<p>I think the OP is in a no win situation. Is the OP in the same church as her nieces and the parents aren’t? I really don’t see how giving gift cards is much different than giving cash and the parents might not approve of this either. It seems like most people are saying don’t send the nieces money. What if the situation were reversed? What if the nieces wanted to attend MIT and the parents were insisting that they go to “unaccredited bible college” and the aunt’s money could help them remain at MIT? Would people say they should attend the bible college? I definitely would not help a relative with tuition for any unaccredited college. Would I help them with expenses such as ticket home paid directly to the airline? Probably.</p>