Finances
Tuition, Room & Board Costs Full-Time Student Package
Semester
Year
Tuition (12-17 credit hours)
$10,764
$21,528
SA Fee
110
220
Technology Fee
220
440
Total Tuition and Fees
$11,094
$22,188
Residence hall room
1,950
3,900
Courses taken below the 12-17 hour package will be charged at $897 per credit hour. Courses taken above the 12-17 hour package will be charged at $673 per credit.
Meal Plan Choices (required for resident hall students) Meal Plan • $1,950 (per semester - includes $125 for the Knight's Market and Grill*) This meal plan is required for undergraduate students under the age of 22 who have 89 or less cumulative credit hours on their Southwestern transcript. This plan is for unlimited access to the cafeteria seven days per week. Meal Plan 22 • $1,100 (per semester) Undergraduate students who are 22 years of age or older, seniors (90+credit hours), or off-campus students may select either the regular Meal Plan or Meal Plan 22. Meal Plan 22 is not unlimited access. The student is charged by the meal for each entry to the cafeteria with a $50 per day limit, until the $1,100 is used. A portion of this plan is used up each week regardless of entry into the cafeteria. Any portion of the $1,100 may be spent in the Knight's Market and Grill*. *The Knight's Market and Grill offers a variety of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches as well as breakfast items, smoothies, snacks and beverages. Please note these guidelines before selecting a meal plan: Student Package includes: *A room in one of the residence halls beginning the Sunday of the week classes begin. *Meals at the cafeteria: Use of the following: * These items are included in the Residence Hall Student Package only.
All unmarried students under 22 years of age, taking six or more credit hours, are required to live in one of the University's residence halls. Residents are also required a meal plan offered through the cafeteria. Students who officially withdraw from Southwestern Adventist University will not be permitted to live in the residence hall after their official withdrawal date.
Single students must live with the same gender, unless living with parents or grandparents.
To reserve a room, students are required to pay a general deposit of $200 to the respective residence hall. The deposit will be held until the student graduates, moves out of the residence hall, or withdraws from the University. Deposits are refunded to the student's account and will be released if there is no balance due. The deposit is refundable on condition that the checkout procedure of the residence hall is followed (see Residence Hall Handbook). Should a student cancel an application for admission before August 1, the deposit will be refunded.
Private room fees are an additional $975 per semester subject to space availability, dean approval, and financial clearance.
Tuition to audit a course is $100 per credit hour, unless it is part of the tuition package. The SA fee and technology fee will be waived, but course and lab fees that are part of an audited class are not waived for audit-only students. Audit-only students will not have access to university services. Some courses are not available for audit. Computer Science majors will be charged a $100 Program Fee each semester. Under a consortium Southwestern gives credit for courses taken at the other schools on the same basis as if it provided the training itself. The Consortium Agreement is initiated by the student and approved by both institutions. Students will be charged an administrative fee of $100 for this process. Distance Education Program tuition is $718 per credit hour. There are no payment plans for this program. All charges must be covered at the time of registration through aid, credit/ debit card and/or cash. Distance Education Prior Learning Assessment recording fee is $75 per course. Additional information about the Distance Education Program can be found on page 67. Because this is a discounted program, no Southwestern scholarships are available to students in this program. Technology Fee for Distance Education students will be prorated based on course load. $55 per course, with a maximum of $220 per semester. Any student seeking Secondary Certification in Education or a major in Education will be charged a $100 Program Fee each semester. Attendance at Freshman Orientation is required of all freshmen students. A fee of $350 will be assessed for this orientation. Student Association Fee - $110 each semester is required of all undergraduate students. Technology Fee - $220 each semester is required of all students. Fees are non-refundable after close of registration. Graduate Program tuition is $897 per credit hour. Graduate hours are charged separately from the undergraduate tuition package. For further information about the graduate programs and available scholarships, please refer to the Graduate Bulletin. Medical Laboratory Science students will be charged an administrative fee of $100 per semester during their clinical year. Check with the advisor regarding tuition and fees. Southwestern scholarships are not available for the clinical year during which the courses are taken at another institution. Music lessons are $350 per semester above the cost of tuition (based on a minimum of ten half-hour lessons). There are no refunds after the second week of the semester. Psychology majors will be charged a $50 Program Fee each semester. Psychology, emphasis School Guidance majors will be charged a $100 Program Fee each semester. The tuition rate for senior citizens (65+) is $100 per semester hour for courses taken for audit or credit. This does not apply to the distance education, nursing classes or discounted programs. There must be space available in the class. Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) students must submit a non-refundable $100 application fee for the academic year study abroad program. There is a $30 application fee for the summer program. Students who study abroad through a college or university that is not affiliated with Adventist Colleges Abroad will be charged an administrative fee of $100 per semester. Students who spend one year of their education as a student missionary or task force worker will be enrolled in 12 credit hours each semester. By this the University recognizes the legitimate full-time educational value of this experience. Six of these credit hours will count as elective credit toward graduation, while six will be non-credit hours. The student will be charged $300 tuition each semester for a total of $600 for the academic year. An application/ processing fee of $150 is charged at the time of application.Audit Tuition
Computer Science Program Fees
Consortium Agreement
Distance Education Program
Distance Education Program - Technology Fee
Education Program Fees
Freshman Orientation Fee
Course Fees
Examination Fees
General Fees
Fees
Graduate Program
Medical Laboratory Science
Music Lessons
Nursing Tuition Surcharge/Program Admission Fee
Psychology Program Fees
Senior Citizens
Study Abroad Program
Summer Program
Student Missionary/Task Force Program Charges
Students are given the opportunity to indicate if they want to charge books to their student account through BBA Corporation, the University textbook provider, during the on-line registration process. Students may rent books for $325 per semester or charge up to $600 for book purchases to their student account per semester. Returned checks not honored by the bank carry a $35 charge. Students will pay for their own food and lodging on class trips. An assembly fine of $10 will be assessed for each absence beyond the two absences allowed in a semester. The cafeteria will assess fines for infractions of cafeteria policy. The library will assess fines for overdue library materials and lost items. Residence halls will assess fines for improper checkouts, lost keys, and infractions of residence hall policies. Miscellaneous fines may be assessed as deemed appropriate by the administration. Graduation class dues are a mandatory non-refundable fee that covers expenses such as class gift, 25 graduation announcements, and miscellaneous class activities. The amount of this fee is voted by the senior class each year. This fee applies to campus as well as Distance Education Program students. When a student returns to obtain an additional degree and graduation dues were paid as an initial Southwestern graduate, only half of the dues will be required for each subsequent graduation class. Graduation dues are charged to the student account at the beginning of the semester in which the student will graduate. An ID card is provided to the student for cafeteria, library, and athletic facility use. The card is valid as long as the student is enrolled. There will be a $10 cash replacement charge for a lost, stolen, or damaged card. No student ID is issued to students who are auditing classes only. Automobile insurance is the responsibility of the student. The University does not carry insurance covering theft, loss, or damage of any kind. Medical insurance is required for all students registered for 6 or more credit hours. Medical insurance can be purchased at registration for the academic year if the student is not covered by another plan. No refunds will be made after the second week of classes. Immigration requires that all international students have twelve-month medical insurance coverage while in the United States. International students must purchase major medical insurance coverage through the University at the time of registration. Medical insurance from a home country will not be accepted. If a student is insured through the SDA General Conference system, the international student must provide documentation of equivalent insurance coverage. No refunds will be made after the second week of classes. Personal property insurance is the responsibility of the student. The University is not responsible for the loss of personal property by fire, theft, or other causes. It is recommended that students arrange for insurance coverage of their personal belongings with an insurance agency of their choice. Residence hall students are advised not to keep money in their rooms. A fee of $200 cash is required for requests to finish registration after the close of registration. Credits or debits of less than $5 will be written off at the end of the semester. Southwestern Adventist University transcript services are provided by Parchment Exchange – including request and