Fall leaves on the ground surrounding fall trees at Methodist University

Applying for Aid

Initial Process for Financial Aid

New students and Returning Students who have not attended for at least one semester or have withdrawn in the current semester must apply for admission and be accepted to Methodist University (MU) as a degree seeking student.

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Common Application Errors

Mistakes are easily made when filling out the FAFSA application if students and/or parents do not understand the instructions fully. Some errors will require an applicant to start over delaying the processing of your FAFSA at the federal level, and thus delaying the award process at the university level. The Office of Financial Aid has compiled a list of common errors made on the FAFSA to help eliminate common mistakes and make the FAFSA application experience as easy as possible.

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Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for any Title IV federal financial aid programs and/or need-based aid from Methodist University.

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Determining Need

The primary responsibility of financing an undergraduate college education rests with students and their parents. For graduate students, the responsibility rests with students and, if applicable, their spouses. Eligibility for financial aid is based on a formula for determining financial need.

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Applying for Aid FAQ

Both student and parent (if dependent) should obtain a FSA-ID. If you do not have a FSA-ID, you may request one from studentaid.gov. Once the Federal Student Aid FSA-ID number has been received, you will then complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov.  List Methodist University federal school code 002946.

The FSA ID confirms a student or parents (if dependent) identity when accessing financial aid information and to electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create one at studentaid.gov.

YES. The application is free and some sources of aid (Federal Direct Loan and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan) are available regardless of financial need.

YES. If you want to be considered for need-based aid, to include student employment, you will need to complete a FAFSA each year. The FAFSA is available October 1 of each year. THE PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID) AT METHODIST UNIVERSITY IS JUNE 1. ATTENTION All RETURNING STUDENTS: FOR MAXIMUM CONSIDERATION OF ALL MU’S NEED BASED FUNDS (FOUNDERS GRANT, STUDENT EMPLOYMENT, ETC.), THE FAFSA MUST BE RECEIVED AND THE STUDENT’S FINANCIAL AID FILE MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE PRIORITY DEADLINE OF JUNE 1.

NO. The FAFSA form is free and easy to complete. The FAFSA will take you through the process step-by-step providing detailed questions and instructions. Should you have questions or need help completing the FAFSA, the student is encouraged to contact the Department of Education toll-free at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY) for hearing impaired if he/she has technical difficulties in completing the FAFSA.

Methodist University does not have a deadline per se, however, Methodist University offers financial aid on a first come first served basis and funds are limited. THE PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID) AT METHODIST UNIVERSITY IS JUNE 1. ATTENTION All RETURNING STUDENTS: FOR MAXIMUM CONSIDERATION OF ALL MU’S NEED BASED FUNDS (FOUNDERS GRANT, STUDENT EMPLOYMENT, ETC.), THE FAFSA MUST BE RECEIVED AND THE STUDENT’S FINANCIAL AID FILE MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE PRIORITY DEADLINE OF JUNE 1.

All applicants selected for “Verification” by either the U.S. Department of Education (as indicated on the Student Aid Report (SAR)), or by Methodist University must submit additional documentation to Methodist University. This process compares information from your FAFSA, the Verification Worksheet, copy Tax Return Transcript from the IRS, W-2/1099 Form(s), and any other requested documentation. The preferred way to complete the verification process is to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool while completing the FAFSA to transfer your tax return information directly on to your FAFSA. Some circumstances may prohibit you from utilizing the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Therefore, you must obtain a Tax Return Transcript directly from the IRS and submit it to our office. You may request a transcript at irs.gov/transcript, IRS automated system at (800) 908-9946, or contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040. Your financial aid offer will be delayed until all verification documents requested have been received.

Students must submit:

Dependent Students:

  • Copies of the student and their parents’ IRS Tax Return Transcripts and W-2 forms/1099 forms (if requested) for the tax year prior to the academic year for which funds are requested.
  • If not filing a federal tax return, a Form 4506-T may need to be requested from the IRS for submission to Methodist University to verify non filing.
  • Methodist University Verification Worksheet Dependent: documentation of family size, number in college, untaxed income, etc.
  • All requested documentation can be viewed in the students Methodist myMU Portal under the financial aid tab/missing documents.

