SAU Receives $132K from Alfred Street Baptist Church, Wiping Out Debt for Graduating Seniors
At a time when many small private colleges and HBCUs are struggling to stay open, one church’s generous act is making a big difference at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) in North Carolina. SAU announced it received a $132,469 donation from Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, which will wipe out the cumulative four-year student debt for 11 seniors in the Class of 2025. The donation will be finalized before SAU’s commencement ceremony on May 3, allowing these students to graduate without debt. Leaders from Alfred Street Baptist Church will attend the ceremony to personally celebrate with the graduates they helped.
“This act of grace by Alfred Street Baptist Church is nothing short of transformative for our students and our institution,” said SAU Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. “We are immensely grateful for this demonstration of faith and partnership. It not only lifts a tremendous burden off our deserving students but also inspires our entire SAU community. This donation is a shining example of how faith and collaboration can empower our students to step confidently into their futures. It renews our hope and underscores the bright future for SAU.”
Student debt remains a major hurdle for students across the country, especially at HBCUs with fewer financial resources. This partnership highlights a community-led solution that offers hope well beyond one campus.
