Financial Aid Philosophy

The Wittenberg Board of Directors and the faculty adopted the following statement in 1981:

Wittenberg University is committed to developing in harmony the intellectual, spiritual, aesthetic, social and physical qualities of its students. Financial aid funds along with all other resources of the university are used to support this fundamental commitment. Wittenberg invests its resources in students who have the potential to become a part of the creative minority of a civilization and make a positive contribution to society.

The university’s financial aid policies derive from its mission as a church-related, undergraduate, liberal arts institution. In the allocation of financial aid the university gives preference to students who can contribute to and profit from this unique environment and who show promise of academic excellence. Past academic achievement may be rewarded without reference to a student’s financial resources.

Wittenberg also maintains a strong commitment to assist students with demonstrated need. Students of academic ability and motivation should not be deterred from sharing the Wittenberg experience solely on the basis of finances. At the same time, the university assumes that students pursue every avenue of support available to them and expects each family to share in this investment in education.

Wittenberg seeks diversity in its student body. Financial assistance is also designed to attract students who represent a cross-section of economic, geographic and social backgrounds, including international students.

The student who accepts financial assistance also accepts certain responsibilities. The student must maintain the grade-point average required by the terms of the scholarship or grant. The student must also act responsibly in the interests of the university community. A student who is placed on disciplinary probation for unacceptable behavior jeopardizes that portion of his or her financial aid, which is funded by Wittenberg.

Once an award is granted, the university accepts the responsibility to provide financial assistance throughout the student’s academic career at Wittenberg, if the student conscientiously fulfills his or her obligations and in the case of need-sensitive aid, demonstrates continuing need for financial assistance.

Objectives and Procedures

Wittenberg gives financial encouragement to promising and worthy students insofar as its scholarship and aid funds permit and seeks to honor students of outstanding merit. Scholarship record, personal character, general cooperation in the affairs of college life, economy in personal expenditures, and except in the case of merit awards, need for aid are considered in the assignment of scholarships, grants, work programs and loans.

The Student’s Obligation

Acceptance of scholarships or other financial aid by a student involves certain clear obligations:

1. The individual is obligated to do the best work possible in the enrolled courses and carry a full course load each term.
2. The individual may be called upon to perform special services contributing to the general welfare of the university community.
3. The individual accepts a moral obligation to help meet the financial needs of the university in future years and, if possible, to add to scholarship and loan funds for the benefit of future generations of students.
4. The individual’s life on the campus must be characterized by loyalty, reliability and concern for the welfare of the university in general and must be marked by good character and good citizenship.

Application

Wittenberg utilizes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in determining the student’s need for financial assistance. Each student seeking financial assistance greater than that available through merit scholarships is required to submit a copy of the FAFSA designating Wittenberg as a recipient. In addition, supplemental forms may be required to calculate fully a student’s eligibility for all types of financial aid. It is important to check with the Financial Aid Office on an annual basis to make sure all necessary forms are submitted.

Students must file applications no later than March 15 to receive full consideration for the following academic year. A new FAFSA is required each year.

Eligibility for Student Aid

The following general principles are observed in considering all applications for student aid:

1. Most financial aid packages include a combination of scholarships, grants, loans and campus employment.
2. A scholarship is awarded for either one or four academic years to the student who has had an outstanding academic record in the past and shows promise of earning an excellent academic record at Wittenberg. To renew a merit scholarship, the student must achieve the prescribed cumulative grade-point average (GPA) for the award for a full course load each year. The student is not eligible to receive more than one merit scholarship per year from Wittenberg. Should the student meet the criteria for more than one scholarship, the student receives the award with the greatest dollar value.
3. Grants are awarded primarily on the basis of financial need as determined by the analysis of the FAFSA. Most grants require that the student maintain a GPA of 2.0 for a full course load each year.
4. Loans are also awarded primarily on the basis of financial need and must be repaid after leaving the university. To receive a loan, the student must complete a promissory note and maintain a GPA of 2.0 for a full course load each year (in most cases).
5. The student is not eligible to receive need-based financial assistance in excess of the computed financial need. An adjustment to financial aid awards may be necessary to adhere to this policy.
6. The student is eligible to receive a maximum of four years (eight semesters) of financial assistance from Wittenberg funds. Additional semesters of eligibility are granted only as exceptions based on an appeals process.

For any questions regarding Fees and Expenses please visit:

http://www4.wittenberg.edu/administration/student_accounts/