Independent Students:

  • Copies of the student and their spouses’ (if married) IRS Tax Return Transcripts and W-2 forms/1099 forms (if requested) for the tax year prior to the academic year for which funds are requested.
  • If not filing a federal tax return, a Form 4506-T may need to be requested from the IRS for submission to Methodist University to verify non filing.
  • Methodist University Verification Worksheet- Independent: documentation of family size, number in college, untaxed income, etc.
  • All requested documentation can be viewed in the students Methodist myMU Portal under the financial aid tab/missing documents.

In completing the federal requirements for verification, MU must follow the procedures established by federal regulation (CFR Title 34, Part 668). Verification documents should be submitted as soon as possible, in order for applicants to be considered for maximum gift funds and receive financial aid offers.

Online Request

  • Available on the IRS Web site at irs.gov/transcript
  • Click “Get a Transcript – Internal Revenue Service”
  • Follow IRS directions to order your Tax “Return” Transcript

Telephone Request

Available from the IRS by calling (800) 908-9946.

A tax filer who is unable to obtain an IRS Tax Return Transcript because of IRS identity theft, calls a special IRS group at (800) 908-4490.  Upon verification of identity, the tax filer can obtain a paper copy of an alternative document unique to identity theft issues (Tax Return Data Base View (TRDBV)).  The TRDBV is an official transcript that can be submitted to the school to meet verification requirements.

The Federal Government uses the data provided on the FAFSA to calculate a student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The Office of Financial Aid calculates the student Cost of Attendance (COA) which includes tuition, room/board (if applicable), books, living expenses, miscellaneous fees, etc. The COA minus the EFC equals the student’s financial need. Methodist University tries to meet the financial need with federal grants, state grants, institutional scholarships, Federal Student Employment, and Federal Loans (if eligible). The EFC is not the actual amount that the family will have to pay, but is used in determining the financial aid package.

For additional details, please visit the Financial Aid Office’s Determining Need page.

The FAFSA is the only initial form to complete to begin the financial aid process after being accepted to the university. Other forms/documents may be required after the completion of the FAFSA and a letter will be mailed to the student. Some missing forms/documents can also be viewed and printed through the students Methodist myMU Portal under documents. The forms/documents are also available online at Methodist.edu under the financial aid tab/forms.

Students who move from on-campus to off-campus must notify Financial Aid. Scholarships and/or grants may be reduced.

Institutional financial aid is offered to undergraduate students registering as full-time (12 semester hours or more in one of the on-campus programs and are charged the regular/standard undergraduate on-campus full-time rate) students. If a student drops below full-time status, Methodist University reserves the right to pro-rate or rescind any or all of the financial aid the student was offered to reflect the adjusted tuition charges. If a student drops below half time status (6 credit hours for undergraduate students and 3 credit hours for graduate students), he/she will become ineligible for federal student loans which will immediately go into the grace period or repayment if the grace period has been exhausted.

If a student withdraws from the University and is receiving federal Title IV funds, a federal refund calculation is performed. Title IV funds include Federal Direct Loans, Federal Direct Plus Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Pell Grants and any other federal program. If no Title IV funds are involved, then only the Alternative Loans, North Carolina State (if eligible) and Institutional funds are calculated. The University will notify the Office of Student Accounts if any refund amount due to the student’s account, or if the student owes a repayment to the University. The date of withdrawal is considered as the formal date on the Withdrawal Form. Students may obtain instructions for withdrawal from the Registrar’s Office. If the student fails to withdraw formally from the University, then the date of withdrawal is considered to be the last documented date of attendance.

The parent you are living with is responsible for completing the FAFSA and providing his/her tax and household information. If the parents are awarded joint custody, then the parent that provides more than 50% support for the student is the parent responsible for completing the FAFSA and providing his/her tax and household information.

YES. If the parent you are living with is remarried, you MUST provide the step-parent’s information on the FAFSA as well. They must also report themselves as married on the FAFSA form.

The only time a student will not need to include parent information on the FAFSA is if the student can answer “Yes” to at least one of the dependency questions on the FAFSA. If you have unusual circumstances regarding your relationship with your parents and can provide legal/medical documentation regarding abandonment, neglect, abuse, etc. in the household, you may review the Dependency Override information located on the Financial Aid website.

