Financial Aid

September 20, 2023 2025-02-11 11:14

Financial Aid

A college education is an investment in you and your future. We believe students shouldn't be barred from a quality education because of limited resources. Our financial aid specialists will make every possible effort to provide you with the maximum amount of assistance.

Learn more about TWU and see why students have chosen us for over 100 years.

About Us

More than 85% of TWU students receive some form of aid from external sources, including work study programs. 100% of our students will receive a merit scholarship based on their academic or athletic acheivements.

Grants and gifts received by the college through the generosity of the United Methodist Church, foundations, friends, alumni and others help to reduce the difference between the actual costs of providing a quality education and the tuition charged. Use the True Cost Calculator to estimate your actual cost.

Our student financial services team works to make it possible for students to receive a Tennessee Wesleyan education without taking on a large financial burden. Altogether, we distribute more than $11 million a year in institutional aid to qualified students.

Opportunities for Aid

Students must complete the FAFSA to be eligible to receive the following types of aid. Be sure to file your FAFSA on October 1 and use TWU’s code: 003525.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant is a direct grant from the Federal Government based on financial need and is restricted to undergraduates, U.S. citizens, or those in the U.S. for other than temporary reasons. The Federal Pell Grant program describes an undergraduate as one who has not earned a bachelor’s degree. For many students, Federal Pell Grants provide a “foundation” of financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources may be added. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back. Students must re-apply each year by filing the FAFSA. The recipient must maintain satisfactory academic progress. As of July 1, 2012 a student may receive the Pell Grant for six (6) years or twelve (12) semesters. The Pell Grant is also available to eligible students during the summer semester. Students should verify their eligibility for a summer Pell Grant with the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOG is a federal grant administered by Tennessee Wesleyan University of up to $500 per year. This program is restricted to U.S. citizens or those in the U.S. for other than temporary purposes, who are undergraduates maintaining satisfactory academic progress, with priority given to Pell Grant recipients.

Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)

The Tennessee Student Assistant Award Program is a state-funded grant program. Students must demonstrate need and be a Tennessee resident attending college in Tennessee. TSAA awards are offered to Federal Pell recipients with a 5846 EFC or less, pending availability of funds from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation along with meeting all other eligibility criteria. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be processed by early October of each year for the student to receive priority consideration for TSAA funding.

Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship (HOPE)

Awarded to incoming freshman who have an ACT score of 21 (SAT 1060) or an overall final high school GPA of 3.0 or better and have met all other criteria detailed in the legislation. Home School graduates must have a minimum 21 ACT exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests. Home school GPAs are not considered. If a minimum 21 ACT is not achieved, students may qualify for HOPE by completing at least two dual enrollment classes at an eligible postsecondary institution while enrolled in the home school program totaling at least six semester hours and achieving a minimum 3.0 college GPA in each of the two dual enrollment courses and achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative college GPA in all dual enrollment courses attempted. Transfer students who have met all the requirements to attend and retain the scholarship will be awarded upon acceptance to the University and completion of all the required paperwork. Students must re-apply each year by completing the FAFSA and be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Applications must be received by September 1st for the fall semester, February 1st for spring and summer semesters. Early application is recommended. Award amounts are up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshmen and sophomore; then up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior. A student may receive the HOPE Scholarship until the student has earned an advanced degree; or five (5) years have passed from the date of initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution. To retain the HOPE Lottery Scholarship a student must meet the following criteria: after 24 and 48 attempted hours a student must have a TELS Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75. After 72 attempted hours a student must maintain a TELS Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 until the program is completed. If a student is notified by the Financial Aid Office that they have lost the HOPE Lottery Scholarship, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the Financial Aid Office that their GPA has reached the eligible TELS GPA necessary to regain the scholarship. If a student wishes to appeal the non-awarding or loss of the Tennessee Educational HOPE Lottery Scholarship, this should be done in writing before mid-term of the following semester and submitted to the Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid for the appeal to be considered by the Institutional Review Panel (IRP).

