Academic Catalogs
Graduate Catalog: |
2005 - 2006 Financial Information
Costs
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, church-related university. The tuition and fees paid by students cover a percentage of the cost of operating the university. The remaining percentage of the cost is paid through contributions by interested individuals, churches, and districts.
Cost Schedule
The insert entitled Cost Schedule provides information about charges for tuition and various fees. Southwestern reserves the right to change the rates if it is deemed necessary.
Payment
All charges are due and payable in full at registration.
Any returned checks not cleared within ten business days will result in dropped registration.
Deferred Payment Plan
Students are expected to pay in full at registration. If students are unable to pay in full, they may take advantage of the Deferred Payment Plan, which allows them to pay in three installments according to the following chart:
| Semester | Down Payment | 2nd Payment | Balance Due |
| Fall | Registration Day | October 1 | November 1 |
| Spring | Registration Day | March 1 | April 1 |
The total semester charges will be divided equally among the three installments.
There is a fee of $60 charged to use the Deferred Payment Plan. A Late Payment Fee of $20.00 will be added each month the payment schedule is not followed.
Students taking on campus Graduate classes are required to pay in full at registration for summer sessions and special seminars. Students taking Distance Graduate classes may use the payment plan with the following due dates: Registration day, June 15, and July 15.
Student Account Classifications
CURRENT: All payments made according to the payment schedule.
PAST DUE: Any payment not made within the specified payment dates.
DELINQUENT: Accounts PAST DUE and student has not made satisfactory arrangements with Accounts Receivable.
Delinquent Accounts Policy
Students owing a balance for any semester at the university are not permitted to register for future semesters. Transcripts and diplomas are not issued until the debt is paid-in-full. If satisfactory arrangements are not made with the Accounts Receivable Office concerning the account, the student may also face action from a third party collection agency.
Refund Policies
Overpayment
Refunds of accounts with overpayment due to financial aid will be made within fourteen days after the school has received the financial aid from the vendor and it has been applied to the student's account.
Withdrawal/Terminations
Upon withdrawal/termination, all amounts due to Southwestern are payable in full. No refund is given for fees and charges.
All Financial Aid that was previously awarded for subsequent semesters in the current school year is cancelled at the time the student withdraws. In order for students to be re-awarded, he/she must submit a written notice of intent to re-enroll to the Financial Aid Office.
Fall and Spring Sessions
Any student who withdraws/terminates during the fall or spring semester will be refunded according to the following policy:
Tuition, Room, and Board, are refundable based on the following schedule:
First Week of Classes 100%
Second Week of Classes 75%
Third Week of Classes 50%
Fourth Week of Classes 25%
After the fourth week of classes NO refunds will be made on tuition or room and board charges.
On Campus & Distance Education Summer Sessions
The following schedule will be used to determine refunds to returning students withdrawing/terminating during the summer sessions:
Day 2 75% Refundable
Day 3 50% Refundable
Day 4 25% Refundable
After four days of class meetings the student will receive no refund.
Dropped Classes
When classes are dropped during the fall and spring semesters, the following refund policy is used. During the first week of classes - 100%; Second week - 75%; Third week - 50%; Fourth week - 25%. After the fourth week of instruction, no adjustment of tuition charges will be made. If summer session classes are dropped during the first four days of classes, the student will receive a prorated tuition refund.
Return of Institutional Grants and Scholarships
If an institutional grant or scholarship recipient withdraws during the first four weeks of the semester in which the grant or scholarship was received, the unearned amount of the grant or scholarship will be returned to the institution according to the following schedule:
First week of classes 100%
Second week of classes 75%
Third week of classes 50%
Fourth week of classes 25%
Return of Texas State Aid
If a Texas state aid recipient withdraws during the first four weeks of the semester in which the aid was received, the unearned amount of the state aid will be returned to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board according to the following schedule:
First week of classes 70%
Second week of classes 60%
Third week of classes 40%
Fourth week of classes 20%
Fifth and thereafter 0%
Return of Title IV Federal Funds
If a recipient of federal financial aid withdraws from SAGU during the first 60% of the semester in which grant or loan assistance was received, the unearned amount of the grant or loan will be returned to the Title IV federal program(s).
Withdrawal Date
It is the student's responsibility to initiate the official written withdrawal process. That is the date on which the return of funds is based. In cases where a student leaves without officially withdrawing, attendance records will be used to determine the withdrawal date. If no attendance records are available, the withdrawal used will be 50% of the semester, unless SAGU can show documentation of the last academically related activity.
All federal funds are returned to the appropriate source for students who fail to attend at least one class period.
