Student Financial Information | 3

Student Financial Aid

In an attempt to meet the financial need of qualified students, the University subscribes to the following policies and principles based on guidance from the U.S. Dept. of Education:

1. The purpose of financial aid is to supplement the resources of the student and his/her family; it does not exist to replace these sources of support. The primary responsibility for financing a college education resides with the family. The family is expected to contribute according to its income and assets to the student's University expenses. The student is expected to share in this responsibility through savings, summer work, and part-time employment if necessary.
2. In selecting a financial aid recipient, the University considers not only an applicant's financial need, but also his/her academic achievement and potential, character, and leadership ability.
3. The amount of a financial aid award reflects the financial situation of the student and his/her family and is confidential information which will not be made public by the University.

Financial aid at UWA may consist of a scholarship, a loan, a grant, campus employment, or any combination of these. The Financial Aid Office will attempt to meet a student's need through the award or combination of awards most appropriate to the individual applicant.

Specific information on applying for financial assistance may be obtained by visiting the Financial Aid Office in Webb Hall, Room 334, by email at financialaid@uwa.edu, by telephone at 205.652.3576, or online.

Financial Aid Disbursement

Financial Aid is disbursed after the last day to drop and add courses each semester. Additional disbursements are routinely scheduled each week. These disbursements are for students whose file was not complete at the time of the initial disbursement of funds.

Students with sufficient funds are allowed to charge books and supplies at the bookstore beginning eight days before classes begin. All students must complete loan counseling, annual student loan acknowledgment, and e-sign a master promissory note (MPN) before loan funds can be disbursed. Loan counseling is required once, while a master promissory note is usually good for ten years. Students may complete these processes at http://www.studentaid.gov. Funds will not be available for use at the bookstore until all three are on file.

Refund checks for credit balances are deposited into the student's personal bank account if the student signs up for direct deposit. If not, they are mailed to the student's local mailing address.

Federal Pell Grant Program

A Federal Pell Grant, is need based financial aid awarded annually by the Federal Government. Pell Grants are gift aid and do not have to be repaid. Pell Grants often provide a foundation of support to which other aid may be added. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The amount of a Pell Grant depends on the student's financial need as calculated by the FAFSA and appropriations by the U.S. Congress. Not all students qualify to receive a Pell Grant. Lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 full-time semesters of study. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to apply.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. An FSEOG is gift aid which does not have to be repaid. 

FSEOG is awarded to students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC) as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must complete the FAFSA application each year to apply.  FSEOG funds are limited and priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants and apply early. The FAFSA application is available beginning October 1st for the next fall semester.

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. This program allows students to earn money to help pay their educational expenses. The average Federal Work-Study student works fifteen hours each week. The Program encourages community service, tutoring, and work related to the student's course of study. To be considered for the Federal Work-Study Program, students must apply early and indicate they are interested on their FAFSA Application. Priority is given to continuing FWS students but newly qualifying students are added each year. Federal Work-Study is only available on campus.

Federal Direct Student Loans

The Federal Direct Loan program provides low interest long term loans to assist in paying for college. The funds are provided by the Federal Government and loaned directly to students. Undergraduate dependent students may borrow up to $5,500.00 per year as freshmen, $6,500.00 as sophomores, and $7,500.00 as juniors and seniors. Independent undergraduate students and dependent students whose parents are denied a Parent PLUS Loan for credit reasons can borrow an additional $4,000.00 per year for freshman and sophomores and an additional $5,000.00 per year for juniors and seniors. Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available for students who do not qualify for need-based aid. Subsidized means that the Federal Government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in School. Loan repayment begins six months after graduation or ceasing enrollment.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for Direct Student Loans. The FAFSA is available on October 1st each year for aid to begin with the next fall semester. When FAFSA data is received, the school will review the results and will award the student according to their loan eligibility. Students must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and e-sign a Master Promissory Note online at www.studentloans.gov. The Direct Loan Master Promissory Note is a binding legal document. The student should read carefully and make sure they understand it before signing it.

Institutional Scholarship and Loan Funds

An ever increasing number of individual scholarships and awards are made on an annual basis to deserving students who wish to attend UWA. The UWA Trustee Academic and Leadership Scholarships (for high school seniors and community college transfers) are made on a first-applied, first awarded basis until all funds are depleted. Trustee and Leadership Scholarships are awarded through the Office of Student Recruitment.  

Civic, Memorial, and Alumni scholarships are awarded by the Office of Institutional Advancement. They can vary by the classification of the student, as well as, geographic, academic major, and other restrictions. These scholarships have a deadline of March 15th each year to apply. UWA Department, Division, or Organization awards are made by applications obtained through the specific individual or group overseeing each scholarship and selection criteria and restrictions vary depending on the award. Listed below are scholarships that are open for the upcoming academic year.

