Alumni Referral Award Logo

Step 1 – Fill out the student referral form.
Step 2 – Student applies to Wartburg.
Step 3 – Student receives $500 annually!

As a Wartburg grad, you know firsthand the amazing experiences students have here. With the Alumni Referral Award, you can help the next generation of students have those experiences too. This $500 annual award will have your name on it as a testament to the importance of your involvement in the lives of our future alumni.

There’s no limit to the number of students you can qualify for a total of $2,000 in your name. You don’t have to wait until they’re seniors, either — refer a freshman, sophmore, or junior to give them lots of time to think about becoming a Knight. The deadline to refer a student graduating from high school in the Class of 2024 is Dec. 1, 2023.

Use the button below to refer ANY student, regardless of their eligibility, for the Alumni Referral Award.

Refer a Student Button

What communication will the student get?
The student will receive an email letting them know you’ve referred them, which will explain the Alumni Referral Award and encourage them to visit campus. They will also receive informational materials from our Admissions Office, if they haven’t already. 

What if they don’t enroll at Wartburg?
In the unfortunate event that Wartburg isn’t the right fit for the student you referred, we’ll wish them well at their college of choice. As with the rest of their Wartburg financial aid package, the award is only given if the student enrolls here.

Who is eligible to receive this award?
Any student in high school is eligible as long as the referral is completed by Dec. 15 of their senior year. Any student who is referred by alumni and then enrolls at Wartburg will receive the award.

Why is the deadline Dec. 1?
This is necessary for Wartburg to be able to assemble financial aid packages and notify students in a timely fashion.

Will anyone be accepted after deadline?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept referrals for seniors in high school after the Dec. 1 deadline — so start submitting students now, even if they’re freshmen or sophomores!

Who can refer students?
Anyone can refer a student to Wartburg, and we strongly encourage that. Only students submitted by a graduate of the college will be eligible for the Alumni Referral Award.

What if a student is referred by multiple alumni?
Hopefully that means many people have spotted a Knight in the making! That student’s Alumni Referral Award would bear multiple names to honor everyone who encouraged them to attend Wartburg. The award amount will not increase.

Can a Legacy student receive an Alumni Referral Award?
Our Legacy students (those who have had a parent, grandparent, or sibling attend Wartburg) will not be eligible for this award as they will receive the Legacy Grant.

Is a student eligible if they have already applied to Wartburg? 
Yes, as long the referral form is submitted before Dec. 1 of their senior year of high school.

Why does Wartburg need the student’s contact information?
We need some way to reach out to the student to tell them about Wartburg — and to notify them of the award in your name!

Do I have to provide the money, too?
Nope, referring a student won’t cost you a dime! This amount is built into their financial aid package from Wartburg. However, you can certainly make a gift if you would like!

Are transfer students eligible?
Potentially. If they were referred as a high school student, the award will be honored in their transfer package — if they transfer to Wartburg College, that is.

Don’t stop there!
We’re always asking you to tell your Wartburg story because it’s the most effective way to illustrate the power of our mission: to challenge and nurture students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning. 

Once you’ve referred a student, reach out to them and let them know. Talk about Wartburg with them. Encourage them to visit campus — or bring them on a visit! And advocate for Wartburg when they’re deciding where to enroll. (Don’t worry, we’ll send you a reminder or two along the way.) Please note that students are not eligible for both the Alumni Referral Award and the Legacy Grant.

Questions?
For more information or questions about the Alumni Referral Award, please contact the Alumni & Parent Engagement Office at alumni@wartburg.edu or 319-352-8491.