Southeastern University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Southeastern University (SEU) offers a multitude of scholarship opportunities for students pursuing higher education. These scholarships cater to various academic achievements, fields of study, and specific criteria. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available at SEU, including those for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and those with specific interests or backgrounds.

Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

Southeastern offers scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen based on demonstrated ability, without regard for financial need. All Southeastern scholarships are awarded on a funds available basis and are subject to change.

The Southeastern Honors Scholarship

Southeastern automatically awards freshman scholarships based on a six-semester high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores, with additional merit-based opportunities available. Scholarships are awarded on a funds available basis, subject to change, and priority is given to applications submitted by January 15 of the student’s high school senior year. The Southeastern Honors Scholarship is comprised of an award that goes towards university fees plus a housing supplement.

To be eligible, scholarships are awarded to full-time first-time freshmen with a 24 ACT score or higher and a six semester high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 (GPA through the student’s junior year of high school). Qualifying ACT/SAT scores must be earned by the July test date immediately following the student’s high school graduation date. All qualifying GPAs and test scores must be received by Southeastern on or before August 1 immediately following the student’s high school graduation date. All scholarships are awarded for eight continuous semesters provided retention requirements are met. Housing supplements are only available to students who continuously live on campus beginning with their first semester of enrollment.

The scholarship amounts vary based on ACT score and GPA:

Read also: Understanding Southeastern GPA

30+ ACT (32+ Super Score Composite) and 3.0 GPA: $4,000 annual scholarship award and $3,000 annual housing award.
27-29 ACT (29-31 Super Score Composite) and 3.0 GPA: $3,750 annual scholarship award and $2,000 annual housing award.
24-26 ACT (26-28 Super Score Composite) and 3.0 GPA: $2,500 annual scholarship award and $1,000 annual housing award.

Dual Enrollment 15+ Completion Award

Students who complete 15 or more Southeastern dual enrollment credit hours can also receive a $1000 ($500 Fall; $500 Spring) supplementary award for their first year at Southeastern only, contingent on the availability of funds, upon meeting the following criteria: Completion of a minimum of 15 Southeastern dual enrollment credits with a grade of “C” or better.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Southeastern offers scholarship opportunities for transfer students based on academic achievement. All scholarships are awarded as funds are available and may be subject to change.

Scholarships for Specific Fields of Study and Interests

SEU provides a variety of scholarships tailored to students pursuing specific fields of study, particularly within ministry and theology, and those with particular interests or backgrounds.

Arthur D. Heilman, Sr. Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to full-time students with a demonstrated financial need who are actively pursuing a degree and maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA.

Burnett Family Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a full-time student who has a demonstrated financial need, is of good character, and who is in good standing with SEU as defined by rules or by-laws. The student must be a participant or member of the following Florida-based churches or ministries: Rich Valley Church (AG) in Valrico; Freedom Church (First AG) in Tallahassee; Heart of the Father Ministry in Lakeland; Strong Tower Church, in Lakeland; or Parker Street Ministries in Lakeland. A narrative essay is required documenting evidence of these qualifications and must be reviewed and signed by the pastor/director of the participating church/ministry listed in criteria above and submitted to Southeastern’s scholarship committee.

Charles & Peggy Spong Ministry/Theology Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a full-time student in their Junior year who has demonstrated financial need, pursuing a degree in ministry or theology, of good character and in good standing with the University. GPA must be 3.2 or higher, and FAFSA should be on file.

Crossroads Ministries Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a Florida resident with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Priority consideration will be given to students who were homeschooled, attended a private Christian school, or who are from Hardee County.

Cyril Homer Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a junior or senior ministerial or missions major with a 3.0 GPA or higher who demonstrates qualities that indicate a high degree of spiritual leadership and moral strength.

Foster Bolin Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a senior ministry major who shows promise of successfully engaging in full-time Gospel ministry.

Founder’s Fund Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a student with a 2.5 GPA or higher who is intending to serve as a minister, missionary, or educator overseas.

Friends of India Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a full-time student of any major within the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology who is called to minister in India and has a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must have a demonstrable financial need. First preference for students of Indian descent. All applicants must write a one-page reflection on their calling to serve in India.

Glory A. McMillan Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to sophomore, junior, and senior ministerial students who have maintained a 2.0 GPA or higher. Priority consideration will be given to students who reside in Columbus, Georgia.

