FINANCIAL AID

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available only to a student who is a resident of South Carolina at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment.  Students must meet two of these criteria:  score 1100 on SAT (24 on ACT), have a GPA of at least 3.0, or ranking in upper 30% of graduating class.  Eligible students attending a private institution will receive up to $4,700 plus a $300 book allowance.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

Open only to graduates of a South Carolina high school, this state-funded scholarship is available up to $6,700 during the first year.  The amount increases to $7500 for the second year through the fourth year and is maintainable with satisfactory academic progress.  Recipients are chosen by the state.  Application details are available from high school guidance counselors.

HOPE Scholarship

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship created for eligible students attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.  The HOPE scholarship is available only to a student who is a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of enrollment.  Eligible students attending a private institution will receive up to $2,800 (including a $300 book allowance) during the first year of attendance only.  To qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, first-time entering freshmen must have a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

ChurchScholarship

Churches and districts can contribute toward assisting students with their college investment by submitting funds that can be applied to the student’s financial aid package.

Churches and districts are encouraged to continue to meet their EIF allocations in addition to any church matching and not substitute this program for the vital EIF allocation, which helps to support Christian higher education.

Campus Challenge (TNT) and WBB

Winners at the area and national levels of Campus Challenge (TNT) and WBB competition will be awarded scholarships equal to the amount won during their competition careers, not to exceed direct university costs.   Students must submit all original scholarship certificates prior to enrollment at Southern Wesleyan University.  The total certificate amount will be divided by eight for incoming freshmen students and applied proportionately to each academic semester of attendance.  The total certificate amount for transfer students will be divided by the number of semesters required to graduate and applied proportionately to each academic semester attendance.

Athletic Grants-in-Aid

Male or female students with outstanding athletic ability may be eligible for athletic grants-in-aid based on their participation in intercollegiate competition.  The director of athletics supervises the awarding of athletic grants.  Recipients are expected to apply for all federal aid for which they might be eligible. 

Student athletes sign a contract that stipulates conditions of acceptance of athletic grants-in-aid.  Violation of the contract may result in the inability to participate and possible loss of institutional financial aid.

A student athlete who has probationary offenses may have grant-in-aid money reinstated at the beginning of the following semester at an amount no higher than when the suspension occurred provided that the student bears the expenses for one semester at the university and meets all stipulations of the probationary period within the scheduled time frame.  The reinstatement of the grant-in-aid money is at the discretion of the particular sport coach, the athletic director, and the appropriate vice president.

This policy pertains only to academic and social probation after enrolling at Southern Wesleyan University.

Baccalaureate Degree Grant

Graduates of accredited four-year institutions may receive a 50% discount on regular course tuition.  Students are eligible only if a minimum of one year has elapsed from time of graduation to application for the post-baccalaureate degree tuition grant.  Special arrangement courses (tutorial, directed study, independent study, major honors, co-op courses, and private lessons) will be at regular tuition rates.  No other institutional aid is available to students with baccalaureate degrees.  However, in certain cases, loans may be available. Information is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID

Southern Wesleyan University participates in all federally-assisted programs for which its students establish eligibility by completing the Free Application Federal Student Aid Form.  Details are available from the Office of Financial Aid.  Please note that federal programs are subject to change.  These programs are only for citizens or permanent residents of the United States; but they are available for both the traditional and adult and graduate studies programs.  Students enrolled in the Adult and Graduate Studies program will be considered to be enrolled full time while taking coursework.  An academic year is defined as completing 24 credit hours and 45 weeks of instruction.  This enrollment status is for use in all Title IV and South Carolina Aid programs.

To be eligible for federal and state financial aid, a student must meet the following minimum guidelines:

·        Be eligible to enroll under the university’s academic policies.

·        Attain a cumulative grade point of 1.8 by the end of the freshman year and maintain a 2.0 average thereafter.  In determining eligibility, the cumulative grade point average will be calculated on all work attempted.

·        Complete 75% of the total credit hours attempted.  For each term, the number of

hours attempted is based on the total cumulative credit hours for which the student

was enrolled at the end of the drop period.  The number of hours earned is the

cumulative total of these hours for which the student received a passing grade, as

            noted on the academic transcript.

·        Complete the program of study in a timeframe not to exceed 150 percent of the

published length of the program (measured in credit hours).  For example, if the

            academic program length requires 128 hours, the maximum timeframe cannot

            exceed 192 credit hours attempted.

Information about the probationary period and the appeal process is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Institutional Verification Policy and Procedures

Applicants for financial aid must complete verification requirements as outlined in their financial aid packet.  The packet explains the verification process and how to complete the form enclosed for this purpose.  Only those students who have been identified by the federal government through its audit checks of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will be required to complete the verification process.

Applicants are given a 30-day time period to complete verification as outlined in the packet.  At the end of the 30-day period, a letter is sent asking for immediate response in order to extend the time period.  Extensions will be granted as requested in accordance with the situation.

If no response is received in one week, the file is considered inactive, and no Title IV funds will be awarded to the student until verification requirements are satisfied.

South CarolinaTuition Grant

South Carolina residents who attend Southern Wesleyan University may be eligible up to $3,200 per year in tuition aid.  The specific amount of aid is determined by the state each year.  Southern Wesleyan University students who have been legal residents of South Carolina for at least one year must submit the Free Application for FSA so that it may be electronically submitted and received by the state by June 30 to determine eligibility.  Incoming freshmen must have an SAT score of 900 or higher or be in the upper 75% of graduating class.  Returning students must file the FAFSA and make satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for continuing grants.

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Government provides individual grants of up to $4,310 per year, based on family need, for educational expenses.  Application forms (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) may be obtained through high school guidance counselors or university aid officers.  Southern Wesleyan University requires that all applicants for financial aid apply for all federal financial aid for which they might be eligible.  For additional information, go to: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALS WebApp/Students/english/PellGrants.jsp.

Federal Supplemental Educational OpportunityGrants (SEOG)

The university administers this federally-funded program of financial assistance to needy students.  The director of financial aid maintains responsibility to administer the application of Federal SEOG funds, under guidelines approved by the Enrollment Management Committee.  For additional information, go to: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALS WebApp/Students/english/FSEOG.jsp.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

This federally funded grant will provide up to $750 for the first year undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are a U.S. citizen, are receiving the Federal Pell Grant and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program.  Second year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0.  (Additional eligibility requirements are necessary.)   For additional information, go to:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALS WebApp/Students/english/NewPrograms.jsp.

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

This federally funded grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are a U.S. citizen, are receiving the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.  Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 in coursework required to the major.  (Additional eligibility requirements are necessary.)   For additional information, go to:http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALS WebApp/Students/english/NewPrograms.jsp.

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