Charting Your Course: A Comprehensive Guide to Regent University Scholarships
Regent University is committed to making a high-quality Christian education accessible and affordable. Recognizing that financial considerations are paramount for many students, the university offers a robust array of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs. These opportunities are designed to support students across various academic levels and backgrounds, helping them to achieve their educational and career goals. This guide aims to provide a detailed overview of the scholarship landscape at Regent University, encompassing donor-funded awards, merit-based scholarships, and specific program-related financial assistance.
Understanding Regent University's Scholarship Philosophy
Regent University's commitment to its mission, "Christian Leadership to Change the World," is deeply interwoven with its approach to financial aid. The university operates on the principle that a Christian education is a wise investment, and therefore, strives to create an aid package that best fits each student's situation. This involves a comprehensive strategy that includes federal, state, private, and school-funded scholarships. Over 80% of Regent students receive financial aid, and in a recent academic year, students received over $24 million in institutional scholarships and aid, underscoring the university's dedication to student support. The Financial Aid team plays a crucial role, working closely with students to navigate these options and maximize their financial readiness.
Donor-Funded Scholarships: Investing in Specific Callings and Communities
A significant portion of Regent University's scholarship offerings are made possible through the generosity of university donors. These awards are typically highly selective and depend on students meeting specific criteria, often reflecting the donor's passion or a particular community need. The number of these awards is limited and can vary annually. Current and accepted incoming students who meet the qualifications are encouraged to explore these opportunities.
The Azusa Street Scholarship: This scholarship fund was established to commemorate the historic Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles, California, which took place from 1906 to 1909. The Reverend William J. Seymour, an African-American Baptist minister, was a leading figure in this revival. Consequently, these scholarships are specifically designated for individuals who are called to serve the African-American community within the United States. This scholarship aims to empower future leaders dedicated to the spiritual and social uplift of this community.
The Fred W. Beazley Scholarship: Established in April of a previous year by Chancellor Dr. Pat Robertson in memory of the late Fred W. Beazley, this scholarship fund honors a leading businessman in the Tidewater area and a significant supporter of Dr. Robertson's early ministry. The scholarship criteria place a strong emphasis on academic merit and residency history. First consideration is given to applicants from the Tidewater region of Virginia who possess excellent academic histories and otherwise meet the scholarship's criteria. However, students with exceptional academic records who are not from the Tidewater region are also encouraged to apply, should there be insufficient suitable applicants from Tidewater for the award.
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The William J. Dooner Scholarship: Generously established by Mr. William J. Dooner, this scholarship is designed to assist Regent University students who have a Roman Catholic background in managing the cost of their education. Recipients are selected based on the extent of their involvement in the Roman Catholic Church and their academic performance. Preference is given to candidates who are currently active within the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing their commitment and engagement.
The Luther J. Stallings, Jr. and Elizabeth A. Stallings Memorial Scholarship: Funded by friends of the University through annual donations in memory of Luther J. Stallings, Jr. and Elizabeth A. Stallings, this scholarship aims to assist students who are "born-again, pursuing a conscientious relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit." The donors' objective is to help Regent students meet their tuition costs. Virginia domiciliary residence is preferred for at least half of the scholarships awarded, with an intent to provide at least one award to an international student. Financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is also a consideration for this scholarship.
The John G. C. Miller Scholarship: Established by a Regent University alumna who is quadriplegic, this scholarship fund honors her father. The primary goal of this scholarship is to assist other Regent students who have physical disabilities in meeting the tuition costs associated with attending Regent University. The scholarship amount varies by year, reflecting the ongoing commitment to supporting students with disabilities.
The Clarence L. Hulford Scholarship: While specific details on the Clarence L. Hulford Scholarship are not fully elaborated in the provided text, it is understood that recipients must be accepted for admission to Regent by the deadline. The scholarship becomes effective beginning with the fall semester of the award year and continues through the following spring semester, provided all eligibility requirements are consistently met. Recipients are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) each semester. The selection process is described as highly specific, with the number of recipients determined by the applicant pool and available funding.
