Educational Partners in Covenant

Education Partners in Covenant (EPIC) is a cooperative matching grant venture between congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Wartburg College.

EPIC demonstrates to students that their home congregations and the ELCA are interested in their education. EPIC grants from congregations are matched up to $750 by the college and provide tangible, direct financial assistance to all qualified students. This covenant relationship serves as a visible sign that ELCA congregations 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.

How EPIC Works

EPIC is a voluntary program for congregations. A covenant is formed when the congregation chooses to participate with Wartburg in a matching grant program. Iowa congregations file an EPIC agreement card with their respective synod offices. Out-of-state congregations send the enrollment card to Wartburg.

1. A congregation may join EPIC by June 1 prior to the academic year in which the student will enroll at Wartburg. This agreement continues until the congregation withdraws from EPIC. The congregation does not need to re-enroll each year.
2. Congregations elect to support students with EPIC grants of various whole-dollar amounts, with Wartburg matching each grant— up to $750 per year for up to four years. A student could receive as much as $6,000 in EPIC awards during his/her four years at college.
3. Students must list the name of their home congregation on their application for admission to Wartburg. They should indicate that their church is enrolled in EPIC. Once the college is aware the student is a member of an EPIC congregation, the Financial Aid Office will arrange the matching award. We also encourage the church to recognize EPIC students through a presentation or an announcement in a bulletin or newsletter.
4. EPIC awards can be submitted in two installments. The first half of the award is sent prior to the beginning of the fall term, Sept. 1, and the remaining amount prior to the winter term, Jan. 1. Checks should be sent to the Wartburg College Financial Aid Office. The money from the congregation and the matching grant from the college are then credited to the student’s account. Both awards will be considered part of the student’s aid package.
5. Students must meet two requirements to qualify for EPIC:
   • Be a confirmed member of a participating ELCA congregation.
   • Be accepted and enrolled as a full-time Wartburg student.

EPIC imposes no other requirements, either of financial need or academic merit. (Wartburg College offers additional financial aid based on need or merit.) Specific financial aid information can be obtained from the Wartburg Admissions Office.