payment. The link to this service is located on the web portal. Costs: electronic transcripts - $5, paper mailed transcripts - $7, and additional charges for overnight and international mailings. Currently enrolled Southwestern students and Southwestern Union Conference Teachers need to contact the Records Office at 817-202-6200. A transcript is collateral for any unpaid student account balance. Transcripts and diplomas are not released if a student's account is not paid in full, if the student has not completed federal student loan counseling, if government loans are not current in repayment, or if the academic file is incomplete. If a check to pay off a student account balance accompanies a transcript request, the transcript will be held until the check is cleared. Requests accompanied by credit card information, a money order or a bank draft is processed more quickly. Replacement diplomas will be assessed a $50 charge. (See Student Records)Books
Checks
Field Trip Costs
Fines
Graduation Dues
Identification Card
Insurance
Late Registration Fee
Low Balance Write-Offs
Transcripts/Diplomas
Southwestern offers three payment plans for fall and spring semesters to help students manage their university expenses. Classes taken during the summer require full payment at the time of registration for each module. Full payment of semester charges that are not covered by student aid. Under this plan, students are required to pay 65% of the semester charges at registration. Financial aid can be applied to the 65% payment. The remaining balance will be a zero percent interest loan divided equally over four payments due the 10th of each month, as follows: Fall Semester Students must go to the University portal in July to choose this payment option on the Student Portal. Spring Semester Students must go to the University portal in December to choose this payment option on the Student Portal. Under this plan, students are required to pay 65% of the semester charges at registration. Financial aid can be applied to the 65% payment. The remaining balance will be a zero percent interest loan divided equally over three payments due the 10th of each month, as follows: Fall Semester Spring Semester Any additional charges the student incurs during the semester will become a part of the institutional loan for payment plans II and III. These additional charges will be added to the next payment due. All institutional loans are to be paid in full by the end of the semester. The University is advancing value to students in the form of educational services and a student’s right to register is expressly conditioned upon the student’s agreement to pay the costs of tuition and fees and any additional costs when those charges become due. Regardless of the student’s eligibility for financial aid, the student is personally responsible for the full amount assessed as a result of the student’s registration. In addition, failure to pay the costs of tuition and fees will result in a financial hold on the student’s record which will prevent release of the student’s academic transcript and diploma. The University may refer any past due account for collection and may authorize legal action against the student for the collection of this debt. The student is liable for all reasonable collection costs, including attorney fees, court costs, and other charges necessary for the collection of a past due account. Online -- Current students may pay online with a credit or debit card through their student portal. Phone call -- Payments may be made to a credit or debit card by calling the cashier at 817-202-6299. In-person -- Payments may be made by cash, check, or debit/credit card at the Cashier's Office on campus. Mail -- Check or money orders may be sent to Student Financial Services. Wire Transfer -- See instructions at www.swau.edu/bank-wire-instructionsPlan I - Cash
Plan II - Four-payment Institutional Education Loan (0% interest)
Plan III - Three-payment Institutional Education Loan (0% interest)
Methods of Payment
Refunds to students dropping all, or some, classes will be prorated on a weekly basis as shown in the chart below. The date of withdrawal is based on the date the student files a drop voucher with the Records Office. Room and board charges will continue until the student's personal belongings have been removed from the residence hall and clearance has been filed with the residence hall dean. Room and board refunds are prorated on a daily basis. Refunds are not made on these items:Week
Refund % Tuition
Registration Week
90%
Second Week
60%
Third Week
40%
Fourth Week
20%
Fifth Week
0%
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 Direct Loan, Subsidized Federal Direct Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, TEACH Grant, 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. During the first week of the semester, 70%; second week 60%; third week 40%, fourth week 20%; and, the fifth week and thereafter, 0%.
To receive federal or state aid, a student must meet certain eligibility requirements. Some of the basic requirements include U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency; high school diploma, GED, 60+ transferable college credits, or home school certification; and academic standards.
