Protection when
students need it most.
SAGE Secure is the first no-cost accidental death benefit for families of students enrolled at a SAGE Scholars member college or university — helping ensure that the sudden loss of a primary wage earner doesn’t end a student’s education.
A first-of-its-kind student protection benefit
SAGE Secure is designed to help prevent a student from suffering financially and possibly dropping out of school if their family’s primary wage earner dies from an accidental bodily injury.
“We recognize the devastating impact the sudden death of a student’s parent or the main source of support has on the family’s financial health and specifically the ongoing ability to afford and attend college. This is why we are committed to providing financial assistance that eases the grieving process for our member students during this incredibly difficult time.”
— Dr. James B. Johnston, Founder & Chairman, SAGE Scholars
“For a quarter century, SAGE Scholars has been a forerunner of affordability and student access in private higher education. The SAGE Secure program is another example of SAGE ingenuity and leadership at a time of unprecedented need in college financing.”
— Bob Bartlett, President, Michigan Colleges Alliance
How SAGE Secure works
The Foundation will award a SAGE Secure Scholarship in the event of death resulting from an accidental bodily injury of a qualifying student’s sponsor under the following conditions.
Qualifying Conditions
- Student must be a registered SAGE Scholar attending a member college or university at the time of the sponsor’s accidental death.
- The deceased sponsor must be a member of the student’s household and the main source of financial support.
- The scholarship will be $5,000 or the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), whichever is lesser, as determined during the first year following death.
- Death must result solely from an accidental bodily injury occurring within 90 days of the accident.
- The bodily injury must be evidenced by a visible contusion or wound, except in the case of accidental drowning.
- Application must be accompanied by a valid certificate of death, the revised EFC as determined by FAFSA, and be submitted within 30 days of receipt of the revised EFC.
- Written proof that death occurred as a result of accidental injury must be provided.
- Payment will be made within 25 days after receipt of satisfactory written proof.
Exclusions
No award will be made where death is caused by any of the following:
- Self-inflicted injury, suicide or attempted suicide, whether sane or insane
- Participation in or attempt to commit an assault or felony
- Bodily or mental infirmity, illness or disease
- Voluntary use of any controlled substance unless prescribed by a physician
- Infection, other than one occurring as a direct result of the accidental injury
- Medical or surgical treatment, diagnostic procedures, or resulting complications
- Travel in or descent from any aircraft, except as a fare-paying passenger on a scheduled commercial flight
- War or any act of war, whether declared or undeclared
- Repetitive stress syndromes including rotator cuff syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, or neuritis
SAGE Secure resources
Looking To The Future — New SAGE Secure Press Release
SAGE Secure Brochure
SAGE Secure Press Release
