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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.
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
Satisfactory Academic Progress & Eligibility for Financial Assistance
To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet certain academic progress requirements as evaluated at the end of each academic year (ending the spring semester). Those requirements include: (1) credit completion ratio, (2) grade point average, and (3) maximum time frame.
1. Credit completion
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
Students in a graduate level program must maintain a minimum GPA as outlined by their specific degree program, typically a 3.0 GPA overall. Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum overall GPA as determined by your attempted credit hours. 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) Minimum GPA requirements are based on the number of attempted hours as follows:
REQUIRED COMPLETION OF ATTEMPTED HOURS
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Attempted Hours
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Cumulative GPA
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1 – 31
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1.6
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32 – 63
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1.8
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64 +
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2.0
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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.
Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility
If you do not attain the required cumulative GPA, credit completion ratio, or pace of completion, you will lose eligibility for financial aid. While failing to meet any/all SAP requirements, 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 by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services as outlined in the notification you will receive at that time.
In conjunction with, and in addition to the academic policy listed in the University catalog, the grading marks F, I, W, WF, WP, and WD will not be considered as successful completion of courses attempted. The attempt of these courses will be considered in quantitative (percent completion) analysis of SAP but not the qualitative (GPA) analysis. The Incomplete (I) grades will be considered into the qualitative (GPA) analysis when completed according to the provisions in the University catalog. When an incomplete grade changes to another grade notation, that change will be picked up in the next SAP review.
Repeat course credits earned are averaged into the cumulative grade point averages; however, credit hours are counted only once toward graduation requirement, but both attempts toward the percent of completion calculation. Credit hours in which a “CR” has been earned count toward total graduation requirements but are not used in the computation of grade point averages. Non-credit hours for which a “NC” has been earned are not used in the computation of grade point averages. Audit classes (AU) do not constitute hours attempted or completed.
Notification of Satisfactory Academic Progress Deficiency
Both undergraduate and graduate students that are not meeting quantitative (completion ratio) OR qualitative (GPA) satisfactory academic progress are notified by Student Financial Services via email to their assigned SEU student email, at the end of the spring semester. Loss of financial aid eligibility is effective immediately.
Summer Semesters and Academic Progress
If a student receives notification of loss of financial aid eligibility at the end of the spring semester, the student has the right to submit an appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services for review of academic standing. If the appeal is approved, continuation of financial aid eligibility will remain allowing the student to enroll in coursework for the upcoming semester. Annual limits and requirements for awards still impact a student’s ability to receive funding and an approved appeal does not automatically enable a student to receive aid in the summer if all funding has already been exhausted for that academic year. If the appeal is denied, any already awarded FSA funds for any upcoming or current semesters or terms will be removed making the student financially liable for tuition and fees for the summer term if enrolled. Due to the timing of summer courses and the completion of the SAP review there may be instances where aid was awarded and disbursed for summer prior to being aware of the failure to meet SAP requirements. If this occurs, funding will need to be returned without an approved appeal and the student will be liable for all fees.
Your Right to Financial Aid Appeal
A student who wishes to appeal academic progress status due to extenuating circumstances (i.e., prolonged personal illness, or injury to the student, death of a relative of the student, special circumstances as determined by Southeastern University, consideration for change of major not to exceed 150 percent of the published degree credits required to complete your program, etc.) must submit a written request to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee as outlined in their notification from the Office of Student Financial Services. A student who loses financial aid eligibility may submit an appeal to the Student Financial Services office for such extenuating circumstances as outlined above. 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. Appeals are subject to committee review and are not automatically approved.
Should an appeal request be approved, 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 loss of financial aid eligibility, and the loss cannot be appealed again without there being new and extenuating circumstances for consideration.
(NOTE: State programs have separate Academic Progress Requirements.)
STUDENT PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY
SEU makes every attempt to help secure finances to meet the needs of every student. Any financial aid you receive that is administered by the Office of Student Financial Services will appear on your account and will be applied directly against your institutional charges (tuition and fees). Any excess balance that is not covered by financial aid is due and payable in full 30 days prior to the first day class. Students are financially responsible for all charges related to your academic registration. Understand that if you decide not to attend the course(s) which you are registered for, it is your responsibility to drop the course(s) by the drop/add date (date varies by semester) to avoid any financial liability to you the student. Students are also responsible for past due balances on your student account. The account balance must be paid in full before the start of the next semester.
Students who borrow Title IV aid; i.e. Pell, loans, work-study, FSEOG; are responsible for using such funds for related educational expenses. Understand that you are responsible for repayment on any loans borrowed. The amount of repayment is established by the Department of Education.
Enrollment Status Requirements For Graduate Students
For financial assistance purposes, SEU has various credit hour requirements for Graduate programs dependent on the program of study. Please refer to the SEU Graduate Catalog for details.
Financial Aid Probation for Graduate Students
Graduate Degrees
The term “Academic Progress Standards” defines a minimum standard of progress that the University expects graduate students to achieve as they work toward their educational goals. A satisfactory level of academic achievement is determined on the basis of the student’s cumulative grade point average calculated on the basis of all graduate work attempted.
