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Learn


“Learn,” Education for Better Work (2014), 59–64

“Learn,” Education for Better Work, 59–64

Learn

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Should I apply for a Perpetual Education Fund loan?

Time:Set the timer to 30 minutes for the Learn section.

Read:We have considered ways to pay for our education. One option is a Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) loan.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

What type of work will help me become self-reliant?

What education will qualify me for my work?

How will I pay for my education?

Should I apply for a Perpetual Education Fund loan?

How will I succeed in the classroom?

How will I succeed outside the classroom?

Read:This week, we will find answers to the following question and we will take the following action:

Read:QUESTION OF THE WEEK—Should I apply for a Perpetual Education Fund loan?

ACTION OF THE WEEK—Decide with my family whether or not I will apply for a PEF loan. If a PEF loan is right for me, I will complete the loan application.

What is a Perpetual Education Fund loan?

“What is a PEF Loan?” (No video? Read page 68.)

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President Gordon B. Hinckley
Discuss:

What thoughts or feelings did you have during the video?

Practice:Gather into teams of two or three. Take turns reading the following statements made by President Gordon B. Hinckley about those who receive PEF loans.

Discuss:Which promises above are important to you? How could life be different for you and your family if these promises were fulfilled?

Who may receive a PEF loan?

Read:Previously, PEF loans were only available to returned missionaries ages 18 to 30. Now they are available to all qualified Church members ages 18 and older. Let’s explore the requirements. (Exceptions to these requirements may be approved by priesthood leaders to meet unusual needs.)

Practice:Turn your chairs to face another group member. Together, read the requirements on the left in the box below. Then draw a line to the words on the right that fill in the blanks. One example is shown.

PEF LOAN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE:

Active members of the Church who serve in a .

institute

Endorsed by their priesthood leaders as worthy, in need of financial assistance, and dedicated to achieving their goals.

18 or older

Ages .

calling

Studying in a program and school that is .

Education for Better Work

Prepared by participating in an group and completing the PEF loan plan.

temple

Living, working, and attending local schools in areas where .

on the Preferred Schools and Programs List

Committed to integrity and self-reliance by .

mentor

Partnered with a , who helps participants succeed with school, work, and loan repayments.

PEF loans are approved

Attending , if a young single adult.

fully repaying the loan

Please refer to page 69 for help understanding the requirements.

How does a PEF loan work?

Discuss:Briefly read the local PEF pamphlet, which includes PEF loan guidelines for your area. What do you learn?

Read:When we perform well, we can receive a reduction in our loan payments. The total loan amount that is due can be reduced when we (1) get good grades, (2) graduate, (3) meet our employment goal, and (4) make loan payments on time. If we do these things, we earn credit for our good performance, and the amount we owe is reduced.

For more information on PEF loans, see page 70. Carefully read this information again at home. You may also contact a self-reliance center with questions.

Discuss:Do you have other questions that the group can help answer?

How do I apply?

Read:The following are steps to apply for a PEF loan. Get with a partner and learn about the information you will need for each step. Turn to the page listed for each step and take turns reading (but do not fill out the information on the other pages). Then return to this page and put a check mark in the box for that step.

Discuss:Do you have all the information you need to complete the steps? If not, how can you get it?

What happens after I apply?

Read:After we complete the application, here is what happens.

1 You submit an application

2 PEF staff and leaders review application

3 If application is approved, you accept loan agreement on the PEF website

4 PEF specialist interviews you by phone and interviews your mentor by phone

5 You register for school and request that the school be paid

Discuss:Are there any questions? If you do not know the answers, visit the nearest self-reliance center.

After the meeting, if your facilitator has access to the Internet, he or she may open the PEF loan application website and demonstrate how to use it.

How do I make a payment?

Read:A PEF loan is not a gift and we are expected to pay it back. We commit to pay it back. We make this commitment during our PEF loan endorsement interview with our priesthood leader and when we complete the application online.

Our PEF loan repayments provide money for others to receive a PEF loan in the future, including members of our stake or district. If we do not repay, there is less money for future PEF loans.

Read the quote to the right.

Discuss:Why is repaying the PEF loan important? Consider these reasons:

  • Honor commitments and increase the ability to keep covenants.

  • Provide others the same opportunity to receive a loan.

  • Receive the promised blessings for yourself and your family.

  • Increase your faith in Jesus Christ and become self-reliant.

Read:To make sure we know how to make loan payments, we must make our first loan payment before our school can receive money.

Note to facilitator: Hand out payment instructions for your country.

Together, briefly review the payment instructions for your country.

What will it take to succeed with a PEF loan?

“I Have Two Hands to Work” (No video? Read page 78.)

Discuss:Choose one word to describe what you felt in this video. Share your word.

From what you know now, will you choose to apply for a PEF loan? What can you do during the week to make a good decision about this option?

Read:As we progress, we are not alone. Let’s remember: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

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