Financial Aid

Of the more than 6,000 students at Wayland, approximately 91 percent of all degree seeking students, receive some type of financial assistance. The assistance comes from many sources, including federal and state funds. Students interested in receiving financial aid should contact the Office of Financial Aid, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas 79072, for assistance in tailoring financial aid to their specific needs. Financial aid offered includes the following:

Grant Programs:

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)
Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)

Loan Programs:

Alternative Loan Programs
Be On Time Loan (BOT)
Federal Direct Loan

Subsidized Student Loan
Unsubsidized Student Loan

Parent Loan
Perkins Loans

Work Study Programs:

Institutional Work-Study
Federal College Work-Study
Texas College Work-Study

Scholarship Opportunities:

Academic Scholarships
Departmental Scholarships
Endowed Scholarships
Performance Scholarships

Eligibility

An individual must be officially admitted into the university and, with limited exceptions, enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program in order to receive student financial aid funds. A regular student is one who is enrolled for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate offered by the university. Exceptions are 1) a student taking coursework necessary for enrollment in an eligible program, such as leveling coursework required for a Master’s degree or 2) a student enrolled in a teacher certification program required for elementary or secondary certification or recertification in the state where the student plans to teach. The student should contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information on time constraints, enrollment requirements, and loan limits. After a student is officially accepted, enrolled, and his/her financial aid eligibility is determined, an official award of financial aid will be made. Estimated awards may be communicated to the student earlier, but are subject to revision as student enrollment status and eligibility are finalized.

Eligibility for some financial aid programs is dependent upon full-time enrollment. The definition of full-time enrollment is dependent upon the campus of attendance. Enrollments are based on sixteen-week semesters at the Plainview campus, ten-week terms at the Hawaii campus, and eleven-week terms at the remaining external campuses. Contact the campus of attendance for specific definition of full-time enrollment for both undergraduate and graduate financial aid.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting it to the Federal Processing Center for evaluation establishes Federal and State aid eligibility. All students are encouraged to speed the processing of the FAFSA by submitting their application via the web at www.fafsa.gov. To request a PIN (personal identification number), students and parents can go online to www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN will allow the student and parent to sign the FAFSA electronically. The student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processing center. If the student listed Wayland as one of the universities to receive the data, we will receive it in an electronic format. The SAR should be reviewed very carefully by the student for accuracy. If corrections need to be made, student should contact the financial aid office at their campus of attendance for guidance prior to making any corrections.

Deadline dates are different for federal, state, and institutional aid. The Federal deadline is published each year on the title page of that year’s FAFSA. In order to receive student financial aid, a valid SAR must be received by Wayland no later than the published federal deadline of the award year aid is sought, or the student’s last day of enrollment, whichever comes first. Some forms of federal aid have limited funding, and awards are based upon the availability of funds at the time a student’s financial aid file is completed. Therefore, students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA and all forms requested by the Financial Aid office as soon as possible.

A student who is in default on a federal or state guaranteed loan or owes a repayment to any federal or state aid program will not be eligible for federal, state, or institutional student aid funds and official academic transcripts will not be released to this student. Contact the financial aid office at the campus of attendance for guidance in cases of default or overpayment.

University scholarship and grant eligibility is specific to the particular scholarship or grant program. In addition to specific requirements, eligibility is generally extended only to full-time students. However, special circumstances may arise that allow a scholarship recipient to enroll on a part-time basis. Under such circumstances, approval must be in writing prior to the scholarship award. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at the end of each semester to maintain eligibility for institutionally funded scholarships and all work study programs.

If student misconduct results in a disciplinary probation status, the student is not eligible to receive institutional scholarship or grant assistance for the term of the probation. Proration of current term assistance will be required.

Scholarships and Grants

Numerous scholarships and grants are available to Wayland students. Academic, endowed, performance, and departmental scholarships are available to students who meet the eligibility criteria, demonstrate financial need, and/or apply early. Unless otherwise stated by the scholarship contracts and agreements, the minimum grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained. Scholarships exist in most academic areas for students majoring in those areas. The dean of the school offering the major should be contacted for an application or to schedule an audition, if necessary. Awards are made on the basis of student eligibility, financial need, and the availability of funding. Scholarships and grants are funded by:

1. Earnings on endowed investments restricted by donors.
2. Designated gifts to the university.
3. University budget allocation.

