You may have heard us refer to the “General Fund,” but we have renamed it the “Tuition Free Fund” for good reason.

 

We all know there’s no such thing as a free lunch. It may not cost you, but someone pays for it. Southeast does not charge tuition; we are “tuition free.” But someone must cover the cost of a  “tuition free” education. Congregations and Christians around the country give generously so that men can get a balanced, Bible-based education for “free.”

 

The Tuition Free Fund is far more than a “miscellaneous” fund. It accounts for hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on personnel, operating expenses, communication with supporters, our lectureship, and special events.

 

First, the Tuition Free Fund covers the funds necessary to support 20 workers. When you contribute to the Tuition Free Fund, you support all of our full-time faculty (David Lipe, James Meadows, Edwin Jones, Jody Apple, Frank Williams, Jacob Evans, and Daniel Howell); you help support our adjunct faculty (Bill Bryant, Bob Cowles, Jacob Evans, Tim Forlines, Steve Higginbotham, Geoff Mabe); you support our women’s class instructors (Evelyn Apple, Teresa Clark, Kim Higginbotham, Miranda Morton, Sara Jones); and you support our secretaries (Nell Rich and Shirley Lyell) and our librarian (Kim Higginbotham).

 

Second, the Tuition Free Fund provides for all major office expenses, including equipment (computers, peripherals, copiers, printers, etc.) and supplies (ink, toner, paper, etc.).

 

Third, the Tuition Free Fund pays for some of the Southeast office utilities and maintenance. The Karns congregation covers most of the utilities, but Southeast is responsible for its own phone costs, equipment, furnishings and maintenance.

 

Fourth, this fund also covers all the costs to keep our supporters informed, including printing, advertising, newsletters and postage. When we travel to speak for the school, raise funds or recruit students, transportation and lodging expenses come out of the Tuition Free Fund if the churches we visit can not cover our costs.

 

Fifth, the Tuition Free Fund must provide for lectureship expenses, because donations during the lectures typically cover only half of the costs of advertising, publishing the book, speakers’ honorariums and their travel expenses.

 

Sixth, the Tuition Free Fund also pays for special events such as Southeast Leadership Camp, weekend lectures and seminars.

 

The greatest expense at Southeast will always be the amount required to support our students. Obviously, the number of students is far greater than the number of full-time instructors, so what it takes to support them will always be greater than what it takes to support the instructors.

 

But though the students’ cumulative needs are larger, it is easier to raise money for students than for teacher support and operating expenses. Someone recently told a faculty member, “We don’t support schools; we support students.”

This good brother’s comment is understandable. There’s something energizing about directly supporting men who are preparing to preach—and good students certainly are worthy of support. But if there are no teachers, there can be no students! In fact, if all the expenses we addressed earlier were not covered by your gifts, there would be no “tuition free” education for our students. Please don’t support only one or the other; support both!

 

We are certainly thankful that churches and Christians have faithfully financed this work for nearly 43 years, and we hope that you will continue to support us with your prayers and your gifts.

 

—Jody Apple