Nov 21, 2024  
2014-2015 Southeastern University Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Southeastern University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Financial Aid


Please refer to the section on Financial Aid for more information, or address specific questions to the Office of Financial Aid.

 

Financial Aid

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

 Federal Financial Aid Programs

 Financial Aid Programs for Florida

Residents

Southeastern Academic Scholars

Programs

National Assemblies of God

Scholarships

Florida Independent College Fund (FICF)

Scholarships

Other Scholarships

Graduate Education Loans

Other Programs

Although the primary responsibility for financing a university education lies with the student and his or her

family, Southeastern University offers many financial aid resources to those who qualify. Student financial

assistance at Southeastern University is provided to eligible students in the form of grants, scholarships,

loans and student employment. Procedures to be followed in applying for student aid and counseling

about federal and state programs are made available by the University’s Financial Aid Office.

The location of the university in central Florida provides students with many opportunities for part-time

employment. The returns from such work, together with savings from summer employment and financial

aid, enable many Southeastern students to work their way through college.

Southeastern University suggests that a prospective student contact his/her high school guidance

counselor for information about ways to finance an education. Information regarding scholarships for

Florida residents may be found at: www.FloridaStudentFinanicalAid.org

Federal Financial Aid Programs ^ TOP

Academic Eligibility for Financial Aid

To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet (1) credit completion ratio, (2) grade point average, and (3) maximum

timeframe.

1. Credit completion ratio

You must earn at least 67 percent of the credits you attempt in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress. At

the end of the academic year, your academic progress will be determined by comparing the number of credits you

attempted (including any course in which you were enrolled past the drop/add period) to those you actually earned.

Note: Transfer credits from another institution will be included in both attempted and earned credits.

2. Grade point average

Your cumulative grade point average (GPA) will be reviewed by the Student Financial Services office at the end of

the academic year (the end of the spring semester) or based on the terms of an Financial Aid Probation Agreement.

3. Maximum timeframe

You are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of 150 percent of the published degree credits required to

complete your program. For example, if your undergraduate degree program requires 120 degree credits, you are

eligible for aid up to 180 attempted credits. You will not be eligible to receive financial aid once you have exceeded

the SAP maximum timeframe (total attempted credits) of 150 percent of the published degree credits required to

complete your program. If you exceed the timeframe before you have finished your studies, you must use your own

funds to pay for your college expenses.

Financial Aid Suspension

If you do not attain the required cumulative GPA and/or credit completion ratio, you will be placed on financial aid

suspension. While on suspension you are not eligible for most financial aid programs (the exceptions include private

loan programs that do not require a stipulation of meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress and outside assistance not

subject to SAP).

You may attend the university, at your own expense, until you obtain the cumulative GPA and cumulative credit

completion requirement. To regain financial aid eligibility your record must reflect that you have met these

requirements. If you failed to meet these standards due to unusual circumstances, you have the right to appeal your

SAP suspension status.

Your Right to Financial Aid Appeal

A student on financial aid suspension may submit an appeal to the Student Financial Services office. The written

appeal must be filed with the Student Financial Services office within 30 days of the notice of ineligibility. Supporting

documentation and verification of the circumstances must be submitted with the appeal. The appeal must state the

reasons why the student failed to meet the SAP requirements and what steps have been taken to ensure academic

success in the future. This process is separate from the academic appeals process and must be handled through

Student Financial Services. Upon an approval of such an appeal, the student will be placed on financial aid probation

and may receive financial aid on a probationary status as described in the appeal response. Any appeal conditions

will be outlined in the response and may include an ongoing academic plan or timeframe for which a student must

meet certain requirements in order to continue to receive financial aid. If a student fails to make satisfactory academic

progress during the period of financial aid probation as assigned, and/or fails to meet correct academic deficiencies

within the prescribed time, that student will be then notified by Student Financial Services of his or her change to

financial aid suspension, subject to the total loss of financial aid, and the loss cannot be appealed again.

Notification of Satisfactory Academic Progress Deficiency

Both undergraduate and graduate students that are not meeting quantitative and qualitative satisfactory academic

progress are notified by Student Financial Services via email to their assigned SEU student email, at the end of the

spring semester, for the upcoming award year.

REQUIRED COMPLETION OF ATTEMPTED HOURS

Attempted

Hours

Cumulative GPA

1 – 31 1.6

32- 63 1.8

64 + 2.0

To be eligible for federal and state financial aid, a student must meet the following minimum guidelines:

Be eligible to enroll under the university’s academic policies.

An undergraduate student must attain a cumulative grade point of 1.6 by the end of the freshman year

(completion of 31 hours) and a 1.8 by the end of the sophomore year (completion of 63 hours) and maintain

a 2.0 average thereafter (see chart above).

Graduate students must remain in good standing according to policies set forth by Academic Policies.