Academic Scholarships

Pioneer Scholar Award

As a means of encouraging and rewarding our country’s most productive students, Wayland proudly offers the Pioneer Scholar Award to outstanding undergraduate students. This scholarship is based upon scores from the ACT or SAT I college entrance examinations and may be renewed if the student maintains a satisfactory grade point average (GPA) at Wayland. The Pioneer Scholarship is awarded to the extent of university budget allocations and eligible students will receive consideration in the order of the date they receive a Permit to Enter. To receive a Permit to Enter, a student must provide the Office of Admissions with:

1. An application for admission.
2. An application fee of $35.
3. All official transcripts (high school and/or college).
4. Official ACT or SAT I scores.

Scores required to receive the Pioneer Scholar Award and corresponding scholarship amounts follow. Please note that the qualifying scores listed for the SAT I include Critical Reading (CR) and Math (M) only.

First-Time Freshmen - Scholarship amounts are for a maximum of 15 hours per semester. The scholarship is renewable for eight consecutive long (15 week) semesters (fall and spring only) and applied to undergraduate tuition only. The scholarship does not apply to online classes or terms less than 15 weeks in length. Full-time status (12 semester hours) is required to receive the scholarship. For renewal, the student must have a minimum 2.75 GPA following the first semester. After the first semester, the student’s GPA is evaluated each spring and must meet the required cumulative for the level of Pioneer Scholarship awarded. After the first semester, no student with a cumulative Wayland GPA less than 2.75 may continue to receive a Pioneer Scholarship.

Transfer Students - Students transferring college credit to Wayland may receive the Pioneer Scholarship if they satisfy the following requirements:

1. Completing the ACT or SAT I before they attended any college.
2. Scoring a minimum of 25 on the ACT or 1100 (M+CR) on the SAT I.
3. Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 on all previous college work.

Transfer students lose one semester of eligibility for each semester attended at another college and enter on the Dean’s level at one third tuition. For renewal, each transfer student must have a minimum Wayland GPA of 2.75 following the first semester and a cumulative Wayland GPA of 3.25 at the end of each spring semester. All other restrictions and benefits previously mentioned also apply.

Re-Entering Students - Pioneer scholars who do not maintain continuous enrollment at Wayland, those who transfer to another school or do not enroll anywhere else, may apply to be reinstated to the Pioneer scholarship program. However, the maximum award for re-entering scholars is the Dean’s level at one third tuition.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian - A one-third tuition Pioneer Scholarship is available to the valedictorian and salutatorian of an accredited high school if they do not otherwise qualify through ACT or SAT I scores. Official verification of class rank and standing is required upon application. For renewal, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 following their first semester and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of each spring semester. All other restrictions and benefits previously mentioned also apply.

Centennial Scholar Award

Birthed during Wayland’s 100th year celebration, the Centennial Scholarship serves as an additional means of encouraging and rewarding outstanding students. Available to First-Time Freshmen, this scholarship is based upon scores from the ACT or SAT I college entrance examinations and may be renewed for up to eight semesters with the maintenance of a satisfactory grade point average (GPA) at Wayland. The Centennial Scholarship is awarded to the extent of University budget allocations, and eligible students will receive consideration in the order of the date they receive a Permit to Enter. To receive a Permit to Enter, a student must provide the Office of Admissions with the following:

1. An application for admission
2. An application fee of $35
3. All official transcripts (high school and/or college)
4. Official ACT or SAT I scores

Scores required to receive the Centennial Scholar Award and corresponding scholarship amounts follow. Please note that the qualifying scores listed for the SAT I include Critical Reading (CR) and Math (M) only.

Scholarship amounts are for a maximum of 15 hours per semester. The scholarship is renewable for eight consecutive long (15 week) semesters (fall and spring only) and applied to tuition only. The scholarship does not apply toward online classes or terms less than 15 weeks in length. Full-time status (12 semester hours) is required to receive the scholarship. For renewal, students must have a minimum cumulative Wayland GPA of 2.75 following their first semester and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 following each semester thereafter.

