Financial Aid-Undergraduate

General Information

Brenau University offers a comprehensive financial aid program for qualified students. A student’s eligibility for scholarships and financial aid is determined from documents submitted by the student to both the Office of Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid. Any undergraduate student who is a United States citizen or permanent resident may apply for need-based financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any new student must complete all Brenau University admissions requirements and be fully accepted for admission before financial aid can be awarded. A student who is allowed conditional enrollment for one term is not eligible for financial aid until admissions requirements are met.

Applications for financial aid are generally processed on a rolling basis year round. Processing for each new academic year (beginning with the fall semester) starts the previous January. Students who plan to apply for need-based financial aid programs should complete the FAFSA as early as possible after January 1st in order to ensure consideration for federal and institutional programs that typically have limited funds. It is advisable to submit all required financial aid documents no later than April 1st for the following academic year. Students who wish to apply only for continuously funded financial aid programs such as Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans should have a completed financial aid file a minimum of one month prior to the beginning date of the first semester for which financial aid is needed.

Enrollment Status.  An undergraduate student enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours but fewer than twelve (12) credit hours per semester is considered a half-time student, while an undergraduate student enrolled for twelve (12) or more credit hours per semester is considered full time.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal and state regulations require institutions to establish standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for recipients of financial aid. The purpose of SAP is to measure a student’s progress toward completion of the specific educational program in which he or she is enrolled. The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for ensuring that all financial aid recipients are meeting these standards. This requirement is accomplished through an evaluation that occurs at the end of each semester (fall, spring, summer).

A satisfactory academic progress policy consists of two standards - qualitative and quantitative. Below is a description of both of these standards.

Qualitative Standard. This standard measures grade point average (GPA). An undergraduate student must be in “good standing” with Brenau University, as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This GPA is calculated on all courses taken at Brenau University as well as those transferred in from other institutions. In addition, a student whose semester GPA drops below 2.0 may be placed on academic probation and then on academic suspension if a 2.0 or higher GPA is not earned in the following semester. It should be noted that the minimum GPA requirements referred to above do not apply to the renewal of academic scholarships, HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, or other grant or scholarship programs that require a higher GPA for renewal or continuation.

Quantitative Standard. This standard establishes the rate at which a student must progress to ensure completion of the degree program within the allowable maximum time frame.

1. Rate of Progress. A student receiving financial aid must demonstrate measurable progress toward the completion his or her degree program by maintaining an overall completion rate of 67 percent. This applies to both full-time and part-time financial aid recipients. The rate of progress is calculated using the following formula: Hours successfully completed, or earned, divided by hours attempted. Attempted hours are those credit hours for which a student is still registered after the last date on which classes will be totally eliminated from a student’s registration (and transcript) as published by the Brenau Registrar. Earned hours are successfully completed courses in which grades of A, B, C, D or P are awarded, as long as credit is earned. Withdrawals (W), incompletes (I) and failed courses (F) are considered attempted hours but not earned hours. The following points should be noted with regard to the rate of progress calculations:

• Withdrawals, incompletes, and failed courses are considered attempted hours but not earned hours. If an incomplete course impacts a student’s satisfactory academic progress standing, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid when a final grade has been earned.
• Audited courses are not considered attempted or earned hours.
• Credits transferred to Brenau University, including those taken as a transient student while enrolled at Brenau, are included in attempted hours and earned hours and are subject to maximum time frame standards below.
• Repeated courses, for which a passing grade was previously received, are included in attempted hours and GPA calculations, but are not included in earned hours.

2. Maximum Time Frame. Federal regulations allow a student to receive financial aid for no more than 150% of the credit hours required to complete the degree program. Most students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Brenau University may attempt up to a maximum of 180 semester hours toward the completion of a 120-semester-hour program. Students in Brenau degree programs that require more than 120 hours will have their time frame extended proportionally based on the length of the program. Frequent withdrawals from courses or from school, changes of major and failed or repeated courses could jeopardize financial aid eligibility. All hours attempted at Brenau University, as well as those credits accepted on transfer from previous institutions toward the student’s degree program, will count toward the maximum time frame. Students who have completed sufficient hours and courses to complete their degree program are no longer eligible for financial aid even if there is some other obstacle such as required GPA that is preventing graduation.

