Financial Aid
Benedict College maintains a well-staffed Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (OSFA) that offers financial aid counseling to students and parents on the best way of financing their Education at Benedict. The College also maintains a Student Accounts Department that offers guidance on strategies or payment options to assist with financing a college education and loan repayment. Both offices welcome consultations with parents and students. They can be reached at 1-800-868-6598 or (803) 705-4418 / (803) 705-4547.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is in Bacoats Hall Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday & Friday by appointment only
(Call your counselor)
Applying for Financial Aid
All students who wish to be considered for financial aid to help meet their college expenses are urged to submit all necessary applications by the College’s priority funding date of March 15th. Applications received after March 15th including the (FAFSA) cannot be assured of consideration for priority funding and may not receive all possible funds available.
Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as early as October 1st. Each eligible student will receive an award letter specifying the amount of financial aid granted and the conditions of the award.
Types of Financial Aid
Graduate or professional students may be eligible to receive aid from the following federal student aid programs:
- The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. This is the largest federal student loan program. Under this program, ED is your lender rather than a bank or other financial institution. There are two types of Direct Loans that graduate or professional students enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate may receive:
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans-Eligible students may borrow an Unsubsidized loan for each academic year.
- Direct PLUS Loans (Grad PLUS)-Eligible graduate or professional students who need to borrow more than the maximum unsubsidized loan amounts to meet their education costs may apply for a PLUS loan. A credit check will be completed during the application process. Get more information about federal student loans at StudentAid.gov/loans.
Scholarship Awards
Scholarship Administration Program Goals:
- Offer scholarships to eligible students including academic, athletics, and performing arts.
- Identify scholarship opportunities for students.
- Assist students with completing scholarship application processes.
- Monitor internal and external scholarship policies, rules, and regulations.
Scholarship Awards
Scholarships or awards are applied after all financial aid is exhausted. Funds provided for scholarships may be used for tuition, on campus room and board, books, and course fees. Due to budgetary considerations, all students who meet eligibility requirements may not receive a scholarship. Based on variations in programs, scholarships are only renewed for students who remain continuously enrolled full time and meet renewal requirements.
Athletic Scholarships
Athletes may apply for grants-in-aid packages for participation in athletics, in addition to regular financial aid. Information on athletic scholarships may be acquired from the Director of Athletics.
Other Scholarships for Study Abroad/Exchanges Available to United States Citizens
Following is a partial list of institutions that offer scholarships for study abroad:
The Fulbright Scholarship www.fulbright.org
The United Negro College Fund www.uncf.org
The Boren Awards for International Study www.borenawards.org
The Ambassadorial Rotary Scholarships www.rotary.org (Does not require US Citizenship)
The Go Merry Scholarships for Graduate Students www.goingmerry.com/blog/scholarships-for-graduate-students
United Negro College Fund Scholarships
Benedict College is a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) School; therefore, Benedict College students are eligible to participate in the UNCF Scholarship Program. Scholarship criteria vary, and many of the awards have been designated for students on the basis of specific requirements. Virtually all scholarships require financial need. Some are based on residence while others are for students with a particular major and classification. In previous years, Benedict students have received scholarships ranging from $500 to $22,000. Scholarships frequently change during the year; therefore, the most current listing of scholarships may be previewed at www.uncf.org.
Army ROTC Scholarships
The Army ROTC Scholarships Program offers financial assistance to outstanding young men and women who are interested in the Active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve. These Scholarships pay full tuition and academic fees and provide a flat rate for books and supplies. Although Army ROTC scholarships do not pay the cost of room and board, each scholarship recipient is awarded free room and board at Benedict College. Each scholarship recipient also receives a tax-exempt monthly stipend, over four years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, in the upper 25 percent of their high school senior class, score at least 930 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of 19 on the (ACT), possess leadership potential and good moral character, and be willing to serve in the Army on Active Duty, in the Army Reserves, or in the National Guard. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to retain full-time status.
Impact of Academic Sanctions Upon Financial Aid
Financial Aid Warning
Students who are placed on Academic Probation while receiving financial aid will also be placed on financial aid warning. Students will continue to receive financial aid while on financial aid warning.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students who are placed on academic suspension while receiving financial aid will also be placed on financial aid suspension. Students will not receive financial aid while on financial aid suspension.
Schedule of Expenses
The current schedule of student expenses may be obtained from the Office of Student Accounts or the College’s website.
The Office of Student Accounts is located in Pratt Hall.
Office Hours
Monday -Thursday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday by appointment only
(Call your counselor)
Account Settlement
Students may settle their accounts through Financial Aid and/or cash payments, cashier’s checks, credit cards, and money orders. Personal checks will be accepted provided the following information is printed on the check: complete address, home telephone number, work telephone number, and driver’s license number. The College also offers payment arrangements to further assist with account settlements.
The costs of attending Benedict College include, but are not limited to tuition, room and board, and fees assessed at the lowest possible level without sacrificing quality and excellence in the services provided. In estimating the total cost of expenditures for a college year, students should include the costs of books, supplies, travel, educational tools, and personal items in their financial packages.
The current costs for boarding and non-boarding students to attend Benedict College are published and distributed by the Office of Student Accounts.
Refunds
A student is entitled to a refund once the student’s account reflects a credit balance. A credit balance is not created until most or all of the financial aid awarded is received by the College. The Billing Statement received at registration will show the expected credit balance a student will receive once all funds are received by the College, if applicable. This amount is subject to change if the student’s financial aid award should change for any reason, or any additional charges are assessed to the student’s account. Institutional funds are nonrefundable.
General Refund Policy
Refund checks are generated within 14 days of the date that the credit balance is created. Any amount refunded in excess of the student’s account credit balance because of subsequent adjustments is the responsibility of the student and any over payments will be due to Benedict College. Refund checks are generated in the student’s name unless it is a Parent PLUS Loan refund; then it is generated in the parent’s name and mailed to the parent. Students are not eligible for refunds from scholarships, any other institutional funds or, in most cases, outside scholarships unless authorized by the awarding agency.
If students withdraw from the College, officially or unofficially, they may be entitled to partial refund of tuition and/or room and board charges. This will depend on the date of the withdrawal in conjunction to the refund schedules listed below.
Students who withdraw from the College during the first five weeks after classes begin may be eligible for a partial refund of tuition and/or room and board charges. Refunds of tuition are calculated on the following scale:
| 1st or 2nd week |
80% |
5th Week |
20% |
| 3rd Week |
60% |
6th Week or later |
0% |
| 4th Week |
40% |
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Refund Schedule - Summer Sessions
| 1st - 4th day of class |
80% of Tuition |
After 8th day of class |
No refund |
| 5th - 8th day of class |
60% of Tuition |
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Room and Board and semester fees are not refundable during the summer session.
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