Financial Aid

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Grants & Scholarship

Bethel College Financial Aid Programs and Guidelines
State Programs and Guidelines
Federal Programs and Guidelines
ROTC Financial Aid Programs

Bethel College Financial Aid Programs and Guidelines

Admission with Distinction

All students who submit a complete application for admission by March 10 are assured consideration for a freshman academic scholarship, regardless of need. Awards are based upon strong academic and personal records of accomplishment. Award amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000 per year and are renewable.

Trustee Scholarship Program

All incoming full-time freshmen who submit a complete application for admission by the appropriate priority date (as indicated on the application for admission) are assured consideration. Finalists for this award will be notified on a rolling basis beginning in December and are required to attend a Trustee Scholarship Day in January or February. Award amounts range from $5,000 to full-tuition per year and are renewable.

Half of all freshmen enter Bethel with an academic scholarship. We are excited by the quality students who are choosing Bethel College. Our desire is to acknowledge your academic success by assisting in your pursuit of a private Christian college education at Bethel.

* Transfer students are eligible for the Presidential, Dean, Faculty, Academic or Collegiate Scholarships under the following conditions:

Student must have been attending previous institution full-time (12 hours or more) in their final semester before enrolling at Bethel.
Student must be enrolling as a full-time student at Bethel.
The awards are renewable in accordance with Admission with Distinction Guidelines, with the exception that the 3.0 G.P.A. must be achieved at the end of the first semester of enrollment at Bethel.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the cumulative G.P.A. at the student's preceding accredited college or university.

National Merit Recognition - National Merit, National Achievement and National Hispanic Scholar Semi-Finalists and Finalists who designate Bethel College as their first-choice college are guaranteed a minimum award of $5,000 and consideration for the Trustee Scholarship program.

Scholarship Guidelines

Student must be entering Bethel College for the first time

Student must enter as a full-time student.
All scholarships are renewable each year under the following conditions:
1. Full-time status must be maintained.
2. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 must be maintained.
3. Scholarships may be used for a maximum of eight semesters.
4. Freshmen have until the end of their first year to establish their 3.0 G.P.A.
5. The 3.0 G.P.A. must be maintained each successive semester thereafter.

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Other Institutional Scholarships and Grants

Pastor Billy Kirk Minority Student Award - Awarded to minority students based on student's academic record, essays and extracurricular involvement. Award amounts range from $2,000 to full-tuition. Students should complete application for admission by March 1 to be assured full consideration.

Missionary Church Scholarship - Awarded to new students who are active in the fellowship of a Missionary Church. Award value is $1,200 per year for on-campus students and $600 for off-campus. Students must submit a letter or reference from their pastor with the application for admission.

Pannabecker Scholarship - Awarded to freshmen and transfer students declaring a major in the fields of Christian Ministry, Youth Ministry, Biblical Literature, of International Studies-Ministry. Award value varies and is renewable. A separate application is required. Contact the Office of Admission for details at 1.800.422.4101.

Bethel Grants - Awarded based upon leadership, talent and academic considerations. This scholarship is renewable. Award values vary, based upon financial need.

Fine Arts/Theatre Arts Scholarship - Awarded by the Division of Fine Arts, this award requires an audition or viewing with the Fine Arts Department. Award values vary. Auditions should be scheduled by March 10 to be assured consideration.

Missionary Pastor Grant - Awarded to dependent sons and daughters of full-time Missionary Church pastors or missionaries. Students must reside on campus. Award is equal to 1/3 of remaining tuition (after other Bethel aid is applied).

Christian Workers Grant - Awarded to dependent sons and daughters of pastors or missionaries from other denominations. Award amount is up to $2,000 per year, based upon financial need.

Family Grant - Awarded when two or more family members are attending Bethel on a full-time basis. Award value is $1000 per student.

Church Matching Scholarship - A dollar for dollar match of a scholarship provided to you by your church. Award value is $1,000 per year for on-campus students, and $250 per year for off-campus students. A separate application is required and is available from the Financial Aid Office. Deadline for application is June 1.

Athletic Grants - Awarded in each varsity sport. Contact specific coach for details.

International Student Scholarship - Awarded to students from countries other than the U.S. on the basis of academic ability, financial need and the mission of the college to prepare students for service in their own country. Award values may vary.

Lilly Endowment Recognition - Lilly Endowment Scholars who designate Bethel College will receive an award of up to $4,000 toward room and board fees.

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Bethel College Financial Aid Policies

The college financial aid programs are, in general, awarded to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Under special circumstances, this requirement may be waived by the Financial Aid Office. All tuition-based grants or scholarships are awarded for up to 17 hours of classes each semester. Students enrolling in above 17 hours of classes are responsible for the additional tuition charges. All students must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average each semester in order to receive college financial aid. Where indicated, certain programs require higher grade point averages.

