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Undergraduate Academic Policies and Information
Graduate Academic Policies and Information
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Financial Aid
Refunds and the "Return of Title IV Funds" Policy Billy Graham Center Scholarships Financial Aid for Ph.D. Students Graduate Assistantships in Residence Life Specific Purpose Endowed Scholarships Billy Graham Center Scholarship Program
Most Wheaton College financial aid is allocated on the basis of need as demonstrated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This analysis of family information is required and approved by federal law and is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by the Federal Methodology. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive maximum aid; however, degree students enrolled less than full-time but at least half-time may receive reduced aid awards. All students seeking financial assistance are required annually to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)* either online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or, if completing a hard copy, to the address listed on the form. This serves as the Financial Aid Application for federal and Illinois state funds (if applicable). The FAFSA should be completed as early as possible after January 1 following completion of 1040 tax forms since awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis and funds are limited. The Wheaton College Financial Aid** application should be completed annually at the same time as the FAFSA. The application is available at our website at www.wheaton.edu/finaid. This form, together with the FAFSA information, is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by our institutional methodology. The form collects additional information such as home equity along with other items to give a broader analysis of a family's financial strength. This information is used to compute Wheaton’s EFC calculation which is used to award institutional funds. Merit grants are available to students meeting certain criteria. A separate application for these awards is not necessary. Federal PLUS loans, which are not based on need, are available to parents to help cover their expected contribution. For more details about Federal PLUS loans, please visit www.wheaton.edu/finaid (see Parents Section) or contact the Financial Aid Office. The following states allow students to receive state grant funds even if they attend college in another state: Alaska, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Students must apply for these funds and must complete the forms provided by their state. The application for Illinois residents is combined with the FAFSA. For financial aid purposes, full-time in the summer term is eight hours and half-time is four hours. Questions pertaining to financial aid should be directed to one of our financial aid counselors or see the website at www.wheaton.edu/finaid. *FAFSAs may be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students can obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Students may request up to three copies and should receive their FAFSAs in three to seven business days.
**Wheaton College Financial Aid applications are available on our website, www.wheaton.edu/finaid or from the Wheaton College Financial Aid Office.
If a student withdraws or is expelled from Wheaton, the school or the student may be required to return some of the federal funds awarded to the student. The student may also be eligible for a refund of a portion of the tuition, fees, room, and board paid to Wheaton for the semester. If the student received financial assistance from outside of the family, a portion of the refund will be returned to the grant, scholarship, or loan source from which the assistance was received. Wheaton's Refund Policy exists for the purpose of calculating the refund of institutional charges. The federal "Return of Title IV Funds" formula dictates the amount of Federal Title IV aid that must be returned to the federal government by the school and the student. The federal formula is applicable to a student receiving federal aid other than Federal Work Study if that student withdraws before the 60% point in time in the semester. The student may also receive a refund of institutional charges through Wheaton's refund policy. Students who withdraw from Wheaton will receive a refund of tuition, room and board according to the College refund policy. Institutional aid and MAP (Illinois Monetary Assistance Program) received by the student will be refunded according to the same percentage. The federal formula requires a return of Title IV aid if the student received federal financial assistance in the form of a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal ACG Grant, Federal SMART Grant, Federal Perkins loan, Federal Stafford loan, or Federal PLUS loan, and withdrew before completing 60% of the semester. The percentage of Title IV aid to be returned is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester. Scheduled breaks of more than four consecutive days are excluded. If any funds are to be returned after the return of Title IV aid, they will be used to repay Wheaton funds, state funds, other private sources, and the student in proportion to the amount received from each nonfederal source as long as there is no unpaid balance at the time of withdrawal. If there was an unpaid balance, then all aid sources will be repaid before any funds are returned to the student. NOTE: If funds are released to a student because of a credit balance on the student's account, the student may be required to repay some of the federal grants if the student withdraws. Worksheets used to determine the amount of refund or return of Title IV aid are available upon request. The following example illustrates how the policy would apply: EXAMPLE: Suppose a student withdraws on the 38th day of classes of a 109 calendar day semester. Also, suppose that the student budget for the semester was $16,067. Financial aid was paid as follows: a $4,125 Federal Stafford Loan, a $1,000 Federal Perkins Loan, a $2,000 Pell Grant, and $2,000 Federal FSEOG. Under the Federal "Return of Title IV Aid" policy $4,125 would be paid back on the Federal Stafford Loan and $1,000 on the Federal Perkins Loan. $815 would be returned to the Federal Pell Grant.
