2011-2012 Forms

On-Line Financial Aid Applications 2011-2012

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Southwestern Adventist University Financial Aid Application (Main Campus)

Southwestern Adventist University Financial Aid Application (Adult Degree Program)

Verification 2011-2012

Verification Worksheet, Dependent

Verification Worksheet, Independent

Verification of Income, Parent

Verification of Income, Student

Interest Income

Clergy/Military Untaxed Housing

Aid Adjustment Forms 2011-2012

Special Circumstances

Expected Year Income, Dependent

Expected Year Income, Independent

Loan Forms 2011-2012

Loan Change Form

Parent PLUS Loan Application Process

Parent PLUS Loan Funds Request

Other Forms & Documents 2011-2012

Texas State Residency Form

How to Apply

Financial Information

Mail or fax forms to:

Student Financial Services
Southwestern Adventist University
100 W Hillcrest St.
Keene, TX 76059
Fax: 817-202-6751

Students who apply for federal/state aid are automatically considered for all available scholarships, grants, and other “gift” aid for which they are eligible.  Students who indicate that they will be working on campus will be considered for the federal/state work study programs.  Students who submit their FAFSA before the application priority date of March 15 will receive the maximum grant money for which they are eligible. 

Eligibility for the following programs is based upon receipt and evaluation of the result of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

$609 to $5,350

This is a federally funded grant available to undergraduate students enrolled in a program leading to a degree.  The actual award for each student is determined by the U.S. Department of Education through evaluation of the FAFSA application. 

FED. SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT

(SEOG)

$100 to $2,000

This grant is funded through a combination of federal and university funds and is dependent on funding levels approved by the federal government.     

TEACH GRANT

$4,000

This is a non-need based program that provides up to $4,000 per year to students enrolled in an eligible program and who agree to teach as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field, at a low-income elementary or secondary school for at least 4 years within 8 years of completing the  program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded.  Failure to complete the required teaching service results in conversion of the TEACH Grant to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accruing from the date the grant was disbursed.  Applicants must complete a FAFSA, sign an Agreement to Serve, and be completing coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching.  A minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA is required.  Southwestern awards this grant only to students who have been accepted to the Education Program.

TEXAS “TUITION EQUALIZATION GRANT”

(TEG)

$200 – $5,712

The state of Texas has established a program to help equalize tuition between state-sponsored institutions and independent universities.  To qualify for this program a student must establish eligibility through the FAFSA, be a Texas resident, not be a recipient of an athletic scholarship, and not be enrolled in a theological degree program.  A student must be enrolled three-quarter time and by the time of their second renewal obtain a 2.5 GPA and complete 24 credit hours each year.   

LEVERAGING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP

(LEAP)

$100 to $1,300   

These federal funds match TEG funds and have the same eligibility requirements as for TEG.

SLEAP GRANT

Up to $1,786

SLEAP grants are federal funds that match state TEG.  Eligibility requirements are the same as for TEG.

Freshman Awards

$500 to $6,000

A freshman student may qualify for one award from this category.  To receive this award, a student must be enrolled for 12 or more credit hours each semester.

*Reflects an additional $1,000 credited to tuition costs if the student lives in the residence hall. 

These awards are determined through a combination of the senior mid-year high school cumulative GPA + SAT (Critical Reading and Math only)/ACT scores.  The high school GPA is multiplied by 12.5.  The ACT is multiplied by 1.4 or the SAT is divided by 32.  The sum of the GPA and Test Score calculation is a score that determines the award:  Trustee Award 85-100; Presidential Award 75-84.9; Achievement  Award 65-74.9

Students who received their first award before the 2010-2011 academic year can receive a renewal scholarship for three years by continuing full-time enrollment and maintaining a 2.0 GPA.