Merit-Based Scholarships: Rewarding Academic Excellence
Regent University actively seeks to recognize and reward academic achievement through a variety of merit-based scholarships. These awards are often automatically determined based on academic information gathered during the admissions process, simplifying the application procedure for many students.
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Academic Merit Scholarships: Regent University is proud to offer academic merit scholarships to its incoming freshman applicants who have completed fewer than 16 transferable college credits after high school graduation. The university has significantly increased the maximum merit award to $10,000. Incoming freshmen are eligible for these awards based on their academic profiles. While Regent University remains test-optional, submitting a test score can increase a student's merit scholarship by up to $5,000 per year. These listed award amounts are annual totals. Award decisions are determined automatically using academic information gathered during the admissions process, meaning a separate award application for merit scholarship consideration is not required. A student's merit scholarship is automatically renewed each academic year, provided the minimum cumulative GPA requirement is met and the student maintains an on-campus enrollment status.
Incoming Transfer Merit Scholarships: For students transferring to Regent University, transfer merit scholarships are awarded based on their cumulative GPA at the time of admission. This cumulative GPA encompasses academic information from all prior coursework undertaken at any attended institutions.
Program-Specific and Special Opportunity Scholarships
Beyond general donor-funded and merit-based scholarships, Regent University offers financial assistance tied to specific programs, student affiliations, or unique opportunities.
The Freedom Scholarship: This scholarship, valued at $10,000, underscores Regent's dedication to upholding values of freedom, truth, and virtue. It is offered to new on-campus undergraduate students. To be considered, students are invited to submit a 500-word essay addressing the question: "The Declaration of Independence provides three unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Which of these is most important to you and why?" A committee reviews all essay submissions and selects up to 10 students per year for this scholarship. The award is non-transferrable between terms and is payable only toward Regent University housing expenses. Regent University is also offering a Freedom Scholarship specifically for new on-campus, college students, which will cover housing expenses up to $5,000 each year ($2,500 per semester) for the first two years of enrollment on Regentâs campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Homeschool Scholarship: Regent University offers a $4,000 Homeschool Scholarship, recognizing the unique educational journeys of students coming from homeschooling backgrounds.
Private School Scholarships: Similarly, Regent University provides $4,000 Private School Scholarships, acknowledging the value and preparation provided by private secondary education.
Honors College Scholarships: Regent University is excited to offer exclusive benefits to students accepted into its Honors College. Students formally admitted into this program receive a $2,000 annual scholarship, which is applied directly to tuition. To be considered for the Honors College, applicants must be high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.7. Submission of SAT, ACT, or CLT test scores is required for acceptance into the program. Students pursuing Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are not eligible to participate in this program.
Church Matching Grant Program (Church Match): Regent University's mission is to equip Christian leaders to change the world. In alignment with this, the Church Matching Grant Program matches contributions from a student's church or ministry to their education, dollar-for-dollar, up to $750 per semester. A paper application must be completed and signed by the church's or ministry's pastor or designated leader. Once signed and completed, the application must be submitted to the university along with a check from the church or ministry. This grant does not automatically renew.
Legacy Student Benefits: Regent University honors its alumni by welcoming new students who have family members who have graduated from the university. When a grandparent, parent, or sibling of a student has graduated from Regent, that student becomes a Legacy student. Alumni affiliation is reviewed automatically using information gathered during the admissions process.
Military and Veteran Benefits: As a military-friendly school, Regent University deeply recognizes and supports service members and their families. The university offers significant military and veteran college benefits, including tuition discounts and bookstore vouchers, available to both undergraduate and graduate military and veteran students who are pursuing a certificate or degree program and are in good academic standing. Regent University also partners with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Administration to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program Scholarship to students with 100% eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Regent University is recognized as one of the leading military and veteran-friendly colleges in the country. Military affiliation is reviewed automatically during the admissions process.