Important Note: A recipient of federal student aid may not enroll in courses generally not required for his/her specific educational program. This includes enrolling in unneeded courses for the sole purpose of attaining a higher cumulative GPA or to simply maintain a specific enrollment status (i.e. half-time to establish federal loan eligibility or full-time to maintain eligibility for health insurance). However, a student is allowed to repeat a course that was previously passed in order to obtain a higher grade, but can receive financial aid to repeat that course only one time. The intent of this repeat policy is to allow a student to try to earn a higher grade and an improved GPA when, on the advice or the student’s academic advisor, the student needs to take that action to gain admission into a specific Brenau major. Students will not be allowed to repeat previously passed courses for the sole purpose of obtaining financial aid or a more desirable financial aid package.  

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Evaluation Process. Academic records will be reviewed at the end of each semester to determine if the student is maintaining the standards established in the SAP policy. A student who fails to meet the SAP standards, qualitative and/or quantitative, will be be assigned one of the following SAP statuses, and will be notified in writing: 

• Financial Aid Warning is the status assigned to a student who has not achieved the required GPA and/or has not met the rate of progress standards of the SAP policy. A student on financial aid warning is eligible for financial aid for one additional semester.
• Financial Aid Suspension is the status assigned to a student who, after one semester on financial aid warning, still has a deficient GPA and/or has not met the rate of progress standards. This status also applies to a student who has exceeded the 150% time frame for completing his/her degree program. A student on financial aid suspension will be notified of his/her ineligibility for future financial aid, as well as how to submit an appeal (outlined below).
• Financial Aid Probation is the status assigned to a student who failed to make satisfactory academic progress, but submitted a qualifying appeal, and had eligibility for financial aid reinstated. A student placed on financial aid probation is eligible for financial aid for one semester in which he/she must fully meet the requirements Brenau’s satisfactory academic progress policy. Or he/she may be placed an academic plan designed to ensure compliance with SAP by a specific point in time.

Appeal Procedures. A financial aid recipient who has lost eligibility after failure to make SAP during a Financial Aid Warning semester may appeal to the Financial Aid Committee to request a semester of Financial Aid Probation. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Director of Financial Aid within two weeks of being notified of the financial aid suspension status.

A financial aid appeal must include these two components: 

1. The extenuating circumstances that caused the student to fail to make SAP. Circumstances that may be considered are those events/situations that are out of the student’s control, such as serious injury, illness (physical or mental) of the student or an immediate family member, death of an immediate family member, or other mitigating circumstances. Appeals should include a description of the applicable circumstances, including documentation (from a physician or other health care provider, law enforcement agency, social services agency, etc.) that supports those circumstances.
2. What has changed that will allow the student to make SAP at the next evaluation. The student must include information regarding extenuating circumstances that will no longer exist, as well as any additional measures that will be taken to ensure he or she will make SAP during the probation semester, if granted.

The Financial Aid Committee will review each written appeal, along with relevant academic history. The Director of Financial Aid will notify the student of the committee’s decision in writing either by mail or via the student’s Brenau email account. A student whose appeal is approved may receive financial aid for one probationary semester, after which another SAP review will be conducted.

Restoring Financial Aid Eligibility. A student whose appeal is not granted, or a student who does not have extenuating circumstances, can only regain eligibility by meeting the requirements of Brenau’s SAP policy as stated above. Taking courses at the student’s expense (without financial aid), sitting out a semester, or taking courses at another institution does not automatically restore financial aid eligibility. When a student has resolved the academic deficiencies that resulted in the termination of eligibility, he or she should contact the Office of Financial Aid and request a new SAP evaluation.

Federal Aid

General Regulations  In order to receive federal student financial aid at Brenau University a student must be a United States citizen or permanent resident, must be seeking a degree or certificate, must be enrolled at least half-time (except for Pell Grant) and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. All federal financial aid may be applied for by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).