Students who receive their first award during or after the 2010-2011 academic year can receive a renewal scholarship for three years provided they meet these criteria.  Students must have at least one semester during consecutive fall and spring semesters with the following  GPA’s:

• 3.5 or greater for the Trustee  award
• 3.0 or greater for the Presidential Award 
• 2.5 or greater for the Achievement Award  

Students increase their renewal scholarships by improving their GPA.  The scholarship increases to the next higher scholarship level  when the student:

1. Reaches the minimum GPA requirement of a higher scholarship during consecutive fall and spring semesters in a single academic year, and
2. Completes 12 or more hours of course work each of these two semesters.

Likewise, if a student has consecutive fall and spring semesters in an academic year below the expected minimum, the student will drop to the next lower scholarship.

Students who begin attending Southwestern in their first year of college but did not earn a scholarship for their freshman year, have a second chance for a scholarship based on their college GPA following the guidelines stated above.

A break in residency to attend another college will affect the renewal of these scholarships.

Gold and Silver Awards

$400 to $600

Students who have completed 75+ hours of college credit at the end of the fall semester with a GPA of 3.90+ will receive a Gold Award of $600.  Students who have completed 75+ hours of college credit with a GPA of 3.70 to 3.89 will receive a Silver Award of $400.  Recipients of these awards must be currently enrolled in at least 12 hours for spring semester and must have earned (in residence) a minimum of 12 hours of credit in the fall.  Students who have been under citizenship probation any time during the school year automatically forfeit all eligibility for this award.  This award is given to returning students during the following academic year.

Southwestern Scholars Award

The Southwestern Scholars Award is given to students who achieve the level of Finalist, Semi-finalist, or commended Scholar in the National Merit Qualifying Test.  Students must take the Pre-SAT test their junior year and the SAT test their senior year to qualify.  Selection is determined by SAT officials.

Students may also qualify by scoring at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT (a sum of the ACT skill area scores totaling 132 or greater or a composite SAT verbal and math score of 1550).  Test scores must be from a single national test date.

This scholarship is renewable if the student maintains a 3.5 cumulative GPA and enrolls for 12 or more hours each semester.  Transfer students who were recognized by the National Merit organization as a Semi-finalist or Finalist and who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA are also eligible for this award.  These awards are determined after all grant money and/or assistance is applied for and received.  Students who qualify for both the Freshman Award and the Southwestern Scholars Awards, receive the higher of the two.

Transfer Scholarship

$1,500 to $4,000

A transfer student with at least 24 cumulative college credits from other colleges may qualify for one of the following scholarships:

$4,000 if cumulative GPA from prior colleges is 3.75+
$3,000 if cumulative GPA from prior colleges is 3.50-3.74
$1,500 if cumulative GPA from prior colleges is 3.00-3.49

All official transcripts from previously attended colleges must be on file with Southwestern before this scholarship will be awarded.  To receive this scholarship, a student must be enrolled for 12 or more credit hours each semester.  This scholarship is renewable for two years for students transferring 24-55 credits, and one year for students transferring 56-89 credits.  The scholarship is not renewable for students transferring 90+ credits.  This scholarship is renewable only for students who are in a good scholastic standing, who maintain a commendable citizenship record.

4-Way Match Scholarship

$500 from each source

A 4-Way Scholarship allows a student’s family, church or a concerned person, and Southwestern Adventist University scholarship funds to assist with payment of the Southwestern student account.  The student must contribute 500 in earnings during the semester, whether from on campus employment, or from an off campus job.  It is also the responsibility of the student to obtain a commitment from two different sources.  Thus, earnings of $500 and contributions of $500 each from two different sources may be matched by $500 from the university.  While $500 is the maximum award, smaller 4-Way donations can also be matched.

It is important to note that application for these funds does not mean automatic approval of the Southwestern matching portion.  This match is put on the student’s account after the student’s final payday each semester, and is subject to the following criteria:  a) application and acceptance for federal/state grants and loans, b) contribution of $500 in earnings from student employment, c) unmet need by the federal aid calculation and d) unmet expenses after all other aid and student earnings.  A student who has a private residence hall room, has excessive miscellaneous charges such as fines, or receives educational allowance is not eligible to receive a 4-Way Scholarship match.  To receive the Southwestern match, all contributions (including student earnings of $500) must be received by December 1 for fall semester and April 1 for spring semester.