Honors Program Scholarships

Students admitted to the Honors Program are eligible for scholarship assistance. The Honors Council bases individual scholarship awards on information furnished by each candidate. These awards continue provided the student maintains the proper grade point average and makes steady progress in completing seminar, tutorial, and thesis hours. Honors students on scholarship receive half-tuition remission for each Honors seminar they complete and full-tuition remission for twelve hours of tutorial and thesis courses.

Ministerial Scholarships

Baptist General Convention of Texas Ministerial Financial Assistance Program

In recognition of the divine call felt by ministerial students, the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) provides financial assistance to university students who are preparing for careers in ministry at a Texas Baptist university.

Each applicant for the Ministerial Financial Assistance Program of the Baptist General Convention of Texas is required to provide certification from his/her home church to show sincere commitment to career ministry. The first-year applicant must show evidence of a divine call to Christian ministry, must demonstrate a lifestyle of commitment to the principles of the Christian life, and must be an active member of a Baptist church. The amount of the scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year will be $50 per semester hour for qualifying freshmen and sophomores and $75 for qualifying junior and senior ministerial students. For qualifying graduate students, $100 per semester hour may be awarded. This scholarship is available for the fall, winter, spring, and summer terms. The Ministerial Financial Assistance Program will only pay for classes which are completed. If a student withdraws from a class for which assistance was paid, there will be a refund against the assistance amount paid.

All Ministerial Financial Assistance Program recipients must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit a completed application packet including all necessary documentation. Packets may be obtained from School of Religion and Philosophy office on the Plainview campus (1900 W. 7th, CMB #1276, Plainview, TX 79072). Packets must be processed in the school office in Plainview by April 15 of the academic year for which aid is desired
2. Enroll in a degree program with a major in Religion, Religious Education, or Church Music; declare a minor in Religion or Religious Education; or enroll in the Bachelor of Christian Ministry degree program.
3. Be an active member of a church affiliated with the BGCT.
4. Renew the application each academic year.
5. Pass the following courses:

RLED 1301 Introduction to Baptist Ministry 
RLED 3309 Spiritual Formation 
RLGN 4361 Supervised Ministry 

* See Financial Aid for Graduate Students  for additional graduate level eligibility criteria.

Upon university notification that the applicant has met all admission standards and has furnished the required materials, the director of the Ministerial Financial Assistance Program, on behalf of the Christian Education Coordinating Board, shall notify the applicant of acceptance into the Ministerial Financial Assistance Program.

Baptist Minister’s Dependent Scholarship

Wayland provides a tuition scholarship for the dependent spouse or the dependent single child of a full-time Baptist minister, missionary, denominational minister, or staff minister serving a Baptist congregation. Dependents of retired full-time Baptist ministers may also receive this scholarship upon the approval of the School of Religion and Philosophy. Full-time status as defined at the campus of attendance is required to receive the scholarship, 12 hours on the Plainview campus and 9 hours on the external campuses. The award amount for students attending the Plainview campus is $500 per semester. The award amount for students attending the external campuses is $190 per semester. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation.

To establish eligibility, the student must complete an application and furnish a letter from an official of the minister’s church verifying the minister’s active service. This letter must be received in the School of Religion and Philosophy office on the Plainview campus at 1900 W. 7th, CMB #1276, Plainview, TX 79072, one month prior to the day of registration for that term for which aid is desired. This scholarship is available only for the fall and spring semesters on the Plainview campus, and only for fall, winter, and spring semesters at the external campus centers. Non-enrollment in one of the approved terms does not translate to summer term eligibility. The scholarship is awarded for one year and the student must reapply each year to maintain award eligibility.

Minister and Dependent of Other Denominations Scholarship

Wayland provides a tuition scholarship for ministers and their dependents who belong to recognized Christian denominations other than Baptist. Full-time status as defined at the campus of attendance is required to receive the scholarship, twelve hours (12) on the Plainview campus and nine hours (9) on the external campuses. The award amount for students attending the Plainview campus is $400 per semester. The award amount for students attending the external campuses is $150 per semester. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation.

To establish eligibility, the student must complete an application and furnish the School of Religion and Philosophy office on the Plainview campus at 1900 W. 7th, CMB #1276, Plainview, TX 79072, a letter from an official of the minister’s church verifying the minister’s active service. The deadline for receipt of the verification letter is one month prior to registration for the term for which aid is desired. This scholarship is available only for the fall and spring semesters on the Plainview campus, and only for the fall, winter, and spring semesters at external campuses. Non-enrollment in one of the approved terms does not translate to summer term eligibility. The scholarship is awarded for one year and the student must reapply each year to maintain award eligibility.