Two Award Policy - Students who are eligible to receive more than two institutional grants or scholarships will only receive the two largest dollar awards. This applies to all institutional scholarships, with the exception of the Family Grant and Church Matching Scholarship.

Maximum Award Policy - In no case will a student receive more in grant and scholarship assistance than full time (12-17 hrs.) tuition costs. Grant and scholarship assistance used to pay tuition costs include institutional, private, federal, and state programs. Federal Pell grant funds may be permitted to be used for room and board as well as other non-direct costs such as books, supplies and miscellaneous expenses. Private scholarships that are not designated as tuition only awards may be used toward room and board costs at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid.

Outside/Private Scholarships–Any financial assistance that is received from sources other than federal, state or college must be reported to the Office of Student Financial Services. This includes private scholarships, veterans’ benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits and fee reduction remission benefits. All outside/private scholarships will be applied toward tuition costs. Adjustments may be made to your institutional financial aid awards if the additional grant and scholarship assistance causes you to receive more financial aid than actual tuition costs (see Maximum Award Policy).

Final Semester Policy–Students who are in their final semester of enrollment prior to graduation and are enrolled less than full time (12 hours) may be eligible to receive institutional scholarships at a pro-rated amount. In general, the equivalent percentage of discount created by institutional awards toward full-time tuition is applied toward part-time tuition charges.

Verification–Based on criteria established by the federal government, students who receive federal or state financial aid may be selected for verification. This process is designed to check the accuracy of the financial information the family provided when applying for financial aid. A copy of the student’s and parent’s income tax form, as well as a verification worksheet is required to complete the process. Additional information may also be required. In order to be considered for all financial aid, requested information must be submitted within 30 days of the college’s written request. In no instance will verification information be processed beyond the student’s enrollment period.

Appeals–Any questions or appeals concerning financial aid policy must be made in writing to the college Financial Aid Committee and submitted to the office of student financial services.

Federal Programs and Guidelines

The federal government has established several grant and loan programs to assist students in paying for college expenses. Application for these programs is made by filing the FAFSA. Each year the U.S. Department of Education publishes a booklet entitled The Student Guide, which details specific requirements and guidelines for each program. The Student Guide is available from the college Financial Aid Office. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html?src=mr

Federal Grants

Pell Grant - A grant, based on need, awarded to eligible undergraduate students, a student who filed a FAFSA will receive a three- or four-page Student Aid Report (SAR) which must be signed and returned to the Financial Aid Office. Award values are based upon enrollment status.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - As the name implies, this grant is intended to "supplement" other forms of assistance for undergraduate students with significant financial need. The selection of recipients is made by the college in accordance with federal guidelines. The value of this award varies based upon availability of appropriations from Congress.

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Federal Loans

Perkins Loan - Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students, this award is given to students with significant financial need. The maximum amount awarded is $2,000 per year. Applications and promissory notes for this loan are signed in the Financial Aid Office upon arrival on campus. Repayment begins after graduation or withdrawal from college. The current interest rate is 5% deferred while in school. Individual award amounts vary.

Federal Stafford Loan - A low interest loan made to students attending school at least half time. Loans are made by a bank or credit union and are repaid upon graduation or withdrawal from college. A separate application is required for this program. The application process is initiated by completing the paperwork that is included with the financial award package. These forms need to be returned to the college at least six weeks before the beginning of the academic year. There are currently two categories of Stafford Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. For a more detailed explanation of this program, please refer to The Student Guide.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - Available to parents of dependent students who need to borrow additional funds for college expenses. Applications for this low interest loan are available from your bank, credit union or from the college. As with the Stafford Loan, the appropriate paperwork must be completed and submitted to the college at least six weeks before the beginning of the academic term. For a more detailed explanation, refer to The Student Guide.

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State Programs and Guidelines

Indiana - The State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) has established several grant programs for residents of Indiana who are seeking first-time undergraduate degrees and are enrolled in school on a full-time basis. Additionally, several programs are available based upon enrollment in specific academic degrees. http://www.state.in.us/ssaci/programs/index.html

Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania students can receive limited grants through PHEAA, renewable yearly.

Indiana State Grants

Frank O'Bannon Grant Program (Higher Education and Freedom of Choice Awards) These awards are given to students who are attending school on a full-time basis. SSACI will notify you of the exact dollar amount of these awards. If Bethel College is not listed on the notification from SSACI, it is your responsibility to contact SSACI and request that your awards be transferred to Bethel. This must be done within 30 days from the beginning of the semester.

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Indiana State Scholarships

Minority Teacher Scholarship - Awarded to minority students who have indicated a desire to teach and are enrolled in the Division of Education. This award is competitive, and a separate application, available from the Financial Aid Office is required. Award values range from $500 to $1,000 per year.

Indiana Nursing Scholarships - Awarded to students enrolled in the Nursing Program, this competitive award requires the recipient to work in the nursing field upon graduation from college. This award is competitive, and a separate application, available from the Financial Aid Office is required. Award values range up to $1,000 per year.