Determining Percentage and Amounts of Aid Earned and Unearned (up to 60% of semester)
The number of calendar days comprising the semester is divided by the number of calendar days completed as of the day the student withdrew to calculate the percentage earned. The total Title IV federal aid is multiplied by this percentage to determine the amount of grant and loan assistance earned. The amount of grant and loan awarded that has not been earned by the student is calculated by determining the complement percentage of grant or loan assistance that has been earned by the student; and applying the percentage determined to the total amount of grant and loan assistance that was disbursed (or could have been disbursed) to the student for the period of enrollment, as of the day the student withdrew. If the student has received more grant or loan assistance than the amount earned, the unearned funds shall be returned by SAGU or the student, or both as required. If the student has received less grant and loan assistance than the amount earned, SAGU shall comply with the procedures for late disbursement specified by law.
Responsibility of SAGU
SAGU will return the lesser of the amount of grant and loan assistance that has been earned, or amount equal to the total institutional charges incurred by the student for the semester of enrollment for which assistance was awarded; and multiplied by the percentage of grant and loan assistance that has not been earned by the student.
Responsibility of Student
If the student received grant or loan assistance above the institutional charges, the student must return the unearned amount as follows: loans according to the terms of the loan program; and 50% of federal grants.
Order of Return of Title IV Federal Funds
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Parent Loan
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Other Title IV Federal Funds
Financial Aid Policies
The following policies and funds are specific to the graduate student. Please see the Undergraduate Academic Catalog for policies and funds related to the Undergraduate students
Application Dates
Applications for financial assistance are available after January 1 of each year for the following academic year (August - May). The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be submitted on-line at www.fafsa.edu.gov and should be completed by March 1. Priority is given to students whose FAFSA's and are submitted by March 1 and whose files are accurate and complete by April 15. To have funds ready at registration, the following deadlines are suggested: Apply by May 1 and have a complete and accurate file by July 1. Students planning to attend summer school need a FAFSA filed for the academic year preceding the summer session.
Late Applicants
Students not meeting the above-stated deadlines are considered late applicants. These students should come to registration prepared to pay the initial down payment and applicable service charges while waiting for aid to be processed. After registration, the Financial Aid Office must change focus from processing Financial Aid Applications to disbursing aid for enrolled students. Late applications are processed on a rolling basis as time and volume permit.
Institutional Grants and Scholarships
Southwestern provides various institutional grants and scholarships, including academic scholarships and Ordained Minister's grants to graduate students. Please refer to the Financial Aid Handbook for details regarding those grants and scholarships.
Donor Scholarships
Several Donor Scholarships are awarded annually. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office. The Application deadline is February 15. Scholarship presentations are made at the annual Awards Chapel for the next academic year. Applicants must also file the FAFSA to determine need. Recipients for most Donor Scholarships are selected by the Financial Aid Committee, which is comprised of faculty and staff chosen from the different areas of the university.
George and Jessie Kappaz Scholarship: This scholarship is provided by an endowment from Mr. and Mrs. Kappaz. Applicants must be a graduate student enrolled in at least six hours and have a grade point average of 3.75.
Dr. Thomas F. and Louise K. Harrison Scholarship : This scholarship is made possible by an endowment provided by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Harrison, who dedicated many years of their lives as professors at Southwestern. A scholarship is awarded annually to a Church Ministries major.
Jeter Missions Scholarship: This scholarship is provided by an endowment from family and friends of Hugh P. Jeter. The Jeter Missions Scholarship is awarded to a Church Ministries Major with a Cross-Cultural Missions Specialization or a Theological Studies Major with a Missions Specialization. Students must have financial need and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for Undergraduate students and 3.0 for Graduate students. Applications are open to all classifications and degree programs (On Campus, Distance Education and Graduate school).
Work Study
Federal and State work-study programs provide part-time employment opportunities of five to twenty hours per week. The student must be enrolled at least six hours and show need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Loans
Federal Stafford Loans
Graduate students who are enrolled at least half time may be eligible for a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan or a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and an SAGU Financial Aid Application. The Initial annual Stafford Loan limit is $8,500. Application must be made each academic year by the appropriate deadline.
Preparatory Coursework
Students may receive Stafford Loans for a maximum of one academic year while enrolled in prerequisite courses required for acceptance into the graduate program. The undergraduate limit of $5,500 applies. Verification that the courses taken are prerequisites is required.
Loan Entrance Counseling
New borrowers must attend a Loan Orientation before the first graduate loan is disbursed. Group Loan Orientation is provided at each registration.
Loan Exit Interview
Any student who receives a loan while attending Southwestern MUST complete an exit interview. Academic transcripts will be held until this requirement is met.
State Assistance Programs
Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) : This program is for Texas residents only. To be eligible a student must enroll full-time, show financial need, hold no athletic scholarships, and not be enrolled in a theological or religious degree program. The TEG grant is based on the difference between state tuition and tuition at SAGU, student need, and available funds. Priority is given to full-time students. The FAFSA must be filed to determine eligibility.