Christian Leadership Scholarships

Challenger and Acteen Scholarships

Wayland recognizes the outstanding achievements of Christian young men and women through the Challenger, Acteen and Christian Leadership/Academic Scholarships. Students may qualify for one of these scholarships that are awarded to freshman students attending the Plainview campus, divided equally over eight consecutive semesters. These scholarships must be renewed annually. Non-enrollment forfeits future term eligibility. The student should contact the School of Religion and Philosophy on the Plainview campus for application guidelines. Scholarships are limited to the university’s budget allocation.

Challenger Scholarship

Challengers is the church-based Southern Baptist youth mission education organization for young men in grades 7-12. Texas Baptist Men determine the guidelines for the Challenger program. The awards for Challengers Journey Basic and Advanced Miles are outlined as follows:

For the scholarship to be renewed, the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours. Notification to the School of Religion & Philosophy on the Plainview campus is required for yearly renewal. Participation in Christian service activities through the university and a local church is expected. The scholarship application should include a letter of recommendation and verification of the level of achievement from the pastor or the Director of Brotherhood, as appropriate. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation.

Acteen Scholarship

Acteens is the church-based Southern Baptist youth mission education organization for young women in grades 7-12. The WMU of Texas determines the guidelines for the Acteen program. The award for Acteen Quest levels are outlined as follows: 

For the scholarship to be renewed, the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours. Notification to the School of Religion & Philosophy on the Plainview campus is required for yearly renewal. Participation in Christian service activities through the university and a local church is expected. The scholarship application should include a letter of recommendation and verification of the level of achievement from the pastor or the Director of WMU, as appropriate. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation.

Christian Leadership/Academic Scholarship

Wayland offers $200 per semester for students attending the Plainview campus who are active members of a Baptist church and have excelled academically in high school. This is a four-year scholarship to be awarded to freshmen students for each of eight consecutive semesters. To remain eligible a student must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and enroll in a minimum course load of 12 semester hours. Notification to the School of Religion and Philosophy on the Plainview campus is required for yearly renewal and non-enrollment forfeits future term eligibility. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation. Guidelines for consideration are:

Academic Achievement as demonstrated by a high school GPA of at least a 3.0 (B Average), research projects, scholastic organization memberships, etc.
Christian leadership as demonstrated by an exceptionally high degree of involvement in church activities. Leadership in Sunday School, worship, discipleship/witnessing programs, youth activities, choir/music ministries, or any other leadership activities beyond the Challenger or Acteen programs may show such involvement. All applications can be found at www.wbu.edu under School of Religion.

Other Scholarships and Grants

Outside/Non-Wayland Scholarships

Unless otherwise stated by the donor or awarding entity, the same academic progress requirements will be used regarding grade point average of 2.0.

Athletic Scholarships

Questions regarding scholarships awarded by the Athletic Department should be directed to the head coach of the athletic program the student is interested in or the athletic director. Unless athletic scholarship contract states otherwise, the minimum grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained. Awards are made according to the signed contract.

Local Church Grant

A $250 first-term grant is provided for every qualified, full-time, freshman Plainview Campus student duly admitted from the membership of a church which budgets monthly or annual contributions to the university’s operational budget. This grant is provided in the name of the student’s home church. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation.

Residence Hall Grant

To recruit and assist students from regions beyond the local area, a $500 per semester Residence Hall grant is awarded to eligible students from Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas/Nebraska, New Mexico (students residing west of I-25), Colorado, Oklahoma, San Antonio, Texas, and Wichita Falls, Texas. To be eligible, the student must be recommended by the Wayland Campus Executive Director in the area or the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of the state. For consideration, the recommendation must accompany the Application for Admission. A recipient of this grant must be a full-time student residing in a Wayland dormitory. Married student housing is not considered a dormitory. The award is for eight (8) consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment. Students who attend a Baptist church are given priority in awarding of the grant. To retain the grant, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Scholarships are limited to the university budget allocation.

