Terms & Conditions
Introduction
Financial aid programs at ETBU are designed to assist with – not replace – family resources for college. East Texas Baptist University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color or national origin in awarding financial aid.
Terms and Conditions
- Students must apply for financial aid every year by filing the FAFSA. Financial aid awards are made for one year at a time. While ETBU hopes to renew aid annually, the form and amount may change to reflect changes in financial need, availability of funds, and other circumstances.
- Financial aid is subject to regulations and appropriations of federal and state governments, which may change in the course of the year.
- Students receiving aid from another source, or who later receive such assistance, may have their award package from ETBU adjusted. Students should notify the Financial Aid Office if they receive a scholarship or other aid from a source outside of ETBU.
- ETBU Grants may be swapped later with endowed scholarship funds that may require a thank-you letter.
- Students receiving ETBU funds are required to be campus residents, with the exception of married students and single students living with their parents at permanent residence within commuting distance, or at least 24 years old. Appeals may be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office.
- Students who have earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible for ETBU scholarships.
Renewal
Financial aid must be applied for each year by filing the FAFSA. The new FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) is available after January 1st each year. Since most aid programs have funding limits, all students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA as soon as possible. ETBU’s code is 003564.
Academic/Merit Scholarships
First year student scholarships at ETBU are awarded for up to a total of eight semesters. Full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 hours) is required each semester, along with the following GPA requirements:
- Presidential Scholarship 3.20
- Honor Scholarship 3.00
- Dean Scholarship 2.75
- Achievement Grant 2.00
- University Scholars Program - eligibility is for 2 years with approval by University Scholars Program Director
- Transfer Honor Scholarship 3.00
- Transfer Dean Scholarship 2.75
- Transfer Achievement Grant 2.50
- Christian Leadership Scholarship 2.00 - For Christian Leadership Scholarship renewal, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and have no discipline violations. If a student is placed on Warning Probation, the scholarship will be reduced by 50% immediately and can only be renewed at that level in the future. If a student s placed on Disciplinary Probation, they will lose all of the scholarship immediately and it will not be renewed. Either action will result in the amount lost being added to the student’s account.
Expenses
Each student’s cost of attendance is based upon their enrollment and housing status. If a student’s enrollment or housing status changes, the student must notify the Financial Aid Office so a new budget can be calculated, which may cause adjustments to the financial aid package.
Payment of Financial Aid
The Business Office handles billing questions and transfers financial aid to the student’s account. Some types of aid may be funded later with (replaced with) an endowed scholarship which will require a thank-you letter. Students will be notified if this is needed by e-mail and Campus Connect. Students should check with the Business Office for the withdrawal of funds from a credit balance. ETBU scholarships and some outside scholarships are not refundable.
Workstudy
Workstudy is a program that offers employment primarily on-campus at minimum wage for approximately 10 hours per week. Earnings are paid to the student twice a month and are not credited to the student’s account in the Business Office and does not reduce the balance owed. Students awarded a workstudy position must locate and secure a job on campus and work the required number of hours in order to be paid.
Loans
Even though a loan may be included in the financial aid package, it must be accepted or declined. Students may accept a lower amount of loan than offered in the aid package. Other requirements must also be met, like entrance counseling and completing the Mater Promissory Note. For additional information on student and/or parent loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)
If a student totally withdraws prior to the receipt of aid, the aid award is cancelled. If a student totally withdraws prior to the 60% point in time of period of enrollment (calculated using calendar days), a portion of the total of all Title IV funds awarded must be returned to its source, according to the provisions of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998.
ETBU funds could also be reduced as a result. Therefore, it is very important that the student discuss the consequences of a total withdrawal with the Financial Aid Director prior to withdrawing.
Other issues affecting the calculation of a R2T4, include, students who earn all Fs in a semester, and students who stop attending class.
Appeals
The financial aid award package is based on financial need determined by the federal processor and ETBU. Students who feel they have special circumstances related to their financial need should contact the Financial Aid Office.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Financial aid recipients must show satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a degree within a reasonable time. For detailed information, please refer to the SAP policy found in the University Catalog or online. Failure to make normal SAP may result in the loss of federal, state, and institutional funds.