Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Aid
1. How many students at Baylor receive financial assistance?2. I'm not sure whether I will qualify for need-based aid. Is it worth my time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
3. What is considered in calculating how much my family can afford to contribute to my education?
4. Is there any consideration for sending two or more students to college at the same time (i.e. group rate)? How is that factored in?
5. What is the maximum family income allowed in order for a student to be eligible for some need-based scholarships or support? Is that level the same for all universities?
6. Can you get a tuition discount if you have more than one child attending Baylor?
7. Are loans available that can be repaid after graduation?
8. Besides the Stafford Loan, are there other alternative loans that can be pursued?
9. How do I apply for a merit-based Baylor scholarships?
10. Does Baylor offer scholarships to transfer students?
11. Does Baylor offer scholarships to students who are National Merit Finalists?
12. Can I get more than one of the academic scholarships offered?
13. Are scholarships awarded for one year, or are there scholarships that are guaranteed for all four years?
14. Are there any scholarships awarded based on talent or a student's academic department or discipline?
15. What is the meaning of a full-tuition scholarship, and how does that differ from a full scholarship?
16. Are there scholarships for Baptist students at Baylor?
17. Whom do we contact for information on athletic scholarships?
18. Where do I apply for outside scholarships?
19. As an international student how can I find assistance to help with college expenses?
20. What types of financial aid am I eligible for as an international undergraduate student?
Financial Aid
1. How many students at Baylor receive financial assistance?
Approximately 84-85% of the students at Baylor attend school with the assistance of scholarships, grants, loans, and/or on-campus employment.
2. I'm not sure whether I will qualify for need-based aid. Is it worth my time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Yes. We recommend that all students file the FAFSA. You can't assume that you will or will not qualify for aid based on your family income alone. Many factors are considered in calculating need. Complete the FAFSA after January 1--we recommend prior to March 1-- in order to be evaluated for need-based aid for all aid programs offered through Baylor.
3. What is considered in calculating how much my family can afford to contribute to my education?
Congress has created a formula that takes a number of factors into consideration. Among them are total taxable and nontaxable income, assets, the number of persons supported by the family income, and the number of dependents in college.
4. Is there any consideration for sending two or more students to college at the same time (i.e. group rate)? How is that factored in?
The federal need-based formula takes into consideration the household size and number in college (excluding parents in college). These factors are reflected in each student's calculated family contribution. If your parent is attending college half-time or more and working toward a degree or certificate, contact the Office of Academic Scholarships & Financial Aid. An additional form is required to consider a parent in the number of family members in college.
5. What is the maximum family income allowed in order for a student to be eligible for some need-based scholarships or support? Is that level the same for all universities?
Since many factors are taken into consideration when determining a student's eligibility for assistance, there is not a maximum income threshold for need-based aid. The federal formula determines the family contribution, which remains the same from school to school. Need-based eligibility is determined by subtracting the family contribution from the cost of attendance at each institution. At Baylor, we will consider you for all types of assistance, including need-based scholarships. Based on your financial need at Baylor and the availability of funds through our need-based scholarship endowments and our federal and state grant allocations, the Office of Academic Scholarships and Financial Aid will determine your full eligibility for these funds at Baylor.
6. Can you get a tuition discount if you have more than one child attending Baylor?
No. Baylor does not provide a specific award for siblings attending Baylor; however, when determining financial aid eligibility, the federal formula does take the number in college into consideration in calculating the amount a family is expected to contribute toward educational costs.
7. Are loans available that can be repaid after graduation?
Yes, there are several deferred loan options. For Stafford Loans and College Access Loans (CAL), repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Many alternative loans have deferred repayments as well. However, repayment of Federal PLUS Loans, which are loans for parents of dependent undergraduate students, is usually not deferred and repayment begins 30 to 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan.
8. Besides the Stafford Loan, are there other alternative loans that can be pursued?
Yes. If you need additional financial assistance, there are alternative loans you can pursue. For alternative loans that are certified by our office, you may apply to borrow up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid you have received. You can find a list of Alternative Loan Lenders here. You are not restricted to the lenders on this list, and you can choose any lender you prefer.
