The following resource can help answer any questions you may have concerning financial aid. Each link below leads to a section with information that you may find helpful.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study is a need based program as determined by the results of a student’s FAFSA. Students commonly work 10 hours per week. The average pay is $7.75 per hour, and students are paid bi-weekly. Students can apply in the Student Employment Office or through Portico by selecting University Services, Student Employment Office.

Payment

Can my financial aid be used as a down payment at registration?

• Yes. Student Financial Services requires a down payment of fifty percent of the school bill to be paid at registration. Financial Aid can be used in place of or as part of the down payment; however, aid cannot be processed until the student’s file is complete with all required documentation.

Can textbooks be charged to student accounts?

• Book vouchers are handled through Student Financial Services. A book voucher may be issued when a student has enough financial aid (excluding work-study and loan fees) to completely pay his/her school account and still have a credit balance. For more information, see the Student Financial Services web site.

Loans

Are separate applications required for student and parent loans?

Yes. Both the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Direct PLUS Loans are processed through the Department of Education.  The FAFSA is the application for the Federal Direct Loan, but a separate loan application must be completed for the Federal Direct PLUS loan.  Also, each student receiving a loan must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.

What is the difference between Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan?

The government is responsible for the interest on the Subsidized Loan during periods of enrollment and grace periods. However, the borrower is responsible for the interest over the entire life of the Unsubsidized Loan.

When will loan applications turned in at registration be processed?

Because of the large number of applications turned in at registration, 30 to 60 days should be allowed for processing time. The time may vary depending on the volume of loans.

Other than the standard grade level Federal Direct Loan, what loans are available?

Possibly Unsubsidized Stafford LoanFederal Direct PLUS loan or an Alternative Loan. Independent students are eligible for an Unsubsidized additional loan (up to $4,000 for Freshmen and Sophomores and up to $5,000 for Juniors and Seniors). Dependent students are not eligible for this program unless their parents have been denied a Federal Direct PLUS Loan. The Financial Aid Office must receive electronic notification from the Department of Education that the parents have been denied. In which case, dependent students have the same eligibility as independent students. Federal Direct PLUS Loans are taken out by the parents to pay for their child’s school costs. Alternative Loans can also be taken out to cover the remaining education costs. Often a co-borrower is required for these loans. For more information, see the Financial Aid Programs offered on the Financial Aid web site.

When do I have to repay my loan?

Repayment begins six months after the student has ceased to be enrolled at least half time. If a student stays enrolled at least half time until graduation then repayment begins six months after graduation. The student will receive Direct Loan Exit Counseling material from Lee University and will receive repayment information from the Department of Education. See the Lee University catalog for more information on repayment. For more information, you can view this informational video-Repayment: What to Expect.

Federal Student Loans Basics For Students

Here is a link for more information: Federal Student Loan Basics for Students

Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents

Here is a link for more information: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents

Repaying Your Loans

Here is a link for more information: Repaying Your Loans

Exit Counseling Guide

Here is a link for more information: Exit Counseling Guide

What kind of aid is available?

• There are several sources of funding including FederalStateinstitutionalprivate, etc. There are also several types of aid: grants are funds which do not have to be paid back; scholarships typically do not have to be paid back – but you should read the specific criteria for each scholarship; work programs require students to work in order to be paid; loans are funds which must be repaid. For more info, see https://catalog.leeuniversity.edu/index.php?catoid=20.

Where is the Financial Aid Office?

• The Financial Aid Office is located in the Higginbotham Administration Building Room 217.

What are the office hours for the Financial Aid Office?

• The doors are open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. We do close for chapel on Tuesday and Thursday. We also close from 12:00 – 1:00 for lunch during summer and school holidays.

Scholarships

When will Endowment scholarships be awarded?

• Most endowment scholarships are awarded by March 1st.

Are there any discounts available for ministers or their children?

• Yes!

Yes, the Church of God Ministers Scholarship. The Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and Lee University have partnered to institute an annual scholarship for dependents/children of ordained ministers and bishops in the Church of God. Qualify by submitting admissions application, scholarship profile, and FAFSA. Scholarships are $3,000 for one year and can only be applied to the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. The scholarship can be renewed with application. See more details about eligibility here.

Are there any scholarships available for missionaries?

• Dependents of missionaries for the Church of God should contact the world missions department at the Church of God International Headquarters. Some Endowed Scholarships are designed specifically for children of missionaries. Information about these scholarships are located on the Financial Aid web site under Endowed Scholarships.

Where can I find scholarships?

• The first place you may want to check out is the scholarship search link on our website. Check local business and organizations in your area such as Papa Johns, Wal-Mart, Elks Club, etc… Guidance Counselors are also a great place to start for high school juniors and seniors. Also, the Financial Aid Office will send e-mail information on scholarships as we get them.

Withdrawal Process

If I am withdrawing from all of my classes what should I do?

The first step is going to the HUB. The second step is to go to the Financial Aid Office. Students are required to complete a withdrawal form and complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling online (if you borrowed Federal Direct Loans while attending Lee).

Vocational Rehabilitation

How can a student get Vocational Rehabilitation money?

• The student should apply at the Vocational Rehabilitation office in the city or county where they are from. Each state has different guidelines to determine which students are eligible, what benefits that they are entitled to, and if these benefits (money) can be transferred out of state. See the Lee University catalog for more information.

How can I get in touch with the Cleveland-Bradley County office?

• Their phone number is 423-478-0332.

When will the funds come in?

• Each state differs, however most student’s money comes in near the end of each semester. Check your account on Portico to see if it has arrived.

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