HOW TO MANAGE COLLEGE COSTS
A financial aid guide with information on scholarships, grants, loans, and more ways to make it possible to realize your dream of attending SBU.
REAL VALUE.
A college degree remains one of the best investments in your future. Recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn $24,000 more on average than those with just a high school diploma, according to a 2023 study by the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. Other studies have consistently shown college graduates earn more over their lifetime than those without a degree.
But college is expensive, and it can be daunting to think about trying to cover the cost. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to reduce costs and to secure additional resources to make a college degree attainable.
Read on to learn how you can earn a valuable degree from SBU.
IMPORTANT DATES
JANUARY 24 | Scholars Day
FEBRUARY 1 | File your FAFSA before this February 1st to maximize your financial aid opportunities
APRIL 1 | Expected deadline for Access MO Grant
We are committed to offering generous financial aid packages and keeping families informed of all the resources available to them to make the dream of an SBU degree a reality.
PRESIDENT RICK MELSON
So, how does it work?
STEP 1 | Scholarships
Every student admitted to Southwest Baptist University earns an academic merit scholarship. You can review the criteria for the academic awards below, as well as other institutional awards available to new incoming students. All institutional scholarships require a 2.0 GPA to be renewed.
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
SBU wants to reward you for your academic achievements! Academic scholarships are available for both freshmen and transfer students. Once you have been admitted to SBU, your admissions counselor will let you know of your academic scholarship eligibility. You will receive an academic scholarship that can be renewed annually.
Freshman Merit Scholarships
Renewable up to 8 semesters, must maintain 2.0 GPA
Transfer Merit Scholarships
Renewable up to 8 semesters, must maintain 2.0 GPA
*Residency grants are awarded to all students who live on campus. SBU requires students to live on campus unless they are age 21 or older, or they live with their parents/guardians within a 30-mile radius of the Bolivar campus
PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS
SBU offers a number of scholarships designed to both reward and develop your unique talents, whether you are an athlete, have gifts in the performing arts, or can win an argument on our speech and debate team.
SBU’s 21 NCAA Division II sports offer scholarships. Contact your admissions counselor for details. Amount Varies
Scholarships are available based on auditions or tryouts. Contact your admissions counselor for details.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS
As a Christian university, it is SBU’s privilege to award scholarships to students entering the ministry and to partner with churches who want to assist their students in pursuing Christian higher education. We also offer awards for students who excel in specific settings like dual credit through SBU or achieving A+ status in Missouri.
Award
SBU Grant
Church Matching
Ministry-Related Vocation
Church Minister Dependent
Missionary Dependent
Amount Varies
Up to $500
$2,000
$1,000
$1,000
A+ Qualified
$1,000
Dual Credit
$250
Details
Awarded based on student need. Students receiving an athletic or performance scholarship (Music/Speech & Debate/Art) are not eligible.
SBU will match a scholarship from your church up to $500, renewable up to four years.
Available to students pursuing a degree in Biblical Studies, Church Ministry, Church Music, or Missions.
Have a parent or spouse who is employed as a full-time minister in a church.
Available to students who are a dependent of someone currently serving full-time on the mission field for the International Mission Board (IMB), North American Mission Board (NAMB) or another approved missions organization.
Available to freshman students who have met A+ requirements in the State of Missouri. Students receiving an athletic or performance scholarship (Music/Speech & Debate/Art) are not eligible.
Available to students who have completed at least 6 hours of dual credit or dual enrollment through SBU, earning a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Credits must be completed by the end of the spring semester of your senior year to qualify. Students receiving an athletic or performance scholarship (Music/Speech & Debate/Art) are not eligible.
Sibling Scholars Day
State College Grant
$500
K-12 Partners, Homeschool, and Missouri Baptist Church attendees
$500-$1,000 plus two full-tuition
$2,000
50% off of tuition
For students who have a brother or sister attending SBU as undergraduate students at the same time (siblings who are currently attending will also receive). Students receiving an athletic or performance scholarship (Music/Speech & Debate/ Art) are not eligible.
Invitations sent to students who qualify. Contact your admissions counselor for details.
Available to incoming transfer students who are transferring from Ozarks Technical College, Johnson County Community College, State Fair Community College, Three Rivers College, and Crowder College. Students receiving an athletic or performance scholarship (Music/Speech & Debate/Art) are not eligible.
Students who meet any of these criteria are eligible for 50% off their tuition. This award would be taken in place of ALL other SBU scholarships/grants. If the combination of other SBU scholarships/grants is greater than 50% of tuition, a student may opt to receive the greater amount.
FEDERAL/STATE FINANCIAL AID
Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your eligibility for state and federal grants - which are financial awards that do not have to be paid back – or loan programs – which do need to be paid back.
Scholarships/Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Work Study
Access Missouri Award (Missouri residents)
Bright Flight Scholarship (Missouri residents)
Must submit the FAFSA. Available to students with financial need based on FAFSA results.
Must submit the FAFSA. Available to students with financial need based on FAFSA results. SBU receives a limited amount of funds to disburse to students who qualify.
