Federal and State Aid

Southern Wesleyan University has developed a well-rounded program of financial aid to assist students in their quest for a college education. Each student is given personal consideration, and an attempt is made to fit the financial aid package to the student's need.

Financial aid consists of two basic types: institutional aid and government aid. To be eligible for any type of institutional aid, a student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours of credit. (Some federal aid is available to those registered for less than a full load.) Institutional aid is limited to a maximum of 128 hours of graduation-credit work attempted; developmental courses give institutional (non-graduation) credit only and may be covered on a one-time basis, as well.

In government-funded student aid programs, adjustments will be made to comply with any new regulations.

To apply for financial aid, a student must complete the following as soon after January 1 as possible:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Verification worksheet

After receiving notice of an award, the student should contact the SWU Financial Aid Office. If more assistance is needed, there might be other possibilities.

Federal and State Financial Aid

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.

The federal Pell Grant is the largest federally funded student financial aid grant program. It serves as the foundation upon which all other undergraduate aid is awarded. Typically, it is available only to undergraduate students who have not earned a baccalaureate degree. Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined according to federal law and is based on the financial information you and your family provided on your FASFA.
You are notified of your possible eligibility to receive a federal Pell Grant via the Student Aid Report (SAR). The financial aid office will receive this information directly from the federal processor and determine the amount of your federal Pell Grant. You should carefully review the information on your SAR and, if it is correct, keep it for your records. If you discover mistakes, follow the instructions and submit corrections as soon as possible.
If you or your family experiences a major change in your financial situation after your Pell Grant eligibility has been determined, you should notify the financial aid office immediately. A counselor will be able to determine if you qualify for an adjustment of your Pell Grant award and/or other financial aid.
For additional information on Federal Pell grants, click here.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (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 on SEOG, click here.

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 inofrmation on the Academic Competitiveness Grant (AGC), click here.

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 about the National SMART Grant, click here.

TEACH Grant Program
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. If, after reading all of the information on this fact sheet, you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant Program, you should contact the financial aid office at the college where you will be enrolled starting with the 2008-2009 school year.
Click here for more information about the TEACH grant program.

State Financial Aid

South Carolina Tuition 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 percent of their graduating class. Returning students must file the FAFSA and make satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for continuing grants.

LIFE Scholarship
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 percent 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 S.C. HOPE Scholarship, first-time entering freshmen must have a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

SC Teachers Loan
Up to $5000 per year. S.C. resident majoring in education and meeting specific
requirements. Contact SWU Financial Aid Office. Should apply by April 1.
Click here for more information about the SC Teachers Loan.

Contact Information for the FSA Student Loan Ombudsman's Office

E-mail: fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov
on-line assistance: http://www.ombudsman.ed.gov/

Telephone:
877-557-2575 (toll free)
202-377-3800
202-275-0549 fax Mail:
U.S. Department of Education
FSA Ombudsman
830 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C 20202-5144