Financial Aid to Students

Scholarship, grants, work service, and loan funds at William Carey University are administered in conjunction with a nationally established philosophy of distributing financial aid. The basis of this philosophy is the belief that the student and parents have the primary responsibility for paying the cost of education and that financial aid from the college is available only for meeting the difference between the cost of education and the amount the students and parents can reasonably be expected to contribute. A student’s expected family contribution is determined by the Department of Education once a student has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The purpose of William Carey University’s financial aid program is to provide assistance to students who would be unable to attend college without such aid. Financial aid includes scholarships, grants, work service, loans, and part-time employment. These types of assistance are extended either singly or in combination. The financial aid award or “package" offered depends upon the student’s academic record and need for assistance.

It is understandable that most students would prefer assistance through a full scholarship or gift program, but the packaging concept enables William Carey to assist more students, thereby making it possible for larger numbers to attend. Each aid applicant will be considered for all aid programs administered by the office of financial aid. The institution requires that a FAFSA form be completed by any student who will be receiving a scholarship, loan, work service, grant or any other form of financial aid. Also, any student who receives a scholarship at William Carey University must early-register each trimester in order to retain the scholarship.

Financial Aid General Regulations

Financial aid applicants must be accepted for admission to William Carey before financial assistance can be awarded. Nondegree seeking students are not eligible for Federal financial aid. Generally, financial aid is offered to the full-time student working on his or her first baccalaureate degree. If a student drops below half-time status, that student automatically becomes ineligible for financial aid.

Ordinarily financial aid is awarded once per trimester of the regular academic year. In order to receive financial aid, students must maintain “Standards of Satisfactory Progress” toward their degrees and remain in good standing. Financial aid may also be withdrawn from students who are penalized by William Carey University for serious breaches of discipline. The financial aid office reserves the right to withhold further assistance at the time it becomes evident that a student has abused or is abusing the financial aid programs.

Students receiving financial aid from sources other than William Carey University must advise the director of financial aid of the amount and source of such aid. An application for financial aid must be completed annually. Financial aid is not automatically renewed. This institution is in compliance with Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and does not discriminate against the handicapped or on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin.

Nondegree status students are not eligible for Federal financial aid.
Any student receiving all F’s or I’s in any trimester will lose all institutional scholarship aid for the next trimester of attendance.

Types of Financial Aid

The following financial aid programs are available to students who enroll at
William Carey University. Specific eligibility criteria and applications procedures
for each program are available at the office of financial aid.

• Student Employment: College Work Study Programs
• Grants: Grants are available through the Institutions of Higher Learning of Mississippi/Mississippi Office of State Student Financial Aid.
  • Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants
  • (SEOG), State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG), Mississippi Tuition
  • Assistance Grant (MTAG), Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant
  • (MESG), Teacher Education, Nursing Professional, and Psycholog
• Regular Loans: Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized
  • Stafford/PLUS, Federal Perkins Loan, Bobby Wingo Memorial
  • Loan Fund (seniors only), Otis Seal Loan Fund (Ministeria students only).
  • EMERGENCY LOANS: Bass Loan Fund (short term emergency loans).
• Institutional Awards: Scholarships based on academic, talent, alumni, and church vocations.

Additional Information on Financial Aid

The director of financial aid and appropriate staff members are available to provide additional information regarding the financial aid program of William Carey University as required by the Student Information Requirements as stated in Title I of the Education Amendments of 1976. Appointments may be made by calling (601) 318-6153.

William Carey University participates in all programs of the Veterans’ Administration. Information and assistance with applications may be secured from the V.A. certifying officials on the Hattiesburg, Gulfport, or New Orleans campus.