Federal Pell Grant.  The Pell Grant is an entitlement for eligible students who have not already earned a bachelor’s degree. This grant often provides a foundation of financial aid to which other types of aid may be added. Grant amounts vary. Pell Grant eligibility is limited to the equivalent of six full-time academic years.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.  SEOG grants are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, with priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. Grant amounts vary.

Subsidized Federal Direct Loan. This loan program allows students who demonstrate financial need to borrow educational funds from the U.S. Department of Education with no interest accruing as long as they are enrolled at least half time. A freshman may borrow up to $3,500 per academic year; a sophomore, up to $4,500; a student at the junior level or above may borrow a maximum of $5,500. Repayment of principal and interest begins six months after the student graduates or is no longer at least a half-time student.

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. This loan is available to students without regard to financial need in addition to the Subsidized Federal Direct Loan. Interest will accrue during periods of enrollment. Dependent students may borrow $2000 in addition to the amount of eligibility established for their year in college, however, independent students may be eligible to borrow additional funds up to the following annual limits: freshmen and sophomores up to $6,000; juniors and above up to $7,000.

Federal Parent PLUS Loan. The PLUS program is available for parents of dependent students. A parent may obtain a PLUS without demonstrating financial need and may borrow up to the entire annual cost of attendance as certified by the Office of Financial Aid. PLUS borrowers must have satisfactory credit.

Federal Perkins Loan. A student with exceptional financial need may borrow up to $4,000 per academic year through this loan program. Interest at the rate of 5% will accrue beginning nine months after graduation or after a drop to less than half-time enrollment. Repayment will also begin at that time. Loan cancellation provisions are included for certain teaching fields, nursing and public service. The availability of Perkins Loan funds is dependent on payments received from previous borrowers and reimbursements of amounts cancelled by service. Funds are very limited in this program.

Federal Work-Study. This program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Jobs are assigned by the Office of Career Services. Students employed through the Federal Work-Study program earn the current minimum wage, with the possibility of a pay increase in subsequent years.

State Aid

Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant. The purpose of this grant is to provide tuition assistance to Georgia residents who wish to pursue a college education at a private college or university within Georgia. Eligible students must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree program. The grant amount varies according to state appropriations.

HOPE Scholarship. Funded by proceeds from the Georgia Lottery for Education, the HOPE Scholarship is available for students who graduated from an eligible Georgia high school with a 3.0 average in a college preparatory curriculum. Other students may be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship if they meet specific Georgia residency requirements and earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at 30, 60 or 90 attempted semester hours. Eligible students will receive up to $1,910 per semester as long as they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and enroll as full-time students. Eligible half-time students will receive $900 per semester. A student who has earned a previous bachelor’s degree or who has attempted more than 127 semester hours is not eligible for HOPE Scholarship.

Zell Miller Scholarship. The Zell Miller Scholarship is available for students graduating from an eligible Georgia high school in 2011 or later, who have a 3.7 average in the core academic curriculum and a combined SAT score (critical reading and math) of 1200 or higher, or an ACT composite score of 26 or higher, from a single test administration. Zell Miller Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 3.3 cumulative grade point average in college, to be assessed in the same manner as the HOPE Scholarship. Current undergraduate students who have not attempted more than 127 semester hours of college degree credit and who have a 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA as of the most recent required checkpoint, may be eligible to receive the Zell Miller Scholarship only if they met the required high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores at the time of high school graduation. The Zell Miller Scholarship provides $2110 per semester for full-time students and $1000 per semester for half-time students.

