Shenandoah University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Shenandoah University is dedicated to helping students finance their education through a variety of financial aid programs. These programs consider both a student's financial need and their academic achievements in relation to the overall cost of attending the university. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available at Shenandoah University, along with their requirements and application processes.

Understanding Financial Aid at Shenandoah University

Shenandoah University has a strong financial aid program to assist students in funding their educational expenses. Financial aid is awarded according to an individual’s financial need and academic success in relation to the university costs; awards may be modified in the event university costs increase. At Shenandoah we understand that Financial Aid is an important, and sometimes confusing, factor in your college search process. We are here to help you understand your Shenandoah University financial aid package and financial options.

Basic Requirements for Financial Aid

All undergraduate students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements in order to receive financial aid at Shenandoah University per federal regulations. Students must always maintain a Pace rate of 67% (defined as successfully completing 67% of the courses attempted) and complete their degree within 150 percent of the published length of their academic program. Many financial aid programs, including state and SU aid, limit assistance to four years or eight semesters of full-time study. Students who do not take these limitations into consideration may find themselves unable to obtain aid for a fifth year of study.

Applying for Federal Aid: The FAFSA

Students wishing to apply for Federal financial aid are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)

Domiciled Virginia residents submit a completed Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Application by July 31.

Read also: Shenandoah University Baseball

Shenandoah University Scholarships

At Shenandoah University we provide a variety of scholarships to students. Our institutional aid is based on academic merit as well as need. All institutional aid is renewable for four years as long as the student remains at full-time and has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. Scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit, talent or affiliation. Scholarships large and small may be part of a student’s financial aid award.

Merit-Based Scholarships

These scholarships are primarily awarded based on academic achievements.

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is a highly selective, limited scholarship available to incoming undergraduate students. There are only 10 Presidential Scholarships awarded each year and selection is quite competitive. Scholastic, leadership, and community activities are considered in the evaluation process. Consideration is based upon a student’s application for admission to the university; no additional application is required to apply. This scholarship may be renewed annually for a total four years, as long as the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. The Presidential Scholarship is a highly selective, limited scholarship selected by the President of Shenandoah University, available to incoming freshmen and is awarded in place of the Academic Scholarship.

Academic Scholarship and Academic Transfer Scholarship

The Academic Scholarship and Academic Transfer Scholarship are available to incoming freshmen and transfer students. The Academic Scholarship is available to incoming first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, or School of Nursing. For incoming freshmen, eligibility is based on their high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores. For incoming transfer students, eligibility is determined by the student’s cumulative GPA. The Academic Transfer Scholarship is available to students transferring from another college or university into the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, or School of Nursing. Eligibility is based upon the student’s cumulative GPA from those transfer credits accepted by Shenandoah University.

The scholarship may be renewed annually for a total of four years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5. In addition, recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

Conservatory Scholarship

The Conservatory Scholarship is available to students pursuing a degree within the Shenandoah Conservatory. The Conservatory Scholarship is available to incoming freshmen and transfer students pursuing a degree within the Shenandoah Conservatory. The scholarship is awarded based upon a student’s academics, their audition, and the needs of the Conservatory. The Conservatory Talent Award may be renewed annually for a total of four years. Recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and meet the requirements as set by the Conservatory to keep the award. The Conservatory Scholarship may be renewed annually for a total of four years. Recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and meet the requirements as set by the Conservatory to retain the scholarship.

Need-Based Grants and Scholarships

These awards are based on the student's demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.

Funded Shenandoah University Award

The Funded Shenandoah University Award is a need-based grant awarded for tuition expenses. The amount of the grant will vary based upon a student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA. This grant is awarded in addition to other Shenandoah scholarships.

Federal Pell Grants

This grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

These grants are awarded by the university from federal funds to students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.

Read also: Shenandoah Community

Scholarships Based on Affiliation

These scholarships are available to students who meet specific affiliation criteria.

Virginia Conference United Methodist Scholarship

Shenandoah University offers a scholarship to full-time undergraduate students who are members in good standing of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church for at least one year. Shenandoah University offers a scholarship to full-time undergraduate students who are residents of Virginia and have been members in good standing of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church for at least one year. The Methodist Scholarship may be renewed annually for a total of four years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Membership standing must be certified by their minister. This award is automatically renewed for up to four years for eligible students.

