Apply for Financial Aid

• Awards are determined by an evaluation of student reported information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The financial aid awarded is for the designated award period only.
• Awards are based on full-time enrollment. In order to meet the 'full-time' standard, a student must register for at least twelve hours per semester as an undergraduate student, and at least six hours per semester as a graduate student. Furthermore, a student will not be eligible for financial aid through most programs if not enrolled in an eligible program on at least a half-time basis.
• A student must report in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services any additional assistance which may be received from other sources, including scholarships, loans, assistantships, fellowships, and employer educational benefits. If additional assistance reduces financial need, an adjustment in an award may be necessary.
• A student must notify Belmont Central if withdrawing from the University before the end of an academic term. If a student withdraws after receipt of financial aid funds, the student may be expected to repay a portion of the aid received. View complete withdrawal information.
• If course load is reduced after the receipt of financial aid funds and before the end of the tuition refund period, the student may be required to repay a portion of the financial aid funds.
• Funds for the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Grant, and Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship are provided by the federal and/or state government(s); and if the appropriations or allocations to the University are adjusted, an award from these programs may be reduced or revoked.
• The Office of Student Financial Services may release information about the amount and type of aid that a student receives to other offices and agencies as needed to administer the financial aid programs. The Office of Student Financial Services may send general information about a student to donors. The Office of Student Financial Services may release information necessary for collection of a student loan in the event repayment obligations are not met.
• To decline any portion of this award, please contact our office by completing the Loan Reduction/Cancellation Request Form on the SFS Forms page.
• The amounts offered in grants, loans, and work-study funds may vary from year to year. Each year, the student must reapply for assistance by completing the FAFSA.
• All Title IV financial aid is awarded to students without regard to race, sex, or age. The majority of aid is provided on the basis of financial need.
• Financial assistance granted is to be used only for legitimate educational purposes.
• Federal, State, and Outside aid will be the first resources applied towards a student's educational expenses. Institutional, State, and Outside aid resources are not refundable. Federal PELL grants and loans are the only refundable forms of financial aid.

The following are terms you are likely to see on your financial aid award. If you have any questions concerning your award or the terms therein, please contact the Student Financial Services office at (615) 460-6403.

• Federal Pell Grant - An undergraduate federal grant. The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility. The Student Aid Index (SAI) Formula is the standard criteria used in determining financial need.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - An undergraduate federal grant awarded to the most needy Federal Pell Grant recipients on a first come, first served basis.
• Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) Grant - Awarded by TSAC on a first come, first served basis to needy undergraduate students who are Tennessee residents.
• Tennessee Education Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship - Awarded to entering freshmen and returning students who are Tennessee residents and meet eligibility requirements as specified by the Tennessee state legislature. Award amounts are subject to reduction based upon lottery revenue. For more details click here.

• Direct Subsidized  Stafford Loan - Awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government pays the interest on the loan until you begin repayment. The student must submit a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete online entrance counseling through studentloans.gov for his or her first Stafford Loan at Belmont University. Undergraduate students must be enrolled at least six hours. Graduate students must be enrolled at least three hours.

• Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - Awarded on the basis of financial need to undergraduate students. The federal government pays the interest on the loan until you enter repayment. The student must submit a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete entrance counseling online through studentloans.gov for his or her first Stafford loan at Belmont. Undergraduate students must be enrolled at least six hours.
• Direct Parent PLUS Loan (PLUS) - Available to parents of dependent, undergraduate students and requires an additional application. This is a credit-based loan. Repayment generally begins within 60 days of final disbursement. The loan amount listed on the award letter is a recommended amount. Students must be enrolled at least six hours.
• Federal Work-Study - Provides jobs for students with financial need. Funds are limited. The FWS award amount will not automatically be posted as a credit on a student account. this is an award amount that a student may earn as a monthly paycheck through the FWS program.
• Outside Scholarships - Scholarships funded by a source other than Belmont University. Please download the Outside Scholarship Report Form. Outside scholarships may reduce your financial aid award.
• Belmont Grant-in-Aid - Grant funds awarded based on need per the filing of the FAFSA.  Belmont Grant-in-Aid funds are determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI) and are not guaranteed every year.  Students must complete the FAFSA for each aid year to determine grant eligibility.  An increase in the SAI could result in the reduction or loss of the grant if the SAI falls outside of the established grant range.
• Institutional Scholarships - Scholarships funded by Belmont University. Students must be enrolled full-time (twelve or more hours) in order to receive institutional funds. Institutional aid is not refundable.
• Institutional Discounts - Belmont University offers a Church-Related Vocation Scholarship and Two-Student Discount to qualifying students. These discounts require a separate application which must be renewed each year. Please download the appropriate form to see further detail.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Qualitative – Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes.  Students must also achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average on all course work attempted including accepted transfer coursework.

Quantitative – Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.

GRADUATE STUDENTS (Not including Pharmacy or Law students)

Qualitative – Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes.  In addition, students must achieve and maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on all course work including accepted transfer course work.

Quantitative – Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.

PHARMACY STUDENTS

Qualitative – Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes. Students must also achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.3 grade point average on all course work attempted including accepted transfer course work.

Quantitative – Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.

LAW STUDENTS

Qualitative – Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes.  Students must also achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average on all coursework attempted including accepted transfer coursework.

Quantitative – Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.

Course Program of Study (or CPOS) is a federal requirement by the U .S. Department of Education that mandates only the courses in a student’s declared major or minor degree program will determine that student’s eligibility for federal or state financial aid. The types of aid that are affected include the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, federal loans, the HOPE Scholarship, TSAA, etc. In order to remain eligible to receive full-time federal and state financial aid, the student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours within their degree program.

If the student registers for fewer than full time in-program hours (12 hours for undergraduate students), their offered financial aid and the overall Cost of Attendance (the maximum amount of financial aid the student can receive) may be reduced. The student should verify with their advisor at the time of registration that the registered hours count towards their degree program.

Learn more about Course Program of Study

Students failing to meet these standards for satisfactory academic progress may feel that there are mitigating circumstances which contributed to their failure.  In such cases, students may choose to appeal for reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility based on these unique circumstances.  Students must explain the reasons for not meeting the satisfactory academic progress standards as well as include a plan of action to be reviewed by the committee. An allowable basis for an appeal includes the following:

 Personal illness or injury

• Personal crisis
• Illness or death of a family member
• Original grade was lower than current changed grade
• Second degree, double major, change of major (maximum timeframe only)
• Other unexpected circumstances beyond the control of the student

 STEPS TO FILE AN APPEAL

1. Complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal and Academic Action Plan Form
2. Attach a one-page Explanation Statement and relevant supporting documentation
3. Attach a copy of your complete DegreeWorks Audit. Update, review and print your DegreeWorks Audit and/or Degree Works Planner as required
4. If this is not your first SAP appeal, then you must also attach the DegreeWorks Planner signed by your advisor
5. Submit all documents to the Office of Student Financial Services

 Appeals must be submitted in writing and can be submitted in the following formats:

E-Mail: finaid@belmont.edu

Fax: (615) 460-6141

Attn: SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS APPEALS COMMITTEE

Mail: 

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS APPEALS COMMITTEE

Office of Student Financial Services

Belmont University

1900 Belmont Boulevard

Nashville, TN  37212

Decisions of the committee are final and will be communicated in writing.