A graduate student must earn a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times when enrolled in a graduate

program of study.

An undergraduate and graduate student must complete 67% of the total credit hours attempted. The number

of hours attempted is based on the total cumulative credit hours for which the student was enrolled at the

end of the add/drop period. The number of hours earned is the cumulative total of these hours for which the

student received 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.

SAP evaluations are reviewed at the end of spring term each academic year. If after the end of the

academic year (or spring term, if student only attending one semester) the student is not meeting SAP

standards the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

If an appeal has been granted for the student, the student will be placed on an Academic Plan. The

Academic Plan will include the requirement to maintain a 2.5 GPA for all term hours attempted, and it must

be followed and satisfied each term. Otherwise, the student is ineligible for further federal and state aid until

SAP standards are met.

Appeals are final.

Federal Pell Grant 

All students applying for a Federal Pell Grant (and all other federal financial aid) must complete the Free

Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may apply for FAFSA on the WEB

(www.fafsa.ed.gov). Students will receive a Student Aid Report Information Acknowledgement in the mail

about two weeks after submitting the online FAFSA (students providing an email address will receive an

email with a link to their Student Aid Record - SAR - in no more than five days.)

Based on the information in the SAR and a complete financial aid file, the University’s Financial Aid

Department will calculate the amount of Pell Grant (and other financial aid) to be awarded to the student.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federally funded program provided

for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant

recipients. The amount of the grant depends on the amount of verified need (as determined by the SAR)

and on the availability of federal funds provided to the institution.

Federal Perkins Loan Program

A Federal Perkins Loan is a low interest loan to help pay for education costs while attending the

university. These loans are for students with exceptional need and priority is given to Federal Pell Grant

recipients.

Repayment begins nine (9) months after a student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time. He

or she may be allowed up to ten (10) years to repay. The amount of each payment depends upon the size

of the debt and the length of the repayment period, but usually the student must pay at least $40 per

month.

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) provides jobs for students who are eligible for financial aid and

who need to earn part of their education expenses to stay in college. The salary is at least equal to the

current minimum wage.

The amount of the work-study award depends on the financial need (as determined by the SAR), on the

amount of other aid received, and on the availability of federal funds provided to the institution.

Some examples of FWSP jobs at Southeastern University include: library assistant, laboratory assistant,

secretarial assistant and custodian.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan Program

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans are low interest loans made to eligible students attending a postsecondary

school at least half-time. Loan funds are provided by a lender and insured by the Federal

Government. While the student is attending school, the Federal Government pays the interest on the loan

and defers (postpones) repayment of the principal.

Maximum yearly loan amounts are $3,500 for Freshmen, $4,500 for Sophomores and $5,500 for Juniors

and Seniors. The subsidized loan limit for a graduate student is $8,500 per academic year. A required

origination/insurance fee is deducted by some lenders from each loan prior to disbursement to the

student.

Repayment of this loan begins 6 months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below halftime.

The repayment term is normally five to ten years depending on the amount of the loan. Applications

are available through the University’s Financial Aid Office.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program

Federal Unsubsidized (non-need based) Stafford Loans are low interest loans made to eligible

students attending a post-secondary institution at least half-time. Loan funds are provided by

a lender and insured by the Federal Government. The Federal Government does not pay the interest on

this type of loan while the student is in school or in deferment. Unsubsidized borrowers are responsible

for all interest beginning at disbursement.

Maximum annual loan limits are $4,000 for Freshmen and Sophomores and $5,000 for Juniors and

Seniors. The unsubsidized loan limit for graduate students is $10,000 per year. An origination/insurance

fee is deducted by some lenders from each loan prior to disbursement to the student.

Repayment of this loan can be deferred (postponed) until six months after the student graduates, leaves

school, or drops below half-time status. However, as noted above, the student is responsible for all

interest that accrues during the deferment period. Applications are available through the University’s

Financial Aid Office.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (Plus)

Federal PLUS loans are for parents who want to borrow to help pay for their student’s education. These

loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow for each dependent child who is enrolled at least

half-time. An origination/insurance fee is deducted by the lender from each loan check prior to

disbursement.

Interest rates are variable but will not exceed nine percent. Repayment begins immediately after

disbursement of funds. Depending on the amount borrowed, parents may have up to 10 years to repay.

Students should complete a FAFSA and submit a valid SAR to the University’s Financial Aid Office in

order to determine the amount of the parent’s eligibility for a Federal PLUS loan.

Financial Aid Programs for Florida Residents ^ TOP

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides scholarship awards to high achieving students.

Each recipient must be a Florida resident, enrolled for at least six (6) hours in an eligible Florida public or

independent post-secondary educational institution, and meet all requirements of the scholarship

program. Initial eligibility is determined by the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance. Visit

www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org for additional information.