Ministerial Grants

Ministerial Grants are available to dependent children and spouses of Virginia Conference United Methodist ministers. Ministers must be full-time ordained by the bishop. Students must be a resident of Virginia and enrolled full-time to qualify.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships are donated funds to the university to help meet the financial needs of students. Individuals and corporations or foundations donate funds from which the interest is awarded as grants and scholarships while the principal is maintained as part of university’s endowment program.

James A. Stutzman, Sr. Scholarship

The applicant must demonstrate financial need. Mr. Jim Stutzman was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1980, he purchased Stutzman Chevrolet-Cadillac-Buick, then known as B&M Chevrolet. He was a supporter of Shenandoah for many years, specifically giving to the Annual Fund and donating vehicles for use by the university. He was active in the community, serving as President of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce in 1991. He turned over the business to his children, Annie and Jim, and he and his wife, Carol, retired to Lake Anna, near Mineral, Virginia.

James R. Wilkins Scholarship

Mr. James R. Wilkins was a distinguished Winchester churchman, civic leader, father, and businessman. He served as a trustee from 1995 until his death in September 1996. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Shenandoah for twenty years. Wilkins Hall bears his name and his philanthropy in the city is well known.

Veatch ES scholarship

The Veatch ES scholarship is merit-based, except in the case of continuing ES students where both need and merit are considered.

Other Financial Aid Programs

Federal Work-Study Program

This program is designed to provide assistance to students with financial need. Work-study students are employed in various departments on campus and are paid biweekly, based on the number of hours worked.

Federal Nursing Student Loan

These loans provide long-term, low-interest loans to help meet the cost of a nursing education for high-need students. An undergraduate nursing student may borrow up to $3,300 for their Freshman and Sophomore years and up to $5,200 for their Junior and Senior years. After a student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment, they are given a nine month grace period before they must begin repayment of their loans. Students are granted one grace period. The grace period may be extended to longer than nine months if the student is on active duty in the military. At the end of the grace period, students must begin repaying their loans. Department of Health and Human Services and is limited.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Federal Direct Loans are guaranteed loans available to degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time. The interest on Federal Direct Loans is determined each year and is fixed for the life of loan. These loans also carry an origination fee. Federal Direct Loans may be subsidized and/or unsubsidized. A Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA and the university. No interest will accumulate for the student while they are enrolled at least half-time or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government will pay the interest during these periods. A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not awarded on the basis of financial need. Unlike the Direct Subsidized Loan, interest will begin to accrue immediately from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. After a student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment, they are given a six month grace period before they must begin repayment of their loans. The Federal Direct Loan amount a student is eligible for each year is based upon their academic level and dependency status as determined by the FAFSA. Student whose parent(s) received a credit denial when applying for the Federal Parent PLUS Loan may borrow at the independent student level. Undergraduate students determined to be dependent by the FAFSA may borrow a maximum of $31,000, of which up to $23,000 may be subsidized. As part of their financial aid notification letter, students eligible for the Federal Direct Loan will be awarded the maximum loan amount they are able to borrow for the academic year or term.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Department of Education to fund their dependent student’s educational expenses. Students must be considered a dependent by the FAFSA, be a degree-seeking undergraduate, and be enrolled at least half-time. Eligible parents who can borrow a PLUS Loan include a student’s biological parents, whether they were listed on FAFSA or not, adoptive parents, and stepparents whose income was reported on the FAFSA. Parents must also pass a credit check in order to be approved for this loan. The interest on Parent PLUS Loans is determined each year and is fixed for the life of loan. These loans also carry an origination fee. The origination fee is deducted from the loan amount prior to its disbursal to the university and is subject to change.

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant

This program is a state-funded, non-need-based grant available to full-time undergraduate students whose families are domiciled in Virginia. Once awarded, it is not necessary to reapply for subsequent years. Recipients may receive this grant for up to four years. The application is due July 31 and is available at the Office of Financial Aid’s webpage. Recipients must notify the Office of Financial Aid immediately if their domicile moves outside of Commonwealth of Virginia.

