William Peace University: Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities
Choosing the right university is a significant decision, and understanding the financial aid options available is a crucial part of that process. William Peace University (WPU), located in the heart of a vibrant city, is committed to making quality private education accessible. Nearly 100% of traditional undergraduate students at WPU receive some form of financial aid, demonstrating the university's commitment to supporting its students. Let's delve into the various scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs available at William Peace University.
Understanding the Cost of Attendance
The sticker price at WPU is $49,784, which includes tuition and fees ($35,180). While this figure provides a baseline, the actual cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. It's important to consider the total cost, which includes the sticker price plus expenses for food and housing, books and supplies ($1,000 per year), transportation ($1,100 per year), and personal expenses ($3,114 per year), bringing the total to $49,362. However, the average net price, which factors in grants and scholarships, is $24,503 per year.
Types of Financial Aid Available
William Peace University offers a comprehensive range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. These programs are designed to assist students with demonstrated financial need, as well as those who exhibit academic excellence or leadership qualities.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of funding that you don’t need to pay back, making them a highly desirable form of financial aid. WPU offers a variety of scholarships, including need-based and merit-based options.
Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students for academic achievements. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at William Peace University - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $12,583.
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Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at William Peace University was $14,815. In fall 2023, 77% of first-year students received need-based financial aid.
Specific Scholarship Programs:
William Peace Pathways Scholarship: This scholarship is specifically for transfer students from Wake Tech Community College (WTCC) who have earned their Associates degree from WTCC and maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship is renewable each year pending good academic standing. Students who meet the requirements of the Peace Transfer Scholarship can earn between $10,000 to $16,000.
Community Service and Leadership Scholarship: Peace offers a scholarship to recognize Pacers who exemplify leadership qualities and community advocacy. Select students will be nominated by the Peace Admissions Committee and awarded this scholarship, ranging from $375 - $1,000 per year.
Honors Program Scholarship: Students accepted into the Honors Program are awarded a $1,000 scholarship, which increases annually during their time at Peace. All incoming students with a 3.5+ weighted GPA are eligible to apply. Transfer students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and fewer than 46 credit hours are also eligible. Unlike other Peace scholarships, the Honors scholarship may require additional information, such as an interview with the Honors Committee.
Legacy Grant: Students whose parents or grandparents are graduates of Peace will be awarded $500 per semester.
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Sibling Grant: Siblings who are simultaneously enrolled in the day program at Peace each receive a $500 per semester grant. Students may apply to have the grant renewed each year both siblings are enrolled at Peace.
All awards cannot exceed tuition and are determined by the appointed committee. The Board of Trustees can change these limitations at any time. Students must maintain certain standards for renewability.
Grants
Grants, like scholarships, do not need to be repaid. They are typically need-based and come from federal, state, or institutional sources.
Federal Pell Grants: The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to.
State Grants (North Carolina Residents): North Carolina residents with demonstrated financial need should explore state grants such as the NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students and the NC Scholarship. Both are reserved for needy students, and the former is reserved for those attending private schools.
Loans
Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. They can come from the federal government or private lenders.
Federal Student Loans: Graduates of WPU take out a median of $22,250 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option.
Private Loans: 13% of graduating students at William Peace University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $52,085 in private loan debt at graduation.
Work-Study
Work-study programs offer students the opportunity to work part-time while in school to earn money to help pay for college expenses. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at WPU. Outside scholarships are funds awarded by entities outside of the federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Federal regulations require that these scholarships be incorporated into a student’s financial aid award. That means if you receive an outside scholarship, you must report it to William Peace University so our team can factor it into your full financial aid package. Students must notify the Financial Aid office of all outside awards received, including awards paid directly to you.
Scholarship agencies should send students’ outside scholarship payments directly to Peace Student Accounts. The scholarship check should be made payable to William Peace University so that funds may be credited directly to the student’s university bill.
Financial Aid Application Process
Applying to universities can be time-consuming, but at WPU, the process is streamlined. Each applicant is personally reviewed and evaluated by the admissions team with a holistic approach. They look not just at GPA but evaluate a student’s strengths and accomplishments. William Peace University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily.
William Peace University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid.
Important Considerations
Financial Aid Award Revision: Your financial aid award is subject to revision upon final verification of credits transferred into the program along with the number of hours enrolled and successfully completed each semester/term. Your award may be reduced based on final funding by the award agencies (NC General Assembly, US Department of Education, etc.).
Satisfactory Academic Progress: Students are required to make consistent progress toward the completion of their degree to remain eligible for certain financial aid programs.
Tuition Insurance Plan: Peace offers a tuition insurance plan to students and parents. This provides coverage for tuition, housing and board charges should a student have to leave before completing a semester due to illness or accident. The insurance covers up to 100% of all tuition, housing and meals.
Payment Plan: Peace offers a convenient monthly payment plan with up to five equal monthly payments each semester. There is an enrollment fee of $35.00 each semester to participate in the plan payable at the time of enrollment. Enroll by logging into your account via PacerNet.
Health Insurance: Peace requires health insurance of all traditional full-time students.
Contacting the Financial Aid Office
Contact your financial aid counselor directly for all questions that pertain to financial aid. Not sure which department to contact?
Key Statistics
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 73%
- Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 74%
- Average Aid Package Awarded: $33,143
- Average Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $18,312
- Average Need-Based Loan Amount: $4,420
- Debt at Graduation: $29,826
- Average Per Year After Aid: $24,503
Return on Investment
A bachelor’s degree is an investment in your future. 43% of students who start at William Peace University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. The median income of students 10 years after starting at William Peace University is $46,643. Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn.
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