Parents

A Note From LinkYear Founder Adam Donyes

Hi Mom and Dad! 

I know the last thing you want to do is spend more money on school than you have to. But what if I told you the Link Year is perhaps the best investment you could possibly make for your child.

Our culture is prolonging adolescence, and as a result more and more students are taking longer and longer to get through college. We definitely don’t want to prolong their maturity any further, but rather teach them to manage their time, themselves, and their money.  I believe that after a year spent with us your student will be more focused, determined, and confident with the direction they are headed, and as a result they won’t dilly dally in college and waste your hard earned tuition dollars.  They will leave our program ready to impact college campuses, rather than college campuses negatively impacting them.

How do you know if this is a good fit for your child? Well if you can answer yes to any of the following questions I assure you that the Link Year is a great fit for them. Do you desire for them to have a Biblical foundation that won’t be shaken at college? Do you think they need to manage their time better? Do you feel they need a stronger accountability in their life? Would you like them to see what healthy community looks like? Do you desire to see them possess more confidence in what they believe? Do you want them to be a leader on their college campus?

Have you ever told your child something a million times and they just don’t seem to get it, and then all of sudden someone who isn’t Mom or Dad says the same thing one time and it registers right away? We want to be that positive second voice in your students’ life that will reinforce all the positive teaching they’ve received from you.

The Link Year staff and I would love to invest into your students life in the months to come. If I can help answer any questions or bless you in anyway please allow me to do so.

donyes@linkyear.com

Sincerely, Adam Donyes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Link Year?

The program year will be 9 months. However, we will encourage all of our students to consider applying what they have learned by interviewing to be on staff at Kanakuk Kamps for at least a month during the summer.

Why would my student benefit from the Link Year program before college?

We understand your questions. Especially in a society that assumes college immediately follows after High School. But we believe that a student who participates in the Link Year will be better prepared in their academic endeavors at college, and life’s challenges. Your teen will walk into college with more maturity, purpose and direction as opposed to indecision and confusion.

What does Link Year consist of?

The Link Year program includes a classroom setting where students will be taught by some of the world’s best, participate in mission field experiences, Bible studies, internship opportunities, retreats, and intense discipleship.

What are Link Year’s Biblical Beliefs?

 

These are the foundational truths of scripture that guide Kanakuk’s Link Year in its mission:

 

ONE TRUE GOD: Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 43:10 – 11 We believe the one true God has revealed Himself the eternally self-existent “I AM”, the creator of Heaven and Earth.

 

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: Colossians 1:15-22; I Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:18 We believe that Jesus Christ is the “Image of the invisible God” and that in Him “all deity dwells in bodily form.” We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His death on the cross as the substitutionary atonement for sin, His literal bodily resurrection from the dead, His present ministry of intercession in Heaven, and His personal future return to the earth.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT: John 14:16; Romans 8:14, 16; Ephesians 1:13; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13 We believe the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and regenerates, indwells, seals, sets apart, and empowers believers for service and for holy living and a holy life. We believe that “God is at work within us both to will and work to His good pleasure” and that “He will continue to perfect us until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

THE GODHEAD: Genesis 1:26; John 1:14, 15:26, 17:21; Ephesians 4:4-6 We believe in the unity and trinity of the Godhead existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. These three persons are One God having the same nature, attributes, and perfection.

 

MAN: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:22; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 9:27; Romans 5:12 We believe that man was created in the image of God but was separated from God by sin and shall be judged; And only through the Blood of Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

 

SALVATION: Ephesians 2:8-10; I Corinthians 15:3-4; John 1:12 We believe in salvation by grace, a free gift from God apart from works. Salvation comes through repentance, a turning from one’s own way to God’s way, and accepting Jesus Christ in personal faith.

 

THE SCRIPTURES: II Timothy 3:15, 16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21 We believe both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible to be the inerrant holy word of God, inspired in every part by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the revelation of God for the equipping of man and is the supreme and final authority for faith and life.

Does Link Year offer college credits?

Yes. Each student has the opportunity to earn 15 hours of transferrable credits through our partnership with JBU.

What classes will JBU offer?

 

ECN 2003 – Basic Economics (3 hrs) – An intro to the basic concepts of economics including microeconomics, macroeconomics, personal finance, economics ethics, and economic history.

 

PSY 1013 – Introductory Psychology (3 hrs) – A scientific study of the principles underlying human behavior. The student is introduced to the theory, research, and practice that characterize modern psychology.

 

COM 2523 – Public Speaking (3 hrs) – Students gain theoretical and applied knowledge of public speaking techniques. Speeches will include extemporaneous, impromptu, informative, persuasive, and rhetorical analysis.

 

ICS 2991,2993 – Study Abroad Experience (3 hrs) — A study of a particular non-U.S. region or culture that includes a minimum four-week immersion experience in that region or culture. Meets the Global Studies requirement of the Core Curriculum.

 

KIN 1002 – Wellness (2 hrs) — A practical study of fundamental health and fitness principles based upon the wellness model. Personal applications to the lifestyle of the individual are emphasized.

How much is Link Year's tuition?

Kanakuk Link Year Tuition/Room/Board is $6750 per semester.