Texas Rehabilitation Assistance

Tuition and fee assistance is offered by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission to students who have certain physical or emotional handicaps, provided that an appropriate representative of the Commission has approved the vocational objective selected by the handicapped person. Through this State agency, other rehabilitation services are available to assist handicapped persons to become employable. Applications should be made at the nearest Rehabilitation Office. For information, contact: Commissioner, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, 4900 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78751.

Scholarships for Minority Students 

• Mary Hill Davis Ethnic/Minority Scholarship Program
• Texas Black Baptist Scholarship

For application information contact:

Baptist General Convention of Texas
Ethnic Missions Coordinator
333 North Washington
Dallas, TX 75246-1798

Endowed and Memorial Scholarships

Endowed and memorial scholarships with a variety of eligibility requirements are available through the university. Information concerning the eligibility requirements is available in the Financial Aid Office. Completion of the Institutional Application, which is available in the Financial Aid Office each year, constitutes application. Awards are made on the basis of student eligibility, financial need, and the availability of funding according to earnings on endowed investments restricted by donors and designated gifts to the university. All students who have been awarded an endowed or memorial scholarship(s) are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and remain full-time unless scholarship criteria states otherwise. Scholarship awards are not guaranteed from year to year.

A listing of Endowed and Memorical Scholarships can be found here .

Administration of Financial Aid

The Financial Aid office at the Plainview campus is the central point of coordination and notification for all student financial aid, including those scholarships and grants administered by the schools, offices, and organizations of Wayland Baptist University. The director of financial aid is responsible for ensuring that awards comply with student eligibility limitations and with dictates of donors and other funding entities.The Financial Aid Committee is comprised of one faculty member from each of the academic schools of the university, the director of admissions, and other university representatives. The director of financial aid has oversight responsibility and authority for all scholarship and grant awards. Meetings of the Financial Aid Committee are chaired by the director of financial aid or his/her designee. The committee is authorized to review, evaluate, and modify awards to students and the procedures involved in the awarding process. The committee is also responsible for evaluations that will assist in the formation and modification of policy regarding the awarding of scholarships and grants.

Award Procedure

The Financial Aid office at the Plainview campus is the central point of awarding and disbursement of financial aid for all students enrolled at Wayland. The financial aid officer begins the award process when a student financial aid file is complete, i.e., contains all information needed by the Financial Aid office to make an official determination of student eligibility. Students are instructed individually about what information must be submitted, either by means of a tracking letter or personal notification. For federal and state aid, the electronic version of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Processing Center (see Federal Eligibility section) for all students. An Institutional Application for Financial Aid is available in the Financial Aid Office or online at www.wbu.edu is required for all students attending the Plainview campus. The Department of Education will choose select for verification. If a student file is selected for verification, the student will be required to submit parent and/or student and/or spouse signed IRS Tax Transcript (www.irs.gov), verification documents, and other pertinent documents deemed necessary to verify information submitted on the FAFSA. Wayland Baptist University reserves the right to choose additional files for verification. Students are urged to respond promptly to requests for additional information.

Some forms of federal aid, state aid, and university scholarships and grants have limited funding and may be based on the estimated cost of attendance. The estimated cost of attendance includes direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are those costs paid to the university: tuition, fees, books, and room and board (if living on campus). Indirect costs are room and board (if living off campus), transportation, and miscellaneous. Cost of attendance figures are strictly estimates. For students enrolled in an online program, the transportation element of the cost of attendance is eliminated. Awards are based upon the availability of funds at the time a student’s financial aid file is completed. Therefore, students are encouraged to submit all forms requested by the Financial Aid office as soon as possible. Every financial aid applicant is considered for scholarships and grants during the award process. Provisions established for the awarding of scholarships and grants may be based on student need, talent, academics, or on special criteria established by a scholarship donor. All applications for scholarships are accepted, but awards are based on the availability of funds at the time the student’s financial aid file is completed.

Upon the completion of the student aid file, the award process begins. Official notification in the form of Financial Aid Notification is e-mailed to the student or to the campus of primary attendance. Students are required to accept or decline their awards using NetPartner at https://iqweb.wbu.edu/NetPartnerStudent. Students will need their Wayland ID and financial aid PIN (this PIN is not the FAFSA PIN) to use NetPartner. Failure to complete this step will result in financial aid funds not being disbursed. Acceptance within 10 days of the notification is recommended for some programs with limited funding.

