top of page

RESOURCES FOR TCK'S IN RE-ENTRY:

RE-ENTRY HELPS FOR MISSIONARY KIDS RETURNING TO AMERICA:

Barnabas International has re-entry retreats for missionary kids who were raised overseas, have completed high school, and are preparing to attend college in or settle in America. Their retreats are at Biola University in La Mirada, California, and at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, in July.

Interaction International puts on annual transition seminars every summer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Chatsworth, Georgia, to help teenage TCKs prepare for the transition from life overseas to life in America. They are also offering an online program for those who can't make it to a transition seminar in person.

Compass Ministries, located in Seminole, Florida, hosts an annual winter retreat for MKs in February and a spring break in March. They also have a Christian group home for young adult MKs who are returnging to live in the US after living abroad with a low monthly rent and assistance with transitioning to independent living after living overseas.

Gatehouse Ministries assists MKs on re-entry to the United States, teaching practical skills and offering spiritual guidance as they transition. They also offer housing in Redding, California, for college-age MKs whose parents live overseas.

A faith-based ministry in Toccoa, Georgia, Paradise Mountain Ministries provides accommodation to college-age MKs whose parents are still serving overseas.

Oklahoma Christian University puts on an annual retreat for third culture kids re-entering the U.S. and their families to help them deal with issues associated with cross-cultural living and transition.

The Narramore Christian Foundation offers twelve-day re-entry retreats on the campus of Biola University near Los Angeles for TCKs who have just completed high school and are returning to the US or Canada.

Rekonnect is a ministry of The Sheiling Trust, offering five-day residential summer camps in the Peak District to British children and teens who have lived overseas and find themselves back in the UK.

SIL's Mission HR has information for TCKs about navigating options after secondary school, including a College Prep Handbook and a High School to Occupation Handbook which are updated annually and available as free downloads.

Globally Grounded provides mentoring consultations to assist TCKs in transition. Their website also contains a helpful blog and lists of resources for further information.

BOOKS AND WEBSITES THAT PREPARE TCK'S AND THEIR PARENTS FOR COLLEGE:

 

KC360 offers courses and consultations on college applications, essays and financial aid as well as free resources in articles, webcasts, and podcasts by someone with a background as a TCK.

​

Denizen Magazine has an online guide to college for Third Culture Kids.

 

The Global Nomad's Guide to University Transition by Tina Quick deals with the emotional issues (unresolved grief, homesickness, isolation) as well as practical tips (adjusting to the culture, monetary tips) and moral difficulties (sex, drugs, alcohol) students face at college.

​

Succeeding as an International Student in the United States and Canada by Charles Lipson

​

The Third Culture Teen: In Between Cultures, In Between Life Stages by Jiwon Lee

​

Manage Your Student Finances Now!: Easy Ways to Balance Your Budget at University and College by Keith Houghton

 

Meeting College Costs: What You Need to Know Before Your Child and Money Leave Home by the College Board

 

What to Expect When Your Child Leaves for College: A Complete Guide for Parents Only by Mary Spohn

 

Sending Your Child to College: The Prepared Parent's Operational Manual by Marie Carr, Katharine Carr and Elizabeth Carr

 

Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Cobern and Madge Lawrence Treeger

​

The International Family Guide to US University Admission by Jennifer Ann Aquino

​

The Fiske Guide to Colleges by Edward B. Fiske

​

Ignite Spot Accounting has a helpful glossary of financial aid terms on their website.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN OF MISSIONARIES:

The Christian Missionary Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships for children of full-time missionaries who are attending Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI), Dordt College (Sioux Center, IA), Hope College (Holland, MI), Kuyper College (Grand Rapids, MI), Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL), or Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).

Servant Care has a listing of scholarships, some specifically for missionary kids, some are general scholarship search websites on the "MK Scholarships/College Prep" tab.

Liberty University offers scholarships to children of full-time missionaries.

ISMK's website provides an education resource which can be downloaded and contains information on educational planning, planning for college, and transition issues.

Third Culture Kids International offers a variety of scholarships to TCKs who have been living overseas for a minimum of four years.

DMB Missionary Resources has produced a document with information on colleges that provide scholarships for the children of missionaries.

Scholarships.com includes a listing of scholarships for Christian students on their website.

ADDITIONAL COLLEGE FINANCE INFORMATION:

Reviews.com has researched many scholarship search platforms and provides an analysis of each and some helpful articles about applying for scholarships.

bottom of page