Eligibility for the following programs is based upon receipt and evaluation of the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), which is the result of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be guaranteed the maximum award for which the student is eligible, the FAFSA must be completed by Southwestern's priority date of March 1. Students are automatically considered for all grants for which they may be eligible. 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. The annual award ranges from $652 to $6,195. Students may receive a lifetime limit of the equivalent of 6 years of undergraduate studies for a baccalaureate degree. Students who receive Pell Grants may have funds available to them for books during the first week of classes each semester. The student may either choose to charge the cost of their books to their student account through the University sponsored bookstore or, if their aid results in a credit on their account, funds will be given to the student to purchase their books. This grant is funded through a combination of federal and University funds and is dependent on funding levels approved by the federal government. Annual awards at Southwestern range from $100 to $1,500 and are awarded to students who are also eligible for Federal Pell Grant. Students must complete the FAFSA by January 15 to be guaranteed receipt of this award. 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. A student may receive up to $4,000 per year with an aggregate limit of $16,000. 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 will award a TEACH Grant only after the student has been accepted to the Education Program.Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
TEACH Grant
Information about grants available through your state of residence may be viewed at http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ and clicking "state government". Eligibility for the following programs is based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some individuals who are not U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Aliens may have established residency in the state of Texas and may be eligible for Texas grants. Contact Student Financial Services for a TASFA application. The State of Texas has established a program to help equalize tuition between state-sponsored institutions and independent universities. To qualify for this grant a student must establish eligibility through the FAFSA (or TASFA for students who have established domicile in Texas and are not U.S. Citizens or Resident Aliens), be a Texas resident, not be a recipient of an athletic scholarship, and not be enrolled in a theological degree program. Annual awards at Southwestern range from $100 to $3,200. Recipients must be enrolled at least three-quarter time. At the end of the academic year in which a student receives a renewal award the student must: Eligibility for the following programs is based upon the results of the FAFSA. These programs are designed to give students work opportunities to help with University expenses and obtain experience that will complement each recipient's educational program or career goals. Students indicate on their FAFSA if they want to be considered for a work-study award. Funds are awarded on a first come, first served basis to students who have remaining eligibility for additional aid they may receive during the school year. Southwestern awards approximately $2,200 for the year. Students receive the portion of their award that is actually earned through their work-study job. This is a federal program. Students work on campus, or in a community service job, and are paid at least minimum wage via direct deposit or with paper checks that can be picked up on scheduled pay days at the Business Office Cashier window. This is a state-sponsored program. Students work on campus and are paid at least minimum wage via direct deposit or with paper checks that can be picked up on scheduled pay days at the Business Office Cashier window.Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)
Federal/State Employment Programs
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Texas Work-Study (TWS)
Eligibility for federal loans is based upon results of the FAFSA. Loans require completion of an initial master promissory note. Students receiving any of the following loans (except the Federal PLUS Loan) must complete entrance counseling before receiving the first disbursement of their loan and must have exit counseling before graduating or withdrawing from the University. Loans normally have a ten-year repayment period. Students may receive loans for up to 150% of the time needed to complete an undergraduate degree. Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov for additional information on federal loans, including interest rates, origination fees, and repayment options. This is a federally regulated undergraduate loan program with the U.S. Department of Education. 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. Students who have limited or no eligibility for the Federal Direct Loan may apply for the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan. In addition to the Direct Loan limits, dependent undergraduate students may borrow $2,000 each year from the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan. In combination with the Direct Loan maximums, independent undergraduate 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 payments can be made during the in-school period or will be capitalized. 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. Federal Student Loans
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 0%, 3% or 5% origination fee will be deducted from the proceeds of each loan, depending on credit qualifications. Interest is a fixed annual rate of 4.5%. Apply at www.elmselect.com. The Texas B-On Time Loan program 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:College Access Loan
B-On Time Loan Program
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 U.S. Department of Education at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov. 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 student's Award Notification. The Cost of Attendance can be found in the Private Education Loans section on the University website. Students can find a list of lenders who have made loans to Southwestern Adventist University students in the past at https://www.elmselect.com. There is also an option to search for additional lenders. Southwestern will process loan applications from any legitimate lender. Students and families DO NOT have to select one of the lenders listed on Southwestern's ELM website.