1st Semester Tuition Due: August 15th

2nd Semester Tuition Due: December 15th

To receive 15 hours of college credit an additional $4965 is payable to John Brown University after acceptance into their program. All JBU inquiries should be dealt directly through JBU. Feel free to contact Mreddin@jbu.edu if you have further questions.

Most students will choose to participate in the full college credit program making the total Link Year investment $18,465. For full tuition payment, deposit and cancellation information download a complete application. Contact us for assistance with the Link Year application process and for more information. (417) 266-4279

If your students chooses to do the international option the payment dates are as follows:

Oct. 15th ($1,000 Deposit to secure seat on flight)

Dec. 15th (Remaning balance due)

 

*Remaining balance is subject to the cost of flights. Which can fluctuate from year to year.

Will Link Year students be able to apply for financial aid, scholarships, or grants?

Link Year students will be able to apply for all aid through JBU. The Link Year program itself offers limited scholarships. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship for Link Year you can do so here: Scholarship Application.

Who do I contact for payment information and account balances? Can I get a Tax-Deduction for Donating a Tuition Payment?

Please contact our accounting department at ar@kanakuk.com or please feel free to call 417-266-3233 for all financial inquiries.

"Tuition Payments. There have been numerous cases involving attempts to claim contribution for payments that effectively are tuition to a private school. Occasionally, the IRS has even asserted that the donors were guilty of criminal tax fraud. Probably any payment which has the result directly or indirectly of funding a specific person’s tuition will not be tax deductible (Rev. Rule 83-104). It does not matter that the donor is not related to the student." -ECFA 

If you desire to donate to Link Year and receive a tax-deduction please do so without specifiying an individual and we will allot scholarship monies to specific students.

What does the daily schedule consist of?

Monday:       9-Noon

                    (Mystery Mondays)

 

Tuesday:      8:00-11:45

                    (Class)

 

Wednesday: 8:00-11:45

                    (Class)

                    6-7:30

                    (Family Dinners)

                    8-9

                    (Fort Worship)

 

Thursday:   8:00-11:45

                   (Class)

 

Friday:         8-9

                   (Bible Study)

                    9-10

                   (Jonathan Groups)

                   10-11

                   (Accountability Groups)

Will the Link Year calendar be similar to other college calendars?

Yes. Link Year students will have Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Spring Break, and academic breaks while partaking in mission trips.

How many students will attend the Link Year?

Our enrollment can vary from 33-50 students.

What if my teen didn’t go to college but graduated over a year ago?

If he or she still meets the academic and age requirements, we will consider your student for acceptance.

Will the Link Year provide meals?

The Link Year meal plan consists of breakfast 5 days a week, lunch 4 days a week (Monday-Thursday), and dinner 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday).  On the weekend students will be required to feed themselves. Students will have access to a community refrigerator, freezer, and other appliances to prepare food. Students will not be allowed to have mini-fridges in their dormitories.

Will the Link Year have the same rules as Kanakuk?

We will hold to the same values and standard of excellence as we do at Kanakuk Kamps in the summer. However, students will be allowed cell phones, movies, and free nights and weekends. The students will not be completely sheltered. They will be treated similarly to college students in a private, Christian university setting.

What are some of the rules?

• Curfew is 11p.m. on weeknights and no curfew on Friday and Saturday.  

• No one is allowed to tour the dorms of the opposite gender at any time other than arrival and departure day. 

• Any substance such as alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or anything that alters your ability to control your body is strictly prohibited. This includes abuse of any prescribed medications or over the counter drugs.

• No sexual contact of any kind during the course of the entire year, on or off campus.

• To protect the commitment to purity and renewing the mind, students choose to set aside secular television and secular music, as well as refrain from watching rated R movies.

Who will monitor the students in the evening?

Each dormitory will have a Residential Advisor. The RA will be responsible to build relationships with Link Year students, encourage them in their academics, and hold them accountable to uphold their contract. The RA communicates to the students their responsibilities, assists in their development both socially and spiritually. It is the RA’s responsibility to represent the voice of our students.

Can parents/siblings visit students while at Link Year?

Yes. As a matter of fact we will have parent weekends where we will encourage the parents to come and participate in some of the activities we have planned. Other visits will be allowed as long as they are pre-approved with the Link Year Director.

Where will the mission trips take place?

See our trips page here: TRIPS

Will parents be allowed to come on the mission trips?

Yes. We will be taking a limited number of volunteer parents to help with the logistics of these trips. However, we encourage the parents to discuss with their students whether or not they are comfortable with their parents coming before volunteering.

Will a refund be available if a student decides this program is not for them or is dismissed for breaking the rules?

No, but if a student is dismissed during the 1st semester he or she will not be required to pay the 2nd semester tuition.

What type of relationship will the Link Year have with the Kanakuk Institute?

Although our students will be living on the same campus as graduate students our interaction with Institute students will be minimal. Link year students will not be permitted to date Institute students. The schedules and calendar between the Link Year and Institute will be teeter tottered so that both programs will have an opportunity to maximize the facilities.

Will parents have the opportunity to partner with the Link Year?

Absolutely! If you are interested in partnering with the Link Year please contact us at info@linkyear.com, or 417-266-4796. Whether you desire to serve with us on mission trips, scholarships, or teaching please feel free to present your requests.