Georgia Christian college wins lawsuit over state financial aid denial

Georgia’s Luther Rice College and Seminary has prevailed in its lawsuit over the state’s attempt to block the Christian higher education institution from participating in student financial aid programs.

The college said the exclusion negatively impacted enrollment and handicapped students who wished to attend the school.

As reported previously in The Lion, the school, whose stated mission is to equip students to “stand on the Word of God and excel in their calling,” filed suit in October against the Georgia Student Finance Commission and the Georgia Student Finance Authority, claiming that the state entities had excluded Luther Rice from Georgia’s financial aid options solely because of the school’s Christian convictions.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the First Amendment legal advocacy group representing the college, noted that while Georgia allowed private and religious colleges to participate in its financial aid programs, it excluded those it considers colleges of theology or divinity.

By virtue of both its name and its curriculum, Luther Rice College and Seminary was barred from participating in student financial aid programs, said ADF, “because it has a religious mission, awards religious degrees, and teaches all of its courses from a Christian perspective.” 

“By unlawfully discriminating against Luther Rice’s religious beliefs, Georgia officials are ultimately hurting the state’s students,” said ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker in filing the suit on behalf of the school. “Georgia high school students can’t receive dual credit by taking classes at Luther Rice; college students who choose Luther Rice are denied much-needed financial aid available to students at other colleges.” 

Tucker added that on behalf of all Georgia’s students, “we are urging the court to uphold Luther Rice’s constitutional protections by guaranteeing that the school can fully participate in student aid programs while still adhering to its religious beliefs, character, and exercise.” 

On Dec. 19, Georgia officials settled the lawsuit, announcing they would allow Luther Rice to participate in the state’s financial aid programs, including HOPE and Zell Scholarships for undergraduate students and high school dual enrollment opportunities. 

“Georgia officials did the right thing by allowing Luther Rice to participate in student aid programs,” stated Tucker in response to the decision. “We’re pleased that Georgia high school students can now receive dual credit by taking classes at Luther Rice and that college students who choose Luther Rice can apply for much-needed financial aid. The state should never limit educational opportunities for students based on their faith.” 

Dr. Steven Steinhilber, president of Luther Rice, said the entire endeavor offered the school the opportunity to defend religious freedom while also promoting the value of a Christian education. “I commend the state and our partners at Alliance Defending Freedom for swiftly reaching a solution,” he said. “I look forward to providing our Georgia residents an affordable, biblically-based education that is so vital for our time.” 

A private Baptist school founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1962, the college and seminary relocated to Georgia in 1991. As of the 2023-24 school year, it had an enrollment of 757 students, 269 of them undergraduates. The college is named after the Rev. Luther Rice (1783-1836), an American Baptist pastor and missionary.