www.southwest.tn.edu/financial_aid
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4184
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5960
he federal government, the state of Tennessee, and Southwest offer eligible degree/certificate-seeking students a range of financial aid opportunities. Most student financial aid is provided in the form of grants through federal and state-funded programs. A grant is aid that does not need to be repaid. This money is specifically awarded for education-related expenses including tuition, fees, and books. A student or applicant who needs financial aid should apply as early as possible, so that financial aid arrives before tuition and fees need to be paid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and all supporting documents should be submitted by August 15 for the full academic year or the fall semester, and by November 15 for the spring semester only.
To be considered for all federal, state and Southwest financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No other application is required. The FAFSA form should be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
(800) 4FEDAID (433-3243)
The Federal Pell Grant Program, a federal student aid program, provides money to help undergraduates pay for their education. Eligibility is determined by the federal government, using a standard formula to evaluate the information provided on the FAFSA. These grants provide the "foundation" of financial aid to which other aid may be added. All aid applicants must, therefore, apply for this grant.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is an award to help students with exceptional financial need pay for their education. It is for undergraduates only and it does not have to be repaid.
The Federal College Work-Study Program provides jobs on campus for students who need financial assistance. This program gives students an opportunity to work up to 20 hours per week and earn a part of their educational expenses. Students are paid for the hours they work each pay period. Students should complete their financial aid application and supporting documents by April 1.
(800) 342-1663
This state grant award is available to undergraduate residents of Tennessee who are enrolled for at least 6 credits. All Tennessee residents who complete the FAFSA will automatically be applying for this grant. Funds are limited so students should apply early, at least by April 1, in order to be considered for this award.
(800) 342-1663
The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program is available to students who meet the criteria determined by the Tennessee General Assembly. Generally, a student graduating in May 2003 or after and a student age 25 or older who is attending college for the first time may be eligible for the scholarship.
All Tennessee students interested in this scholarship must complete the FAFSA each academic year by the deadline set by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). Certification by TSAC and Southwest's Records and Financial Aid Offices is also required.
The United States Department of Education requires an institution to determine the last day of attendance for federal financial aid recipients who withdraw, stop attending, or never attend a class during a semester. A student who withdraws, stops attending, or never attends a class during a semester may owe a refund to the College or the federal financial aid program from which the student received the aid. Faculty members maintain attendance records and report the last day of attendance for students who withdraw or stop attending a class. A refund calculation will be performed to determine if a student will owe a refund of federal aid received.
Refund calculations are performed to determine if financial aid funds will be returned to the Department of Education by Southwest or repaid by the student. If the student has received federal financial aid such as a Pell Grant (PELL), Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), or Tennessee Student Assistance Grant (TSAA), the institution must calculate the amount of financial aid the student earned based on class attendance. Department of Education software is used to determine the amount of aid that a student was entitled to receive based on class attendance. The amount is then subtracted from the total financial aid disbursed. The unearned amount will be returned to the Department of Education.
The portion of the unearned amount that paid institutional charges is repaid by the institution. A percentage of the unearned amount that was disbursed to the student must be repaid by the student. Any amount returned by the institution will be charged to the student's account as "unpaid tuition."
Federal regulations require that repayment of Title IV financial aid funds be disbursed in the following order:
The College performs initial billing and collecting activities for 45 days as required by the Department of Education. A student who fails to repay the College the amount of Title IV financial aid owed will be referred to the Department of Education. A student who does not make repayment arrangements will not be eligible to receive financial aid at any college until the repayment has been made.
Examples of refund and repayment calculations are available upon request.
Students receiving federal and state financial assistance will be evaluated against the following standard(s) at the end of the spring semester.
Students must maintain the following GPA to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
| Total Credits Attempted | Minimum Grade Point Average |
|---|---|
| 0 - 14.99 | No minimum |
| 15 - 25.99 | 1.0 |
| 41 - 48.99 | 1.7 |
| 26 - 40.99 | 1.4 |
| 49 - 56.99 | 1.9 |
| 57 or more | 2.0 |
A student on unsatisfactory academic progress may file a written appeal to the Director of Financial Aid documenting any unusual or special circumstances leading to unsatisfactory academic progress.
Students receiving all "F" grades or all "W" grades in any semester will be requested to file a written appeal.
Students who are placed on academic suspension at the end of a semester are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid. Suspended students who are readmitted to Southwest will not be eligible for federal financial aid until satisfactory academic standing and progress has been reestablished.
In addition to grade point average requirements, any student with the following grade and progress criteria will no longer be eligible for federal and state financial aid.
Students receiving all "F" grades or all "W" grades in any semester may be required to repay federal financial aid funds based on the last date of documented attendance.
Students are required to complete two thirds of the hours or classes attempted during an award year (fall/spring). Incompletes "I" and withdrawals "W" count toward attempted credit hours.
A student must complete the program within a reasonable period of time; defined as, attempting a maximum of 150 percent of the total hours required for the program of study.
Southwest provides two opportunities for students to receive financial assistance through service to the College. Students who are selected will receive a work award in return for service hours given to the College.
www.southwest.tn.edu/ambassadors.htm
(901) 333-5924
The Southwest Ambassadors are a group of students who serve as goodwill representatives of the College. They support college or community events scheduled by the Recruiting Office and help to promote Southwest.
Students must complete an application and interview process for selection. Those who are interested must be able to adhere to the following guidelines:
http://distance.southwest.tn.edu/asc
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4440
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5254
ASC Scholarship Tutors are academically qualified and recommended students who receive tuition remission to work as peer tutors in the Academic Support Center to enhance student success. They assist students in developing independent study skills as well as enhancing academic proficiency in developmental, general education, and career courses. Scholarship tutors work with students in both one-on-one and in group sessions.
The Academic Support Center chooses new tutors at the end of each semester as needed and as funding allows. Students must complete an application and interview process for scholarship selection. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
www.southwest.tn.edu/financial_aid/scholarships.htm
Through the generosity of individuals, corporations and organizations, the Southwest Foundation has been able to assist thousands of students attending the College. To learn more about scholarships for which you may qualify, please visit the Web site at www.southwest.tn.edu/financial_aid/scholarships.htm or call the Financial Aid Office. Applications must be completed online, and are due March 15.
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