Must submit the FAFSA. Eligible students work parttime or full-time jobs on campus until the maximum earnings are reached. Positions are reserved for students with financial needs and published each semester. Eligibility will be communicated in official award packages in the spring when FAFSA results are provided to the university.
Must submit the FAFSA. Must be enrolled as a fulltime student at a participating Missouri institution and meet SAI thresholds.
Based on test score results. Must be enrolled as a full-time student at a participating Missouri institution and typically score at least a 31 on the ACT.
Up to $7,395
$200 -- $1,000
Up to $1,950
Up to $2,850
Up to $3,000
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans *Year 1 - Up to $5,500 *Year 2 - Up to $6,500 *Year 3+ - Up to $7,500
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Must submit the FAFSA. There are annual limits on the amount that can be subsidized (interest paid by government while in school) vs. unsubsidized (interest accrues while in school).
Must submit the FAFSA. Available to parents of undergraduate students. Separate application is required.
Up to $20,000 per year; $65,000 lifetime limit per student.
* Amounts can vary based on dependent status of students and parent eligibility for PLUS loans
STEP 2 | File your FAFSA
To receive any state or federal financial aid for which you may qualify, you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once SBU receives your FAFSA results, a personalized financial aid package will be put together for you (aid packages should be available beginning in December). Your admissions counselor will help you through this process and work with you to create a financial aid package that works for you.
Important reminder: Families must submit the FAFSA to be eligible for SBU aid, as well as any federal and state programs. Use SBU’s FAFSA code (002502).
For more information on financial aid and to access SBU’s cost estimator, visit SBUniv.edu/admissions/ financial-aid.
FAQs
WHY SHOULD I FILE THE FAFSA?
Southwest Baptist University requires the FAFSA for students to be eligible for financial aid. Aside from that, you won’t know all the different financial aid options available to you if you don’t complete the FAFSA.
WHAT IS SBU’S FAFSA SCHOOL CODE?
Our school code is 002502. Use it when filing your FAFSA to ensure that our financial aid office receives your form.
SHOULD I CONSIDER TAKING OUT LOANS?
Every student and family situation is different, and for some using loans to pay for college might not be the right choice. But for those who are responsible with debt and who are willing to leverage it for the long-term benefits of a college degree, loans can be a useful tool. If you think you will take out loans, make sure you do your research, look for the best rates, and estimate what your monthly payments will be after graduation.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIRECT SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS?
Direct loans offer two options - subsidized and unsubsidized. Interest on subsidized loans is paid by the government while a student is in school, but there are lower limits on the amount that can be borrowed. Interest on unsubsidized loans accrues while the student is in school, and there are larger limits on the amount that can be borrowed.
The aggregate borrowing limit for an undergraduate student on direct loans is $31,000 and no more than $23,000 of this can be direct subsidized loans. Please visit studentaid.gov to review situations that could change your borrowing limit.
DOES SBU OFFER PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS?
Yes! You can set up a payment plan online by logging into your Student Account Center and completing the following steps:
1. Click on “Self-Service” and select “Student Finance.”
2. Click “Make a Payment.”
3. Choose the “Payment Plans” option in the page menu or click on the “Enroll in Payment Plan” box located under your account balance.
4. Select the term for which you wish to set up a payment plan and select the payment plan option that works best for you.
5. Follow the prompts to schedule your payments using either your bank account information or a debit/credit card (additional processing fee). Your payments will automatically be paid on the due date using the payment method entered.
Questions regarding the SBU Payment Plan should be directed to your admissions counselor.
Note: All charges for tuition, room and board, and fees are due in full at the beginning of the semester unless covered by an SBU Payment Plan. Payment plans are not available to international students.
For more frequently asked questions about financial aid, visit SBUniv.edu/FA
What's the bottom line?
Curious what your bottom line to attend SBU might look like? Want to know ways you can close the gap? Below are a handful of estimated scenarios that might be similar to yours. Use our Cost Estimator online for more specific scenarios. You must file the FAFSA for accurate Pell Grant, SBU Grant, and MO Access amounts.
3.4 GPA, non-Missouri resident, SAI=1,500
Tuition/Fees, Room and Board
Academic (Presidential)
Residency Grant
Missouri A+
Scholar’s Day
Church Match
Bright Flight
Outside Scholarship
Cost before loans
Fed Direct Loan
Tuition/Fees, Room and Board
(Dean)
Balance Due
4.0 GPA, Missouri resident, SAI=24,000 Let's break down your costs:
3.9 GPA, Missouri resident, athlete, SAI=17,000
Tuition/Fees, Room and Board
(Provost)
3.2 GPA, Missouri Resident, athlete, SAI=500
Tuition/Fees, Room and Board
Academic (Bearcat)
Residency Grant
Dependant
Bright Flight
Church Match
Athletic
Outside Scholarship
Cost before loans
Fed Direct Loan
Job earning $15/hour, work 10 hours/week for 45 weeks
Match Outside Scholarship Cost before loans Fed Direct Loan
Job earning $15/hour, work 10 hours/week for 45 weeks Balance Due Balance Due
Job earning $15/hour, work 10 hours/week for 45 weeks
Costs for the 2026-2027 academic year on the Bolivar campus are listed below. To explore all aid you might receive, use the Cost Estimator tool on our website.
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