BYU Scholarship Application: A Comprehensive Guide

Brigham Young University (BYU) provides various financial aid options, encompassing grants, scholarships, and loans sourced from federal, state, and university programs. These resources are managed by the Financial Aid Office, which helps students identify potential funding avenues. Due to high demand, BYU primarily allocates financial aid based on a student's and their family's financial need, although exceptions exist for short-term loans, academic, talent, performance, and athletic scholarships.

Understanding Financial Need Analysis

The evaluation process for federal financial aid eligibility involves need analysis. This process assesses a student's and their parents' financial information to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is then subtracted from BYU's Cost of Attendance, which includes tuition, books, housing, food, personal expenses, loan fees, and travel expenses. If the Cost of Attendance exceeds the EFC, the student demonstrates financial need. Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens can apply for federal financial aid. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Scholarship Opportunities at BYU

Scholarship funding is made possible through the contributions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other donors, intended to foster spiritual and intellectual growth. Recipients are expected to use their education for service in their families, communities, and the world. BYU encourages a cycle of giving, inviting those who are able to contribute to the university's scholarship programs.

General Scholarship Information

Due to limited funds, scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and financial need. Students are ranked after the application deadline, and scholarships are distributed until funds are depleted. BYU scholarships are typically awarded for two semesters and require annual reapplication. Students must declare a major by the end of their sophomore year.

Alumni Association Replenishment Grant

This grant supports junior, senior, and graduate students whose educational costs are not fully covered by other aid. Scholarships are awarded annually, equivalent to half or full LDS tuition. Recipients are expected to replenish the fund when financially able, supporting future students. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrate financial need.

International Student Scholarships

International students can apply for academic scholarships as new freshmen or continuing students. Transfer students need a minimum of 12.0 credits of regular coursework to be eligible. All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a FAFSA on file with BYU.

Grant and Scholarship Types

Grants: Primarily awarded based on financial need, varying according to the applicant's need and available funds. A FAFSA must be on file for consideration.
Scholarships: Awarded mainly on academic performance.

All applicants' circumstances are reviewed, acknowledging that the need often exceeds available funding. Applicants must complete the Financial Need section of the scholarship application on MyBYU and the FAFSA by the deadline. Dependent and independent students under 30 must include parental information on the FAFSA.

Private Scholarships

BYU receives contributions from private donors, often with specific requirements. To apply for these scholarships, students should complete the online application on MyBYU, including the "Other Scholarships" section.

Research Scholarships

These scholarships support and reward student research:

Undergraduate Scholarship Awards: Funds research projects for select juniors and seniors in good academic standing. Contact the Office of Research and Creative Activities for details.
Students should also explore research opportunities and awards within their departments and colleges.

ROTC Scholarships

Army and Air Force ROTC offer competitive scholarships covering tuition, fees, housing, food, and a book allowance. Scholarship and non-scholarship cadets receive a monthly stipend.

Talent Awards

BYU offers talent awards in communications, dance, music, theatre and media arts, and art. Talent is the primary criterion, with awards ranging from \$100 to full tuition for one year. These scholarships cannot be used for Independent Study, Continuing Education courses, BYU-Idaho or BYU-Hawaii courses, audited classes, or credit earned through special examination.

Additional Scholarship Provisions

Students with scholarships for eight semesters (excluding spring and summer) are ineligible for future fall/winter scholarships but may be considered for spring/summer scholarships.

Scholarship Discontinuance

A scholarship is claimed when a student registers for classes and uses the scholarship for tuition. If a student discontinues enrollment, the scholarship is cancelled, and the student is billed for tuition and discontinuance fees. Students discontinuing due to illness or extenuating circumstances should contact Enrollment Services.

Short-Term Loans

BYU provides short-term loans to cover tuition costs, repayable within the same semester or term. These loans are not available for Independent Study, job interviewing, or debt payments.

Understanding Federal Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grant

Pell Grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Education based on financial need and do not require repayment. Only undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor's degree are eligible. Pell Grant payments are disbursed per semester and prorated based on enrolled hours:

12.0 or more semester hours: Full-time payment
9.0-11.5 semester hours: Three-quarter-time payment
6.0-8.5 semester hours: Half-time payment
Fewer than 6.0 semester hours: Less-than-half-time payment

Audit hours, Special Courses and Conferences, and hours obtained by challenge exams are not eligible for federal aid. Salt Lake Center, Study Abroad, and Jerusalem Center classes are eligible only during the term admitted to BYU day school. Classes taken for a third time at BYU are not eligible.

William D. Ford Direct Loan Program

Direct Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students meeting eligibility requirements. Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 6.0 credit hours per semester; graduate students, at least 4.5 credit hours. Repayment begins six months after graduation, dropping below half-time enrollment, or discontinuing from the university.

The Direct Loan Program includes:

Subsidized Loans: Based on financial need. The government pays interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time, during grace periods, and deferment periods. Not available to graduate students.
Unsubsidized Loans: Not based on financial need; interest accrues upon disbursement. Students can make interest payments while in school or during deferment/grace periods.
Parent PLUS Loans: For parents of dependent students. Interest accrues upon disbursement. Repayment begins 60 days after full disbursement, unless a deferment is approved. Parents can borrow up to the student's Cost of Attendance minus any financial aid. Approval is subject to a credit check.
Graduate PLUS Loans: For graduate and professional students. Interest accrues upon disbursement. An in-school deferment is automatically applied, including a six-month grace period. Students can borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus other aid. Approval is subject to a credit check.

To minimize debt, students should explore grants, scholarships, part-time employment, savings, and family assistance. State educational agencies, high school counselors, and employers may provide information on other aid sources.

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require schools to establish standards for students receiving federal financial aid to maintain satisfactory academic progress. SAP is measured using qualitative and quantitative standards.

Undergraduate Students

Qualitative Standard: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (including transfer credits).
Quantitative Standards:
- Pace (Rate of Progress): Complete at least 66.67% of all credits attempted. Calculated by dividing earned hours by attempted hours. Earned hours include grades A, B, C, D, and P. Attempted hours include earned hours and non-progress hours (E, I, IE, UW, W, WE, and T), repeated hours, transfer credit, AP and IB credit, and foreign language examination credit.
- Maximum Time Frame (Attempted Hours): Students can attempt 150% of the credit hours required for graduation. For most BYU undergraduate degrees (120.0 hours), the maximum is 180.0 attempted credit hours.

Resources

Financial Aid Office: D-155 ASB, (801) 422-4104
Office of Research and Creative Activities: A-285 ASB, Provo, UT 84602-1231, (801) 422-3841
University Accessibility Center: 2170 WSC, Provo, UT 84602, (801) 422-2767

tags: #byu #scholarship #application #requirements