If student loans are a part of the award package, the Financial Aid notification instructs students to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentloans.gov. If parent loans are part of the award package, the parent(s) must complete the Direct Loan Plus application and Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov. All borrowers are required to complete loan entrance counseling each academic year. This can be done at www.studentloans.gov.

Study Abroad

Students wishing to study-abroad may qualify for financial assistance through Wayland Baptist University (known as the Home school) through a consortium agreement with another school (known as the Host school). Federal regulations state that a student participating in a study-abroad program must meet the following requirements to be eligible to receive federal student aid: 1) be an eligible student enrolled in an eligible degree seeking program at the Home school; and 2) the eligible home school approves the program of study-abroad for academic credit. The study-abroad program does not have to be a required part of the eligible degree to received federal student aid, but the credits earned through the study-abroad program must apply toward graduation in the student’s eligible program at the home school.

Students are required to have 30 earned college credit hours before submitting their request to study-abroad

Students wishing to use Title IV aid (federal grants and loans) to assist with their financial obligations could qualify to use the aid for study-abroad if the hours earned at the Host school can be transferred back to the Home school for degree requirements per consortium or contractual agreement between the two schools.

The student’s cost of attendance will be adjusted to include the study-abroad costs once the consortium agreement has been approved. Submitting a consortium request does not guarantee approval of the consortium or financial disbursements. There is also no guarantee that the use of federal Title IV funding will cover the entire cost of study-abroad course work. Aid that is approved to disburse for study abroad will be disbursed on the consortium agreement between the Home and Host schools.

Student will not be permitted to use any Wayland institutional funded scholarships for study-abroad.

Award Disbursement

Disbursement of all student aid is scheduled to begin immediately following the census date of the term/semester or upon receipt of funds in the case of late awarding. After verification of enrollment and confirmation of eligibility, aid is electronically released to the Business Office for posting to student accounts. Loan disbursements are released for posting to student accounts within an initial period of three (3) business days from receipt of funds, as prescribed by the Department of Education. Aid disbursements in excess of term charges are released to the student in the form of a university credit check or direct deposit within fourteen (14) business days of the creation of such credit, according to the time frame prescribed by the Department of Education. Federal, state, and institutional aid will not be disbursed to students conditionally admitted to the university.

Maximum Awards

The total of all institutionally funded tuition scholarships and grants may not exceed the cost of tuition, with the exception of those instances where a contractual agreement specifies an exception (e.g. athletics, honors), where the awarding entity (department or donor) specifies that an endowed scholarship shall exceed tuition. All externally funded tuition scholarships, will be applied before institutional scholarships. In no case may the total exceed a student’s direct costs, i.e., tuition, fees, books, room and board for students living on campus. For students living off campus, direct costs include tuition, fees, and books. Federal and state aid programs, maximum awards are set by program regulations. Wayland will attempt to meet up to 75 percent of the student’s need with scholarships and/or grants depending on the availability of funds. Any balance remaining will be the responsibility of the student. Assistance will be available through loans, workstudy, or self-pay.

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

Federal guidelines require that all universities provide information to prospective students concerning the institution’s programs and performance. Each student should consider this information carefully. The student has the right to know:

1. The financial aid programs available at Wayland.
2. The deadline for submitting applications for each of the programs.
3. How financial aid is distributed, how decisions on distributions are made, and the basis for these decisions.
4. How a financial aid award was determined. (Costs for tuition, fees, room, board, travel, books, supplies, personal, and miscellaneous expenses are considered in the student’s educational expense budget. For students enrolled in virtual campus courses, the travel expense is omitted from the cost of attendance calculation.)
5. Which resources (their current assets, parental contribution, other financial aid, etc.) were considered in the financial need calculation.
6. How much of the financial need, as determined by the Department of Education, has been met.
7. The details of the various programs in a financial aid package.
8. Wayland’s refund policy if enrollment ceases before a term ends.
9. What portion of the financial aid received must be repaid, and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, the student has the right to know the interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, and when the repayment is to begin.
10. How Wayland determines satisfactory academic progress and the financial aid penalties for unsatisfactory progress.