To be eligible for continued enrollment in good standing, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average. Students who maintain the standards noted below will ensure they graduate with the required cumulative GPA. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative (3.0) average in their graduate program. A student is in academic good standing only if his or her cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or higher.
The maximum number of C’s allowed in a graduate program is two. If a student earns a grade of D or F in a course, the student may be placed on probation or suspension. Courses in which a student receives a grade of D or F may not be counted toward degree completion.
Students who fall below the minimum GPA will be placed on academic probation and may be suspended. A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined to be eligible for federal financial aid programs at Southeastern University.
To qualify for state aid, a student must maintain the standard of progress as defined by the state agency. In addition, agencies and/or organizations supporting academic scholarships may enforce stricter eligibility standards than the minimum standards required by Southeastern University. Refer to the section on Financial Aid Information in the Graduate Handbook for additional criteria that may apply.
Some University master’s programs require or give the option for a culminating project, thesis, or directed reading for graduation. These culminating efforts will be taken as a regular course with the intent that the student completes the culminating effort in that term. In the event a student is unable to complete that culminating effort in the initial semester, the student must enroll in a zero-credit continuation course with an associated fee for each semester until the completion of the culminating project, thesis, or directed research. After three semesters of continuance (one year), the course grade(s) will revert to an F.
Financial Aid Warning
Financial Aid Warning is the initial official action for a student failing to make satisfactory academic progress. Since Southeastern University’s policy is only to review at the end of each spring semester, students will not be placed on Financial Aid Warning as would be the case should an institution review at the end of each payment period.
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 Acknowledgment 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 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 Student Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
- Criteria: Must file FAFSA and complete additional loan requirements.
- Repayment: Loan repayment can be deferred until six months after student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.
- Origination fees are deducted by the loan servicer from each loan prior to disbursement.
- Repayment of these loans begin 6 months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half time.
Federal Direct SUBSIDIZED Loans – For undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education generally pays the interest while a student is in school at least half time and during certain other periods. Interest rate varies from year to year but is fixed for the life of the loan. Interest does not begin accruing until you graduate or drop below half-time attendance.
Federal Direct UNSUBSIDIZED Loans – For undergraduate and graduate or professional students; non-need based. Interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed, and borrower is responsible for all interest. Interest rate varies from year to year but is fixed for the life of the loan.
Maximum Total Award Amounts per Year, based on eligibility:
Undergraduate, Dependent Students:
- Freshman (1-31 credit hours): up to $5,500 (maximum $3,500 in subsidized loans)
- Sophomore (32-63 credit hours): up to $6,500 (maximum $4,500 in subsidized loans)
- Junior/Senior (64+ credit hours): up to $7,500 (maximum $5,500 in subsidized loans)
Undergraduate, Independent Students:
- Freshmen (1-31 credit hours): up to $9,500 (maximum $3,500 in subsidized loans)
- Sophomore (32-63 credit hours): up to $10,500 (maximum $4,500 in subsidized loans)
- Junior/Senior (64+ credit hours): up to $12,500 (maximum $5,500 in subsidized loans)
Graduate/Professional Students: $20,500 (unsubsidized only)
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limits
- Undergraduate, Dependent Students: $31,000 (maximum $23,000 may be in subsidized loans)
- Undergraduate, Independent Students: $57,500 (maximum $23,000 may be in subsidized loans)
- Graduate/Professional Students: $138,500 (maximum $65,500 may be in subsidized loans). The graduate/professional aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.
Additional Loan Information
Use your FSA ID to log in to studentloans.gov for additional loan information.
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (Plus)
Federal PLUS loans are for parents who want to borrow to help pay for their dependent 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 fee is deducted by the lender from each loan prior to disbursement.
Interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan and are determined annually for new loans. t. Repayment begins immediately after disbursement of funds but can be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Parents have 10-25 years to repay depending on the repayment plan chosen.
Students should complete a FAFSA 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 http://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 some third-party scholarships are available on the Financial Services Webpage. Students are encouraged to seek out additional outside scholarship options on their own.
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 apply through the US Department of Veteran Affairs website. All information, instructions, and procedures are provided on the website.
Students must be enrolled for 12 or more semester hours to be eligible for full-time benefits. These semester hours do vary and differ for our non-traditional student population. 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. Students using VA educational benefits are “required” to submit all transcripts from prior higher ed institutions for evaluation of course credit. 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 University of any enrollment changes such as withdrawal and/or dropped courses 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 1-888-GIBILL1 (888-442-4551). .
Southeastern University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Three Easy Steps to receiving VA benefits at Southeastern University:
- Apply for benefits on the US Department of Veteran Affairs website.
- Submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the VA Certifying Official in the Student Financial Services Office via email or fax (863-667-5961) .
- Our Certifying Official will certify your enrollment hours and tuition to the VA website following the drop/add period for each semester that you are enrolled.
Southeastern University VA Representative:
- Ivette Valentin, VA Certifying Official/Associate Director of SFS (imvalentin@seu.edu; 863-667-5034)
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