Graper Family Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a full-time student actively pursuing a ministry curriculum including (but not limited to) pastoral studies, domestic missions work, foreign missions work, or any type of full-time ministry work. Student must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This fund may be awarded to a student pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies. Once a student has been selected for the Graper Family Scholarship they will be eligible for preferential consideration for additional scholarship until graduation, provided they continue to meet eligibility criteria. A student may receive this fund for a maximum of 5 years.

Jack & Mildred Voorhees Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a full-time ministry student. Applicants must have a financial need, and should actively be pursuing a degree in pastoral ministries or another ministry-related degree. First preference will be given to a student who completed their GED in applying to SEU.

James Donnell and D’Ann Brown Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a full-time student majoring in a ministerial degree, with the intent of entering full-time ministry upon completion of his or her degree. The student must be a member of an Assemblies of God Church, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Janine F. and Jeffrey B. Spear Endowed Scholarship Fund

This fund will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student who is majoring in a ministry degree with a demonstrated, unmet financial need.

Minnie B. Seward Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a student with a 3.5 GPA or higher with an interest in apologetics. Applicants must submit a paper on the subject of apologetics.

Myrtle E. Bush Endowed Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to a senior ministry major with a 2.5 or higher GPA and a demonstrated financial need.

Reverend Thomas “Tommy” E. Vaughn Scholarship

This fund will be awarded to full-time students pursuing a degree in pastoral ministries, missions, or other ministry-related degrees. Applicants must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher and demonstrate financial need.

State Scholarships

State scholarships are available for Louisiana residents, including TOPS, the Geaux Teach program, and the Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded based on eligibility criteria and are subject to available funding and program change.

Southeastern Foundation Scholarships

A number of private donor awards, sponsored by private organizations, industry, the Southeastern Alumni Association, and the Southeastern Foundation, are available. Eligibility criteria and award amounts vary.

Other Scholarships

Southeastern offers a variety of scholarships administered by varying departments and offices on campus.

Scholarships for International Students

The Southeastern Honor Scholarship and the Senator Ben Nevers Transfer Scholarship are available to international students who qualify. Your application for admission to Southeastern serves as the application for these two scholarships so there is no need to submit an application for them separately.

Non-Resident Fee Waivers

Southeastern Louisiana University offers non-resident fee waivers for international students who are beginning freshman or transferring to Southeastern. The application for admission to Southeastern serves as the application for the waiver. Out of state tuition fees range from $1,412 for students registered for four credit hours to $6238 for full-time students taking twelve or more hours. These fees are paid in addition to the university’s regular tuition. Students who receive the scholarship will remain eligible for renewal as long as they maintain status as a full-time student, remain in “GOOD” academic standing, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. To drop below full-time status, to stay out of school for a fall or spring semester, or to be placed on academic probation or suspension will forfeit the waiver. A student may reapply after the completion of one regular semester of full-time enrollment in “GOOD” academic standing.

Note: The following categories of students are not eligible for the fee waiver: Graduate students, other students who have already earned a Bachelor degree, and currently enrolled non-resident students who enrolled prior to the effective date of this scholarship (Spring 2002).

Graduate Assistantships

Southeastern’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies offers an excellent assistantship program for graduate students. Graduate assistants receive a stipend and, in most positions, a waiver of in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Funding Study Abroad Opportunities

SEU allows you to apply most, if not all, of your institutional aid to an SEU Global Education-approved program. This includes academic merit scholarships (up to $16,000), honors scholarships ($3,000), ministry grants (up to $1,500), and other financial aid offered at SEU.

In addition to scholarships and financial aid, another great way to save up for study abroad is by budgeting the funds you already have. If you have extra time during the summer or even the school year, try picking up an extra job. There are several student jobs available across campus, from being a Teaching Assistant (TA) to working in the library. Creating a designated savings account is a great motivator to visualize your study abroad trip goal and to discourage you from spending that hard-earned money before it’s time. It’s also a great way to keep tabs on how much in funds you have saved. Many banks, such as Bank of America, and apps, such as Chime, also offer an option to round up change from your purchases and transfer them to your savings account.

Important Notice

First-time freshmen admitted for Spring 2026 will be evaluated under the prior scholarship requirements. The updated scholarship criteria below will take effect beginning Summer/Fall 2026.

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