When students complete their FAFSA by the March 1 preceding the academic year during which they will enroll, they are guaranteed the maximum in grant money for which they have eligibility. Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) new or renewal application at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. If student does not have access to the internet, he can request a paper application by calling 1-800-433-3243 or print an application from www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov. The application is available in English or Spanish. Southwestern requests the following to award aid:
Financial need is calculated by subtracting the student's expected family contribution from the cost of education. Cost of Education includes estimates for tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board, transportation, and personal expenses. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount a family can be expected to contribute to educational costs. The federal processing center arrives at this figure by evaluating the answers given by parents and students on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial Need is the maximum amount of aid a student may receive from all sources when the student accepts any federal or state aid. Aid that is considered a part of the student's aid package includes: Federal loans, grants, and work-study; state loans, grants, and work study; private scholarships, and educational subsidy. Federal Direct PLUS Loans and Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans can be considered a part of the Expected Family Contribution.
Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans are available to students who have been determined eligible for these programs through the federal application process. Southwestern receives limited allocations for the following programs: Some students who qualify for these programs may not receive the award or may receive a minimal award because they have not completed the FAFSA by the priority date. Students are encouraged to submit all required forms early to receive the maximum in available grant money. An estimated financial aid award is sent to new students upon receipt of the FAFSA. Official financial aid commitments are made only after the student is accepted for admission to the University and the financial aid file is complete.
Medical Laboratory Science- Students who attend one of our affiliated colleges for their final year of study in the Medical Laboratory Science should contact Student Financial Services to determine which institution will award financial aid. Study Abroad (Adventist Colleges Abroad) - Enrollment in ACA is approved for credit by Southwestern Adventist University and may be considered as enrollment at Southwestern for purposes of applying for federal student financial assistance. Study Abroad (Individualized Contract) -A student may solicit a contractual agreement between Southwestern and a foreign university for a year of study abroad. The Contractual Agreement form may be obtained from Student Financial Services. A limited number of applicants will be approved each year. A fee of $100 will be assessed by Southwestern each semester of study abroad through this program.
Southwestern Adventist University'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.
Southwestern's satisfactory progress policy for undergraduate students contains a qualitative component which requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the end of each semester for undergraduate work. 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. Each credit hour completed has a percentage minimum completion rate, beginning at 50% and ending at a minimum of 67% for cumulative credits of 90 or greater. Maximum Attempted Hours Baccalaureate Degree 192 (128 hour degree) 180 (120 hour degree) Associate Degree 96 Master's Degree 54 (MEd) 72 (MA)Attempted Hours
Completion Percentage Required
at 23
50%
at 55
58%
at 89
67%
90 +
67%
Academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each fall, spring, and summer term. When a student fails to meet the GPA and/or completion percentage standards they will be given a warning semester during which they are asked to complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress Agreement wherein they meet with their advisor three times over the semester. If the student is not making satisfactory academic progress at the end of the warning semester, the student will become ineligible for federal or state aid. To receive financial aid at this stage, the student must submit an appeal based on extenuating circumstances documenting the reason the student failed to make SAP. The appeal and documentation will be reviewed by the Student Finance Committee for approval. A student who does not meet the prescribed academic plan in subsequent semesters, will be ineligible for further federal and state aid and may not receive federal student aid until SAP standards are met. Students who exceed the number of years for completion of a degree must complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form to be reviewed by the Student Finance Committee. A hold is placed on the student's federal and state aid until the SAP agreement has been signed, or an appeal has been approved. Appeals may be made for the following reasons: 1) The student has experienced illness; 2) The death of a relative; 3) The student has a degree plan change; 4) The student, out of financial necessity, carried an extremely heavy workload over an extended period of time; 5) Upon recommendation of the Vice President for Academic Administration; 6) At the discretion of the Assistant Financial Vice President for Student Finance.