LEAP (formerly SSIG) Grant: The LEAP is a matching grant to the TEG with the same eligibility requirements.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Graduate students must be making satisfactory academic progress in their program of study to be eligible for financial aid. Students in the graduate program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The entire program must be completed within six years of initial enrollment and 54 hours attempted. Students are also required to complete 70% of all coursework attempted, both transfer credits and credits taken at SAGU. Grades of D, F, W, I or WF are not counted as successful completion.
Financial Aid Warning Status
The first time the student fails to meet one or more of the satisfactory academic progress requirements, he or she will be placed on Financial Aid Warning status. A student may receive aid while on warning status for one semester.
Financial Aid Suspension
The second time a student fails to meet one or more requirements, he/she will no longer be making satisfactory progress and will be ineligible for financial aid until the requirements are met. Any student suspended from receipt of financial aid for failure to maintain satisfactory progress must meet the stated cumulative grade point average and completion rate in order to be reinstated on financial aid. A student who wishes to appeal a suspension status due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical reasons, death in the family, etc.) must submit a written appeal letter to the Director of Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Committee reviews these appeals.
Graduate students must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their program of study to be eligible for financial aid. SAP calculations will take place once annually, at the end of each Summer II semester. The entire previous year’s academic history (Fall, Spring, Summer I & II) will be factored into these calculations. SAP calculation, for students placed on Financial Aid Probation after a previous semester, will take place again after the next semester of enrollment at SAGU. SAP calculations for students for whom an appeal for financial aid suspension was granted may be calculated at the end of each semester.
Any student withdrawing from school, either through official notification or administrative withdrawal, will be placed on Financial Aid Probation immediately.
Cumulative GPA requirements:
The required cumulative GPA is consistent with University standards as detailed in the Graduate Catalog. Students not meeting this minimum standard at the time of calculation will be placed on financial aid suspension.
1-9 hours attempted |
2.75 |
10+ hours attempted |
3.00 |
Cumulative Percentage of hours attempted:
All students must complete 70% of all cumulative hours attempted. Transfer hours count both towards attempted and completed hours, as are reflected on the student’s official transcript at SAGU. Repeated classes are counted as attempted twice. No completed credit is given toward hours for which a W, I or F is earned.
Maximum Time Frame to Finish a Degree:
Federal requirements also mandate that a school must set a maximum time frame in which students are expected to finish a degree program. The maximum time frame allowed may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program. Students exceeding this number of attempted hours will be immediately placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The maximum attempted hours for a degree program are as follows:
Master of Arts/Science (30-48 hours) |
54 |
Financial Aid Probation/Suspension and Academic Probation/Suspension:
Students should not confuse Financial Aid Probation or Suspension with Academic Probation or Suspension. While similar, they are two separate issues with differing requirements. Students may attend SAGU while on Financial Aid Suspension, as long as they are not on Academic Suspension, but they must do so without the use of financial aid funds.
Financial Aid Probation:
SAP will be calculated at the end of each academic year (after the Summer II session). Students not meeting the minimum standards for GPA or Hours Attempted will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Students will be notified of this via their campus email addresses. Students will have one enrolled subsequent semester to rectify their deficiencies. A student on Financial Aid Probation for that subsequent semester, again meeting the minimum SAP standards after that semester of enrollment, will immediately be back in good SAP standing. A student on Financial Aid Probation for that subsequent semester, who again fails to meet the minimum standards after that semester, will immediately be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. A student on SAP Probation at the end of a given academic year, who fails to reenroll at SAGU within that next academic year, will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension after the end of that next academic year. Students may receive Financial Aid while on Financial Aid Probation.
Financial Aid Suspension:
SAP, for those students on Financial Aid Probation, will be calculated at the end of their next enrolled semester (must be within one academic year). Students not meeting the minimum standards for GPA or Hours Attempted will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Students will be notified of this via their campus email addresses.
Students on financial aid suspension cannot receive financial aid from any source (federal, state, or institutional) until they are once again meeting all the minimum standards of the SAP policy. Students are responsible for informing the Financial Aid Office when they are again meeting the minimum standards. Students will remain on Financial Aid Suspension until such time as they are no longer deficient in meeting the minimum standards.
Financial Aid Suspension Appeal Process
Students on Financial Aid Suspension have the right to submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office. Students must submit the complete appeal within 7 business days of their receipt of notification of Financial Aid Suspension. The Financial Aid Committee then reviews all complete appeals. The submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the appeal will be granted. Furthermore, the appeal should include documentation substantiating any and all mitigating circumstances that contributed to a student’s failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Additionally, each appeal must be submitted with a letter of endorsement from an SAGU faculty/staff member. This letter should make mention of the endorser’s knowledge of the student’s extenuating circumstances as well as the endorser’s recommendation that an appeal be granted. All appeals will be reviewed within 7 business days of the Financial Aid Office’s receipt of a complete appeal (student appeal letter, endorser letter and supporting documentation). SAP for students approved for an appeal will be calculated after each semester of enrollment. Students must meet the minimum SAP standards in order to receive aid in a subsequent semester.