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. Southeastern University provides financial assistance to eligible students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment. The office of Student Financial Services assists students in following the procedures to apply for federal and state financial aid, and counselors are available to discuss students’ financial questions and options.

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.

Federal Financial Aid Programs ^ TOP

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Requirements & Eligibility for Financial Aid

Graduate Students

Students receiving financial aid (including Direct Student Loans and Parent PLUS loans) must maintain good academic standing with the University in order to continue eligibility for financial aid awards. To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet certain academic progress requirements, evaluated at the end of each academic year (ending the spring semester). Including: (1) credit completion ratio, (2) grade point average, and (3) maximum time frame. This policy applies to all admitted students enrolled in all programs. All terms are included in the review, even those in which the student was/is enrolled, and did not receive federal student aid.

1. Credit completion

Students must successfully complete (earn) at least 67 percent of the credits they attempt in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

At the end of the academic year, academic progress is determined by comparing the number of credits attempted (including any course in which a student was enrolled past the drop/add period) to those actually earned. Note: Transfer credits from another institution are included in both attempted and earned credits.

2. Grade point average (GPA)

Graduate students must maintain a minimum overall cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA). A student’s 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).

Treatment of Grades:

*Incomplete (I) grades will be considered in 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.

 3. Maximum timeframe

Students are eligible to receive federal financial aid for a maximum of 150 percent (150%) of the published degree credits required to complete their program. For example, if a graduate degree program requires 60 degree credits, a student is eligible for aid up to 90 attempted credits. Students will not be eligible to receive federal student aid once they have exceeded the maximum timeframe (total attempted credits) of 150 percent of the published degree credits required to complete their program.

Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student will lose financial aid eligibility if he or she does not attain any one or more of the required components:

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA)
• Minimum 67% overall credit completion ratio
• Maximum timeframe of 150% or less of the published degree credits required to complete your program.

Financial aid includes all grants, work study, and loans, including PLUS loans. Failure to meet any/all SAP requirements will deem the student ineligible for these programs.

Private loan programs and outside financial assistance that do not require a stipulation of meeting satisfactory academic progress are exceptions, and students may maintain eligibility for these types of programs dependent upon the lender’s criteria.

A student may attend the university, at his or her own expense, until the student is meeting all of the required components of satisfactory academic progress and regains federal student aid eligibility.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

To regain financial aid eligibility the student’s transcript/record must reflect satisfactory academic progress requirements have been met.  A student may regain eligibility in one of the following ways:

• Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements: Attend the university or transfer in credits from another institution at his/her own expense until the student is meeting all of the required components of this policy.
• Approved appeal: If a student failed to meet these standards due to unusual circumstances, he/she may submit an appeal by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services as outlined in the e-mail notification alerting him or her to the loss of federal aid eligibility. See section titled “Right to Financial Aid Appeal.”

Notification of Satisfactory Academic Progress Deficiency

Student Financial Services notifies Graduate students at the end of spring semester via the student’s SEU email account if the student is not meeting either the quantitative (completion ratio) OR qualitative (GPA) component of satisfactory academic progress. Loss of financial aid eligibility is effective immediately.

Summer Semesters and Academic Progress

When a student receives notification of loss of financial aid eligibility at the end of the spring semester and is enrolled in a summer term, he or she will lose financial aid eligibility for summer term courses unless a financial aid appeal has been submitted and approved.

Right to Financial Aid Appeal

A student who has not met SAP (satisfactory academic progress) requirements may appeal the loss of financial aid eligibility if the student has suffered undue hardship such as:

• Severe illness, medical condition or injury
• Death of a family member
• Traumatic life-altering event such as fire, hurricane, etc.
• Other circumstances deemed acceptable by Southeastern University

A student who wishes to appeal his or her satisfactory academic progress status due to extenuating circumstances must submit a written request to the Student Financial Services office for review. All appeals must have supporting documentation attached at the time they are submitted. Acceptable documentation is outlined on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal for Continued Aid form. To submit an appeal, students must:

• Complete and submit a signed Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal for Continued Aid form, including supporting documentation (including dates) as outlined on the form.
• Attach a signed explanation of the circumstances that prevented the student from maintaining satisfactory academic progress and the reason for the basis as appeal. This explanation must include:

1.      what the problem was;

2.      when the problem occurred;

3.      how long the problem lasted;

4.      how this affected ability to complete coursework, and

5.      what the student is doing to prevent this from happening again.

• Attach a signed copy of the student’s Academic Recovery Plan or its equivalent, depending upon program delivery method.
• Appeals and all documentation must be received by the end of the add/drop period in which the student is appealing for aid eligibility. It is to the student’s benefit to submit the appeal immediately upon receiving notification of ineligibility.

Appeals are subject to committee review and are not automatically approved.

Approved appeals: Should an appeal request be approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation and may receive financial aid on a probationary status for one semester as described in the academic progress agreement provided with the appeal response. Any appeal conditions will be outlined in the academic progress agreement and may include an ongoing academic plan and timeframe for which a student must meet certain requirements in order to continue to receive financial aid. If a student fails to meet the terms of the agreement or maintain satisfactory academic progress during the period of financial aid probation as assigned, the student will be 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.

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 a probationary semester if all funding has already been exhausted for that academic year.

A student is limited to two (s) appeals for his/her degree program. For example, if a student exhausts his/her two appeals as an undergraduate student, he/she still has two appeals as a graduate student.

Denied appeals: If the appeal is denied, any already awarded federal student aid funds for any upcoming or current semesters or terms will be removed making the student financially responsible and liable for tuition and fees for the 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.

(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:

1. Apply for benefits on the US Department of Veteran Affairs website.
2. 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) .
3. 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)