At Southwestern Adventist University, we believe in partnering with students and families to make higher education affordable. That’s why we offer financial aid based on demonstrated financial need, a calculation that helps us determine how much support a student is eligible to receive.

We use a standard formula to determine your financial need:

Cost of Attendance − Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need

We use your FAFSA information to estimate your Student Aid Index—what your family can reasonably contribute toward educational costs. Your financial need is the difference between your total cost of attendance and that contribution.

Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total estimated cost to attend SWAU for one academic year. It includes:

• Tuition & Fees
• Housing & Food
• Books & Supplies
• Personal Expenses
• Transportation

Every student’s COA may vary based on program, housing status, and enrollment level.

Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is based on several components:

 

SAI Components	Description
Parent Contribution	Based on income, assets, and household factors
Student Contribution (Assets)	Includes student-owned savings or investments
Student Contribution (Earnings)	Estimated from work or summer jobs

 

This number does not reflect your bill—it’s used internally to determine how much aid you may qualify for.

Once we determine your financial need, your aid offer may include a mix of:

• Federal Grants (e.g. Pell, SEOG)
• State Grants (e.g. TEG for Texas residents)
• Institutional Scholarships
• Student Employment or Work-Study
• Federal Student Loans

Each offer is tailored to your circumstances and may vary year to year.

Here’s a simplified example to show how your need might translate into an aid package:

Sample Calculation	Amount
Cost of Attendance	$35,000
– SAI (Family Contribution)	$10,000
= Financial Need	$25,000

Sample Aid Package	Amount
Federal & State Grants	$10,000
SWAU Scholarships	$12,000
Student Employment	$2,000
Total Aid	$24,000

Note. These are not the actual semester numbers; they are generalized numbers used for instructional purposes.

To determine financial aid eligibility, we review:

• FAFSA information
• Household income and size
• Number of students in college
• Tax documentation
• Special circumstances (e.g., medical expenses, job loss)

Students must reapply each year to maintain eligibility for financial aid.

Want to get a better idea of your eligibility?

• Net Price Calculator
• How to Apply for Aid
• Understanding the FAFSA

Still have questions? Reach out! We are here to help.