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Additional Financial Aid Information

Terms and 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

  1. Maintain moral and ethical standards that would be exemplary of the life of Christ.
  2. 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.
  3. Financial aid is subject to regulations and appropriations of federal and state governments, which may change in the course of the year.
  4. 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.
  5. ETBU Merit and Christian Leadership Scholarships may be swapped later with endowed scholarship funds that may require a thank you letter. It does not change the amount of the original award only the name of the fund.
  6. 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. ETBU funds may be removed from the financial aid policy if requirements are not followed. Appeals may be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office.
  7. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree program, or be qualified to obtain a college education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent (GED), or have completed a high school education in a homeschool setting.
  8. 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 is available after October 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 2.5
  • Honors Program - eligibility is for 2 years with approval by Honors Program Director
  • Presidential Phi Theta Kappa 3.5
  • 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 is 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. Traditional undergraduate students must be at a full-time status in order to receive their ETBU scholarships unless it is the student's graduating semester. Some exceptions may apply.

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 email 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.

Work-study/Student Employment

Work-study 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 are awarded federal work-study after securing a position on campus. Students are required to work the required number of hours in order to be paid.

Direct 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. Entrance counseling and a completed Master Promissory Note are also required.

Students and parents of students are advised that if they enter into a Title IV, HEA loan, the loan data will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)

If a student completely withdraws prior to the start of the semester, the aid award is cancelled. If a student completely withdraws prior to the 60.01% 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.

Special Conditions

The financial aid award package is based on financial need determined by the FAFSA 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.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students have the right to know the following:

  • What financial aid programs are available
  • The deadline for submitting applications for each of the programs
  • How financial aid will be distributed
  • How financial need is determined
  • Costs of attending the institution
  • What resources are considered in the calculation of “financial need”
  • The institution’s refund policy
  • What portion of financial aid received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid
  • The good standing and satisfactory academic progress guidelines for aid recipients
  • That all or a portion of aid may have to be repaid if the student withdraws or drops to below half-time status
  • Our Financial Aid Policies & Procedures Manual

Students applying for financial aid must:

  • Complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the proper place
  • Provide correct information. NOTE: Misreporting information on a financial aid form is a violation of law and may be considered a criminal offense, which could result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code
  •  Return all additional documents, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office
  •  Be responsible for reading, understanding and keeping copies of all forms that require a signature
  • Live up to all signed agreements
  • Perform work assignments as a College Work Study employee
  • Be aware of and comply with deadlines for application and reapplication for aid
  • Report any change in name and/or address to the Financial Aid Office
  • Be aware that upon withdrawing or dropping to below halftime status, it is possible that a portion of any aid received may have to be repaid
Return of Funds to Title IV

It is our hope at East Texas Baptist University that you will enjoy a full educational experience during your time with us.  However, we understand that there are circumstances that can prevent a student from completing a semester after classes begin.  In light of the possibility of an emergency pulling you from your intended studies, you need to be aware of the financial impact that ceasing to attend class or a complete withdrawal from the University can have.

Any federal aid recipient who stops attending classes or completely withdrawals from the University before 60.01% of the semester has passed will loose portions of their financial aid.  The federal law requiring this is called Return to Title IV Aid (R2T4). Any balance remaining on the student's account following the return of these funds becomes the responsibility of the student.

Students making a complete withdrawal will also see an impact on their Satisfactory Academic Progress which could adversely affect their eligibility for aid in future terms.

Please check with our office prior to making a complete withdrawal to see the impact of this decision both financially and academically. When possible it is always best to complete the term.

If a Return to Title IV Aid calculation is required, the amount of earned and unearned aid will be determined according to the federal formula.  The date the student withdrew determines the amount of repayment required.  The University will determine the student's official withdrawal date by using one of the following methods:

  • The date the student began the University's withdrawal process (the date that the student officially notified the Registrar's Office of his/her intent to withdraw);

OR

  • The student's last date of attendance at an academically related activity as documented by the University.

Again, East Texas Baptist University will return any unearned funds to the federal source and bill the student for the amount that was returned on the student's behalf.  ETBU funds could also be reduced when this occurs.

ETBU's complete policy on Return of Title IV funds can be found on the Student Right to Know page.

Repeated Courses

The U. S. Department of Education has published regulations which impact students who repeat courses. These regulations are part of a series called Program Integrity Rules.

Students may only receive federal financial aid funding for one repetition of a previously passed course. There is an exception for courses which require repeats (see examples below). Students taking a required repeat of a course should work with the Student Financial Aid Office to ensure those credits are counted appropriately for financial aid eligibility. Please note that the student may need to provide documentation from his/her adviser regarding the requirement to repeat.