When accepting a financial aid package, a student also accepts the responsibility to:

1. Complete application forms accurately and submit them on time to the proper places.
2. Provide correct information. In most instances, reporting erroneous information on financial aid application forms is a violation of law, possibly a criminal offense, resulting in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code.
3. Return promptly additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid office or the agency to which the application was submitted.
4. Read and understand all forms signed, and keep copies of the forms.
5. Fulfill the terms of all agreements signed.
6. Perform the work agreed upon when accepting a university work-study award.
7. Understand and comply with deadlines for application and reapplication for aid.
8. Understand Wayland refund procedures if enrollment ceases before a term ends.
9. Report changes in name, address, and telephone numbers to the proper offices.
10. The student is responsible for using their Wayland e-mail address for all electronic communications with financial aid.

Procedure for Monitoring Financial Aid

Financial Accounting for Scholarships

In accordance with generally accepted financial aid procedures, the Financial Aid office maintains financial aid records sufficient to describe the operation and status of scholarship, grant, and loan programs. Responsibility for the receipt and disbursement of funds and related accounting for all scholarship and grant awards rests with the Business office. The Financial Aid office informs the Business office of awards, student names and school identification numbers, award amounts, scholarship names, and account numbers.

Required Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate to continue receiving financial assistance from federal, state, and institutional sources. Unless other, more stringent requirements are stated in specific aid program requirements, the following policy describes the Satisfactory Progress policy at Wayland. Satisfactory progress is measured in two ways: qualitatively (cumulative GPA), and quantitatively (number of hours completed). Progress must be evident in both areas. In considering the criteria for satisfactory progress, it is necessary to define certain terms. “Attempted hours” is defined as those credit hours for which a student is enrolled on the official enrollment census date. “Complete” is defined as finishing a course with a grade of D or better. All hours will be reviewed whether or not financial aid was awarded.

Qualitative Progress

For purposes of receiving federal and/or state financial grant assistance, satisfactory academic progress is defined as a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.60 after the first 30 semester hours attempted and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 after 60 or more attempted hours. Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Students not achieving this level of performance will be placed on financial aid warning for one long term. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements after the term of warning will be suspended from receiving further financial assistance. Students receiving Wayland funded scholarships (institutional and/or endowed) must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0. This is above the minimum standards for federal financial aid programs. The only exceptions will be scholarships with contracts or agreements such as Pioneer or music where grade point averages may be higher.

Students placed on Academic Suspension will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension immediately, with no probationary period. Students suspended from financial aid must complete at least one semester of enrollment using their resources and must meet the minimum standards (qualitative and quantitative) before becoming eligible to receive aid. Students placed on financial aid suspension are not necessarily on academic suspension. There are different resolutions for each type of suspension.

Quantitative Progress

Students are required to successfully complete their degree programs within a maximum time frame not to exceed 150% of the published length of the program measured in credit hours attempted. This quantitative standard is an academic measure of a student’s progress toward the completion of an approved degree program and takes into account all periods of enrollment for the student, regardless of whether the student received aid. For example, the student seeking a degree requiring 124 semester hours may remain eligible until the requirements are completed, or until the student has attempted 186 semester hours, whichever occurs first.

A student who has attempted fewer than 30 semester hours must complete 65% of all courses attempted. A student who has attempted 30 through 59 semester hours must complete 70% of all courses attempted. A student who has attempted 60 through 89 semester hours must complete 75% of all courses attempted. The student who has attempted 90 or more semester hours must complete 80% of those hours. Graduate students must complete 90% of attempted hours. Repeating courses, taking courses not in a degree plan, and frequently dropping courses can increase the time required to complete a degree program. If the time required exceeds permissible guidelines, a student’s eligibility to receive financial aid funding through the completion of the degree is jeopardized. The student may remain eligible for financial aid assistance until the occurrence of the first of the following circumstances:

1. The student completes the semester hours required for the degree.
2. The student has attempted one-and-one-half times the number of semester hours required for the degree.

Students may receive funding for courses in which an Incomplete (I) or Withdrawn (W) designation is received only after cumulative grade point averages are considered. Students may receive funding for Academic Achievement (ACAC) courses during their first year of enrollment under the above guidelines. Repeated enrollment in ACAC courses will not be funded by financial aid.

