Financial Information

Financial Aid

Financial assistance in the form of scholarships and assistantships is available. Inquiries should be made through the Director of Admissions for the School of Divinity.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Scholarships

Scholarships are available through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBFNC) and are based on financial need, commitment to serve in Baptist life in keeping with the mission strategy of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and potential success in theological education. Applications and CBF Mission Statements are available from the Admissions Office at the School of Divinity.

Christian Service Organization Scholarship

The Christian Service Organization (CSO) Scholarship Fund was created so private donors could partner together with students training to enter the ministry field. Applicants must enroll in the School of Divinity, complete the Student Aid Profile, register for nine (9) or more credit hours, and meet certain financial need criteria to qualify. Awards may vary and will be given by the credit hour to eligible applicants. As a recipient of the Christian Service Organization and/or Gardner-Webb University Theological Grant, the University reserves the right to rescind funds awarded to students who are unable to complete attempted hours of study during any given semester.

GWU Theological Grant

The GWU Theological Grant is a form of assistance through Gardner-Webb University to aid seminarians enrolled at the School of Divinity. Applicants must complete the Student Aid Profile, register for nine (9) or more credit hours, and meet certain financial need criteria to qualify. Awards may vary and will be given by the credit hour to eligible applicants. As a recipient of the Christian Service Organization Scholarship and/or Gardner-Webb University Theological Grant, the University reserves the right to rescind funds awarded to students who are unable to complete attempted hours of study during any given semester.

Charles B. Keesee Educational Grant

The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund was established in 1941 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Keesee of Martinsville, Virginia for the purpose of aiding young men and women to obtain an education. School of Divinity students who are Baptist and residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, or Kentucky may apply. Applications are available by visiting cbkeesee.com.

Graduate Assistantships

Goals for Assistantships

1. To provide academically strong graduate students with financial assistance and practical opportunities to increase skills and knowledge in their respective fields; and
2. To provide mature work assistance to appropriate programs and offices within the University while giving graduate programs a tool with which to attract strong students to Gardner-Webb.

Policies for Assistantships

1. Applications for assistantships may be obtained from and submitted to the Office of the Associate Provost for Professional and Graduate Studies.
2. Awards are available for the academic year and the summer term to those students carrying a full-time academic course load. They are renewable for up to three years. Decisions to renew are made annually by each graduate assistant’s direct supervisor.
3. Each department will select the individual recipients of the awards and be responsible for assigning work duties. Graduate assistants may not be assigned additional assistantship duties by any other department of the University.
4. Recipients of fellowships and/or scholarships may also receive assistantships.
5. Individual assistantship contracts must be re-evaluated yearly.
6. Service related to assistantships should follow the academic schedule and may not exceed 20 hours per week.
7. Outside employment must not interfere with performance of duties of the graduate assistantships and may be a factor in hiring decisions.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Low-interest loans may be available for eligible students who are enrolled at least half-time. Students make no payment while enrolled at least half-time or during the six-month grace period after graduation. Students must complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov to determine eligibility. Additional information is available from the Office of Financial Planning at 704-406-4243.

Graduate Resident Director Positions

Residence Life employs graduate students to be responsible for the daily operations of a residential area on campus. Compensation includes housing with utilities, a meal plan, a free staff parking permit, and a modest stipend. More information is available by calling 704-406- 4300.

Expenses

Tuition for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Miscellaneous Fees

The above fees are typical with enrollment in the School of Divinity. Fees are subject to change and additional fees may be assessed as required under certain policies. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, fees paid to the University are not refundable.

Miscellaneous Academic Fees

Depending on the program of study and courses taken, students should expect to see course-specific fees ranging from $65 to $390. Multiple fees may apply to individual courses. Fees are used to cover direct expenditures associated with a course requirement (e.g., database licenses, thesis review, etc.) as well as indirect expenses associated with a particular course.

Veterans Benefits

An individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits, or Chapter 35, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Assistance (DEA) program is permitted to attend or participate in a course of study during the period beginning on the date the individual provides to the educational institution a VA certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the following date, whichever comes first.

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Gardner-Webb University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities due to a delay in VA funding disbursement under Chapter 31 or 33. Likewise, a student is not required to borrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under Chapter 31, 33, or 35.

Charge Reduction Policy

Registration in the University is considered a contract binding the student for charges for the entire semester, and the student remains responsible for tuition and fees for any course(s) from which the student has withdrawn. However, it is the policy of Gardner-Webb University to give pro-rata charge reductions through 60% of the enrollment period in the event a student OFFICIALLY WITHDRAWS FROM SCHOOL. The Complete Withdrawal Form should be completed electronically and may be accessed through WebbConnect. A confirmation will be sent when the withdrawal is complete. The withdrawal date is the date this process begins.

For purposes of interpreting this policy, the pro-rata charge reduction percentage is equal to the number of calendar days (includes weekends) remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester. No charge reduction will be given after the 60% period of enrollment for the semester. Students who withdraw from individual classes after the schedule modification period will not receive a charge reduction.

When a student’s charges are reduced, federal, state, institutional, and non-institutional aid will be adjusted in accordance with the regulations governing the respective programs. Please contact the Office of  Financial Planning for current regulations concerning these programs. Leaving the University without officially withdrawing may result in a student forfeiting all financial aid and, thus, becoming responsible for the entire balance.

Delinquent Student Accounts

Students with outstanding financial obligations may be prevented from registering for the following semester. In addition, transcripts and/or diplomas may not be released until all financial obligations are satisfied. Delinquent accounts may be referred to collection agencies and/or credit bureaus. Financial obligations include, but are not limited to, student account balances, parking, disciplinary, and library fines, and returned checks.

Deferred Payment Plan

Tuition, fees, and book charges are payable in full within 10 days of the start of classes; however, the University makes available a Deferred Payment Plan to students who prefer to make two payments during the summer or four payments during the Fall and Spring semesters rather than the full payment at the beginning of the semester. Students may sign up for the Deferred Payment Plan when viewing their Student Bill. The Student Bill may be accessed through the WebbConnect portal entering the username and password assigned by Technology Services. Questions about the Deferred Payment Plan may be directed to the Student Accounts Office at 704-406-4287.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Payment to accredited providers of CPE is the responsibility of the student. This payment is to be made through the Gardner-Webb University Student Accounts Office. Registration for course credit for DSPC 200 Clinical Pastoral Education and DSPC 201 Clinical Pastoral Education in the Parish is through the School of Divinity.