Examples of repeated coursework that may, or may not, count for financial aid eligibility:

  1. Allowable: Repeated coursework may be included if the student received an unsatisfactory or failing grade. There is no limit on the number of attempts allowable if the student does not receive a passing grade.
  2. Allowable: Repeated coursework may be included if a student needs to meet an academic standard for a particular previously passed course, such as a minimum grade. Example: Student received a D in a course which requires a minimum grade of C for his/her major.
  3. Allowable: Student is enrolled in 15 credit hours which includes 3 credits repeating a previously passed course. Because the student is enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits which are not repeats, the student’s financial aid eligibility is not impacted by the repeat.
  4. Not permissible: Student receives a D in a course which does not have a minimum grade requirement for the major and decides to repeat the course to improve his/her GPA. The student may repeat this passed course one time, but if the student wants to repeat it a second time, the second repeat would not count for financial aid eligibility. In this example, the student is enrolled in 12 credits, including the three credit second repeat, so only nine credits will count for financial aid eligibility.

All repeated courses do affect financial aid satisfactory academic progress calculations. A repeated course along with the original attempt must be counted as attempted credits.

The U. S. Department of Education is working on additional guidance which may provide for additional allowable circumstances. Please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office at 903.923.2138 or financialaid@etbu.edu.

Tuition Exchange Guidelines

Export:

Selection

  • Employee must have a minimum one year of full-time employment at ETBU before the official first day of class at the desired institution, and is based on continued employment each semester.
  • Student must maintain behavior that is consistent with ETBU standards.
  • To be considered for the TE program, the employee must notify the ETBU Financial Aid Office between September 1st and January 15th prior to the academic year in which applicant is applying.  Applicants will then be ranked according to the employee’s length of full-time employment at ETBU, which will determine the order of consideration for export.  After January 15th, students will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Each institution is required to maintain an approved import/export balance that is monitored by TE.  An institution that is out of balance will be placed on restriction, and no new exports may be processed (unless exported to a Co-op institution).  Therefore, a student may not qualify for the grant to attend another institution if ETBU is on restriction.
  • Dependent is defined as meeting the IRS criteria for dependent status.

Renewal

  • Maintain a cumulative 2.00 GPA each semester at the importing institution.
  • Maximum of 4 years participation, yearly renewal required.

Other Policies

  • A maximum of one award will be allowed per employee-family, per year.  This would mean, for example, that if husband and wife are both employed full-time at ETBU, then only one of their children would be eligible for a grant per year unless there were slots available and the exception was approved by the President.

  • If the parent is no longer employed at ETBU (due to resignation, termination, or death) after the semester begins, eligibility shall continue for the recipient of the scholarship for that current semester.

Application Process

  • Apply for the scholarship to the ETBU Tuition Exchange Liaison (Director of Financial Aid) – form available online.
  • Furnish any information requested for application.
  • The applicant will be responsible for the annual student participation fee (approximately $50 per year).

IMPORT:

Application /Renewal

  • Tuition Exchange scholarships are for undergraduate students only, and applicants must meet ETBU admission policies.
  • Tuition Exchange scholarships will ordinarily be granted beginning in March.
  • Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st to be considered for any other aid including loans.  The scholarship award may include academic merit scholarships, state grants, but may not exceed the cost of tuition.  If the student is eligible, the Federal Pell Grant may be received to exceed the cost of tuition.
  • The scholarships may not be applied to special or study abroad programs as a part of undergraduate study except in the case where credit is awarded by East Texas Baptist University and tuition costs are not paid to another institution or entity.
  • Recipients must maintain 2.00 cumulative GPA checked on a semester basis.
  • Recipient must maintain behavior that is consistent with that ETBU standards.
  • Scholarship may be terminated if student fails to maintain GPA or behavior requirements.
  • Scholarship will be for a maximum of four years (8 semesters).

Other Conditions: Eligible for tuition only.

EXCEPTIONS:

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, who offers recommendations to the President. The President grants or refuses all exceptions.

Verification Information

What is Verification?

Verification is a comparison of the information reported on the 2024-25 FAFSA with a signed paper copy of the 2022 IRS 1040 Tax Return and other requested documentation.  For 2023-24 FAFSA, this will be a comparison of information listed on the FAFSA with the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript (if you are unable to  electronically transfer your federal tax information from the IRS) and other requested documentation. T

Do I have to complete the verification process?

If your FAFSA is selected by the U.S. Department of Education or school Financial Aid office, you MUST complete the verification process in order to receive federal, state, and some types of university aid. If verification is never completed then all federal aid and state aid will be removed and potentially lose ETBU scholarships as well.

What do I need in order to complete the verification process?

2024-25 Verification

  1. Complete, sign, and submit the Verification Worksheet located on the Financial Aid Forms page
  2. If you were unable to link your taxes you must provide an IRS Tax Return Transcript. Request your tax transcript from the IRS

Verification  DEADLINES:

The student shall have until their last day of enrollment, or June 30, whichever occurs first to submit any required verification documents. For applicants selected for verification by the Department of Education, the deadline may be extended to the earlier of 60 days from the last date of the applicant's enrollment or September 1 of each year.

Student not completing verification within this timeframe will be responsible for all charges that the need-based aid was originally expected to cover.