Financial Aid

The College of Arts and Sciences utilizes the principle of assisting students based on a combination of financial eligibility and academic characteristics. More than $10 million of institutional need-based aid was awarded in 2011-12. Eligibility for financial aid is determined by an analysis of the family's financial situation (income, assets, and allowances against those) and the student's academic characteristics, using procedures established by the federal government and the institution.

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

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.

1. Complete the  Sewanee Application for Financial Aid and return it to the Office of Financial Aid. This application is available from the Office of Financial Aid and at http://admission.sewanee.edu/finaid/forms

2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Send the completed form to the national processor whose address is on the form, or submit online at www.FAFSA.gov. The required Title IV code for Sewanee is 003534. Tennessee residents applying for Hope Scholarship Funds must file a FAFSA to be considered for the Hope Funds.

The priority deadline for applying for Financial Aid is March 1 for all students, current and prospective. Institutional applications must be postmarked and the FAFSA submitted to the processor by March 1 to ensure consideration for aid for the following academic year.

Whenever possible, students should apply for scholarships from local sources or other programs to augment Sewanee's aid. All 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 assistance from Sewanee. Receipt of aid from any source or of any type (including loans) must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid at Sewanee.

Financial aid awards are made to prospective student applicants during March and April. Returning students notifications begin after grades are posted for the Easter term.

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

Continuing students, with complete financial aid applications, receive their financial aid awards in June. Awards are made in sequential order based on the date all financial aid materials received.

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. For all other financial aid programs, this minimum is six semester hours. It should be noted that retention standards of the college are separate and can be found 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 defined as: a) maintenance of a minimum GPA of 2.0 average on a 4.0 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 unless arrangements satisfactory to the treasurer have been made in advance.

Most financial aid awards consist of a combination of scholarship, grant, loan, and work-study assistance. However, students judged to have exceptional academic achievement or promise may receive much or all of their award in gift assistance. The University participates in all the U.S. Department of Education financial aid programs for which its students are eligible. These programs are fully described in the Student Financial Aid Guide, which is available at http://admission.sewanee.edu/finaid/guide.

In addition, the University awards scholarships from University appropriations and annual gifts, and participates in two tuition exchange programs, the National Tuition Exchange (www.tuitionexchange.org) and the Associated Colleges of the South (www.colleges.org).