Regent Gap Guarantee Grant: Acknowledging that financial need is a significant factor in pursuing higher education, this grant is designed to cover gaps between available financial aid and the pre-determined estimates of individual financial need. Financial need is determined using a combination of FAFSA information and university-set parameters. Grant eligibility is assessed automatically based on FAFSA completion. A separate application for this grant is not required. If a student receives a scholarship, grant, book voucher, or other gift aid funded by Regent University, their Regent Gap Guarantee Grant award will be reduced by the amount of the new Regent University-funded award. If gift aid is received from a source other than Regent University, the existing Regent Gap Guarantee Grant award will only be reduced as mandated by the terms and conditions of the new award.
Associate Degree Graduate Award: An eligible student who is a graduate with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree may receive an award of up to $1,000 annually. To be eligible for this award, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required, determined at the time of College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) admission. An eligible student may also receive an award of $500 annually, split between fall and spring semesters, if they are a graduate with an A.A., A.S., or A.A.S.
Regent University College of Arts & Sciences Scholarships: Graduates of the Regent University College of Arts & Sciences enjoy access to special scholarship programs. The university expresses pride in its alumni and honors students who choose to return to Regent for their graduate education.
Corporate Partnerships: Regent University offers educational benefits to its corporate partners. Employees, along with their spouses and dependents, receive a discount off the cost of tuition for associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Additionally, employees of partner organizations have access to company-based tuition reimbursements, Regent grants, and student loans.
School-Specific Scholarships:
- School of Divinity: This school offers various scholarships based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and other specific qualifications. Examples include the John C. Wright Ministerial Scholarship, Lindvallâs Chaplainâs Scholarship, and Rev.
- Robertson School of Government: This school provides a variety of endowed scholarships, many of which have specific criteria.
- School of Law: The School of Law offers numerous endowed scholarships, the Deanâs Scholarship, a full-tuition Regent Law Scholar Award, and alumni and military discounts.
Understanding Federal and State Financial Aid
In addition to university-specific scholarships, Regent University facilitates access to federal and state financial aid programs, which form a critical component of a comprehensive aid package.
Federal Pell Grant: This grant is exclusively available to undergraduate students. To be eligible, students must be admitted and enrolled as regular degree-seeking students. The grant is typically awarded for the fall and spring semesters. If a student does not utilize the maximum annual Pell Grant amount in these semesters, a subsequent award may be made for the summer, provided they remain otherwise eligible. The grant is usually paid once per semester, after attendance is confirmed in at least six credit hours of the term. Participation and attendance must be confirmed in all courses for which the Pell Grant payment is based. Adjustments to the Pell Grant may occur if courses are added or dropped during the term.
TEACH Grant Program: This program awards grants to students who intend to teach. At Regent, the grant is applicable to specific undergraduate majors and graduate programs within the School of Education. It can provide up to $4,000 per year in grant aid. Subject to available funding, these scholarship loans are intended for teacher candidates, including graduate students and paraprofessionals from Virginia school divisions. Candidates must be enrolled at least part-time in an approved undergraduate or graduate program leading to an endorsement in a critical shortage area, as annually defined by the Board of Education.
Virginia Community College Transfer Grant: This grant is available to Virginia residents who have graduated from a Virginia Community College. The amounts may vary and are primarily for undergraduate students.
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG): This grant is available to Virginia citizens who are residents of Virginia and attending private institutions within the Commonwealth. The amounts may vary and are mostly for undergraduate students.
