Gardner-Webb University Scholarships and Financial Aid: A Comprehensive Guide

Gardner-Webb University (GWU) is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable. The university offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students and their families in financing their education. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships and financial aid opportunities available at Gardner-Webb University.

Commitment to Affordable Education

Gardner-Webb University strives to make its education affordable and accessible, aiming to provide students with the greatest return on their investment. The Office of Financial Planning is dedicated to offering friendly, efficient, and responsible financial services while adhering to all federal, state, and University policies. Gardner-Webb University makes every effort to assist students in securing the necessary resources to afford a Gardner-Webb education.

Applying for Financial Aid

To be considered for financial aid at Gardner-Webb University, prospective students should:

Apply and get accepted to a degree program at Gardner-Webb University.
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The university’s school code is 002929. The deadline to file your FAFSA each year is May 28.

Once the FAFSA results are received, the university will prepare an award package. Students can fill out the application online, and if they need assistance in completing the FAFSA, they can contact the Office of Financial Planning or their admissions counselor for help.

As students complete the financial aid process and receive an official award offer, they must meet all application and eligibility requirements as dictated by federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Read also: The Gardner Minshew Story

Types of Financial Aid

Gardner-Webb University offers a variety of financial aid options, including:

Scholarships
Grants
Federal Student Aid

The University will allow institutional sources of financial aid to be combined with federal, state, and outside aid up to the student’s cost of attendance. For some students this may result in a reduction of their Gardner-Webb aid.

Scholarships

Gardner-Webb University offers a range of scholarships based on academic merit, talent, and specific criteria. These scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of tuition and are a valuable resource for students. Scholarships are divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters when awarded.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Gardner-Webb University is committed to offering scholarships to those students with outstanding academic credentials. These scholarships are awarded based on the individual student’s academic and/or performance profile. Scholarship and Grant award amounts range up to $24,000 depending on the student’s academic profile. In order to determine the amount of institutional scholarship or grant you are eligible to receive, you must first apply and be accepted to Gardner-Webb. Your award amount will be included in your acceptance letter from the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Institutional scholarships require a student to be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more) and maintain a grade point average in accordance with the institution’s Scholarship Maintenance Policy.

Ignite Excellence Scholarships

Ignite Excellence Scholarships are Gardner-Webb’s most competitive academic awards. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, and commitment to service. To receive a nomination for this competition you must be selected by the Ignite Excellence Scholarship Screening Committee and interview in the winter months.

In a recent year, the competition was fierce, with many high-ability students vying for the University’s top academic award. The winners were selected from a field of participants from multiple states and even international students. Participants are selected by the Ignite Excellence Scholarship Screening Committee and interview in the winter months.

Please NOTE: The Ignite Excellence Scholarship does not apply to hours taken in excess of 18 in any semester, does not apply to summer terms or other program costs such as GEM, and does not cover the expense of books, fees, and/or music lessons.

Each student who interviewed for the Ignite Excellence scholarships but was not awarded one of the eight full-tuition scholarships or honors scholarship will be awarded a $2,000 participation scholarship. The award will be honored for eight consecutive semesters. The award will not cover costs for additional credits taken or summer-school charges.

Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship

The Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving traditional undergraduate student who exemplifies the attributes highlighted in Mark 12:30. Each year, a full-ride scholarship will be awarded to one student who stands apart from other applicants by the depth of his/her character, faith, and service-driven life.

Ministers, teachers, guidance counselors, and community leaders, unrelated to the student, can nominate a worthy student for a chance at this top scholarship. Gardner-Webb University seeks to establish a culture of Christian faith and service founded upon Mark 12:29-31. Heart signifies the capacity to love God and our neighbor. Because of their belief in Gardner-Webb’s Christian foundation and purpose, they generously support the University. Most notably, they made our most transformative facility to date, the Tucker Student Center, a reality.

