Financial Aid

Need-Based Financial Aid

Students seeking financial aid are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will provide the Financial Planning Office with the amount the student and their family can contribute to the cost of education. (The cost of education includes tuition, fees, room, board and expenses for books, transportation and personal expenses.) The FAFSA collects the student’s and parents’ federal tax information from two years prior as well as asset information. This information is used to calculate the expected family contribution (EFC). (The EFC is the family’s ability to contribute toward college costs.) The EFC determines the amount and type(s) of financial aid that can be awarded to each student.

There is no charge to apply, and the FAFSA can be completed at the following website: www.fafsa.gov. The application can be done beginning October 1 preceding the year the student plans to attend college. Once the FAFSA has been submitted by the student, a copy of the results are provided to each college listed on the form. Gardner-Webb’s school code is 002929. Gardner-Webb will receive the application electronically, and a financial aid award will be prepared once the student has been admitted. The student will receive an award notification e-mail at their Gardner-Webb e-mail address. The award information is provided via Gardner-Webb’s secure online portal called WebbConnect. (Each student is given a username and password upon admission to the University.) Any scholarship aid awarded to the student from Gardner-Webb will be included in the financial aid package.

Federal Assistance Programs

Any student enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program at Gardner-Webb University may receive assistance under the Title IV Programs if he/she:

1. Is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
2. Has met the Selective Service Requirements;
3. Is maintaining satisfactory academic progress according to established standards;
4. Does not owe a refund on a grant or is not in default on a loan received at Gardner-Webb or any other post-secondary institution; and
5. Completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

A list of Federal Programs available to eligible applicants is as follows:

Pell Grant

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Work-Study

Perkins Loan

Direct Stafford Loans - Subsidized and Unsubsidized

Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Additional information about these programs is available in the Financial Planning Office and on the Financial Planning webpage. Please realize that not all students are eligible for these programs due to specific criteria such as financial need, grade point average, year in school and availability of funds. Federal funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

State Assistance Programs

A list of State Programs for eligible North Carolina residents (funding contingent upon state appropriations) is as follows:

The North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship Program (NBS) is a grant program created by the NC General Assembly for students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less. The EFC is determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Forgivable Education Loan for Service (FELS) was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011. The loan provides financial assistance to qualified students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage areas. Please visit www.cfnc.org/fels for additional information including eligibility, award amounts, application procedures, and approved education programs.

North Carolina does offer other sources of financial aid based on specific criteria. The College Foundation of North Carolina’s website can be used to research and apply for such scholarships. The web address is cfnc.org.

Gardner-Webb University Scholarship Programs

Gardner-Webb University is committed to offering scholarships to those students with outstanding academic credentials. The types of scholarships are listed below and are awarded based on the individual student’s academic and/or performance profile. The University will allow institutional sources of financial aid to be combined with federal, state and outside aid up to the student’s cost of attendance. For some students this may result in a reduction of their Gardner-Webb aid. Please contact the Financial Planning Office with specific questions.

Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, and commitment to service. To receive a nomination for this competition you must be selected by the Ignite Excellence Scholarship Screening Committee and interview in the winter months.

Ignite Excellence Scholarships

Each year four students are chosen to receive a full tuition scholarship, and one student for full tuition, room and board, for eight consecutive semesters, provided the recipient is enrolled full-time, maintains a cumulative institutional grade point average of 3.5, resides on campus, and continues to demonstrate a strong leadership ability and commitment to service.

*Please NOTE: The Ignite Excellence Scholarship does not apply to hours taken in excess of 18 in any semester, does not apply to summer terms, or other program costs such as GEM, and does not cover the expense of books, fees and/or music lessons. Scholarships are divided equally between the fall and spring semesters when awarded. If a student is selected for the Ignite Excellence Scholarship, any previous offer of scholarship aid is rescinded.

Honors Scholarship

Each year, students are chosen to compete and apply to be part of the University’s Honors program. Each student selected is awarded a $3,000 Honors Scholarship, renewable as long they maintain the requirements outlined by the Director of the Honors Program.

Institutional Scholarships and Grants

Gardner-Webb University offers the following Institutional Scholarships and Grants:

Trustee Scholarship

Presidential Scholarship

Provost Scholarship

Dean’s Scholarship

Achievement Scholarship

Opportunity Grant

These scholarships range from $5,000-$18,000 depending on the student’s academic profile.

In order to determine the amount of institutional scholarship or grant you are eligible to receive, you must first apply and be accepted to Gardner-Webb. Your award amount will be included in your acceptance letter from the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Institutional scholarships require a student to be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more) and maintain a grade point average in accordance with the institution’s Scholarship Maintenance Policy. Award amounts vary depending on your housing status (whether you live on- or off-campus).