Callicott Scholarship

The Callicott Scholarship is available to students who may need assistance after federal state, and institutional aid.  Applicants must be working, placing earnings on their accounts, have applied for federal grants and loans for which they are eligible, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0.  This scholarship is awarded late in the semester.

Pechero Scholarship

$300 to $1,000 matched by Southwestern funds

The Pechero scholarship is need-based, and offered to residents of the following Texas counties:  Bee, Bexar, Calhoun, Cameron, Galveston, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Nueces and Willacy.  A limited number of these scholarships are available, and applicants will be individually evaluated as to eligibility.  The evaluation takes into consideration application for and acceptance of federal/state grants and loans, expected student earnings and academic standing.  Applications may be obtained by contacting Student Financial Services.  All awards for an academic year will be determined before the beginning of each fall semester.  Students may receive this award for up to four years.  Application is required each year.

Student Missionary & Task Force Worker Scholarship

$1,200

Southwestern awards scholarships to students who successfully complete a full term of service no shorter than 8 months in an approved student missionary or task force program.  These awards are evenly divided over the two semesters of the school year immediately following the return of the student missionary or task force worker.

Summer Ministries Scholarship

Up to $2,000

Southwestern students who work between school years in a summer ministries program (such as at a summer camp or as a literature evangelist) will receive a scholarship worth 75% of whatever portion of their net earnings they apply to their account, up to $2,000.  The student’s earnings are applied to the fall semester and the Southwestern match is applied to the spring semester.  If the student does not return for the second semester, this scholarship is forfeited.  This scholarship does not include PBS students.  To receive the full scholarship, a student must be enrolled for 12 or more credit hours in the semester.  This scholarship will be awarded only in the academic year immediately following the summer work.

Summer Tuition Scholarship

The Summer Tuition Scholarship benefits students who attend Southwestern for the first time during a summer session.  The scholarship will be awarded for the fall semester immediately following the enrollment and will be equal to the amount of tuition paid for one summer class.

Summer Work Scholarship

Students who pay rent for campus housing during the summer and work a prescribed number of hours at a campus job, may be eligible for a scholarship the following year.  Applications are available at Student Financial Services.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Scholarship

$3,051

Students who take 12 or more credit hours of English as a Second Language coursework in a semester will receive a tuition discount.  No other Southwestern scholarships are available to students during that semester.

Family Discount

10% of tuition

When parents are supporting three or more students from the same family at Southwestern, each of these students may receive a 10% discount on tuition, provided each student of this family is taking at least 12 hours of class work.  This discount does not apply to discounted programs.

Married Student Scholarship

$500

The spouse of a full-time student is eligible for a scholarship of up to $500 per semester.  All admission procedures still apply.  When both students are full-time, the couple may choose which one will receive the scholarship.  This scholarship does not apply to the PBS, or other discounted programs.

Lab School Graduate Scholarship

50% of tuition

Students who teach for one of the University’s lab schools (schools in districts who have a contract with the Education Department for student teaching) will receive a 50% tuition discount for graduate classes taken on campus.  Distance learning classes will be assessed an additional fee.

Post-Baccalaureate Student Scholarship

50% of tuition

Post-baccalaureate students receive a 50% tuition discount for undergraduate courses.  This does not include classes in nursing, student teaching, ESL,  independent study, private lesson fees or laboratory charges.  Students receiving the PBS discount do not qualify for other Southwestern Scholarships.

Southwestern Union Education Endowment Scholarship

$300 to $1,000

The Southwestern Union endowment was begun in 1990 as the first major endeavor innovated by “Project Affirmation” to strengthen Christian education in the Southwest.  The endowment is funded through gifts from church members and special offerings received in the churches.  In addition, a percentage of unrestricted, matured trusts and wills goes into the fund, plus other special business arrangements developed by members and conferences specifically for this purpose.

