Financial Aid

General Information

Southern Wesleyan University 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 institutional financial aid. Details are available in the Office of Financial Aid. Also, certain kinds of federal aid are available to those who are registered as a part-time student.

Institutional aid is limited to a maximum of 120 hours of undergraduate, graduation-credit work attempted. Developmental, pre-college-level 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.

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

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) (www.fafsa.gov)

After receiving notice of an award, the student should contact the Southern Wesleyan University 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 of undergraduate credit hours at Southern Wesleyan University. 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 Southern Wesleyan University 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:

• 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: Southern Wesleyan University Scholarship or Grant and Athletic Grants

In no case will the total financial aid package exceed direct on-campus expenses. See the website for complete information.

Church Scholarship

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. An amount of $500 or less will be applied to the first academic year rather than split evenly among remaining semesters.  An amount of $500 or less will be applied to the first academic year rather than 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 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 up to a 50% discount on regular course tuition. Students will be considered only if a minimum of one year has elapsed from time of graduation to 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 eligbile.  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.  (Updates to the WMDG begin in Fall 2016.)

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 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 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 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 1.6 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. For SWU Online, the GPA standard is 1.8 by the end of the freshman year and maintain a 2.0 GPA thereafter.
• Complete 67% 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 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

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.

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 Carolina 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), 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

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 $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 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 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 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 2.00 on the South Carolina UGP as evidenced on the student’s final high-school transcript. Returning students must make satisfactory academic progress and earn 24 hours yearly (based on full-time enrollment).

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Government provides individual grants, based on family need, for educational expenses. Students should access www.fafsa.gov to apply for all forms of federal aid. A dependent student and one parent will be required to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. 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.

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, go to: http://studentaid.ed.gov.

Federal Direct Loans

Students enrolled in the university may borrow up to $5,500 per year ($6,500 for sophomore year and $7,500 for junior and 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.

Federal Perkins Loans (NDSL)

Up to $27,500 ($5,500 per year) may be borrowed by eligible students through the university. The repayment of the principal plus 5% interest begins nine months after termination of enrollment and may be spread over ten years at a minimum of $40 per month. Funds are awarded based on availability, time of applications, and financial need.

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, 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.

Special Programs

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