President’s Award—Wheaton College awards merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen who have a minimum SAT score of 1400 or a minimum ACT score of 32 plus a minimum 3.6 unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. National Merit Scholarship—Wheaton is a sponsor in the National Merit Scholarship Program and offers this scholarship to National Merit Finalists indicating Wheaton as their first college choice. The awards range from $1,000 to $2,000 depending on need. Presidential Honor and Special Achievement Award in Music —Awards of $1,000-$5,000 each, most renewable, are granted to 16-20 students accepted into a Conservatory of Music Program on the basis of outstanding musical and academic ability as demonstrated by the application, audition, and interview. Certain restrictions apply to both awards. Class Honor Scholarships—$2,000 to the undergraduate students carrying at least 16 credits per semester who have attained the highest grade point average during the year in the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. These are not transferable and may be used only during the following year. Army ROTC Scholarships provide full tuition, a $1,200 book allowance, plus an additional $300 to $500 per month tax-free living allowance during the school year, and are offered by the U.S. Army to outstanding students enrolling in the ROTC program. Detailed scholarship information and links to applications are available from ROTC units and high school counselors across the country, on Wheaton College's website (www.wheaton.edu/rotc/index.html), or the U.S. Army ROTC Homepage (www.armyrotc.com). Four-year scholarships are offered out of high school, on-campus two- and three-year scholarships, and two-year scholarships available for graduate students. Interested students should contact the Department of Military Science for more information at 630.752.5121 or 5367, Jenks Hall. FAX 630.752.5031. Send email to: www.wheaton.edu/rotc. Certain scholarships are available to students from underrepresented minority groups. They include the Don and Ann Church Scholarship and the James E. Burr Scholarship. In addition, freshmen named as finalists in the National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program may be eligible for the President's Achievement Award. More information is available from the Multicultural Admissions Counselor in the Admissions Office.
Entering students who seek financial assistance are requested to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)* either online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by completing a paper FAFSA, which should be submitted directly to the address listed on the form. Each applicant must remember to indicate Wheaton College (school code 001781) as the school to receive the information. The Wheaton College Financial Aid Application* is to be sent to the Wheaton College Financial Aid Office. Financial aid will not be awarded until this information is received. The FAFSA and institutional form should be submitted no later than March 1 to receive maximum consideration for funds. Students must reapply for financial aid each year by following the above procedure. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive Wheaton Grant funds, and at least half-time to receive a Stafford Loan; however, students enrolled less than full-time but at least half-time may receive Wheaton Grant funds by request if they are in their last semester and taking credits which will complete their degree requirements. These forms are also required for either the subsidized or the unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. * FAFSAs may be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students can obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Students may request up to three copies and should receive their FAFSAs in three to seven business days. The Institutional Application is available online at www.wheaton.edu/finaid or through Wheaton College Financial Aid Office.
The most readily available resource to degree-seeking graduate students comes from the Federal Stafford Loan Program. This loan is based on enrollment status and hours carried per term. The subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is interest-free during a student's program of study (minimum of six semester hours per term); the fixed interest rate of 6.8% is paid by the federal government until six months after studies are completed or the student withdraws from classes or drops below half-time status. The unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan does have interest which accrues at an interest rate of 6.8% during enrollment and during the grace period, but payment of the interest may be deferred at the option of the lending institution and the student. Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year, or the total budget cost minus other financial aid received, whichever is less. A maximum of $8,500 of this amount may be borrowed in the subsidized loan program, based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The maximum aggregate total, including any undergraduate indebtedness, for the subsidized program is $65,000. The maximum aggregate total for the unsubsidized program is $138,500. The Federal Stafford Loan Program enables students to borrow directly from lenders. Banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations participate voluntarily in this program and lend their own funds which are guaranteed against default by the government. Students may apply for a Federal Stafford Loan by completing a FAFSA which serves as the loan application. If they have been accepted for enrollment in a degree program or the TESOL Certificate program at Wheaton College Graduate School, and have a current FAFSA and institutional application on file in the Financial Aid Office, the loan will be processed.
The Billy Graham Center Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to carefully selected students in any M.A. degree program at the Wheaton Graduate School—internationals, furloughing missionaries (both North American and non-North American), health care workers, and North American pre-field missionary candidates--who are preparing for Christian service outside North America. Also, the program financially assists workers (with preference to those of ethnic minority backgrounds) serving the inner cities of North America. Awards for international students, North American missionaries, missionary candidates, and workers in urban missions are loan/scholarships (25% is forgiven for each year of mission service completed outside North America or within North American inner cities following completion of the Wheaton M.A. degree). If overseas or urban mission service is not performed, the loan principal must be repaid with interest. Internationals must have completed at least two years of full-time Christian service in their national contexts or cross-culturally and be affiliated with a Christian organization, national denomination, or mission agency which will indicate future plans for applicant. Furloughing Missionaries must have completed at least two years of overseas service with a recognized mission organization and intend to return to such ministry. Health Care Workers, nationals or missionaries, must be professionally active and meet respective requirements for international or missionary applicants. Workers in Urban Ministries, with priority given to those of ethnic minority backgrounds, must have completed at least two years of urban ministry in North America with a recognized mission agency, Christian organization, or denomination and intend to return to urban ministry in North America. North American Pre-field Missionary Candidates must be preparing for careers as missionaries outside North America. Internationals, Missionaries, Health Care Workers, Workers in Urban Missions, and North American Pre-Field Missionary Candidates should direct their inquiries to the Coordinator at the Billy Graham Center Scholarship Program, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois 60187-5593. All such applications must be submitted by November 1 of the year prior to which student is seeking admission, with the exception of Pre-field Missionary Candidates and Urban Ministry Workers. Applications for these are due March 1 for fall enrollment and September 15 for spring enrollment.