Federal Work Study Program (FWSP)

The Federal Work Study Program is a federal program administered by Tennessee Wesleyan University that offers students the opportunity to be employed on campus. The number of hours a student works per week is based on financial need and fund availability. Students earn at least minimum wage and are paid on a monthly basis. Various positions are offered to students to complement their education with practical job experience. This program is restricted to U.S. citizens, or those in the U.S. for other than temporary purposes, who are maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

Tennessee Wesleyan University Work Study Program

The TWU Work-Study Program is an institutional work program whereby students may work on campus in areas that complement their educational goals. Jobs depend upon availability of work and funds as well as the student’s skills and abilities.

Veteran's Benefits

Available to qualified students. Applicants may check with their local guidance office or the Registrar’s Office at Tennessee Wesleyan University for further details regarding this program.

TWU Scholarships

Wesleyan offers generous scholarships to all incoming students. From academic or atheletic merit, to donor funded scholarships – we help you make your valuable degree a reality.

Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant

The Foster Child Tuition Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery. The grant is awarded to students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Award amounts vary. A foster child is a student who meets one of the following requirements: (1) Was in state custody at any time when the individual was thirteen (13) years of age or older; (2) Was in state custody at any time when the individual was thirteen (13) years of age or older and was placed for adoption by the Department of Children Services (DCS) or one of its adoption contract agencies, and the adoption was finalized; or (3) Was in state custody at any time and was placed in permanent guardianship by DCS after reaching thirteen (13) years of age. A student must meet the high school requirements for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship; and by admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution. In addition to meeting the minimum HOPE Scholarship high school eligibility requirements, a student shall present the Corporation with official certification from the Department of Children’s Services that the student meets the eligibility requirement for the HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant. For more information, click here.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits must be applied for by the student at their local Vocational Rehabilitation Office.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act must be applied for by the student in their local Career Center Office.

Code of Conduct for Financial Aid Professionals

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, the following Code of Conduct was written in respect to the Title IV Stafford Loan program. Financial Aid employees are held to the following standards:

1. Prohibited from conflicts of interest in respect to loans.
2. Prohibited from revenue sharing arrangements with any lender.
3. Prohibited from the soliciting or accepting of gifts from a lender, guarantor, or servicer. Gifts include an “gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, or any other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimus amount,” including services, transportation, lodging, and meals.

A gift does not include the following:

Standard materials, activities, or programs related to a loan being provided.
Food, refreshments, training, or informational materials provided as part of a training session conducted by the lender in order for the institution to improve services.
Favorable terms, conditions, or borrower benefits provided to a student employed by the institution if comparable terms are provided to all students of the institution.
Entrance and Exit Counseling services provided to borrowers as long as a covered institution’s staff is in control of the counseling and the counseling does not promote one specific lender.
Philanthropic contributions to an institution unrelated to education loans.
State education grants, scholarships, or financial aid funds.

4. Prohibited from receipt of any fees, payments, or any other financial benefits for consulting services by anyone with responsibilities in respect to education loans.
5. Prohibited from assigning first-time borrower’s loans to a particular lender and not delaying certification of any loan regardless of the lender or guaranty agency the borrower selects.
6. Prohibited from accepting any funds to be used for private education loans in exchange for the institution providing concessions to the private lender.

In general, Tennessee Wesleyan University Financial Aid employees hold themselves to the following standards:

Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation , or the best interests of the students and parents he or she serves.
Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.
Disclose of his or her institution, in such manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

TWU prepares students with the transformative experience and to be well-rounded leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

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Opportunities for Aid

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)

Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship (HOPE)

Federal Work Study Program (FWSP)

Tennessee Wesleyan University Work Study Program

Veteran's Benefits

TWU Scholarships

Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant

Code of Conduct for Financial Aid Professionals

TWU prepares students with the transformative experience and to be well-rounded leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

In Aid Distributed

Average Cost Of Attendance

Average Amount Awarded

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