 

Florida Student Assistance Grant

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) provides aid to students who demonstrate financial need

as evidenced by the federal system of needs analysis.

In addition to demonstrating need, a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; a Florida

resident for reasons other than education for no less than one year preceding the beginning of the

academic year for which application is made; and, enrolled or accepted for enrollment, as a full-time

undergraduate student. A FAFSA must be processed by the U.S. Department of Education by April 15th.

Contact the University’s Financial Aid Office or a high school guidance counselor for information.

Florida Resident Access Grant

The Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) provides tuition assistance at eligible independent non-profit

Florida colleges and universities. The maximum award amount is specified in the General Appropriations

Act. Actual award amounts depend on the level of funding and number of eligible students. Applicants

must be Florida residents, enrolled full-time in a first bachelor’s degree program and making satisfactory

academic progress. For information or application, contact the University’s Financial Aid Office.

Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund

This program provides financial assistance to Hispanic-Americans who meet scholastic requirements,

demonstrate financial need, and enroll for undergraduate study. A student must apply as a high school

senior and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An applicant must enroll fulltime,

be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and be a Florida resident for a minimum of one year. Apply

online by April 1st at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

This program provides scholarships to outstanding high school graduates who show promise of continued

academic achievement. Outstanding Florida high school seniors with a 3.85 unweighted grade point

average may participate. Students must be nominated by their high school. Apply online at

www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org by April 15th.

Southeastern Academic Scholars Programs ^ TOP

Please contact the Admission Office for information regarding Academic Scholarships.

National Assemblies of God Scholarships ^ TOP

These scholarships are awarded by the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

J. Robert Ashcroft National Youth Scholarship

This award is made jointly by the Assemblies of God National Christian Higher Education and Youth

Departments to winners chosen from district nominees. High school seniors who are planning to attend

an Assemblies of God university in the fall following high school graduation are eligible.

Four criteria are:

1. Academics

2. Extra-curricular involvement (includes employment and community service)

3. Christian service (includes participation in church ministry, youth ministry, and/or other Christian

education ministry)

4. Other (includes references, statement of financial need, statement of Christian commitment and

an essay on why the student wants to attend an Assemblies of God university).

Applications are available from the offices of the district youth directors in November of each year.

Deadline for application is March 31 of each year.

Endowed Scholarship Program for Minority Students

The purpose for the Assemblies of God Endowed Scholarship Program for Minority Students is to assist

and encourage ethnic minority students to receive education at endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary

schools and enter into effective ministries in their ethnic and cultural communities in the United

States.

These scholarships are awarded through, and administered by, endorsed Assemblies of God postsecondary

schools in a program coordinated and funded by the Assemblies of God Division of Christian

Higher Education. The deadline for submitting the application to the Financial Aid Office is February 1.

 

Other Scholarships ^ TOP

Applications for most of these college scholarships are available at http://myseu.seu.edu/finances/scholarships/ prior to April

1st of each year. Awardsare made during the spring semester for the following academic year. Applications for any of the

scholarships listed below should be made as soon after January 1 as possible. Deadline date for

application is April 1.

 

Graduate Education Loans ^ TOP

Graduate students currently enrolled in the Master of Arts Ministry Leadership program are eligible to

participate in a private alternative loan program to cover the cost of attendance. Alternative loans are

available through several lenders.

 

Other Programs ^ TOP

Veterans Benefits

Southeastern University is approved by the State Approving Agency of the State of Florida for the

education and training of veterans and eligible dependents under public laws in effect. Students who are

eligible for educational benefits under any Veterans Administration program should contact a veterans’

service office for information, procedures and forms as early as possible. 

Students must be enrolled for 12 or more semester hours to be eligible for full-time benefits. A student

cannot receive educational benefits for audit courses. VA regulations require that students take courses

that are applicable to their degree program, make satisfactory progress toward their degree, and maintain

satisfactory attendance for the degree program as stated in the Standard of Progress.

Veterans’ benefits will be terminated for students who fail to make satisfactory progress or receive

dismissal for academic or disciplinary reasons.

The student is responsible for notifying the certifying official at Southeastern Univsersity,and the VA Regional Office of any enrollment changes or termination of enrollment. The VA student is responsible for any overpayment of benefits resulting from a change in enrollment. The VA toll-free number is 1-800-827-1000.

Southeastern University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Three Easy Steps to receiving VA benefits at Southeastern University:

1. Apply for benefits on the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov
2. Submit a copy of your application or Certificate of Eligibility to the VA Representative in the Student Financial Services Offices.

3. Our Certifying Official will certify your enrollment hours and tuition to the VA website immediately following the drop/add period for each semester that you are enrolled.

Southeastern University VA Representative:
Ivette Valentin imvalentin@seu.edu 863-667-5034