The A. Gaylen Livingston Scholarship
The Choctaw County Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The Claude G. and Ethel R. Livingston Scholarship
The Clemit and Vicki Spruiell Athletic Training Scholarship
The Dorothy Shug Peterson Scholarship
The Elizabeth C. Liver Scholarship
The Ernestine Lawley Lenoir (Choctaw County Alumni Chapter) Endowed Scholarship
The Future Rural Educator Scholarship
The Gatewood Hatcher Memorial Scholarship
The George W. Skipper Student Fireman Scholarship
The Gladys Mason (Wilcox County Alumni Chapter) Scholarship
The Gordon Bridges (Wilcox County Alumni Chapter) Scholarship
The Greenetrack Inc. Scholarship
The Gregory O. Snow Scholarship
The India Lowry Shields (Marengo County Alumni Chapter) Scholarship
The James Colquitt Languages and Literature Scholarship
The James P. Homer Alumni Scholarship Fund
The Joanne Cobb Smith Scholarship
The Judy Livingston Scholarship
The June Crawford Scholarship
The Lauderdale County Veterans Scholarship
The Liza James Howard Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The Louise Sisk McDaris Scholarship
The Malone Educational Fund (Mobile County Alumni Chapter) Scholarship
The Marengo County Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The McConnell Scholarship
The McLean/Luke Scholarship
The Mobile County Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The National Alumni Association Tiger Legacy Scholarship
The Normal R. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. Patricia V. Beatty Scholarship
The Patrick and Sara McGahey Scholarship
The Raiford T. Noland Memorial Scholarship
The Roland and Donna Pugh Scholarship
The R.T. Floyd Scholarship
The Sarah Bell Cunningham (Sumter County Alumni Chapter) Scholarship
The Sumter County Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The Susan T. Sparkman Endowed Scholarship
The Tagged for Success Scholarship (Alabama Resident)
The Terry Bunn Endowed Scholarship
The Trustees Academic and Leadership Scholarships
The Tuscaloosa County/Credit Union Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The Washington County Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The Winton and Naomi Wise Scholarship

Alabama Student Assistance Program

The Alabama Student Assistance Program is a need-based grant program funded by the federal government and the State of Alabama. It provides grant assistance to needy students who are residents of the State and who are in need of this additional financial help in order to further their education at UWA. The FAFSA serves as the application.

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program

The Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program was established in 1984 by the Alabama Legislature to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members who are residents of Alabama for education at accredited postsecondary institutions within the state. Additional information and applications are available from the commander of each Alabama National Guard unit.

Police Officers' and Firefighters' Survivors' Educational Assistance Program

The Police Officers' and Firefighters' Survivors' Educational Assistance Program is established to provide for tuition assistance and other costs for an undergraduate student who is the dependent child, or spouse who has not remarried, of a law enforcement officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty. Further information and applications may be obtained from Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Veterans and Veterans' Dependents

UWA is an accredited institution under provisions of all the public laws providing educational benefits for qualified veterans and dependents of veterans. For Veteran assistance, contact (205) 652-3930 or va@uwa.edu. GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Section 702, Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 and 2017 Amendments

The following individuals shall be charged a rate of tuition not to exceed the in-state rate for tuition and fees purposes in accordance with Public Law 115-251 Sec. 301:

• A Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill^® - Active Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill^®), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill^® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill^® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
• Anyone using educational assistance under Chapter 31, Veterans Readiness and Employment, also be charged the resident rate. Effective for courses and terms beginning after March 1, 2019, a public institution of higher learning must charge the resident rate to Chapter 31 participants, as well as the other categories of individuals described above. When an institution charges these individuals more than the rate for resident students, VA is required to disapprove programs of education sponsored by VA.
• Students utilizing VA education benefits shall not be charged a penalty, including assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds because of the individual's inability to meet their financial obligations due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• The policy shall be read to be amended as necessary to be compliant with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) as amended.
• Starting August 1, 2022, Any student using Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).

Section 1005 of the Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 11-315) states that effective 1 August 2021, the requirement for covered individuals to enroll in a course at a public institution of higher learning within three years of being discharged to receive in-state tuition is removed.

Complaint Policy for Students Receiving VA Education Benefits

For students receiving VA education benefits, any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill® Feedback System by going to the following link: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily.

Satisfactory Progress Policy for Financial Aid

Federal regulations require recipients of federal financial aid to maintain satisfactory academic progress, (SAP) as determined by the University, to receive assistance funded by the federal government. Satisfactory progress toward a degree is defined in accordance with the following table for the purpose of determining eligibility for federal student aid programs:

Qualitative and Quantitative Measures:  Satisfactory Academic Progress requires students receiving federal aid to complete at least 67% of all the courses they attempt. Students are required to make academic progress toward a degree by maintaining the minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and course completion rate on all work attempted, including repeated courses, that count toward their degree in accordance with the following table:

Time Frame: Federal regulation allows students 150% of the credit hours required to graduate from their program of study, within which, to complete their degree. Exceptions are made for students who enroll in the Nursing Program. Nursing student's time-frames are based only on the classes they have attempted after being admitted to the Nursing Program.