ADN students transitioning from the Traditional Undergraduate program into the DCP BSN program will have any institutional aid prorated based on the percentage of tuition which is covered by their current institutional aid. For example:

Current Institutional Aid ÷ Undergraduate Tuition = % of Tuition

$10,000 ÷ $31,220= 32%

Scholarship % X DCP BSN Tuition = New Scholarship Amount

32% X $5,220 (12 hrs. @ $435/hr.) = $1,670

Performance-Based Scholarships

Athletic Scholarships are awarded by each individual coach and shared with the Office of Financial Planning. Gardner-Webb offers scholarships for the following sports: men’s and women’s basketball, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, men’s baseball, football, wrestling, women’s softball, lacrosse, and volleyball. Any questions concerning eligibility for a scholarship should be directed to the Coach of the sport of interest. If a student receives a financial aid award and an athletic scholarship is not listed, please contact the Coach of the sport of interest. It is possible your non-athletic aid will be reduced once the athletic scholarship is added to your financial aid package.

Honors Music Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s performance from an on-campus audition. The Music faculty selects the recipients and shares them with the Financial Planning Office. Scholarships are renewed based on performance throughout the academic year as well as maintaining a major in Music. Award amounts vary and may depend on the total amount awarded in other Gardner-Webb funds.

Football Band Scholarships are awarded by the Band Director and shared with the Financial Planning Office. The award amount is $1,000 and is based on participation in the band. Scholarships are renewed provided participation continues each year.

Pep Band Scholarships are awarded by the Band Director and shared with the Financial Planning Office. The award is $250 and is given during the spring semester. Scholarships are renewed provided participation continues each year.

Ensemble Scholarships are awarded by the director of each specific ensemble. The award amount ranges from $500-$2,500 and is based on the need within that ensemble and the student’s audition as well as on required participation in that ensemble. Awards are reflected in a student’s financial aid package and are reviewed each year by the department.

Other Gardner-Webb Scholarships

The Luther Butler Scholarship is awarded to selected students who are members of North Carolina Baptist churches cooperating with the NC Baptist State Convention. The funds are awarded and provided by the NCBSC. A separate online application must be completed prior to February 15, and a new application must be submitted each year.

Christian Service Organization Scholarships are awarded to those students preparing for full-time Christian vocational service. The application must be completed as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Award amounts vary depending upon the student’s demonstrated financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA.

Church Matching Scholarships are awarded based on a scholarship from a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention to a student attending Gardner-Webb. The scholarship will be matched by Gardner-Webb up to $2,500. The application deadline is May 1. The scholarship will not be matched if the student is receiving $10,000 or more in Gardner-Webb funds. (The application is available from the Financial Planning webpage.)

Gardner-Webb Legacy Grants are awarded to students that have an immediate family member who is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University (parent, grandparent, great grandparent, or sibling). The grant is confirmed by the Alumni Relations Office, and is awarded at $500 per year.

Ministerial Board of Associates Scholarships are awarded based on the recommendation of a member of the Ministerial Board of Associates. The application deadline is May 1, and this is for new and/or transfer students. The award amount is $250 per year and will be renewed for three years. (The application is available from the Financial Planning webpage.)

Minister’s Dependent Scholarships are awarded based on the dependent’s parent being a full-time minister of a SBC or CBF Church or an ordained, full-time employee of a Baptist State Convention or agency. The application deadline is May 1, and a new application must be completed each year to receive the scholarship. The award amount is $1,000 per year. (The application is available from the Financial Planning webpage.)

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Room and Board Scholarships are available for those students receiving an Army ROTC Scholarship. Gardner-Webb will cover the cost of a standard double room and the 21 meal plan less any federal or state grants. The scholarship will be renewed each year the student continues to receive the ROTC Scholarship.

Scholarship Maintenance

Students receiving scholarships from Gardner-Webb are expected to achieve a minimum cumulative institutional grade point average (GPA) to retain any scholarships. Scholarship progress is reviewed at the end of the semester. The GPA requirement for each scholarship is listed below. If your institutional GPA is below the required minimum, you will be placed on Scholarship Probation. You will be eligible to receive your scholarship while on probation; however, if at the end of the term you have not achieved the required GPA, your scholarship will be rescinded for the next semester.

Ignite Excellence* and Honors Scholarship recipients must maintain an institutional grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 at the end of each academic year, reside on campus, and be enrolled full-time.

*Nursing students must remain in good standing in the Nursing program in lieu of the above stated GPAs to retain scholarship funds.

You may appeal the loss of your scholarship by writing a letter to the Associate Director of Financial Planning. It is important to remember that extenuating circumstances must be fully documented. Please contact the Financial Planning Office if you have any questions concerning the appeal process.