreement card with their respective synod office. A congregation must be enrolled in the program and have their level of participation determined by March 1 of the year the student will be attending college. This agreement continues until the congregation withdraws from EPIC. The congregation doesn’t need to re-enroll each year unless their level of participation changes. Any changes must be made by March 1 for the following year.
Congregations elect to support students with EPIC grants of $100, $200, $300, $400, or $500 per student per year, with the colleges matching each grant for up to four years. Students receiving the EPIC grant must be a confirmed member of the congregation and enrolled as full-time students at Waldorf, Grand View, Luther or Wartburg.
Click here to print out the EPIC enrollment form. If you are unsure whether your congregation is enrolled in the EPIC program, contact your respective synod office.
Western Iowa Synod - wis@wisynod.org
Northeastern Iowa Synod - ullestads@neiasynod.org
Southeastern Iowa Synod - staff@seiasynod.org
