Federal & State Aid

$639 to $6,345

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.

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.

$100 to $1,500

This grant is funded through a combination of federal and university funds and is dependent on funding levels approved by the federal government. SEOG is awarded to students who are also eligible for Federal Pell Grant funds. Students must complete the FAFSA by March 1st to be guaranteed receipt of this award.

$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. Note that the student must be accepted into the program first by the department chair (during the 2nd or 3rd year).

$1500 – $3,200

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 TASFAA, be a Texas resident, not be a recipient of an athletic scholarship, and not be enrolled in a theological or religion 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, with at least a 75% completion rate.

This is a state-sponsored program. Students receive biweekly paychecks through the Business Office for their on-campus jobs.

Undergraduate Students: $3,500 to $5,500

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.

Undergraduate Students: $2,000 to $7,000
Graduate Students: $20,500

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 undergraduate students may borrow $2,000 each year from the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan. 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.

Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year with an aggregate limit of $138,500.

This type of loan provides funding 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.

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. Students may borrow an amount up to the cost of attendance less other financial aid. Eligibility requirements are available at www.HHloans.com. Disclosures can be accessed here.

Students can find a list of private education lenders at https://www.elmselect.com. Students and families DO NOT have to select one of the lenders listed on Southwestern's ELM website.

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 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 can be viewed at www.studentaid.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. Cost of attendance information needed to complete this form, may be obtained at: Cost of Attendance. Estimated financial assistance may be obtained from the student’s Award Notification or via portal.swau.edu.