Tuition Exchange Programs

Shenandoah University participates in the tuition exchanges programs of The Tuition Exchange and the Council of Independent Colleges. These not-for-profit, reciprocal scholarship programs make it possible for the undergraduate dependents of faculty and staff at participating colleges and universities to apply for full tuition scholarships at partner institutions. The scholarship is available to incoming first-year students only and supplements the VTAG and other Shenandoah scholarships to bring the total amount covered to full-tuition; this is not stackable with institutional or state grants. This scholarship may be renewed annually for an additional three years. To remain eligible, recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student and a GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, recipients must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the Office of Financial Aid and listed in the undergraduate catalog. Eligibility for tuition exchange must be certified annually by the tuition exchange liaison of their parent’s institution. No additional application is required to apply.

International Student Scholarships

Shenandoah’s mission commits the institution to advancing global citizenship. There are a number of financial aid and scholarship programs that are available only to US citizens or Virginia residents. Undergraduate international applicants are considered for an international student scholarship at the time of acceptance to the university.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

However, each scholarship may have academic or enrollment requirements in order for students to maintain eligibility for these funds.All aid programs are awarded for tuition expenses and are renewable for a total of four years as long as the recipient maintains the applicable grade point average, maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress, and is enrolled full-time each semester in an undergraduate degree program. Some scholarship programs have additional requirements beyond those listed above.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students who lose financial aid eligibility by failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards may appeal in writing. A component of the appeal may be the development of an academic plan which outlines how the student will regain eligibility. Approved appeals result in a financial aid probationary status.

Enrollment Requirements

Recipients are required to maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student.

Additional Opportunities

Students are strongly encouraged to pursue scholarships from outside the university. Your home community and the Internet can be great potential sources for a scholarship. Also, do not stop applying for scholarships once you have been enrolled at Shenandoah University. Throughout the year outside organizations will send notification to The Office of Financial Aid regarding scholarship opportunities. Review available outside scholarship opportunities. We encourage all students to apply to all scholarships they are eligible for. *Shenandoah University is not the funding entity for these scholarships, nor is the University a part of the selection process. The Office of Financial Aid will add outside scholarships to a student’s award once the scholarship has been reported in Hornet Hub. VFGC Betsy H. The Law Office of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. These scholarship opportunities are provided by the generosity of our donors and have unique requirements that include location of High School and High School GPA.

Financial Aid for Specific Programs

Shenandoah University has several Undergraduate to Graduate health professions programs, including: Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, and Physician’s Assistant. The student will receive the remainder of the SU Financial Aid, which includes only the SU Grant and Academic Scholarship. The student is not eligible for Pell or SEOG, unless the following exception is met: A student who is enrolled full time, but in a combination of graduate and undergraduate courses may by paid a Federal Pell Grant only on the basis of the courses applying to his or her bachelor’s degree. Students in a study-abroad program are eligible for aid if the program is approved for credit by the university. To receive aid, the student must be enrolled as a student at Shenandoah University, and a contractual agreement must exist between Shenandoah University and the foreign school.

Withdrawal Policy and Financial Aid

To withdraw from Shenandoah University at any time during the academic year, a student is required to obtain a Withdrawal Form from the Office of Student Success. This form must be completed and returned to that office in order for the withdrawal to be processed in an accurate and timely manner. Students withdrawing from the university during the published add/drop period will be fully refunded tuition, fees and housing charges. For students withdrawing after the add/drop period, tuition will be pro-rated accordingly. The amount of tuition will be calculated on a pro rata basis through 60 percent of the term. After 60 percent of the term has been completed, the student will be responsible for all tuition charges assessed. This percentage will determine the amount of tuition charges that the student is responsible for paying. Financial aid funds applied to a student’s account will be returned to the appropriate program in accordance with mandatory federal, state, private organizations and Shenandoah University requirements. Any remaining amount of credit will then be applied to unpaid charges on the student’s account with any remaining funds being refunded to the student. It is possible for students whose accounts were paid in full at the start of a term to owe payment for the balance of charges after the return of financial aid funds.

tags: #shenandoah #university #scholarships #requirements