Institutional Scholarships and Aid
The Women’s College

The Brenau Scholars Program. This scholarship program recognizes and assists outstanding students with demonstrated academic and leadership strengths. It is designed for those students who desire to develop these qualities to their fullest potential in a stimulating and challenging university environment. Students are selected based on their past and potential academic success, leadership achievement and personal qualities as exemplified in the Brenau Ideal. Brenau Scholars must have an SAT score of 1200 or better, or ACT composite score of 29 or better and a 3.2 grade point average in a college preparatory curriculum. Each recipient must be a residential student. Recipients of the Brenau Scholar Award will receive an amount equal to tuition charges for 120 semester hours of academic coursework (the equivalent of four academic years or eight semesters). Georgia residents who are eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship, the Zell Miller Scholarship, and/or the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant must maintain eligibility for those awards. Funds from those state programs will be applied first toward tuition charges, with the Brenau Scholar Award covering the remainder of tuition cost. Technology fees and other incidental fees, along with room and board charges, will not be covered by the Brenau Scholar Award. However, students who are eligible to receive funds from other state grants and/or federal student aid programs may apply those funds against the cost of fees and room and board. Recipients of the Brenau Scholar Award may be eligible to receive additional scholarships or grants funded by Brenau University, including athletic grants and fine arts scholarships. Renewal of the scholarship is contingent upon the student meeting the qualifying criteria outlined in the scholarship contract. Eligibility for renewal will be assessed at the end of each academic year.

Trustee and Faculty Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and merit at the high school level. Recipients typically have an SAT score of 1000 or better or ACT composite score of 21 or better, accompanied by a 3.0 grade point average in a college-preparatory curriculum. The Brenau Scholarship Committee will determine the award based upon these minimum criteria and the level of coursework attempted by the applicant. These awards are renewable as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for the Trustee Scholarship and a 2.8 cumulative grade point average for the Faculty Excellence Scholarship. Eligibility for renewal will be assessed at the end of each semester. Scholarship amounts generally range from $6,000 to $11,500 per academic year.

Brenau Achievement Grants. These grants are awarded to students who have a record of academic success, but do not meet the minimum standardized test score requirements for either the Trustee Scholarship or the Faculty Excellence Scholarship. Achievement Grants are renewable as long as the recipient remains in good academic standing at Brenau University. Eligibility for renewal will be assessed at the end of each semester. Scholarship amounts generally range from $5,000 to $9,500 per academic year.

Brenau Opportunity Grants. These grants are awarded to students who are not eligible for any of the four academic awards previously mentioned, but, in the opinion of the Scholarship Committee, have the potential to be academically successful at Brenau University. Opportunity Grants are renewable as long as the recipient remains in good academic standing at Brenau University. Eligibility for renewal will be assessed at the end of each semester. Award amounts will vary.

Legacy Scholarship

The Brenau University Legacy Scholarship encourages daughters and sisters of Brenau alumni to enroll as freshmen in the Women’s College. A Legacy Scholarship applicant must an incoming, first-time freshman in the Women’s College, whose mother, father, sister or brother is a Brenau alumnus. (Alumnus is defined as anyone who completed at least 30 semester hours at Brenau in any program.) The scholarship is renewable for up to four years or 120 semester hours, whichever comes first. Recipients must also enroll as full-time students and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, as defined in Brenau’s institutional policies. The scholarship deadline is February 1st for freshmen planning to enroll the following fall. Scholarships are $2,500 per year for Women’s College residential students and $2,000 per year for Women’s College students who commute.

Other Scholarships and Sources of Financial Aid

The following scholarships and grants are awarded annually and are made possible through the generosity of donors to Brenau University.  

Veterans Administration Educational Benefits

Any veteran, veteran’s dependent or active duty service person who qualifies for VA educational benefits may apply for those benefits through the Office of Financial Aid. The necessary forms should be obtained from that office, completed and returned prior to the beginning of the semester the student plans to initially enroll. All students who receive VA educational benefits are expected to comply with the following Brenau University requirements: 

1. Students must comply with attendance regulations of Brenau University and the Veterans Administration and may not drop courses or stop attending classes without executing formal withdrawal procedures.
2. Any change in a student’s semester course load should be reported to the Office of Financial Aid immediately.
3. Students should notify the Office of Financial Aid when changing academic programs.
4. Students must enroll in only those courses outlined on academic program plans prepared by Brenau University officials.
5. Students can only be certified for benefits for two semesters pending their official acceptance by Brenau University.
6. Courses for which college credit has been granted by Brenau University cannot be repeated unless required by academic policy.

Brenau University is required to report to the Veterans Administration on attendance, progress toward educational objectives, and other matters affecting benefits. All benefits except for the Post-9/11 GI Bill are paid directly to the student.

Brenau participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, in which we partner with the VA to cover a portion of tuition expenses above and beyond the amount covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.