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Paying for college is a shared effort.
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.
How We Calculate Financial Need
We use a standard formula to determine your financial need:
Cost of Attendance − Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need
We use your FAFSA information to estimate your Expected Family Contribution—what your family can reasonably contribute toward educational costs. Your financial need is the difference between your total cost of attendance and that contribution.
Cost of Attendance
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.
What is the EFC?
Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is based on several components:
EFC 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.
What Makes Up a Financial Aid Package?
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.
Example Aid Calculation
Here’s a simplified example to show how your need might translate into an aid package:
Sample Calculation | Amount |
---|---|
Cost of Attendance | $35,000 |
– EFC (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.
Determining Eligibility
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.
Tools & Resources
Want to get a better idea of your eligibility?
Still have questions? Reach out! We are here to help.
Contact Financial Aid