Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Annual Alumni Offering? Every year when we meet at Prasanthi Nilayam on January 1st for our annual meet, we have the wonderful opportunity to make an offering to the Sai Trusts. Alumni living in North America have been involved in this offering for more than a decade now.

Which are the Sai Trusts where I can make this offering? Alumni have the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to participate in a collective offering to the two Sri Sathya Sai Trusts in Prasanthi Nilayam:

  • SRI SATHYA SAI INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING TRUST

  • SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST

What is a corpus fund? The Corpus fund is not distinct/unique to our Institute. It exists for every institution, especially every educational institution. This is a fund where contributions are received for the purpose of investments. The earnings from the investment are used to meet the operational expenses of the institute. The purpose for which the corpus fund can be used is strictly adhered to. The Indian Trust Act establishes the nature of investments where the amount of corpus fund can be invested in. The investment is driven by the SLR principle (Safety Liquidity Return in that order of priority).

The Corpus Fund of the University is the Fund that forms the base for the maintenance and developmental expenditure of the University. The Corpus fund in itself is left untouched and keeps growing year after year with contributions from alumni, devotees, and well-wishers. The interest earned from the Corpus is used towards the following activities:

Meeting the annual recurring expenditure of the University apart from staff emoluments. For infrastructural development and growth.

What is the SSSIHL Alumni Foundation? SSSIHL Alumni Foundation is an official Alumni foundation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for alumni based in the United States. It is an 501(c)(3) Non Proft Organization

How does the process work when contributing via the SSSIHL Alumni Foundation? Please make the offering to the Sai Trusts via a check or online payment to the “SSSIHL Alumni Foundation“. Before the Alumni Meet on January 1st, the SSSIHL Alumni Foundation will wire to the Sai Trusts for the total amount contributed by the alumni. Also, they will give the list of names who contributed via this option and will send a receipt to each of the alumni who contributed.

What are the different categories available to offer to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning?

  • Unrestricted Fund
  • Corpus Fund
  • Endowment Fund
  • Institute Priorities – Center of Excellence – Mathematical Biology
  • Institute Priorities – Center of Excellence – Actuarial
  • Student Aid – Scholarships, College Hostel Fees

What do the different options mean?

  • Unrestricted Funds -no limit in the use of funds to work in a specific field or purpose. Ex: Purchase of technology, cash in hand, Foundation expenses, etc. (can be used for any required cause)
  • Corpus Funds are Capital funds and only interest on these funds are used freely for any purpose.
  • Endowment Funds are also Capital funds, but interest on these funds is used for specific purposes.
  • Institute Priorities– funds will be used for specific department requirements, the current focus is on establishing and maintaining the Center of Excellence.
  • Student Aid – funds are used for Current Students who need Financial Aid.

When will I get the receipt for tax exemption when I contribute via the SSSIHL Alumni Foundation? You will get the receipt by the end of December.

Can I get a tax benefit if I contribute directly to the Sai Trusts? No, it is not possible to get a tax benefit in the USA if you contribute directly to the Sai Trusts.

If I am not a resident of the USA, can I get the tax exemption via the SSSIHL Alumni Foundation? No, this is available to only those who reside in the USA.

How can I make my offering to the schools or Sai General Hospital or Super Speciality Hospitals? Donations to Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust are being accepted for the purposes of

  • Relief to Poor

  • Medical Relief

  • Education

  • General Public Utility

I live in Canada / Mexico, how can I participate in the United Annual Alumni offering?

  • Due to the recent changes in sending Foreign currency to India, which require passport copies etc., feel free to make your checks payable to SSSIHL Alumni Foundation and mail them to the US Address. We’ll include it in the combined check. Though you will not get the benefit of Tax Exemption, this option will save you the trouble of providing additional documentation

Can I take advantage of my Employer’s matching contribution? Yes everyone is encouraged to participate through Employers matching contributions. Currently, the SSSIHL Alumni Foundation is registered with Benevity, YourCause, and CyberGrant

I have a question which is not part of the above FAQ. Whom can I contact?

Please reach out to offering@saistudent.org