Additional requirements apply to recipients of the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG). At the end of an academic year in which the student receives a renewal award, the student must have completed 24 credit hours of coursework during the renewal year, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater, with a 75% completion rate. These students may receive TEG for no more than five years for a 4-year degree program and three years for an associate degree program from the date of the first award. A student may appeal to receive a renewal TEG if they did not meet the requirements and there were circumstances that prevented them from attaining the required hours or GPA. In the event of hardship or other good cause, the Student Finance Committee may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a TEG while enrolled less than three-quarter time or if the student's grade point average or number of hours completed falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements.
Federal Pell Grant/Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant/Texas Tuition Equalization Grant -award is divided over two semesters. The Business Office transfers funds directly to the student's account. Federal Direct Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan, Federal PLUS Loan - one-semester loans will be disbursed in two disbursements, one at the beginning of the semester and one midway through the semester. The first loan disbursement for a freshman, first-time borrower will be made 30 days into the first semester. The Business Office transfers funds directly to the student's account. Federal and Texas Work Study - student receives their compensation through the Business Office at regularly scheduled payroll periods.
Students with previous military experience may be eligible for certain benefits. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records center and obtain a certificate of eligibility before school begins. Bring the certification to the Southwestern Adventist University Records Office. After registration, notification of enrollment will be sent to the VA.
Southwestern Adventist University is committed to providing a campus job to any student taking six or more credit hours. Students apply for a job by going directly to the department for which they wish to work, or by contacting the Student Employment Office. Many campus jobs will require that the student arrange a class schedule that will allow them to work all morning or all afternoon each weekday. Campus employment requires completion of the Federal I-9 form once the student has made arrangements with a department to work. The I-9 form MUST be turned in before the student can begin working. A student should be prepared to show documentation of identity and employment authorization. Original documents are mandatory, copies will not be accepted. Students will submit I-9 documentation to Campus Service. Departments that hire students include: Other options may be available through the Campus Services Office located next to the Student Center. You may reach this office by calling (817) 202-6240, during office hours. Students who have a balance on their school bill can receive up to 20% of their paycheck. Students receive their school compensation through direct deposit at regularly scheduled payroll periods processed by the Business Office at regularly scheduled payroll periods. All students must submit their direct deposit information on Portal before they begin working.
Canadian citizens residing within Canada are eligible for a $2,000 discount per year.
Students who teach for one of the University's lab schools, a school in a district which has a contract with the Education Department for student teaching, will receive a 50% tuition discount for graduate classes taken on campus. Distance Education classes will be assessed an additional fee of $65 per credit hour.
Post-baccalaureate students receive a 50% tuition discount for undergraduate courses. This does not include classes in nursing, student teaching, independent study, discounted tuition rates or Distance Education. Likewise, private lessons, audits, fees, and laboratory charges are not discounted. See page 11 for definition of PBS. Students receiving the PBS discount do not qualify for other University scholarships.
Scholarships are divided and distributed equally over the fall and spring semesters and are not applicable for summer sessions. Southwestern scholarships, subsidies and awards cannot exceed costs for tuition (for 12-17 hours) technology and student association fees. Scholarships listed here are available for full-time students taking 12 or more hours each semester at Southwestern's campus. Southwestern reserves the right to change or amend any of the scholarship policies at any time.
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. Scholarships are disbursed over two semesters in an academic year. Southwestern Award of Excellence $8,000 Trustee $7,000 Presidential $6,000 Academic Dean $4,000 Achievement $3,000 These awards include $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/ACT scores. The GPA is multiplied by 12.5. The ACT is multiplied by 1.4 or the SAT (combined Math and ERW scores) is divided by 35.5. The sum of the GPA and test calculation give a score that determines the award: Southwestern Award of Excellence 91-100; Trustee Award 85-90; Presidential Award 80-84; Academic Dean Award 70-79; Achievement Award 60-69. Students 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: Students increase their renewal scholarship up to the Presidential Award level by improving their GPA. The scholarship increases to the next higher scholarship level when the student: 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 do 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 or university may affect the renewal of these scholarships.Award
These scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen at Southwestern, renewable for up to three years and are over and above any Southwestern academic scholarship for which the student qualifies for. If a student has held more than one office, only one scholarship can be awarded and will be given for the highest office held. Award Award Honors Scholarship Honors Scholarships are given to students who are enrolled in the Honors Program and whose grade classification is above the freshman level: The final $1000 of the senior award is given only after the student has completed his/her senior thesis.