The Director of Financial Aid, using professional judgment, can adjust one or more of the data elements used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Adjustment must be based on a student’s individual circumstances and must be documented in the student’s file. Methodist University uses professional judgment in cases of divorce or separation, death, loss of a job, excessive medical expenses and granting independent status to an otherwise dependent student (by the federal government’s definition) which is listed below. Documentation required may include but is not limited to, letters with proper signatures, bank statements, insurance letters, federal tax returns, W-2 forms, 1099 forms, death certificates, divorce, or separation decrees, court documents, police records, or documentation from Social Services. The Office of Financial Aid has forms for dependent and independent students to complete for a request for data element changes.

For additional details, refer to Special Circumstance forms on the Office of Financial Aid’s website.

Undergraduate Students

NEW Students: When an offer of Financial Aid has been offered, a letter will be mailed to the permanent home address. The financial aid offer letter will list any federal, state, or Institutional funds that the student qualifies for, living status as residential (on campus), commuter (off campus), or listed as an  evening student. The student can sign the financial aid offer letter (paper) or electronically sign through the students Methodist myMU Portal under the Financial Aid tab.  Methodist University requires a student’s signature to process any federal loan once the student has completed all required documentation with the Dept. of Ed,  prior to the end of the student’s current academic year enrollment, (per federal guideline 34 CFR 668.164(g)(2)(ii)).  Any missing documents can be found on the student’s Methodist myMU Portal.

RETURNING Students: Students will receive a financial aid offer notification through the students Methodist email system.  The students can view and sign their offer of financial aid via their Methodist myMU Portal.  Students can accept or decline any portion of the financial aid offered.  NO Federal loans will be processed at Methodist University without a student’s signature, prior to the end of the student’s current academic year enrollment, (per federal guideline 34 CFR 668.164(g)(2)(ii)).  Any missing documents can be found on the student’s Methodist myMU Portal.

Graduate Students

NEW Student:  When an offer of Financial Aid has been offered, a letter will be mailed to the permanent home address. The financial aid offer letter will list any federal funds that the student qualifies for. The student can sign the financial aid offer letter (paper) or electronically sign through the students Methodist myMU Portal under the Financial Aid tab.  Methodist University requires a student’s signature to process any federal loan once the student has completed all required documentation with the Dept. of Ed,  prior to the end of the student’s current academic year enrollment, (per federal guideline 34 CFR 668.164(g)(2)(ii)).  Any missing documents can be found on the student’s Methodist myMU Portal.

RETURNING Students: Students will receive a financial aid offer notification through the students Methodist email system.  The student can view and sign their offer of financial aid offer via their Methodist MY MU Portal.  Student can accept or decline any portion of the financial aid offered.  NO Federal loans will be processed at Methodist University without a student’s signature, prior to the end of the student’s current academic year enrollment, (per federal guideline 34 CFR 668.164(g)(2)(ii)).  Any missing documents can be found on the student’s Methodist myMU Portal.

You may find the current information on tuition and fees on the Tuition & Fees page of the Financial Aid website.

There is limited aid eligibility for the summer. The only financial aid offered during the summer is Pell grant and Federal Direct Student Loans (enrolled in at least 6 credit hours for undergraduates and 3 credit hours for graduate students) if the student did not exhaust 100% during the fall and spring semester. Refer to the borrowing limit chart for maximum eligibility for Federal Direct Loans. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to find out if you have summer eligibility.

The Federal Direct Student, Federal Direct Parent PLUS* and Alternative loans* are also available as long as the student is enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours for undergraduates and 3 credit hours for graduate students).

*Based upon approval and receipt of necessary documents.

The Higher Education Act mandates institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP). The SAP regulations, at Sec. 668.34(a)(3)(ii), require that, for programs that are longer than one academic year, the student’s SAP must be evaluated “at the end of each payment period or at least annually to correspond with the end of a payment period;” Annually means a 12-month period. An institution is expected to review a student’s SAP at least once every 12 months. Methodist University evaluates a student’s SAP annually and makes these standards applicable to all financial aid offered at Methodist University. This includes Federal (Title IV), State (North Carolina), and Institutional (Methodist University) funding. Federal regulations require the university to establish SAP standards in the following areas: (1) Cumulative GPA; (2) Minimum Semester Hours Earned/Completion Rate; and (3) Maximum Time Frame. In addition the school’s SAP policy must include the student’s total academic history. Programs administered by agencies other than Methodist University, such as private scholarships, or grants given by states other than North Carolina, may have their own academic standards for students. Students will need to contact such agencies to determine what those requirements are. For detailed information, refer to Satisfactory Academic Progress on the Financial Aid website.

