Financial Aid to Students
Scholarship, grants, work study, and loan funds at William Carey University are administered in conjunction with a nationally established philosophy of distributing financial aid. The basis of this philosophy is the belief that the student and parents have the primary responsibility for paying the cost of education and that financial aid from the university is available only for meeting the difference between the cost of education and the amount the students and parents can reasonably be expected to contribute. A student’s expected family contribution is determined by the United States Department of Education once a student has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). William Carey’s federal school code is 002447.
The purpose of William Carey University’s financial aid program is to assist students who would be unable to attend college without such aid. Financial aid includes scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. These types of assistance are extended either singly or in combination. The financial aid award or “package” offered depends upon the student’s academic record and need for assistance. It is understandable that most students would prefer assistance through a full scholarship or gift program, but the packaging concept enables William Carey to assist more students, thereby making it possible for larger numbers to attend. Each aid applicant will be considered for all aid programs administered by the Office of Financial Aid.
The institution requires that an online FAFSA be completed by any student who will be receiving a scholarship, loan, work study, grant, or any other form of financial aid. Also, any student who receives a scholarship at William Carey University must register early each trimester to retain the scholarship.
For additional information and financial aid resources, visit https://www.wmcarey.edu/Office/financial-aid.
Financial Aid General Regulations
- Financial aid applicants must be accepted for admission to William Carey before financial assistance can be awarded.
- Generally, financial aid is offered to the full-time student working on his or her first baccalaureate degree. If a student drops below half-time status, that student automatically becomes ineligible for most financial aid.
- Ordinarily financial aid is awarded once per trimester of the regular academic year.
- To receive financial aid, students must maintain “Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress” toward their degrees and remain in good standing. Financial aid may also be withdrawn from students who are penalized by William Carey University for serious breaches of discipline. The financial aid office reserves the right to withhold further assistance at the time it becomes evident that a student has abused or is abusing the financial aid programs.
- Students receiving financial aid from sources other than William Carey University must advise the director of financial aid of the amount and source of such aid.
- An application for financial aid must be completed annually. Financial aid is not automatically renewed.
- This institution complies with Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and does not discriminate against the handicapped or on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin.
- Non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Any student receiving all ‘F’s or ‘I’s in any trimester will lose all institutional scholarship aid for the next trimester of attendance.
Types of Financial Aid
The following financial aid programs are available to students who enroll at William Carey University. Specific eligibility criteria and application procedures for each program are available at the Office of Financial Aid.
- STUDENT EMPLOYMENT: College Work Study Programs
- FEDERAL GRANTS: Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH).
- STATE GRANTS: Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG), Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG), and the Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP), as well as teacher education, nursing professional, and psychology grants are available through the Institutions of Higher Learning of Mississippi/Mississippi Office of State Student Financial Aid, based upon state funding.
- REGULAR LOANS: Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford/PLUS.
- EMERGENCY LOANS: Bass Loan Fund (short term emergency loans), Bobby Wingo Memorial Loan Fund (seniors only), Otis Seal Loan Fund (ministerial students only).
- INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS: Scholarships based on academic, talent, alumni, and church vocations.
Additional Information on Financial Aid
The director of financial aid and appropriate staff members are available to provide additional information regarding the financial aid program of William Carey University as required by the Student Information Requirements as stated in Title I of the Education Amendments of 1976. For further assistance, call (601) 318-6153.
William Carey University participates in all programs of the Veterans’ Administration. Information and assistance with applications may be secured from the V.A. certifying officials on the Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses. V.A. officials are located in the business office or the registrar’s office. For additional information, visit https://www.wmcarey.edu/page/va-information.
Institutional Academic Scholarships and Awards
William Carey University makes financial aid commitments to qualified full-time undergraduate students based on academic achievements, special talents, and dependents of groups related to its institutional mission. Scholarships funded directly by the university from endowment, memorial gifts, and annual gifts are contained in a publication available in the financial aid office or on the university website.
All scholarship commitments are made through the Office of Financial Aid based on recommendations from the scholarship committee, department chairs, deans of schools, and the athletic director. All applications will be considered on a funds-available basis. All scholarship recipients must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per trimester.
William Carey Scholars - First-time freshmen who receive an ACT composite score of 30+ or an SAT score of 1360+ (evidence-based Reading and Writing + Math scores only) can submit supporting documentation by the appropriate deadline each year to be considered for the Carey Scholar program, which will be awarded to 15 new students annually. Scholarship recipients receive 30 hours of tuition for the first two years, 33 hours of tuition for the last two years, and a $1,725 room waiver per year. This is a resident-only scholarship that cannot be combined with any other scholarship offered by WCU. Recipients must maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 and fulfill 21 hours of honors course requirements to remain eligible for this scholarship. For more information, visit Carey Scholars in this catalog and online at wmcarey.edu/page/presidential-honors-program.
Trustee Scholarship - Scholarship is awarded to 1st Time Freshmen who have secured a 27 super-score or higher on their ACT or a 1260 or higher on the SAT. The scholarship awards $9,300 annually for on-campus residents or $6,600 annually for commuter students. Students must maintain a 3.2 GPA to retain this scholarship.
