Financial Aid

General Information

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) offers financial aid to assist students in their quest for a college education. Each student is given personal consideration, and every attempt is made to fit the financial-aid package to the student’s need.

In most cases, a student is eligible for institutional financial aid only if he/she is degree-seeking and enrolled for at least 12 semester hours of credit. Under certain conditions, a part-time degree-seeking student in the last semester of attendance before graduation may be eligible for pro-rated state and institutional financial aid. Details are available in the Office of Financial Aid. Also, certain kinds of federal aid are available to those who are enrolled as a part-time student.

Institutional aid is limited to 120 undergraduate, degree-seekling credit hours earned or four academic years, whichever comes first. Developmental, pre-college-level courses give institutional (non-degree) credit only and may be covered on a one-time basis.

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

At the time of enrollment, an admitted applicant not having a Financial Aid assessment is required to pay twenty-five percent of university charges for the enrolling semester.

To apply for financial aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (www.studentaid.gov) as soon after October 1 as possible.

After receiving notice of a financial aid assessment, the student should contact the SWU Office of Financial Aid if more assistance is needed. Other possibilities may be available.

Institutional Financial Aid

Institutional financial aid is given by the university as an investment in the education and lives of qualified students in the On-Campus program. These scholarships, service awards, and grants are limited to full-time students and are generally limited to 120 SWU undergraduate, degree-seekling credit hours earned or four academic years, whichever comes first. However, any full-time student whose program requirements for the completion of one degree (not the addition of a major, other certifications, or an additional degree) cannot be completed in four years may apply for additional institutional aid. Applications for such an exception must be made to the director of financial aid.

A part-time student in the last semester of study before graduation may be eligible for some financial aid. Details are available in the SWU Office of Financial Aid.

Institutional aid can be used only for direct, on-campus expenses, which include tuition, room and board, academic fees, and activity fees.

The following process is used to apply financial aid to students’ costs:

• First, all federal grants and scholarships, state grants & scholarships, outside scholarships, and church scholarships are packaged.
• If this package does not meet direct, on-campus expenses, institutional aid will be applied in the following order: SWU Church Matching Scholarship, other SWU scholarships and grants, SWU Athletic or Music Scholarships, SWU Academic Scholarships or Grants, SWU Wesleyan Ministers Dependent Grant.

In no case will the total grants and scholarships financial aid exceed direct on-campus expenses. See the website for more information.

Church Scholarship

Churches and districts can assist 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. The total scholarship amount will be divided by eight for incoming freshmen students and applied proportionately to each academic semester of attendance.  The total scholarship amount for transfer students will be divided by the number of semesters required to graduate and applied proportionately to each academic semester of attendance.  An amount of $500 or less will be applied to the first academic year rather than be split evenly among remaining semesters.

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 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 up to a 50% discount on regular course tuition. Students will be considered only if at least one year has elapsed from time of graduation to time of application for the post-baccalaureate degree tuition grant. Any source(s) of educational assistance you receive will be considered and may impact your institutional scholarship. 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.

Wesleyan Ministers Dependent Grant

Wesleyan Ministers Dependent Grant (WMDG) is awarded to dependent students of licensed or ordained Wesleyan ministers who are considered full-time by their district or actively serving career Wesleyan missionaries who are appointed by Global Partners.  WMDG covers 50% of tuition costs during the fall and spring semesters.  Up to 100% of tuition costs may be covered through the combination of other institutional aid and South Carolina Tuition Grants (SC residents only) for which a student may be eligible.  If eligible, federal grants, state scholarships, and civic organization awards may be applied toward the cost of room and board and other institutional fees, not to exceed direct university charges.

The parent must remain as appointed and at full-time status at the time of the student’s university acceptance and matriculation.  If the student gets married prior to the start of the academic year, the WMDG is no longer applicable.

Active Duty Military

Southern Wesleyan University offers tuition discounts to active duty military personnel and their spouses who are enrolled in SWU Online. This includes active drilling National Guardsmen and Reservists who have served in combat as evidenced by a letter from the student’s commander, stating completion of active service in combat. The Military Discount is considered Institutional Aid. A student will not be eligible to receive the Military Discount if the combination of any grant, Institutional Aid and/or any governmental military benefits exceeds the cost of a course. Please contact the Student Accounts Office to be considered for this discount.

Note: Spouses of National Guard or Reservists do not qualify for discount.

Federal and State Financial Aid

Southern Wesleyan University participates in all federal aid programs for which students may apply by completing the Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. Details are available from the Office of Financial Aid. Please note 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 On-Campus and SWU Online programs. 

To be eligible for federal 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 1.6 by the end of the freshman year and a 1.8 by the end of the sophomore year and maintain a 2.0 average thereafter. In determining eligibility, the cumulative grade point average will be calculated on all work attempted.  If a student fails to meet these criteria at the end of a term, the student will be put on financial aid warning for the next term.  After two consecutive terms of not meeting these criteria, the student will be put on financial aid ineligiblity and is no longer eligible for federal financial aid.  Extenuating circumstances may be appealable.  Contact the Office of Financial Aid for appeal information.
• Complete 67% of the total credit hours attempted. For each term, the number of hours attempted is based on the total cumulative credit hours in which the student was enrolled at the end of the drop period. The number of hours earned is the cumulative total of hours with a passing grade, as noted on the academic transcript.  If a student fails to meet these criteria at the end of a term, the student will be put on finacial aid warning for the next term.  After two consecutive terms of not meeting these criteria, the student will be put on financial aid ineligibilty and is no longer eligible for federal financial aid.  Extenuating circumstances may be appealable.  Contact the Office of Financial Aid for appeal information.
• Complete the program of study in a time frame not to exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program (measured in credit hours). For example, if the academic program length requires 120 hours, the maximum time frame cannot exceed 180 credit hours attempted.