Borrowing limits depend on class standing and academic level, and vary for undergraduates, graduate and professional students. For detailed loan information, please refer to the Financial Aid website: Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS, and Federal Direct Parent PLUS for Graduate Students.

A Federal Direct subsidized loan are for students with financial need as defined by the FAFSA. Undergraduate students who have unmet financial need can be considered for this loan up to the amount of the student’s borrowing limit. The borrower is not charged interest while enrolled in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods.

A Federal Direct unsubsidized loan does not require undergraduates and graduate students to demonstrate financial need to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan; however the FAFSA must be completed. The Unsubsidized loan cannot exceed the educational cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an unsubsidized loan from the time of the first disbursement. The borrower can pay the interest while in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of the loan). If the borrower chooses not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount repaid because of charged interest on a higher principal amount.

For detailed information, please refer to the Federal Direct Sub/Unsub page on studentaid.gov.

For detailed information for applying for a Federal Direct Student Loan, please visit the Federal Direct Sub/Unsub page on StudentAid.gov.

For detailed information for applying for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, please visit the Federal Direct Parent PLUS page on StudentAid.gov.

For detailed information for applying for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, please visit the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS page on StudentAid.gov.

YES. If a Parent PLUS Loan is denied for a dependent student, the student is eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds. An independent may also borrow additional funds. The total additional unsubsidized may not exceed the total borrowing limits set forth by the Department of Education. Refer the borrowing limit chart for maximum eligibility or contact the Financial Aid Office at (800) 488-7110.

If your financial aid does not cover your cost, you have the following options:

  • Payment arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts. For detailed information, please refer to the Office of Student Accounts website.
  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan for dependent students. For detailed information, please refer the Federal Direct Parent PLUS page of the Financial Aid website.
  • Alternative student loans are offered by banks or lending institutions to help students and parents bridge the gap between the cost of education and the amount of financial aid received. These are alternative supplemental loans that are NOT guaranteed by the federal government. Terms and conditions vary according to specific lender guidelines. As with any loan, you are agreeing to repay your loan regardless of whether you complete your education, are satisfied with your education or are able to find a job. If a student loan is your first borrowing experience, consider this responsibility seriously-your ability to borrow in the future depends on it. For detailed information, please refer to the Alternative Loans page on the Financial Aid website.
  • Outside Scholarships. There are numerous outside scholarship resources available online and at most public libraries. Also, check with your high school guidance office (high school students), your local clubs or organizations, or the Office of Financial Aid for information about local or national scholarships. Pay particular attention to scholarship deadlines. A couple examples of search engines have been provided for you below:

ENTRANCE: Entrance Counseling may be completed online at studentaid.gov.  In compliance with federal regulations, first time borrowers are required to complete a Loan Entrance Counseling prior to borrowing a federal student loan. Students MUST sign for the loan and complete all required documentation prior to the end of the student’s current academic year enrollment, (per federal guideline 34 CFR 668.164(g)(2)(ii)).

EXIT: Students may complete the Exit Counseling at studentaid.gov. Federal regulations require students who have borrowed a Federal Direct Loan and are graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment (6 credit hours for undergraduates and 3 credit hours for graduate students) to complete an Exit Counseling. During the Exit Counseling, the student borrower will review rights and responsibilities as a student borrower, important information about repaying student loans, consolidation, repayment options, discharge and forgiveness as well as useful information to help manage student loans during repayment.

There are numerous outside scholarship resources available online and at most public libraries. Also, check with your high school guidance office (high school students), your local clubs or organizations, or the Office of Financial Aid for information about local or national scholarships. Pay particular attention to scholarship deadlines. A couple examples of search engines have been provided for you below:

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid if he/she will receive any outside/non-university scholarship(s) not reflected on the offer of financial aid letter. The student must submit a completed Non-University Award Notification Form for each additional scholarship.

Federal regulations and University policies require the Office of Financial Aid to consider all sources of assistance received by a student when determining eligibility for financial aid.

Non-University awards include all scholarships and grants offered by agencies other than the Office of Financial Aid. They include National Merit or National Achievement scholarships, ROTC scholarships’, tuition exchange and any scholarships awarded by churches, high schools, businesses, civic organizations, etc.