Financial Aid

General Information

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) offers a range of financial aid options to support students in their educational journey. To apply for financial aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form at www.studentaid.gov. The FAFSA Form becomes available on October 1st each year.

The FAFSA Priority Deadline for SWU is March 1st for the Fall Semester. It is important to complete your FAFSA application before this date to be considered for financial aid.

Federal and State Financial Aid

Southern Wesleyan University participates in the federal and state aid programs listed below. Please note programs are subject to change. These programs are only for citizens or permanent residents of the United States, but they are available for both the On-Campus and SWU Global programs.

State Funded Scholarships & Grant Programs

South Carolina provides direct support to students pursuing higher education through a number of need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants funded through the South Carolina Education Lottery. Students must be South Carolina residents to receive state-funded financial aid. For additional details, general eligibility, and SC residency requirements, please visit the SC Commission on Higher Education (CHE) website at Scholarships and Grants for SC Residents | CHE.

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship created for students attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. The HOPE scholarship is available only to a full-time student who is a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of enrollment. Eligible students may receive up to $2800 for the freshman year only. To qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, first-time entering freshmen must have graduated with a minimum 3.0 GPA. See the website for complete information.

South Carolina LIFE Scholarship

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available only to a full-time student who is a resident of South Carolina at the time of high-school graduation and at the time of college enrollment. Students must meet two of these criteria: score 1100 on SAT (24 on ACT), and/or graduate with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0, and/or a final ranking in the top 30% of graduating class. Eligible students may receive up to $5,000.00. See the website for complete information.

South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available only to a full-time student who is a resident of South Carolina at the time of high-school graduation and at the time of college enrollment. Eligible students receive up to $6,700 during the first year. The amount increases to $7,500 for the second year through the fourth year and is renewable. Application details are available from high-school guidance counselors. See the website for complete information.

LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancements

STEM Enhancements

LIFE scholarship and Palmetto Fellows recipients who in addition to general eligibility criteria, have completed their freshman year with 30 credit hours, 14 of which are eligible math and/or science courses, and who have declared an eligible math or science major before the last day to drop/add classes for the Fall semester may receive an additional amount of up to $2,500.00.

Education Enhancements

LIFE Scholarship and Palmetto Fellows recipients who, in addition to general eligibility criteria, have completed their freshman year with 30 credit hours and who have declared an eligible education major before the last day to drop/add classes for the Fall semester may receive an additional amount of up to $2,500.00. Students must sign a contractual agreement, committing to either: Work in a SC public school for each year they receive the enhancement, OR repay the funds received if they do not fulfill the service requirement. Students must obtain a teacher certification to qualify for scholarship forgiveness.

South Carolina Tuition Grant

South Carolina residents who attend Southern Wesleyan University full-time and demonstrate financial need may be eligible to receive a South Carolina Tuition Grant. Funds are appropriated yearly by the SC Legislature. SC residents who have been legal residents for at least one year must submit the FAFSA by August 1 each year. This grant helps make college more affordable by providing up to $5,000.00 per year toward tuition costs. The state uses the information on your FAFSA to determine your eligibility and how much you can receive. You must be enrolled as a full-time students and maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete a signed affidavit each year.

South Carolina Teacher Loan Program

This program is available only to residents of South Carolina who are attending college for the purpose of becoming certified teachers employed in the state's school system in areas of critical need as defined by the state Board of Education. For more information about the SC Teacher Loan application and forgiveness, please go to the SC Student Loan Corporation website.

Federal Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Government provides individual grants, based on family need, for educational expenses. Students should access www.studentaid.gov to complete the FAFSA Form. The student and, if dependent, will be required to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and password before completing any federal aid applications or documentation. Southern Wesleyan University requires all students who seek financial assistance to apply for all federal financial aid for which they might be eligible.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

The Financial Aid Office awards a limited allocation of SEOG Funds. Recipients must be undergraduates who have not already earned a Baccalaureate degree and who demonstrate exceptional financial need. SEOG recipients must be eligible to receive a federal Pell Grants. Additional information can be found on the federal student aid website.

Federal TEACH Grant Loan Program

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program was established by the federal government to encourage highly qualified teachers to serve low-income schools in high-need fields. If you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant program, please visit the TEACH Grant website or contact the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Direct Loans

Enrolled students may borrow up to $5,500.00 per year ($6,500.00 for sophomore year and $7,500.00 for junior/senior years). Additional information may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. A Federal loan is money you borrow and it must be paid back with interest. More information is available on the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website.

Work-Study Programs

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federal financial aid program for students with financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. The FWS allows students to earn money to help cover non-billable education expenses by working on-campus or at an off-campus, non-profit organization. Students not eligible for FWS may receive non-federal institutional work study if available.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To be eligible for federal financial aid, a student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of their program of study. Please review the SAP requirements below:

• Be eligible to enroll under the university's academic policies.

• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Failure to maintain a 2.0 GPA will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.

• Complete 67% of the total credit hours attempted. For each term, the number of hours attempted is based on the total cumulative credit hours in which the student was enrolled at the end of the drop period. The number of hours earned is the cumulative total of hours with a passing grade, as noted on the academic transcript.

• Complete the program of study in a time frame not to exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program (measured in credit hours). For example, if the academic program length requires 120 hours, the maximum time frame cannot exceed 180 credit hours attempted.

If a student fails to meet these criteria at the end of a term, the student will be put on financial aid warning for the next term. After two consecutive terms of not meeting these criteria, the student will be put on financial aid suspension and is no longer eligible for federal financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office for appeal information.