Re-enrollment for a course in which a grade of A, B, C, D, or F has been earned is considered a repeated course. If the student repeats a course, the new grade will be used to calculate the cumulative GPA. A course attempted for a third or subsequent time, in which a passing grade was received, will not be funded by student financial aid, regardless of whether Title IV aid was received for the courses taken.

Monitoring of Academic Progress

Academic progress is evaluated each term/semester. Students not maintaining satisfactory progress are notified of their standing and the necessary action to retain or regain eligibility for financial aid. Future term aid will not be released until satisfactory academic progress review has been completed.

The following is a description of the types of satisfactory academic progress levels that a student may have:

Good: Student does not have any academic progress issues as it pertains to Financial Aid eligibility
Warning: Student may have an issue with qualitative progress and/or quantitative progress but is not serious enough to lose Financial Aid eligibility
Suspension: Student has an issue with qualitative progress and/or quantitative progress and has lost Financial Aid eligibility
Probation: Student has an issue with qualitative progress and/or quantitative progress and has been approved for financial aid reinstatement following an appeal

In the case of a financial aid suspension, the student’s aid will be placed on hold until the student submits an appeal. Based on the appeal approval status and recommendations of the Financial Aid Committee, the requirements of the student to complete in order to regain and maintain financial aid eligibility will be determined.

Appeals

Students sometimes experience circumstances beyond their control, which adversely affect academic progress. Students subject to financial aid probation or suspension may appeal to the director of financial aid in writing for a review of the decision. Each appeal will be reviewed and acted upon by the Financial Aid Committee. To allow the committee adequate time to evaluate the circumstances, appeals by students attending the Plainview campus must be made at least two weeks prior to the semester for which aid is requested. For students attending an external campus, appeals must be submitted as quickly as possible. Decisions on appeals submitted after the deadline may be delayed until the following term. The decisions of the Financial Aid Committee may be appealed to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The decision of the CFO is final. A maximum of two appeals will be allowed - this will include probation and suspension.

Circumstances that may justify an appeal include: death in the family, illness of the student, and other situations which create undue hardship for the student. Appeals should state actions that have been taken to ensure satisfactory performance in subsequent enrollments. The appeal packet can be picked up at the campus of attendance. Student should attach supporting documentation of the circumstances to the appeal when submitted for review.

Required Student Conduct

Students are expected to behave according to the high standard of intellectual, personal, and spiritual values upheld by the university. Specific expectations are detailed in the Student Handbook. If student misconduct results in a disciplinary probation status, the student is not eligible to receive institutional scholarship or grant assistance for the term of the probation. Proration of current term assistance will be required.

Enrollment Status Changes

When a student changes enrollment status by dropping courses before the census date of a given term, the student’s financial aid for the term will be recalculated. Likewise, if a student receives a refund for any classes dropped after the census date, the student’s financial aid will be recalculated.

Refunds

Federal financial aid funds are awarded with the expectation that the student will complete the entire period of enrollment for which the funds are awarded. When a student withdraws from the university or fails all courses in a given term/semester, the financial aid office is required to complete a “Return to Title IV Calculation” in order to determine what portion of the federal funds the student earned. If the calculation determines a refund of aid is required, the school must return any Title IV funds to the programs from which the student received aid in the following order, up to the net amount disbursed from each source:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct loans
2. Subsidized Federal Direct loans
3. Perkins loans
4. Federal Direct PLUS (Graduate students)
5. Federal Direct PLUS loans (Parent)
6. Federal Pell Grants for the payment period for which a return of funds is required
7. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
8. TEACH grant for the payment period for which a return of funds is required

If any refunds are completed by the university, the student will be required to repay the university for any balance that results from the refund of aid. The balance must be paid in full before future enrollment is permitted or the release of other official documents from the university, including the transcript. To ensure compliance with all applicable laws, the refund policy will be determined by the federal guidelines in effect at the time of the refund. These guidelines are available in the Financial Aid Office at the campus of attendance. When a student is awarded for multiple terms and does not attend one or more of those terms, the cost of attendance may change. These changes may result in a refund for aid previously disbursed in prior term(s). It is the student’s responsibility to notify the financial aid office with any enrollment plan changes so that aid can be recalculated. It is the responsibility of the financial aid office to keep a student’s financial aid awards within their need and cost of attendance.