FAQs

Calculation of Aid

General Information

Grants

International Students

Loans

Scholarships

Calculation of Aid

1. 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 given priority consideration for all aid programs for which you may have eligibility.

2. 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, where you live, age of older parent, and the number of dependents in college.

3. What happens to the money that is awarded but not accepted because students decide to go to another college?
With the exception of the Pell Grant for undergraduate students and loans, funds are re-awarded to students attending Baylor University who are on the waiting list for those funds. Awards do not transfer from one school to another. Students must reapply at their new 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 if my or my parents' previous year's income is greater than the current year's income?
You should complete the FAFSA using the requested year's income information. You may then contact our office and discuss your situation with one of our counselors. There are situations where we can make adjustments but these are done on a case by case basis and only when your situation meets the required criteria. If we are able to consider an adjustment, the counselor will provide you with the appropriate form to complete.

6. 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.

7. Who is considered a parent on the FAFSA? In other words, whose information do I provide in the parent section of the FAFSA?
If your parents are living and married to each other, answer the questions about them.

If your parent is widowed or single, answer the questions about that parent.

If your widowed parent is remarried as of today, answer the questions about that parent and the person whom your parent married (your stepparent).

You must include your stepparent's information even if they do not contribute financially to your college education.

If your parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months. (If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support during the past 12 months, or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent.) If this parent is remarried as of today, answer the questions aon the rest of this form about that parent and the person whom your parent married (your stepparent).

Again, you must include your stepparent's information even if they do not contribute financially to your college education.

8. In determining eligibility for need-based assistance, what income figure is important (gross, net, adjusted)?
The adjusted gross income (AGI) is used.

9. We have a high income but very few assets. How might this affect our need-based help?
Both asset and income information are collected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All of the income, asset, and household information reported on the FAFSA are used in the federal formula to determine what the family is expected to contribute toward educational costs. The expected family contribution is subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine need-based financial aid eligibility.

BACK TO TOP

General Information

1. What financial assistance is available?
You can find information about the types of aid Baylor offers by clicking on the Scholarships and Other Types of Aid links in the left-hand menu.

2. 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.

3. When are semester payments due, and how are they typically paid (check, credit card)?
Please visit the Cashier's Website for payment information.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/cashiers/

4. What is the Installment Plan?
Installment Plan information is found at the Cashier's website.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/cashiers/index.php?id=4576

5. Can you get a tuition discount if you have more than one child attending Baylor?
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.

BACK TO TOP

Grants

1. How do I apply for the Pell Grant?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (There is a 30 minute online training program for completing the FAFSA at www.mapping-your-future.org.) Submit the form on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Baylor's school code for the FAFSA is 003545. Baylor normally receives results of the FAFSA from the federal processor within 7 to 10 business days.

2. How do I apply for the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TTEG)?
Only Texas residents can be considered for the TTEG. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for us to determine your eligibility. The TTEG is a need-based grant awarded to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a degree or certificate(s) program. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment and 2.5 cumulative GPA, and continue to meet the need criteria for renewal. Students studying a religion or ministry degree program, or students receiving athletic scholarships are not eligible. You will be asked to complete a Texas Core Residency Questions form to confirm your status as a Texas resident before credit can be issued to your student account.

BACK TO TOP

International Students

1. 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.
www.edupass.org/finaid
www.iefa.org
www.InternationalScholarships.com

2. Are international students eligible for student employment?
Priority for employment on campus is given to students who qualify for the Federal Work-Study program on a need-basis. After the first three weeks of classes in the fall, all students who want to work will be able to compete for on-campus positions for the remainder of the academic year. International students must initiate approval each semester from the office of International Student and Scholar Services. Job information is available on the web at www.baylor.edu/student_employment/

3. Are international students eligible for loans?
There are some alternative loan programs available to international students. Most loans will require the student to have a credit worthy U.S. citizen as a co-signer.

4. Are scholarships available for international students?
• New international undergraduate students have been considered for a merit scholarship based on the information on the application for admission to Baylor.
• Currently enrolled international Baylor students can be considered for merit scholarships based on their cumulative grade point average posted at Baylor. To apply, contact the Office of Academic Scholarships & Financial Aid early in the spring semester to complete a Merit Scholarship Request Form for consideration for the following fall. If you are already receiving merit assistance, you will automatically be reconsidered each year.