9. How do I apply for a merit-based Baylor scholarships?
Once you are admitted to the university, your admission application will be evaluated for merit-based Baylor scholarship eligibility. Merit-based Baylor scholarships are offered to incoming students based on ACT/SAT score and class rank. More information regarding merit-based Baylor scholarships can be found here. Calculate your merit scholarship using our Scholarship Calculator.
10. Does Baylor offer scholarships to transfer students?
Yes, transfer scholarships are offered based on the student's cumulative transfer GPA. You can learn more about these scholarships here.
11. Does Baylor offer scholarships to students who are National Merit Finalists?
Yes, students who are National Merit Finalists and have selected Baylor as their first choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will receive the full tuition Regents' Gold Scholarship. This scholarship is available for a total of eight semesters of undergraduate study. Recipients of the Regents' Baylor Scholarship are required to maintain a 3.5 cumulative Baylor grade point average. Regents' Gold Scholarship recipients are not eligible for President's, Provost's, and Deans' Gold Scholarships.
12. Can I get more than one of the academic scholarships offered?
We do not "stack" merit awards. However, undergraduate students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be considered for need-based Baylor scholarship(s) on a merit and need basis.
13. Are scholarships awarded for one year, or are there scholarships that are guaranteed for all four years?
Merit-based Baylor scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study provided you meet the renewal requirements.
Need-based Baylor scholarships are renewable each year provided you meet the renewal requirements and continue to demonstrate need as determined by your FAFSA results.
The amount of a need-based Baylor scholarship is subject to change based on your level of need as determined by each year's FAFSA.
14. Are there any scholarships awarded based on talent or a student's academic department or discipline?
Some endowed scholarships are awarded by academic departments rather than by the Financial Aid Office. Departmental scholarships are generally awarded to students in their junior or senior year who have declared a qualified major and who have proven their commitment to the major (by posting good grades and having taken an appropriate number of hours in the major in question).
Generally, incoming freshmen are not eligible for departmental scholarships except in the following departments:
• JournalismYou can search Baylor's departmental scholarhsips online at www.baylor.edu/finaid/search. Graduate and Seminary students interested in graduate assistantships or scholarships should contact the department under which they will be studying. Law students interested in law scholarshps, should contact the Baylor Law School.
• Visual Arts
• Debate
• Music (School of Music)
15. What is the meaning of a full-tuition scholarship, and how does that differ from a full scholarship?
A full-tuition scholarship is an award that covers a recipient's tuition obligation. A full scholarship is an award that covers a recipient's tuition, fees, room, board and (sometimes) book obligations. On a strictly merit basis, the largest Baylor scholarship (Regents' Gold Scholarship) is full tuition.
16. Are there scholarships for Baptist students at Baylor?
Yes. You can find a list of all of Baylor's denominational scholarships here.
17. Whom do we contact for information on athletic scholarships?
The various coaches in the Athletic Department award athletic scholarships. Such awards are subject to NCAA guidelines. Students interested in seeking athletic assistance should contact the Athletic Department directly at (254) 710-1234 for the name of the contact person who handles scholarship information for each sport.
18. Where do I apply for outside scholarships?
Several free scholarship searches are available on the Internet. One of the most comprehensive is fastweb.monster.com. You may also check with local businesses and organizations in your area regarding scholarship opportunities. Your high school counselor should be able to assist you in determining what is available in your community.
Please complete an Outside Scholarshp Report Form for each outside scholarship you are awarded. You can download the form here.
19. As an international student how can I find assistance to help with college expenses?
The following websites provide helpful information for international students seeking a higher education degree in the United States.
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)
International Scholarships Online
International Student Loan Center
eduPASS
20. What types of financial aid am I eligible for as an international undergraduate student?
As an undergraduate international student, you can be considered for the Regents' Gold Scholarship (full-tuition), President's Gold Scholarship, Provost's Gold Scholarship, Deans' Gold Scholarship, and Transfer Baylor Scholarships per the guidelines on the merit-based Baylor scholarships page. If you are not a U.S. citizen or have a status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as a "permanent resident," you will not be eligible for need-based scholarships, federal and state grants, and many loan programs. While priority for on-campus employment goes to students who qualify for federal work-study, some on-campus jobs, limited to 20 hours a week and usually minimum wage, are available to international students whose status allows them to work in the U.S. There is no other non-merit aid available for international students except for commercial loans that require a credit worthy U.S. citizen to co-sign the loan.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/admissions/intfinaid