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

Verification Policy and Procedures

FAFSAs are randomly selected by the U.S. Department of Education for verification.  Verification selection requires institutions to collect paperwork to verify information listed on the FAFSA.  If selected for verification, SWU will request that students submit a Verification Worksheet to verify household count, number in household enrolled in college, and filing status.  Additionally, an IRS tax return transcript for parents(s) and the student will be requested to verify income on the FAFSA.

In accordance with federal aid regulations, federal aid will not be disbursed to a student’s account until verification is completed.

South Carolina LIFE Scholarship

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available only to a full-time 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), and/or graduate with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0, and/or a final ranking in the top 30% of graduating class. Eligible students may receive up to $5,000.00. See the website for complete information.

South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available only to a full-time student who is a resident of South Carolina at the time of high-school graduation and at the time of college enrollment. Eligible students receive up to $6,700 during the first year. The amount increases to $7,500 for the second year through the fourth year and is renewable. Application details are available from high-school guidance counselors. See the website for complete information.

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship created for 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 full-time student who is a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of enrollment. Eligible students may receive up to $2800 for the freshman year only. To qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, first-time entering freshmen must have graduated with a minimum 3.0 GPA. See the website for complete information.

South Carolina Tuition Grant

South Carolina residents who attend Southern Wesleyan University full-time may be eligible to receive a South Carolina Tuition Grant. Funds are appropriated yearly by the SC Legislature. SC residents who have been legal residents for at least one year must submit the FAFSA by June 30 each year. Incoming freshmen must graduate in the top 75% of their high school (based on South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy [UGP]) class OR score a minimum 900 on the SAT (critical reading and math sections only) OR score an ACT composite minimum 19 OR graduate form a South Carolina high school with at least a final GPA of 2.70 on the South Carolina UGP as evidenced on the student’s final high-school transcript. Returning students must meet federal satisfactory academic progress (see bulleted list above in paragraph two under Federal and State Finacial Aid) in order to receive the South Carolina Tuition Grant.

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Government provides individual grants, based on family need, for educational expenses. Students should access www.studentaid.gov to apply for all forms of federal aid. The student and, one parent if dependent, will be required to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID before completing any federal aid applications or documentation. Southern Wesleyan University requires all students who seek financial assistance to apply for all federal financial aid for which they might be eligible. For additional information, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

SWU administers this federally funded assistance program to needy students (must be Pell Grant eligible). The director of financial aid is responsible for administering the application of Federal SEOG funds in compliance with federal aid regulations. For additional information, go to: https://studentaid.ed.gov.

Federal Direct Loans

Enrolled students may borrow up to $5,500 per year ($6,500 for sophomore year and $7,500 for junior/senior years). Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. You may access https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/interest-rates for information on current interest rates.

Work-Study Programs

Federal Work-Study (FWS) and regular work programs are designed to provide work for students with financial need. A variety of other on-campus employment (non-Federal) is available with minimum wage as the base rate.

ROTC (Army and Air Force) Grants

Students enrolled in the Clemson University ROTC program are eligible to apply for 1-4 year grants, covering full tuition, fees, books, and a subsistence allowance of $200 per month. Additional information may be obtained from the high-school guidance counselor or from the Southern Wesleyan University Cooperative Program Coordinator.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Many companies offer reimbursement towards higher educational costs to their employees. Contact the HR Department of your employer to inquire if your company participates.

Veterans’ Benefits

Certain armed forces veterans and dependents, who qualify under Federal laws administered by the Veterans’ Administration, are eligible to receive educational benefits. Information about these programs is available through state or county V.A. offices, from SWU’s Warrior’s Care Center, or from the Office of Academic Records. Funding is available to eligible, active military students. SWU participates in all educational offerings for our Veterans and is a Yellow Ribbon participant.

Veteran’s Benefits are considered a grant/scholarship for financial aid purposes. For that reason, total Veteran’s Benefits, in combination with other grants and scholarships, cannot exceed direct university charges for tuition, fees, room and board. In the event that Veteran’s Benefits plus other grants and scholarships exceed the student’s direct cost, other institutional aid will be reduced so as not to exceed direct cost.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Southern Wesleyan University adopts the following provisions for students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (CH. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.  Southern Wesleyan University will not:

• prevent the student’s enrollment;
• assess a late penalty fee;
• require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• deny the student’s access to any resources that are available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fees payment obligation.

To qualify for this provision, Ch. 33 students must provide the VA Benefits Administrator in the Office of Academic Records with a Certificate of Eligibility, and Ch. 31 students must have an authorization submitted by their caseworker. 

Special Programs

Students eligible for assistance under State Vocational Rehabilitation programs should check with the Office of Financial Aid for details.