Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to those who quality. Financial aid is the economic assistance available to help students meet the difference between what they can afford to pay and what it actually costs them to go to school. This economic assistance may be in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study programs, or loans.

A financial aid package is a combination of different forms of financial aid that together makes up a student financial aid award. A financial aid package may include grants, loans, or any combination of eligible aid.  

A student's ability to contribute to the cost of his or her education (Expected Family Contribution or EFC) is determined by the use of a needs analysis, performed by the US Department of Education's Central Processing System (CPS), which is a consistent, systematic way of measuring the ability of a family to pay for educational costs and its eligibility to receive funds from federal programs. It determines the ability, not the willingness, of a student or family to finance the student's education. Everyone who applies is treated fairly and equally under this system. In determining how much a student and his or her family can contribute, a number of factors are considered. From these factors, a needs analysis determines how much a student and his or her family can contribute and how much money will be needed to finance the student's education.

Application Process for Financial Aid

To apply for any form of financial aid at South University, a student must: 

1. Apply for admission to the University.
2. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is for both in and out-of-state students.

Student Aid Programs

South University participates in several student aid programs. A brief description of each follows.

Grants 

Alabama Student Grant (ASG) (Montgomery campus only)

This Alabama grant program is available to students who are Alabama residents and who are enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program of study. Applications are available in the financial aid office.

Alabama Student Assistance Grant Program (ASAP) (Montgomery campus only)

This Alabama grant program provides additional funds to Alabama residents with exceptional need and is awarded by the financial aid office to eligible students who are enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program of study and have a federal expected family contribution (EFC) of zero.

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP) (Montgomery campus only)

This Alabama grant program is available to Alabama National Guard members. Students submit an application to the Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program Office before August 1st of the academic year for which grant funds are being requested. Students may obtain applications through the financial aid office or the ANGEAP office.

Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (Savannah campus and online Georgia residents only)

The Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) entitles qualified Georgia residents who are full-time students to a tuition grant without respect to age, income, or academic standing. Applications are available from the financial aid office.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) (Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach campuses only) 

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) (Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach campuses only) 

Federal Pell Grant Program

Federal Pell Grants are based on financial need, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, students must: make application each year by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); prove U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status; be able to show graduation from high school or its equivalency; not owe a refund on a federal grant nor be in default on a federal loan; and maintain satisfactory academic progress in school.

William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) (Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach campuses only)

This Florida grant program is available to full time undergraduate students who are Florida residents and working towards their first degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need 
(with priority given to Pell Grant recipients). There are a limited number of awards available each year so early application is encouraged. This typically does not have to be repaid.

South University’s Institutional Grants

For more information contact the Financial Aid Office.

Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan 
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a fixed interest loan available to students through the federal government. The interest is subsidized by the federal government.  To be eligible, a student must be a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States and meet other eligibility requirements. Repayment of the loan begins six (6) months after the student' drops below half time enrollment.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a fixed interest loan available to students through the Federal Government. The interest is not subsidized by the federal government and begins accruing on the date of disbursement.  Students may either pay this interest as it becomes due or let it capitalize on the original loan amount which will increase the overall amount to be repaid by the student. The Unsubsidized Loan repayment begins six (6) months after the student drops below half time enrollment. Dependent students who do not meet the need requirements for a Subsidized Loan will be eligible for unsubsidized loans. Students whose parents are denied a PLUS Loan, may also apply for additional unsubsidized loan amounts, based on the student's grade level. Please refer to a Student Financial Services professional for additional information.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan Program 
The Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students is a fixed interest loan available to parents through the Federal Government. The PLUS loan is a credit-based loan available to parents of dependent students. The PLUS loan repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan 
This loan is for graduate students. The student must have a good credit history. The interest on this loan is not subsidized.  

Plus Loan Borrowing Limits: Parents or graduate students may borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any financial aid the student receives.

For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.

Scholarships

Georgia HOPE Scholarship (Savannah campus and online Georgia residents only)

This scholarship is available to qualified Georgia residents who graduated from high school in 1996 or later with a minimum 3.00 grade point average. Additional information about eligibility is available from the financial aid or registrar's office.

Georgia Zell Miller Scholarship (Savannah campus and online Georgia residents only)

This scholarship is available to qualified Georgia residents who meet the eligibility criteria.  Information about eligibility requirements is available from the financial aid office.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach campuses only)

This scholarship program is available to students who have applied before their graduation from high school or GED and are currently enrolled at the University and meet the scholarship criteria.

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship (Columbia campus only)

This scholarship is available to qualified South Carolina residents who graduated from high school in 2002 or later with a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average. Additional information about eligibility is available from the financial aid office. 

South Carolina LIFE Scholarship (Columbia campus only)

This scholarship is available to qualified South Carolina residents who meet the eligibility criteria. Information about eligibility requirements is available from the financial aid office.

Federal Work-Study Program (campus-based only)

Through the Federal Work-Study program, students have the opportunity to meet part of their expenses by working part-time on or off campus. Students can earn at least minimum wage, and possibly higher for specific positions. A limited number of assignments are available, with priority given to students with the greatest need, as determined by the results of the FAFSA. The Student Financial Services Department has more details. The maximum students can earn through this program is the amount of their unmet need (the difference between expenses and all their resources).