5. What types of aid other than scholarships am I eligible for as an international student?
If you are not an 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. You may be eligible for student employment on campus after the first three weeks of classes in the fall if your status allows you 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.

BACK TO TOP

Loans

1. If I get a loan from one place, will that disqualify me for other loans or grants?
Since loans are part of the financial aid package, they are offered after grant eligibility has been determined. It is possible to receive loan funds from more than one loan source.

2. 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 not automatically deferred and repayment usually begins 30 to 60 days after the second disbursement of the loan unless the lender offers other options.

3. Is consideration given to parents who are paying off a loan for other children who have previously attended Baylor?
There is not a specific allowance in the formula for loans for siblings who are no longer in college.

4. How do I apply for a Federal Stafford Loan?
Everyone eligible for federal aid can pursue a Stafford Loan; however, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.

5. What is "Loans by Web"?
"Loans by Web" is the online process to guarantee your Federal Stafford Loan for new borrowers at Baylor. If you have received an award letter and were offered a Stafford loan, after you accept the loan award, you will be notified to guarantee your loan on the Loans by Web website. You will choose a lender; complete the online application; and print, sign, and mail your promissory note to your lender.

6. Is "Loans by Web" the only way to pursue my Stafford Loan?
If you are a new borrower at Baylor, this is the preferred way to pursue the loan. If you are a previous borrower at Baylor, all that is required to pursue the loan is acceptance of your awards on BearWeb. Once the loan is guaranteed, it will appear as a memo (anticipated aid) on the student's tuition account.

7. Besides the Stafford Loan, are there other alternative loans that can be pursued?
Yes. Information to help you determine if an alternative loan is needed, and the best option for you, can be found in the 2009-2010 award booklet. (If you are a new student you also received a copy of the booklet with your award notification. Returning students receive award notification by email and should reference the booklet online.) 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. Please review our Alternative Lender List for additional information.

8. What is the difference between an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and a Subsidized Stafford Loan?
For Subsidized Stafford Loans, the federal government pays the interest on the loan as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time and through the 6 month grace period after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. With Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, the interest accrues during the time the student is enrolled at least half-time in school and through the 6 month grace period. The accrued interest is then added to the loan amount when repayment begins.

BACK TO TOP

Scholarships

1. Are there scholarships that currently enrolled students can apply for?
Early in the spring organizations and some departments send scholarship applications to the Office of Academic Scholarships and Financial Aid. These applications are made available beginning in February to Baylor students on our Website.

2. Are scholarships available for seminary students?
Scholarships for seminary students are awarded through the George W. Truett Seminary. Visit their website or contact them by phone at 1-800-BAYLOR-U, Option 5.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/truett

3. Are scholarships available for law students?
Scholarships for law students are awarded through the Law School. Visit their website or contact them by phone at (254) 710-1911.
More Information: http://law.baylor.edu

4. Are scholarships available for graduate students?
For graduate school scholarships, contact the graduate department of your particular school of study. Visit the graduate school website as well as the departmental website for your school of study.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/graduate

5. If I receive a scholarship or grant, will my need-based aid be affected?
Yes, the federal government requires that scholarships and grants be applied to your eligibility as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any additional funding you receive from any source may require an adjustment to your eligibility for federal or state aid. If adjustments are made, you will receive a revised award letter.

6. 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.

7. Do you have scholarships for students studying in various academic departments or disciplines?
A numbered of endowed scholarships are designated for students studying in particular departments or pursuing specific majors. In most cases departmental scholarships are awarded on a merit and need basis through the Office of Academic Scholarships and Financial Aid with priority given to students in their junior and senior years. Students may also check the bulletin board in the department of their major for any scholarship opportunities directly through the department.

8. I am not planning to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), can I still apply for a merit scholarship?
Yes, if you were not offered a merit scholarship as a freshman or transfer student, you may complete a Merit Scholarship Request Form after you have completed 60 credit hours to apply for a merit scholarship for the following fall.

9. Are scholarships awarded for study abroad programs?
The Center for International Education offers study abroad scholarships. Information is available at their website.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/cie

BACK TO TOP