Verification Policy and Procedures

Students may be selected by the federal Department of Education for verification of their FAFSA information. Verification selection requires institutions to request additional documentation to verify information listed on the FAFSA. If selected for verification, SWU will request that students submit a Verification Worksheet to verify household count, number in household enrolled in college, and filing status. Additionally, an IRS tax return transcript for parent(s) and the student will be requested to verify income on the FAFSA.

In accordance with federal aid regulations, federal aid will not be disbursed to a student's account until verification is completed.

All Financial Aid documentation requested must be completed by June 30th for the upcoming Fall semester.

Other Resources

ROTC (Army & Air Force) Grants

Students enrolled in the Clemson University ROTC program are eligible to apply for 1-4 year grants, covering full tuition, fees, books, and a subsistence allowance. Additional information may be obtained from the high-school guidance counselor or from the Warriors CARE Center.

Veterans’ Benefits

Certain armed forces veterans and dependents, who qualify under Federal laws administered by the Veterans’ Administration, are eligible to receive educational benefits. Information about these programs is available through state or county V.A. offices, from SWU’s Warrior’s Care Center. Funding is available to eligible, active military students. SWU is a Yellow Ribbon participant.

Veterans' Benefits are considered a grant/scholarship for financial aid purposes. For that reason, total Veterans' Benefits, in combination with other grants and scholarships, cannot exceed direct university charges for tuition, fees, room and board. In the event that Veterans' Benefits plus other grants and scholarships exceed the student’s direct cost, other institutional aid will be reduced.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Southern Wesleyan University adopts the following provisions for students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33), Dependents Education Assistance (Ch. 35), Veterans Readiness and Employment (CH. 31) benefits, or Chapter 1606 of title 10 while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. Southern Wesleyan University will not:

• prevent the student’s enrollment;
• assess a late penalty fee;
• require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• deny the student’s access to any resources that are available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fees payment obligation.

To qualify for this provision, students must provide the VA Benefits Administrator (School Certifying Official) with a Certificate of Eligibility or other appropriate documentation, and Ch. 31 students must have an authorization submitted by their caseworker.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Students eligible for assistance under State Vocational Rehabilitation programs should check with the Financial Aid Office for details.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Many companies offer reimbursement towards higher educational costs for their employees. Contact the HR Department of your employer to inquire if your company participates.

Private Scholarships

Please see our website for Private Scholarship Search Services.

Institutional Financial Aid

Institutional financial aid is given by the university as an investment in the education of students in the On-Campus program. These scholarships and grants are limited to full-time students and are generally limited to 120 SWU undergraduate credit hours earned or four academic years, whichever comes first. However, any full-time student whose program requirements for the completion of one degree (not the addition of a major, other certifications, or an additional degree) cannot be completed in four years may appeal for additional institutional aid by contacting the Financial Aid Office. 

Students in their last semester of study before graduation who are not enrolled full-time should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility for institutional financial aid.

Institutional aid can be used only for direct, on-campus expenses, which include tuition, room and board, academic fees, and Student Resource Fee.

In no case will the total grants and scholarships financial aid exceed direct on-campus expenses. See the website for more information.

Church Scholarship

Churches and districts can assist students with their college investment by submitting funds that can be applied to the student’s financial aid package. SWU Church matching scholarships up to $1,000.00 per year is available to students who receive a scholarship from their church.

Athletic Grants-in-Aid

Students with outstanding athletic ability may be eligible for athletic grants-in-aid based on their participation in intercollegiate competition. The Director of Athletics supervises the awarding of athletic grants. Recipients are expected to apply for all federal aid for which they might be eligible.

Student athletes sign a contract that stipulates the conditions of accepting of athletic grants-in-aid. Violation of the contract may result in the inability to participate and possible loss of athletic financial aid.

A student athlete with probationary offenses may have grant-in-aid money reinstated at the beginning of the following semester at an amount no higher than when the suspension occurred provided that the student bears the expenses for one semester at the university and meets all stipulations of the probationary period within the scheduled time frame. The reinstatement of the grant-in-aid money is at the discretion of the coach, the athletic director, and the appropriate vice president.

Baccalaureate Degree Grant

Graduates of an accredited four-year institutions may receive up to a 50% discount on regular course tuition. Students will be considered only if at least one year has elapsed from time of graduation to time of application for the post-baccalaureate degree tuition grant. Any source(s) of educational assistance you receive will be considered and may impact your institutional scholarship. Special arrangement courses (tutorial, directed study, independent study, study abroad, major honors, co-op courses, and private lessons) will be at regular tuition rates. No other institutional aid is available to students with baccalaureate degrees.

Wesleyan Ministers Dependent Grant

Wesleyan Ministers Dependent Grant (WMDG) is awarded to dependent students of licensed or ordained Wesleyan ministers who are considered full-time by their district or actively serving career Wesleyan missionaries who are appointed by Global Partners.  WMDG covers 50% of tuition costs during the fall and spring semesters.  Up to 100% of tuition costs may be covered through the combination of other institutional aid and South Carolina Tuition Grants (SC residents only) and federal aid for which a student may be eligible.

The parent must remain as appointed and at full-time status at the time of the student’s university acceptance and matriculation.  If the student gets married prior to the start of the academic year, the WMDG is no longer applicable.

Active Duty Military

Southern Wesleyan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military personnel and their spouses who are enrolled in SWU Global. This includes active drilling National Guardsmen and Reservists who have served in combat as evidenced by a letter from the student’s commander, stating completion of active service in combat. The Military Discount is considered Institutional Aid. A student will not be eligible to receive the Military Discount if the combination of any grant, Institutional Aid and/or any governmental military benefits exceeds the cost of a course. Please contact the Student Accounts Office to be considered for this discount.

Note: Spouses of National Guard or Reservists do not qualify for discount.