The College of Arts and Sciences follows the principle of assisting students based on a combination of financial eligibility and academic qualifications. The University of the South provides more than $55 million in institutional financial aid each year. Using procedures established by the federal government and the University, eligibility for financial aid is determined by an analysis of each family’s financial situation—income, assets, and allowances against those—as well as the student’s academic qualifications. In determining eligibility for aid, a student’s total budget is considered, including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and travel.

Sewanee allocates a number of aid funds to provide the maximum number of students with assistance: no student should hesitate to apply for admission for lack of personal and family funds.

How to Apply for Need-Based Financial Aid

All new and returning students begin the need-based aid application process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.FAFSA.gov. Our required Title IV code is 003534. Tennessee residents applying for HOPE scholarship funds must file a new FAFSA each year in order to be considered. First-time applicants must also complete the CSS Profile. Our school code is 1842.

The priority deadline for applying for Financial Aid is December 1 for all college students, current and prospective.

Whenever possible, students should apply for scholarships from local sources or other programs to augment the University’s aid. All need-based applicants are required to apply for relevant state grants and for the Pell Grant awarded by the federal government. Failure to apply for aid from outside sources may result in the loss of eligibility for need-based institutional assistance. Receipt of aid from any source or of any type, including loans, must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid.

Financial aid offers are made to most applicants during February and March. Early decision applicants with complete and actionable financial aid applications receive notification prior to January 1. Financial aid offers for returning students begin after final Easter (Spring) grades are posted.

Renewal of Aid

All need-based scholarship and Hope Scholarship recipients must reapply for aid each year. Subsequent applications for domestic students only require the FAFSA. The procedure for reapplying is the same as outlined above. The priority deadline for renewal-of-aid applications is December 1 prior to the academic year for which aid is required.

Continuing students with complete and actionable financial aid applications will receive financial aid notifications by June 1. Financial aid applications are reviewed in sequential order based on the date that all financial aid materials are received.

Conditions for Renewal and Continuation of Aid

1. The student must enroll and complete a minimum number of hours during each semester for which aid is received. For scholarships, this minimum is twelve semester hours, although 16 hours per semester are required for on-time graduation. It should be noted that retention standards of the College are separate and can be found in this catalog under Student Classification, Progress, and Status.
2. The student and family must reapply and establish eligibility for each academic year.
3. The student must make satisfactory academic progress, which is defined as a) maintenance of a minimum GPA of 2.00 average on a 4.00 scale, b) achievement of a passing grade for semester hours attempted, and c) completion of a degree in not more than eight semesters.
4. All fees and charges due the University must be paid prior to the beginning of each semester.

Financial Aid Awards

Need-based financial aid awards consist of a combination of scholarship, grant, loan, and work-study assistance. The University participates in the following U.S. Department of Education financial aid programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study,  and William D. Ford Federal Direct Student and Parent (PLUS) loans. These programs are described online at Cost and Financial Aid.

The University awards scholarships from both University appropriations and annual gifts, and, in addition, participates in two tuition exchange programs: the National Tuition Exchange and the Tuition Exchange Program of the Associated Colleges of the South.

Special Payment Programs

The University participates in an installment payment plan whereby families can pay the semester cost of a Sewanee education over a three- or four-month period. Information on this installment payment plan may be obtained through My College Payment Plan.

Scholarships

Sewanee scholarships come from over 300 endowed scholarship funds, annual gifts, remissions of tuition, and additional amounts budgeted from the University’s operating funds. As previously mentioned, many of these scholarships are awarded on the basis of calculated need-based eligibility, and applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships as part of the normal need-based financial aid award process.

Applying for Academic Scholarships

First-year students who wish to apply for academic scholarships should do so through the Office of Admissions. The deadline for applying is the same as the admission deadline. Selections are made on a competitive basis. A limited number of awards are available to non-first-year students and recipients are selected by the individual academic departments.

Applying for Need-Based Scholarships

All new and returning students begin the need-based aid application by completing the FASFA. Details are available through the Office of Financial Aid and on the University’s Website.