Southwestern Scholars Award - includes all Southwestern Scholarships $20,564 (Full tuition) awarded to students who achieve the level of 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 Finalist or National Hispanic Scholar in the National Hispanic Recognition Program and who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA are also eligible for this award. Semifinalist who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA are eligible for half tuition. This scholarship, along with all other Southwestern scholarships, cannot exceed tuition. Likewise, credit balances from Southwestern scholarships and resources other than loans will result in a reduction of this scholarship. Students who qualify for both the Freshman Award and the Southwestern Scholars Awards, receive the higher of the two.
A transfer student, pursuing a first baccalaureate degree, with at least 24 cumulative college credits from other colleges may qualify for one of the following scholarships: All official transcripts from all 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 academic standing, who maintain a commendable citizenship record.
Need-based scholarships are given to students needing additional help with expenses after the student has pursued all other sources of aid, including loans. Students who have a private residence hall room or excessive miscellaneous charges such as fines, should not expect that they will be given need-based aid.
A 3-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. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain a commitment from two different sources. Thus, contributions of $500 each from two different sources may be matched by $500 from the university. While $500 is the maximum award, smaller 3-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) unmet need by the federal aid calculation, and c) 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 3-Way Scholarship match. To receive the Southwestern match, all contributions must be received by December 1 for fall semester and April 1 for spring semester.
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/state grants and loans for which they are eligible, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. This scholarship is awarded late in the semester. A thank-you note is required.
The Pechero Family 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. An application is required each year. A thank-you note is required.
The Southwestern Union Educational Endowment Scholarship is given only to Seventh-day Adventist students from the Southwestern Union Conference territory who: Applications may be obtained through Student Financial Services. Yearly awards range from $300 - $1000. A thank-you note is required.
Scholarships in this section have specific eligibility criteria as indicated below. Some of these scholarships require enrollment of at least 12 credit hours for the semester, others will be adjusted for less than full-time study. The combination of scholarships, grants, subsidies and Southwestern discounts cannot exceed charges. Southwestern does not pay its scholarships in cash to the student. Southwestern encourages students and parents to search for scholarships through local service clubs or employers. Scholarship sources can also be found by searching the Internet.
Three or more students from the same family, each taking at least 12 hours of coursework, will receive a 10% discount on tuition. Two students from the same family, each taking at least 12 hours, will receive a 5% discount on tuition. When students marry, they are no longer eligible for this special discount as a member of their parent's household. Married couples, taking at least 12 hours of coursework each, may receive the 5% discount on tuition. This discount does not apply to PBS or discounted programs.
Festival Performance Scholarship Students must audition as part of the Southwestern Music Festival. A number of students are chosen as finalists from the auditions. The selected scholarship finalists will perform at the Festival Showcase Concert on the eve of the festival. Scholarship is based on level of performance.
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. Student Missionary $1,200 and Taskforce $1,200.
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. 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. This scholarship is not available to students taking Distance Education classes or students receiving the PBS.
Students who pay rent for campus housing during the summer, work a certain number of hours at a campus job, and place at least 80% of their earnings on their student account, may be eligible for a scholarship the following year. Applications are available at Student Financial Services.
For clarification of the working policy for any items in the Finance Section of the Bulletin, contact the Assistant Financial Vice President for Student Financial Services.
To give formal and public recognition for outstanding scholastic achievement, loyalty to university standards, and exemplary citizenship, the University awards named scholarships each year. Recipients are selected based on criteria established by the scholarship donors. The University is grateful to the donors who support Southwestern students by establishing these endowed scholarships. Those interested in creating a named scholarship may contact the Office of University Advancement. * Scholarships for which students must apply.