SEU Guide to Financial Aid 2019-20

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

Southeastern University

An affordable, Christian education is within reach The benefits of a Christian education are many. From faith-based classes to spiritual formation to a community of like-minded faculty and students who will come alongside you, the value of your Christian college experience is one that will positively impact you for the rest of your life.

We’re dedicated to making this higher education experience as affordable as possible, so we have a variety of scholarship opportunities available to students from multiple backgrounds and talents. From academics to athletics to the arts, to missionary and pastoring families, and much more, chances are you’ll find scholarships for you!

$29.4 million in financial aid awarded in 2018–2019

98%

of students receive scholarships and/or grants

$17,000 average award amount

financial aid terms

Get to know some of the terms you’ll hear most often as you explore your options for covering college costs.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to applying for financial aid, including federal student aid programs, and SEU grants and scholarships. The FAFSA application should be submitted annually and can be completed as early as October 1. Get more details at SEU.edu/FAFSA. Scholarships are earned based on certain criteria, such as academic merit, and don’t have to be repaid.

Grants are often based on financial need and don’t have to be repaid. For example, SEU Need-Based Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Loans need to be paid back but are generally taken out at a low, fixed interest rate.

Loans can be secured in the name of the student or the parents. Here are a few examples.

Subsidized Direct Loans are based on financial need. You won’t be charged interest before you begin repayment, because the federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these times.

Unsubsidized Direct Loans are not awarded based on financial need. Any eligible student can take out unsubsidized direct loans, and you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed to the time the loan is repaid in full.

Parent PLUS Loan eligibility is dependent on a modest credit check and approval by the Department of Education. If your parent is denied a PLUS loan, you may be eligible for $4,000 in an additional unsubsidized loan.

Find important tools and information at SEU.edu/financial.

Academic Scholarships 2020–2021 Our academic merit scholarships are renewable for 4 years!

SAT/ACT Score:

scholarships

Academic Scholars Merit Chart

1600–1380/36–29 1370–1240/28–25 1230–1090/24–21

3 .5 GPA & higher

16,000

$

14,000–16,000

$

$

3.0 GPA & higher

$

2 .5 GPA & higher

$

12,000–14,000

14,000–16,000

$

12,000–14,000

12,000–14,000

$

5,000–12,000

$ $

12,000

5,000–12,000

General Criteria: You must be enrolled as a full-time SEU student and maintain a cumulative minimum GPA of at least 2.5. These scholarships are renewable for up to 8 consecutive semesters.

FOR FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN

$16,000

$5,000

$14,000

$3,000

Chancellor’s Scholarship

President’s Scholarship

$12,000

Regent’s Scholarship

Southeastern Scholarship

Founder’s Scholarship

The Founder’s Scholarship is available to students who do not meet the above criteria.

Earn an additional scholarship as an honors student!

Application deadline is February 1, 2020. Learn more at SEU.edu/honors.

$16,000 + $3,000 = $19,000 Chancellor’s Honors scholarship scholarship per year per year

Total award per year

FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

$10,000

Quest Scholarship

Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25

$8,000

Journey Scholarship

Cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 3.24

Institutional Scholarships & Grants We work to help you get the maximum amount of financial aid available from our institutional options. Plus, we welcome scholarships from additional sources, offer affordable payment plans, and much more!

$3,000 National Merit, Hispanic, and Achievement Scholars For finalists in these programs.

$2,000 Diversity Scholarship For first-time freshmen. (Awards are limited and based on committee selection.)

$1,000–$5,000 AG National Fine Arts Festival Scholarships For first-time freshmen or undergraduate transfers who participated in this event.

$1,000 Christian School Scholarship For first-time freshmen who are graduates of Christian high schools. (Awards are limited and based on committee selection.)

$500 Alumni Legacy Scholarship For dependents of SEU alumni.

ROTC Scholarship Awards of two, three, and four years are available based on merit and grades.

Southeastern Grant Need-based grant available to first-year freshmen and transfer students.

10% Family Tuition Discount For parents, children, spouses, or siblings who are immediate family members and enrolled in the same semester.

Endowed Scholarships Thanks to the generous support of our donors, endowed scholarships are available to contribute to student success.

(Requirements vary and the annual application window is February 1–March 1.)

General criteria: Full-time SEU enrollment is required and a current FAFSA must be submitted. Award amounts and duration vary. For complete details, visit SEU.edu/scholarships.

Pastoral/Ministry Scholarships & Grants PASTOR’S DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIP* Available to dependent children of a licensed or ordained minister who works full time for a church.

SEU MINISTRY GRANT PROGRAM** Renewable tuition grants for Barnett College of Ministry & Theology and church music majors.

* Amounts vary based on need and available funds. **Grant program awards vary based on ministry involvement. Applications must be received by February 15, 2020.

Performance-Based Scholarships PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS Audition-based scholarships are available in music, film, and music

ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS Details and tryout information are available at SEUfire.com.

tour teams.

how to apply for aid

1. Complete and submit your application for admission to Southeastern University at SEU.edu/apply.

2. Your eligibility for academic scholarships will be determined based on the availability of funds as soon as you are accepted for admission.

3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at

fafsa.ed.gov. SEU’s FAFSA code is 001521 and the priority deadline is April 15, 2020.

Get details at SEU.edu/FAFSA.

4. Southeastern will send you an award letter upon completion of these steps, outlining the amount and types of

awards you are eligible to receive.

SEU’s approximate annual cost

Room & Board

$27,520 $10,380

Total

$37,900

Tuition & Fees

Based on 30 credit hours, standard room and meal plan for the 2020–2021 academic year

a s

additional sources

You can offset any difference between your total annual expenses and your total award amount with any combination of these options.

Third-party scholarships We welcome you to apply any scholarships you may have earned toward your tuition costs. Our financial aid counselors will assist you as needed, however, you will need to coordinate your benefits with the source of the scholarship.

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need-based financial aid award that allows you to work on campus, or with an approved off-campus employer, to earn money to help pay for educational expenses or for life expenses. Visit SEU.edu/FWS for details.

Federal Parent PLUS Loan Your family may choose to apply for a Federal Parent PLUS loan to help cover any gap in financial aid, up to the total cost of attendance. A parent may apply for a Federal Parent PLUS loan at studentloans.gov.

Private loans Visit SEU.edu/loans to explore your options, including the Fast Choice private loan comparison tool.

Payment plans Regardless of need or financial standing, Southeastern’s affordable monthly payment plans (found at SEU.afford.com) are available to all students and families. There is no approval process, and the only required cost is a nominal annual enrollment fee.

In compliance with Title IX and Section 504, Southeastern University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the Title IX officer at 863.667.5236. All other nondiscrimination questions may be referred to the director of human resources at 863.667.5248 or to the Office of Civil Rights at 404.974.9406.

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