Should You Apply for the Endowed Scholarships?
Regent University offers a number of university-wide endowed scholarships to graduate, professional, and doctoral students through the generosity of university donors. The number of awards is very limited and varies each year. The competition for these awards is highly selective. Regent University students who meet the qualifications of the scholarship(s) are encouraged to apply.

The University-wide Endowed Scholarships include:

• Azusa
• Beazley
• Dooner
• Stallings
• Miller

Complete Your 2007 - 2008 FAFSA Today
The 2007 - 2008 FAFSA is available online. You must complete a FAFSA for each Academic Year that you desire aid. For additional information regarding the FAFSA, please click the following links below.

• The FAFSA: Step By Step (Federal Student Bulletin)
• Tips for Completing Your FAFSA (FastWeb PowerPoint Presentation)
• FAFSA Tips (FAFSA - Federal Student Aid Brochure)

If you require a paper copy of the form, you may pick one up from the Central Financial Aid office. Remember - the paper version of the form requires at least an additional 4 weeks processing time. Please contact the Financial Aid office if you have any questions regarding the FAFSA or other Financial Aid requirements.

Renewing Your FAFSA
The 2007 - 2008 Renewal FAFSA is available now for eligible students who applied and completed their FAFSA in the prior award year. Since most of the information provided in the prior year's FAFSA application is carried forward and preprinted on the student's Renewal FAFSA, the renewal process is much faster. However, please keep in mind that the Renewal FAFSA is only available online and for eligible applicants.

Apply Now for the 2007 - 2008 VTAG
We are now accepting applications for the 2007 - 2008 Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG). Remember that students must meet all the eligibility requirements set forth by the General Assembly, Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia, and detailed in the VTAG regulations, 8 VAC 40-120. All eligibility requirements are not specified in the application, for additional information contact the Central Financial Aid Office.

Basic Eligibility Requirements
• Resident of Virginia for at least one year prior to enrolling in school, students who moved to Virginia to attend college are not eligible.
• Enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible degree program (NOTE: Divinity (Theology), Religious Studies or joint degree with Divinity students are not eligible for this award.) For specific information contact the Central Financial Aid Office.
• Submitted complete VTAG application which is mailed to or dropped off at the Central Financial Aid Office (Faxes and emails are not accepted).

Priority System
Category 1: Returning students who received a VTAG award in the previous fiscal year. This category includes transfer students who received a VTAG award in the previous fiscal year at another institution.

Category 2: New/re-admit students who are eligible for fall or fall and spring term awards and who apply for the VTAG program by July 31, 2007. This category includes eligible new freshmen, graduate or professional students and eligible returning and transfer students not receiving a VTAG award in the previous fiscal year.

Category 3: New and re-admit students who are eligible for fall or fall and spring term awards and who apply for the VTAG program between and including August 1 and September 14, 2007.

Category 4: All students eligible for spring term awards only (except those who received the award in the previous fiscal year), and who apply by December 1, 2007.

After the March verification of actual spring term enrollments, SCHEV will determine the final award amounts for Category 1 and 2 applicants. If necessary, the spring amount will be adjusted. Awards for Category 3 and 4 applicants cannot be determined until mid-spring.

Top 10 Tips for Applying for Scholarships
-- by Kay Peterson, Ph.D.
Before you submit that scholarship application, check out these tips.

1) Only apply if you are eligible.
Read all the scholarship requirements carefully and make sure you're eligible.

2) Complete the application in full.
If a question doesn't apply, do not just leave the space blank. Be sure to supply all additional supporting material (transcripts or recommendations).

3) Follow directions.
Provide all the required items. Do not supply items that are not requested - you could be disqualified.

4) Neatness counts.
Always type your application, if you must write, complete the forms neatly and legibly.

5) Write an essay that makes a strong impression.
The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. The simplest experience can be significant if you present honestly how you were affected.

6) Watch all deadlines.
To keep on track, impose your own deadline at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time.

7) Make sure your application gets where it needs to go.
Put your name (and Social Security number, if applicable) on all pages of the application. Your application may get lost unless they were clearly identified.

8) Give it a final proofread.
Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend or professor to proofread it too.

9) Keep a back-up copy in case anything goes wrong.
Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet. If your application goes astray, you'll be able to reproduce it quickly.

10) Ask for help if you need it.
If you have problems with the application, don't hesitate to call the funding organization.

Adapted from "Top 10 Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications" 

Summer Loan Request Form Is Now Available
If you plan to attend classes this summer and desire a summer loan in addition to your current loans then please fill out a Summer Loan Request Form so that we may adjust your budget to include summer.  NOTE: Generally, The Schools of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Education Doctorate, Clinical Psychology are automatically set-up for loans on a three-term basis (Fall, Spring and Summer).  All other students are set-up for loans on a two-semester basis (Fall and Spring). 

If you are planning to attend in the summer and are unsure whether you are currently set-up to receive loan funds in the summer please log-in to Genisys.

Click on:
1) "Student Services & Financial Aid,
2) "Financial Aid,"
3) "My Overall Status of Financial Aid,"
4) "Cost of Attendance,"
5) The first sentence on that page will state that, "The following information is based on your status as a student receiving financial aid for the Fall and Spring semesters, Fall, Spring and Summer semesters, or other combination." 

If the aid period does not reflect summer then you will need to complete a Summer Loan Request Form.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students who apply for financial aid must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue eligibility for aid.  This requirement is separate and distinct from academic eligibility to continue enrollment at the university.  The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy may be reviewed on the Central Financial Aid website.  After Spring 2007 grades are posted, we will review SAP eligibility for continuing students.  In order to ensure compliance with SAP, if a student was on probation for the previous semester, we will be unable to pay aid until we receive their updated grades from the previous term .

Students NOT maintaining satisfactory academic progress will be notified by mail.   This information will also post on your Genisys account.  When a student does not meet SAP, he or she is put on Financial Aid Probation if it is their first time not meeting SAP eligibilty.  If it is a subsequent term of not meeting SAP, the student is no longer eligible for federal, state or institutional financial aid administered through the Central Financial Aid Office. 

Instructions regarding SAP appeals are referenced in the letter and on our SAP Policy webpage.  Appeals should be submitted within 30 days of the date of the letter, however sooner is recommended. Students' SAP status is reviewed after each term's grades are posted. 

Student responsibilities regarding SAP
- Awareness of SAP Policy & Procedures
- Understanding of their Academic Standing & Progress
- Maintenance of Current Mailing Address in Genisys

Please review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy on our website for additional information.

We're Here To Serve You!
The Central Financial Aid staff is ready to assist you with financing your education! Each student is assigned a Financial Aid Counselor based on the first letter of your last name. Contact your Financial Aid Counselor if you have questions that require personal attention or situations that you wish to discuss with someone in depth. All general questions may be directed to our reception staff.