Transfers Students: Students transferring to the University are assumed to be maintaining reasonable progress. Hours transferred from prior schools will be considered in establishing the class standing as well as being considered in determining the overall time frame allowed to receive financial aid. GPAs from transfer colleges will factor into the cumulative GPA for financial aid.

Course Loads: Students must be enrolled at least half time in order to be eligible. Half time for an undergraduate student is six semester hours; and three hours for a graduate student. Enrollment for federal aid is calculated using only the courses that count toward your degree program.

Federal enrollment standards:

Appeals: Extenuating circumstances (such as severe illness or injury, death of an immediate family member, acts of nature, or other mitigating factors) sometimes cause a student's failure to make satisfactory academic progress. When such a situation occurs, a student may appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee for reinstatement of eligibility. The appeal form is available on the Financial Aid webpage. Any supporting documentation (from your doctor, court or police records, insurance claims, etc.) should be submitted with the appeal. Students should, in most cases, be able to clear any deficiencies after one term of enrollment.

Students without mitigating factor(s) can regain federal aid eligibility by completing enough coursework to remove any deficiencies that hinder compliance with the University's SAP policy. Students should notify the Financial Aid Office once the deficiencies have been resolved and request reinstatement of their eligibility to receive federal financial aid.

Reinstatement: Students who lose their financial aid eligibility because of a failure to maintain reasonable progress towards a degree may reapply for financial aid eligibility reinstatement after clearing the deficiency. Students who re-establish eligibility may not retroactively receive funds for periods of enrollment in which they were ineligible. The University cannot adjust subsequent financial aid payments to compensate students for the loss of financial aid during periods of ineligibility.

Financial Information

All Charges, Fees, Meal Tickets, Dorm Rates, Etc. Subject to Change Without Notice.

Expenses

The estimated expenses for nine months at UWA are about $20,898. This estimate includes normal academic fees, and room and board, but does not include books and supplies, or the student's personal expenses, which may vary widely, nor does it include special course fees that are required of students in certain fields or other special fees required in particular circumstances.

The normal academic fees for one semester are $6040. Room and board in a University residence hall is from $3,529 to $5,599 per semester.

Tuition is billed based on the course section location.

Basic Fees (Subject to Change Without Notice)

Each undergraduate student who enrolls for more than six semester hours is required to pay basic fees each semester as follows:

Other General Fees:

NOTE: Course fees may be changed or additional fees may be added during the academic year. Students taking HR 307  and HR 407  in areas of science or mathematics will have a lab fee of $75.00 attached to these courses as designated by the Dean. 

Special Fees

Certain special fees are required as follows:

Payments

All University charges for tuition, fees, room and board are due by registration day of each semester.

All students must pay their charges in full, have approved financial aid to cover all charges or establish an approved payment plan sufficient to cover the account balance by the due date. Any charges incurred other than those required as a condition of enrollment are due in full prior to registration confirmation.

International students are REQUIRED to pay all charges at the time of registration. Other students whose accounts in the past have been turned over for collection also must pay all charges at the time of registration. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that fee payments are made on time and in accordance with the policies set forth in this catalogue. Any student who fails to comply with these policies may be withdrawn from classes by the University. Students should not, however, rely on this method as a form of withdrawal from their registered courses. The University is not responsible for sending bills or reminders, although statements showing outstanding balances due may be rendered on occasion. A student may access pertinent information regarding their student account online through their Student Finance account at any time. Checks for payment of University charges should be made payable to "UWA". Registration for a future term is not allowed with a prior term balance. 

All costs, including attorney's fees, which are necessary for the collection of any debt owed to the University, must be paid by the debtor. Questions about charges or any billing discrepancies should be directed to the Student Accounts office in writing no later than 180 days from the date of the charges.

Payment Plan

The University of West Alabama offers a payment plan that allows students to spread their education expenses over monthly installments. There is an enrollment fee of $35 per term of enrollment for 16-week courses and a $20 enrollment fee for 8-week courses. If a student is enrolled in 16-week course, the student may choose to enroll in a four- or five-month payment plan. Students enrolled in an 8-week course may only enroll in two-month payment plans, due to the length of online terms. Students may enroll using UWA's Student Finance portal, where additional information on all our education payment services are available. The account is secure, and the student can access their information 24/7. Once enrolled, the student will receive monthly payment reminders in accordance with the payment schedule on their selected payment plan. For questions, please contact the Office of Student Accounts or visit https://www.uwa.edu/university-departments/student-accounts/.

Returned Check Policy

UWA will pursue all legal means to collect dishonored checks returned by our bank for any reason. Once a check has been returned to the Business Office, the maker of the check will be notified by mail and be given a reasonable period of time to make the check good. Should the maker decide to ignore this notice, the Business Office will send a second notice. The second notice will be sent by Registered Mail. Should the second notice be ignored, the check and all supporting documentation will be submitted to the Bad Check Unit of the District Attorney's Office for collection.

Writing a bad check is a crime in the State of Alabama. Failure to respond to the District Attorney may result in arrest.