The Education Endowment Scholarship is granted on the basis of student merit and need.  The student must have good recommendations and be willing to earn part of his/her education expenses.

Endowed Awards and Scholarships

To give formal and public recognition for outstanding scholastic achievement, loyalty to University standards, and exemplary citizenship, the University conducts an Awards Convocation each spring.  Recipients are selected based on criteria established by the scholarship donors.

1993 Senior Scholarship
Frank H. Abel Scholarship
Alumni Homecoming Honoree Scholarship
Marvin & Dee Anderson Scholarship *
Isaac Baker Scholarship
Norma P. Bartolome Scholarship
Nathan L. Beebe Scholarship
Thelma Beem Scholarship
Jessie Casey Belz Scholarship
Irene Black Scholarship
Mardian J. Blair Scholarship
Board of Trustees Scholarship
Frances Draper Brennan Scholarship
Edward & Sylvia Brickman Scholarship
Raleigh & Edith Burchfield Scholarship
John & Remy R. Cabansag Scholarship*
Frances I. Clark Scholarship
Jimmie C. Culpepper Scholarship
John & Joan Curnow Student Missionary Scholarship
Clarence W. Dortch Scholarship
Edwards-Wiest Scholarship
El Jean Scholarship
Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Joseph & Dina Espinosa Scholarship
Sadie Goodwin-Richardson Scholarship
Lessie Culpepper Hagen Scholarship
Dr. F.E.J. & Marjorie Harder Scholarship
Orville Lee & Laura Judge Hayes Scholarship
Alvin C. Heinrich Scholarship
Dale Heinrich Music Scholarship
James K. Hopps Scholarship*
Victorine Zaidan Kafrouni Scholarship
Cecil E. Lambeth Scholarship
Elder George E. & Pearl Leffler Scholarship
George E. Leffler, Jr. Scholarship
Florence Lemke Nursing Scholarship
George Mathews Scholarship
Daniel & Ruth McAdams Scholarship
Jason Mickley Scholarship
Cyril & Marian Miller Scholarship
Fred B. & Blanche Gilbert Moore Scholarship
Peggy A. Norris Memorial Scholarship
Sheree Parris Nudd Communication Scholarship
Odyssey Harbor Scholarship
Shirley Pinterich Scholarship
Charles Popejoy Scholarship
Bruce Prindle Scholarship
Ed & Janelle Reifsnyder Scholarship
V.L. & Alga Robers Scholarship
Herbert & Irene Roth Scholarship
Alma Saylor Sandefur Scholarship
Cree & Mildred Sandefur Scholarship
School of the Prophets Scholarship
E. Frank & Joy Hargrove Sherrill Scholarship
Sicher Family Scholarship
Villa Gillis Sierk Scholarship
Marc Simpson Memorial Scholarship
Spells Family Scholarship
Wes Stoops Scholarship
Southwestern Union Scholarship
Student Association Presidents' Scholarship
Eugene V. Thomsen Scholarship
Dudley & Reta Kent Tomblinson Scholarship
Trixie Pearl Scholarship
Herman & Birdie Walker Scholarship
Wallen Knight Scholarship
Weis Heritage Scholarship
William V. Wiist Scholarship
Brandon Michael Williams Scholarship
P. Harlan & Jean Wilson Scholarship
Paul L. & Dorothea A. Wilson Scholarship
George W. & Mary A. Winn Scholarship
Wisdom Nursing Scholarship
Ernest & Vera Wolfe Scholarship
Harold L. Wright Scholarship
Perfil & Pauline Zapara Scholarship

* Scholarships for which students must apply.

Education-Portal Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships

Education-Portal offers 10 undergraduate and graduate degree scholarships of $500 and $1,000 each. Application deadlines for all awards is April 1, 2012. During August, they run a "Win Free Textbooks for a Year!" through their Facebook page. One student will receive $1,000 toward their textbooks. All students 18 and older are welcome to participate. To learn more, visit the Education-Portal website.

