The expectations of higher education in the 21st century are diverse. Union is constantly changing to accomodate advances in technology, updated curricula, and most importantly, the ever-evolving needs of our students. That's why unrestricted giving to the Union College Fund is of the utmost importance. These flexible financial contributions are directed to the areas demonstrating the most current needs. These areas include, but are not limited to:

Financial Aid
One of Union's top priorities continues to be ensuring that every student who wants to attend here has that opportunity—regardless of his or her available resources. Union continues to develop innovative strategies to meet an increasing number of students' financial needs. This year, Union completely overhauled the financial assistance program so that every incoming student, depending on financial need and academic accomplishments, will be eligible for an equitable financial package over their four years at Union. The vision for this program is to increase the amount of scholarship support available to students throughout their time at Union. While this new program is still in its initial stages of realization, the college looks forward to recruiting and retaining more students through renewable financial aid packages.

Campus Life
The students here have more to do with the success and future of Union than anyone else. In turn, Union strives to provide each one of them with the best possible experience as a part of the Union College family. Speaking of transformational experiences, one of Union's top priorities is helping students develop life skills that translate beyond the classroom. The college employs nearly 500 students a year in vital jobs across campus that not only help the school to run more efficiently but also instill a sense of realistic expectations for work ethic and responsibility in the student employees. Learning is a campus-wide experience at Union and every member of the faculty and staff is committed to mentoring students in an employment capacity as well as modeling positive workplace behaviors and attitudes.

Academics
Union continues to adapt and improve academic programs in order to prepare students for a more diverse and challenging future. Each year developments are planned, changes are implemented and faculty recruited to enhance the divisions which exhibit the greatest need. With the growing demand for science and medical professionals in this country, Union is making these academic areas a priority. Your gift to the Union College Fund this year helps fund changes in two areas with a huge impact for the future--an administrative position in international rescue and relief and a clinical instructor in nursing. Two additional programs will be able to make necessary changes due to your generosity. The division of human development hired a psychology teacher with extensive field experience and the division of health and human performance incorporated a wellness major to train students as wellness coordinators for businesses and schools. In addition, the budget for academic capital equipment was doubled in order to keep every area on campus, from the science to computer lab, as current as possible.

 Hopefully you! People who give to the Union College Fund appreciate the value of higher Christian education and want to support Union's student-focused mission and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Participation is what matters most. By making a gift to the Union College Fund, you will be joining a significant group of committed alumni, parents and friends.

• Alumni participation continues to be among the highest in the country, around 35%. This is almost double the next highest Adventist institution's rate and has helped secure a place in the top 50 Midwest Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor's Category in U.S.News America's Best Colleges for the past three years.
• Parents of both current and former students continue to give an increasing level.
• Friends of the college (people who make gifts but have no other defined relationship with Union) make incredible unrestricted contributions each year.

Higher education is an expensive endeavor. It costs a lot of money a year to keep Union College operating and tuition only provides a fraction of the total cost. Remember:

• Union College enrolls almost 1,000 students per year
• It offers more than 50 degrees along with athletic, social, recreational and spiritual programs as well as critical student services such as health care, counseling and the Teaching Learning Center
• Almost 300 people work for Union College, from administrators to Union Market employees
• Its campus includes 14 buildings with plans to add new ones in the near future

One aspect Union prides itself on is offering high-quality education at a competitive price. In order to keep tuition costs low, Union depends on generous gifts to the Union College Fund. These gifts provide Union with the necessary resources and flexibility to support core priorities without driving up the total cost of the superior experience offered here.

In recent years, Union has been blessed with a sustained increase in enrollment, improved and new facilities and expanded academic programs. Many of these improvements are a direct result of abundant contributions to the Union College Fund.

Why should you give to the Union College Fund? Because by doing so, you validate Union's current pattern of progress, provide the necessary funds for the college's top priorities and enable Union to continue preparing students for service to God and others.

Many companies encourage employees to give to charities by matching their charitable contributions. Check with your employer to see if your benefits package includes matching gifts. Depending on your employer's policy, matching gifts can usually be secured using one of the following methods:

• Obtain a matching gift form from your company and sent it in to Union with your contribution
• Provide your company with the receipt from Union that proves a gift was made
• Use the matching gift services on your company's website

Below is a list of companies who have previously matched gifts to Union College.

How often will I be contacted for the Union College Fund?
Approximately three to four mailings are sent each year to alumni, parents and friends seeking unrestricted funds for the college. In addition, Union College students contact these same groups during the phonathon each fall.

When does Union's fiscal year begin and end?
Union's fiscal year begins on June 1 and ends on May 31 each year.

I contribute during the beginning of the fiscal year. Why do I still receive the other mailings?
You receive the other mailings because of two main reasons: first, each mailing contains important information regarding Union that helps keep you informed about what is going on here. Second, many individuals choose to make more than one gift during the fiscal year. The postage-paid envelope included in each mailing provides a convenient way to send mulitple donations to the college.

Can I restrict my gift to a specific area?
While the most useful gifts to Union are unrestricted funds that can be directed to the college's top priorities, you may designate your contribution to any specific department, program, building or other officially recognized area of the college.