Full tuition remission will be granted to Ph.D. students. In addition, each student will be awarded a research fellowship, carrying an annual stipend. The tuition remission will apply to the duration of the student’s program, while the fellowship will be granted for three years of the program, with possible extension to a fourth year. As a condition of the research fellowship, the student will be asked to serve the Biblical and Theological Studies Department or the institution for 8-10 hours per week. The service will include, but not be limited to, research and classroom assistance to specific professors, tutoring of undergraduate and graduate students, clerical support of the program and the department, and supervised pedagogical experiences.
Graduate Assistantships are available to part-time graduate students who are interested in working with students in the residence halls, apartments, or houses of Wheaton College. The appointment is for a ten-month period providing a stipend, partial tuition remission, one-two bedroom furnished apartment, and other employee benefits. A two-year commitment is required. If you would like to receive more information and application materials, please contact Human Resources, 630.752.5060. For questions about the position, please contact the Director of Residence Life and Housing, 630.752.5029.
A limited number of assistantships is available to graduate students who desire to work in the graduate division of the College. The duties include clerical work, test grading, classroom or research assistance, etc. Pay is on an hourly basis up to ten hours per week. Second-year students are given preference.
It is recommended that Canadian students check with cooperating banks in their home province for further information on government loans. Limited grant funds are available to students with need.
Many Protestant denominations and mission boards have scholarships and/or loan programs for member students who are preparing for full-time Christian ministries. For further information contact the appropriate denominational or mission board office.
The Montgomery GI Bill and other programs provide payments to veterans and their families. Contact the Registrar for information on eligibility for V.A. benefits. Further information can be secured from your local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs office or the Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/. Students eligible to receive veterans' benefits should complete the necessary forms in the Registrar's Office to certify enrollment to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Those expecting government checks are reminded that this aid may not be available for two to three months. All bills are to be paid in full no later than the first day of classes each semester. All students receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs are required to demonstrate satisfactory progress in their academic programs. In order to receive full-time benefits, an undergraduate must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours during both quads, e.g., three four-hour courses (12 hours) or two four-hour courses (8 hours) plus two two-hour courses (4 hours) A Quad and two two-hour courses (4 hours) B Quad (16 hours total). All courses in which a student is enrolled must meet program requirements in order for the hours to be certified. For example, if an undergraduate student enrolls for 12 hours, and two hours are not required, then only ten hours will be certified, and the student will receive less than full-time benefits. Students attending Wheaton College are not eligible to receive the Illinois Veterans Grant, which is available only for students enrolled in Illinois public colleges and universities. Advance Payment Requirements Included in the undergraduate international student application is information about payment requirements, and a Certification of Finance form to be completed requiring confirmation of funding available to pay for personal, and family costs if applicable, for the entire time of enrollment.
After the student is accepted, the Financial Aid Office will send a budget sheet that outlines estimated costs for the following year. For graduate international students the Certification of Finance form and estimated budget sheet will be sent from the Financial Aid Office after the student has been accepted. For both undergraduate and graduate students, before an I-20 can be issued, the Financial Aid Office must receive by June 1 prior to enrollment the first semester tuition, room, board, insurance payment, and SEVIS fee. If students can verify they will not be in college housing or use the college meal plan, the room and meal cost can be eliminated. The student shall pay the remainder of any billed costs by the regular due date prior to the start of the term. The student will be personally responsible for all books, personal, and miscellaneous expenses that will be incurred. The tuition money received from new students by June 1 will be held by the Student Accounts Office and applied to the student’s bill at the appropriate time. Funds needed for the student’s books, food and housing (if not provided by the College), and personal/miscellaneous expenses will be the responsibility of the student to provide. If the family will accompany the student, or plans to come at a later time, the Certification of Finance form must be completed certifying their financial support and accompanied by signed documentation. Payment for any billed costs will need to be sent in advance of issuing the I-20. For international students who are Billy Graham Center scholarship recipients, the remaining balance due for their entire study programs will be required to be on deposit by June 1 prior to fall enrollment. After the total amount of the budget is met, the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) will be issued. Families who come later will need to have all costs sent in advance before an I-20 can be issued for them. The student will not be allowed to enroll in subsequent terms until the billed costs for the next term are paid by July 28 for fall term and December 15 for spring term. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the student’s enrollment at Wheaton. If the student has a financial guarantor, at no time will the College directly approach the guarantor for funds. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure his guarantors have solid commitments and are capable of fulfilling them.
Career Services posts on its website lists of full and part-time jobs to assist students in securing work either on or off campus. Part-time work opportunities are available in the areas of childcare, ministry, clerical, food services, housekeeping, human services, retail, teaching, and yardwork. Full-time work opportunities are available in areas from Actuarial to Travel and Hospitality.
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