Bachelor Degree Scholarships:

• Computer Science ($1,000).
• Criminal Justice ($500 award).
• Liberal Arts and General Studies ($500)
• Architecture and Drafting ($500)
• Distance Learning ($500)

Master's Degree Scholarships:

• Business Administration ($500)
• Engineering ($500)
• Nursing and Health Administration ($500)
• Public Administration and Public Policy ($500)
• Distance Learning (Graduate Level) $500

Loans - Federal

Federal Direct Loan

$3,500 to $5,500 Undergraduate students
$8,500 Graduate students

This is a federally regulated loan program with the U.S. Department of Education.  Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2010 carry a 4.5% fixed rate for undergraduate students. Undergraduate students may borrow up to $3,500 at the freshman level, $4,500 at the sophomore level, and $5,500 at the junior and senior levels, up to a maximum of $23,000. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled on at least a half-time basis.  The lender deducts up to a .5% origination fee from the proceeds at the time of disbursement.

Graduate students may borrow up to $8,500 per year with an aggregate limit of $65,000.  The interest rate for graduate students is 6.8%.

Federal Direct Loan Application Process

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan

$2,000 to $7,000 Undergraduate students
$12,000 Graduate students

Students who have limited or no eligibility for the Federal Direct Loan may apply for the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. In addition to the Federal Direct loan limits, dependent students may borrow $2,000 each year. In combination with the Direct Loan maximums, undergraduate independent students may borrow $9,500 at the freshman level, $10,500 at the sophomore level, and $12,500 at the junior and senior levels with an aggregate limit of $57,500. Interest for this loan program is 6.8%. Interest payments can be made during the in school period or will be capitalized upon entering repayment.

Graduate students may borrow up to $12,000 per year and in combination with the Direct Loan an aggregate limit of $138,500.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

$ Up to the Cost of attendance

Parents of dependent students may borrow under this loan program.  A parent may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid the student is receiving. Repayment begins on the date of the last disbursement for that loan period. Interest is 7.9%. 

Loans - Texas

B-On Time Loan

The Texas B-On-Time Loan (BOT) is a zero-interest loan that is forgiven if recipients graduate "on time" with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The availability of BOT loans is dependent upon funding by the Texas Legislature. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. Texas resident

2. Graduated 2002-2003 academic year or later, under the recommended high school program from a public or accredited private high school in Texas or received an associate's degree from an eligible institution no earlier than May 1, 2005

3. Has not earned a bachelor's degree

4. Enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree program, and

5. Has completed a FAFSA and is eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Texas “College Access Loan” (CAL)

The college Access Loan Program provides alternative educational loans to Texas students who are unable to meet the cost of attendance. A student must be a Texas resident, be enrolled at least half-time in a course of study leading to an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree, meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, and have good credit standing or provide a cosigner who has good credit

standing and meets other requirements. Students may borrow an amount up to the cost of attendance less other financial aid. A 3% or 5% origination fee will be deducted from the proceeds of each loan. A student borrower may choose either a fixed interest rate of 6% or a variable rate that is reset

annually and will never be higher than 4 points above the rate at which the loan is made. Apply at www.HHloans.com.  Interest rates and Disclosures can be accessed at https://helmnet.thecb.state.tx.us/borrowers/apply/LoanDisclosure.asp?AppType=AL&LoanType=CAL

Loans - Private

Southwestern Adventist University encourages all students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be considered for all available aid programs. After exhausting the opportunities available from the federal aid programs, many students will consider private loan programs as a source of funding. As always, taking on debt for any reason should be done with considerable thought and only for the amounts needed. Additional information regarding the availability of federal student aid is available from the Department of Education publication,

Federal Aid First.