Navigating the Financial Aid Process: Key Steps and Considerations
Securing financial aid at Regent University involves understanding and completing several key processes.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The FAFSA is a crucial first step for many students in creating their financial readiness plan. It reviews household income, available assets, and overall household size to generate a personalized need assessment. This information is sent to the chosen school to determine eligibility for various types of aid. Regent University's school code is 030913. While Regent does not impose a FAFSA priority deadline, students wishing to pursue federal aid are recommended to submit their FAFSA at least two months prior to the payment deadline. Early submission allows ample time to collect and submit any necessary follow-up documentation. Submitting the FAFSA online is the fastest method. All students filing online must first request an FSA ID. Tips for FAFSA submission include saving the application frequently, using the "Exit" button with caution, and ensuring the application is submitted by clicking the "Submit" button. Answers to financial questions can be in upper or lowercase, and financial questions that do not apply can be left blank or entered as 0. Answers should be rounded to the nearest dollar, without cents or commas.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): To qualify for aid processed through the Student Financial Aid Office, students must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree completion. Failure to meet SAP standards can result in a financial aid warning for the subsequent semester, during which federal aid is still available, but students must meet the standards by the semester's end for continued eligibility. Ineligibility can be appealed to the school of enrollment for reinstatement. SAP generally requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (2.00 for law and undergraduate students; 2.50 for M.Div. students).
Enrollment Status: To be eligible for loans, Federal Pell Grants, and most other aid, students must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program. Half-time status is defined as five credit hours for graduate students in fall/spring, three for doctoral students, and six for undergraduate students. For summer terms, three credits constitute half-time for graduate students. Undergraduate students must enroll in at least six credit hours each semester (including summer) to be considered half-time.
Notification of Additional Resources: Students are required to notify the Student Financial Aid Office of any additional resources not previously included, such as loans, scholarships, grants, Social Security benefits, veterans' benefits, employer tuition payment plans, or other educational assistance. Failure to do so before the first financial aid disbursement can lead to a significantly lower subsequent disbursement.
Return of Funds Policy: Any student who receives financial aid funds but does not attend or complete coursework for which the disbursement was made must return the entire amount to the funding entity immediately. Regent will facilitate this refund. Financial aid recipients who withdraw during a term or reduce their academic load below the required minimum hours are subject to the university's refund policy and the "Return of Title IV Funds Aid Policy."
Tuition and Fees: Tuition is due and payable in full by the published deadline, irrespective of any pending financial aid. A Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) is available for a nominal fee. University-funded financial aid is generally applicable only to tuition charges for courses taken at Regent University. With limited exceptions (e.g., Federal Pell Grant, third-party authorizations, certain university stipends), no combination of scholarships and grants may exceed 100 percent of tuition.
Student Loans and Loan Programs
Regent University also provides information and access to various student loan programs.
Federal Stafford Loans: First-time Federal Stafford Loan borrowers are required to complete student loan entrance counseling online at studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/ before any funds can be credited to their account. This counseling is crucial for understanding loan obligations.
Grad PLUS Loans and Parent PLUS Loans: These loans are not guaranteed and are based on credit history. Borrowers give permission for their credit history to be pulled. If found not creditworthy, denial or the requirement of a co-signer may occur. Parent PLUS loan applications must be completed at studentaid.gov.
Private Loans: Private loans are also based on credit history and must be repaid. Lenders will require permission to pull credit history.
Loan Disbursements: Student loans are disbursed in at least two equal amounts, with single-term loans potentially disbursed in one payment. Excess loan funds above university charges will not be released sooner than the last business day before the term begins, provided all requirements are met and funds have arrived. Students should be prepared to cover initial expenses, including book costs.
Loan Checks: If loans are disbursed by paper check, they will require endorsement and will be made co-payable to Regent University and the student. The check will be available for endorsement in the Business Office.
Exit Counseling: All student loan borrowers are required by federal law and/or Regent University or private lender policy to complete exit counseling prior to ceasing enrollment on at least a half-time basis. This includes graduating students and those who drop to less than half-time status. Exit counseling can be completed online at studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/.
Summer Aid: Loans are commonly calculated for only the fall and spring semesters. For students taking classes during the summer term, it is important to inform the Student Financial Aid Office by completing the Summer Aid Request Form, which becomes available online after the spring registration period.
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