We run a scholarship program for college students which sounds similar in scope.  We pay out directly to the school involved.  With students participating the first time around, we pay out near the end of the semester (when about 90% of the terms of the contract are fulfilled) and the money is most often used for "next semester's" expenses.  With "known entities" we usually pay out about half-way through the semester, when about 60% of the contract is fulfilled.  I suppose there will come a time when a student reneges (whether willfully or un-willfully) on responsibilities after payment has been made, but this hasn't happened yet.  We have developed working relationships with the finance people of the school(s) involved so they know what to expect from us.

 

Mike Barker

Black Mountain PC(USA), NC

Dear Zack,

Having four section leaders is a huge help to the church choir.  I am not quite sure what you mean by "scholarship."  Are you planning to hire four young professionals?  Are you planning to offfer funds to someone already in your choir?

I would think this is more of a fundraising campaign, tied in with church budget, to support the activities of your choir.

In the choir I direct, I tend to hire young professionals - recently graduated grad students in voice.

They are paid $75 a week, for a $25 rehearsal on a Wednesday night, of 1.5 hrs, and for a $50 Sunday, rehearsal and service.  The pay for our area is somparable to many, a little low to some.

However, this money came from an established budget item, paid out monthly, with taxes taken out, etc.

Unless you are professing to use area music students (even high school students) and provide them with a "scholarship," I am not sure how you would do this, and who would take care of keeping the fund, etc.

A section leader is  generally a paid, part-time, staff position.

All best,

Danica

Zack,

 

It depends on what kind of scholarship it is you're offering; if it's school-related, I've seen churches write a check directly to a school's financial office for tuition.  If it's more for some "spending money," the church has written the check right to the student. Hope this helps.

 

Peter

If you hire students from a college or university, you can write the paycheck to the school as a scholarship to the student. This defers all money from being taxed. I'm not sure of the details, but it's one way of doing things.