Presidential Scholarship - Scholarship is awarded to 1st Time Freshmen who have secured a 24 to 26 super-score on their ACT or a 1160 to 1250 on the SAT. It is awarded to Transfer Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater. The scholarship awards $8,400 annually for on-campus residents or $5,700 annually for commuter students. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain this scholarship.
Dean Scholarship - Scholarship is awarded to 1st Time Freshmen who have secured a 21 to 23 super-score on their ACT or a 1060 to 1150 on the SAT. It is awarded to Transfer Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to 3.49. The scholarship awards $6,600 annually for on-campus residents or $4,200 annually for commuter students. Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA to retain this scholarship.
Opportunity Scholarship - Scholarship is awarded to 1st Time Freshmen who have secured a 20 super-score on their ACT or a 1030 to 1050 on the SAT. It is awarded to Transfer Students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to 2.99. The scholarship awards $5,100 annually for on-campus residents or $2,700 annually for commuter students. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to retain this scholarship.
Phi Theta Kappa Distinction Award - Members of Phi Theta Kappa are eligible for a $9,000 scholarship on-campus or $6,300 off-campus. If the Phi Theta Kappa member is offered a greater scholarship, WCU will honor the highest offer. Proof of membership is required.
Alumni Dependent Scholarships - Children, grandchildren, siblings, and spouses of alumni of William Carey University may qualify for scholarships of up to $300 per year.
Talent Scholarships - William Carey University offers talent scholarships in vocal music, instrumental music, theatre, forensics, journalism, and art. For all talent scholarships, auditions or portfolio viewing must be arranged with the appropriate dean or department chair.
Athletic Scholarships - For all athletic scholarships, tryouts must be arranged with the appropriate coach.
Church-Related Vocation (CRV) and Ministry-Related Vocation (MRV) Scholarships
Baptist Student Scholarships of up to $300 per year are available for students who are recommended by a pastor of a Southern Baptist church. This amount may be added to academic scholarships. Requires pastor nomination.
CRV Dependent Student Scholarships of up to $500 per year are available for sons, daughters, and spouses of pastors, and other full-time ministerial employees of local Southern Baptist churches, Southern Baptist Associations, or other Southern Baptist agencies. This amount may be added to academic scholarships.
CRV Scholarships of up to $9,000 of the cost of tuition on 30 hours per year for on-campus students and up to $6,300 of the cost of tuition on 30 hours per year for commuting students are available for qualifying students. A CRV student is defined as one who has made a public commitment (requires letter from church or license/ordination certificate) to a church-related vocation (ministry or missions) in a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Southern Baptist CRV students may also apply to the Board of Ministerial Education of the Mississippi Baptist Convention for additional financial aid. This aid is applied for in a separate process through the School of Missions and Ministry Studies at William Carey University.
Scholarship opportunities for qualifying International Mission Board missionary dependents are available through the Margaret Fund of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The MRV Scholarship awards $6,300 to on-campus students and $3,900 to off-campus students who have made a commitment to a ministry-related vocation in a church not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Applicants must provide a letter from their pastor indicating that the student is in good standing with the church and has made a public profession of faith. Recipients must be seeking their first undergraduate degree, must maintain full-time enrollment, and must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Endowments
Generous supporters of William Carey University have endowed numerous scholarships. New applications must be received by April 1st of each year to be considered for the following academic year. Scholarships are for one academic year. Recipients of scholarships must reapply each year by February 15th if they wish to continue the scholarship. Applicants will be notified in early summer.
Missions Funds
The Byrd Sisters Fund for Student Missions was established in 2005 by the Byrd family to honor five sisters with a passion for foreign missions and who are alumnae of Mississippi Woman’s College: Melissa Corinne Byrd ‘22, Juanita Caroline Byrd Huang ‘24, Annie Ward Byrd ‘27, Mary Hasseltine Byrd Ball ‘30, and Leona Valois Byrd ‘40. Awards are granted to deserving students for the purpose of serving in missions during their study at William Carey University. Preference is given to students with an interest in serving in China.
The Steve Ford Memorial Florida ACTEENS Scholarship was established by Allison Chestnut of Hattiesburg to honor Patricia and Al Ford of Pensacola, Fla., who have been instrumental in the lives of Florida Acteens. Steve, their son, was killed in a construction accident.
The International Missions Scholarship was established by an anonymous Southern Baptist missionary to support mission volunteer students.
The Kathy Webb Randolph Student Missions Endowment was established in 2005 by the Hon. Mike and Kathy Randolph in her honor and in support of Christian missions. Awards are granted to deserving students for the purpose of serving in short-term missions during their study at William Carey University.
The Gillespie Mission Fund was established by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gillespie to bring the Christian religion, Christian values, and Christian principles to the countries of the world. The fund is owned by The Foundation of the First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg and is administered through the Mississippi Baptist Foundation for the support of the student mission endeavors of William Carey University.
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