The terms and conditions of credit-based private loan programs vary, and as such, students are encouraged to review the details of the programs before selecting a private loan program. Private loans are not eligible for loan consolidation programs made available for federal student loans. Interest rates, fees (both at the time of borrowing and at repayment), credit checks, and annual and aggregate loan limits require careful evaluation by the student as a consumer.

As part of the application process, students will be required to complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form available through their lender's website.  Students may also obtain a Self-Certification Form from the office of Student Financial Services.  Information needed to complete this form, such as cost of attendance, may be obtained from the link below while estimated financial assistance may be obtained from the student’s Award Notification or via portal.swau.edu.

Cost of Attendance

The lenders listed below have made loans to Southwestern Adventist University students in the past and offer:

• Competitive interest rates
• Zero fees and/or borrow discounts during repayment
• Electronic application processing and fund delivery
• Excellent customer service
• Long-term commitment to educational financing

The lenders are listed alphabetically by lender name, so no inference should be made based upon the order of the listing. Borrowers are encouraged to review the terms and conditions of each program prior to selecting a lender. The criteria listed above will be reviewed periodically to determine if loan programs may be added to, or removed from, the list of programs.

Please note: Southwestern will process loan applications from any legitimate lender.  Students and families DO NOT have to select one of the lenders listed below.

Borrowers may compare lender discounts and other borrower benefits with the following loan comparison tool:

Loan Discount Analyzer from FinAid.org

Southwestern Adventist University adheres to the Financial Aid Code of Conduct based on the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and the amended TILA.

Southwestern’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy specifies the standards a student must maintain to be considered making progress in his/her course of study.  The policy also establishes the criteria by which a student who has failed to maintain satisfactory progress may reestablish his/her eligibility for federal/state financial assistance.

Qualitative and Quantitative Components

SWAU’s satisfactory progress policy contains a qualitative component which requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the end of each semester for undergraduate students and a 3.0 for graduate students.  The quantitative satisfactory progress policy requires completion of a specified percentage of the coursework attempted as well as a maximum number of credits that may be attempted for the completion of a degree.

Students who work at the minimum level of any interval will be expected to perform at a higher rate of completion in future semesters.  This will be individually monitored and the performance expectation will be communicated to the student.

Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) recipients

Additional requirements apply to recipients of the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG).  

• Students who received or were awarded their first TEG award before September 1, 2005, must meet the same guidelines as outlined in the institution’s policy above.  
• Students awarded their first TEG after September 1, 2005 must be enrolled three-quarter time and at the time of the second renewal must have completed 24 credit hours of coursework during the previous academic year and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater.  These students may receive TEG for no more than five years for a 4-year degree program and 3 years for an associate degree program.  A student may appeal to receive a renewal TEG if they did not meet the requirements and there were unusual circumstances that prevented them from attaining the required hours or GPA.
• In the event of hardship or other good cause for students awarded TEG for the first time on or after September 1, 2005, the Student Finance Committee may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a TEG while enrolled less than full time or if the student’s grade point average or number of hours completed falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements.  

Treatment of Incompletes, Withdrawals, Repetitions, Non-Credit Remedial Courses, Second Degrees, and First-time SAP Problems

Monitoring Satisfactory Academic Progress

STUDY ABROAD (ADVENTIST COLLEGES ABROAD)

STUDY ABROAD (INDIVIDUALIZED CONTRACT)

When a student receives federal student aid funds and subsequently withdraws from the university, a portion of these funds may have to be returned to the Federal Government. The return amount is based upon the percentage of assistance earned up to the date of withdrawal within the enrollment period. No return is required after the 60% point in time. Repayment to federal student aid funds will be made in the following order: Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan, Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Academic Competitiveness Grant, National SMART Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, other federal funds. If it is determined that the student must return funds which were received directly, the student may set up a repayment plan through Student Financial Services. The University will apply this policy to all federal student aid recipients.  Return of state aid funds is calculated independently of the federal funds, according to state guidelines.  Contact Student Financial Services for information regarding this policy, including examples of the application of this policy.