Read also: Affording The Gardner School

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic Scholarships are awarded by each individual coach and shared with the Financial Planning Office. Gardner-Webb University (GWU) offers scholarships for the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling. Any questions concerning eligibility for a scholarship should be directed to the coach of the sport of interest.

Honors Music Scholarships

Honors Music Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s performance from an on campus audition. The Music faculty selects recipients and shares them with the Financial Planning Office.

Marching Band Scholarships

Marching Band Scholarships are awarded by the band director and shared with the Financial Planning Office.

Church Matching Scholarships

Gardner-Webb University values its partnerships with churches to prepare graduates for lives of service to God and humanity. Church Matching scholarships will now be offered to traditional undergraduate students, who receive a scholarship from any Christian church. All undergraduate students must submit the application in the Fall semester on or before August 31st for the entire academic year. Gardner-Webb will match a scholarship from a Christian church/Christian organization-dollar for dollar-up to the cost of tuition (including all GW aid as well as the church matching amount) if submitted on or before the deadline. If the application is submitted after the deadline, the scholarship will not be matched and will only be awarded as an outside scholarship for the exact amount of the check. The original application and check will be split between the fall and spring semesters. Only one church scholarship will be matched for each student.

Minister’s Dependent Scholarships

Minister’s Dependent Scholarships are awarded to a dependent student (as labeled by the IRS--does not include a spouse) of a full-time, ordained minister or an ordained, full-time employee of a Christian church or Christian church-related agency.

Other Scholarships

The scholarships mentioned below have a separate application process are awarded based on specific criteria but can be on top of other academic scholarships.

The Luther Butler Scholarship for NC Baptist Students: This scholarship is awarded to selected students who are members of North Carolina Baptist churches cooperating with the NC Baptist State Convention. The funds are awarded and approved through the NC Baptist Foundation. A separate online application must be completed prior to February 15th.
Christian Service Organization: This award is available to those students preparing for full-time Christian vocational service. The application must be completed as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
GWU Legacy Scholarship: Gardner-Webb is pleased to provide a \$500 Legacy Grant to students who have a Parent, Grandparent, or Sibling that graduated from Gardner-Webb University.
Tuition Rewards Scholarship Program: To help make a high-quality college education financially accessible to more families, Gardner-Webb University is an active participant and member in the “Tuition Rewards” scholarship program, sponsored by SAGE Scholars. By investing or saving with participating banks, credit unions, 529 Plans and other financial institutions, family members can earn “points” (similar to frequent flyer miles) to provide family members with guaranteed minimum scholarships at a national consortium of participating independent colleges, including Gardner-Webb University. The Tuition Rewards program is coordinated nationally by the independent organization, SAGE Scholars. SAGE stands for Savings And Growth for Education (SAGE). The Sponsors of participating students must transfer Tuition Rewards Points to their students at any time prior to the August 31st of the year that 12th grade starts. The Sponsor must submit the Student’s Tuition Rewards statement to Gardner-Webb University at the time the Student applies for admission. This is done by the Sponsor by logging onto the “Account Statement” page at www.tuitionrewards.com and forwarding the information to Gardner-Webb University roughly concurrent with the Student’s application to Gardner-Webb.
Mrs. GWU’s Bulldog Way Grant: Mrs. GWU’s Bulldog Way Grant can combine with other institutional aid up to the cost of tuition.

Grants

Grants are another form of financial aid that students don't have to pay back. Gardner-Webb University participates in several grant programs, including:

Federal Pell Grant: A Federal Pell Grant is an entitlement program that is based on financial need. The amount of your Pell Grant is determined by the Federal government based on the cost of enrollment at GWU and the information you provided on your FAFSA. To receive the Pell grant listed on your award letter, you must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 hours) for each term shown. If you enroll less than full time your grant will be reduced or eliminated. Your Pell grant may be eliminated if you are enrolled less than six (6) hours.
North Carolina Need Based Scholarship Program (NBS): The North Carolina Need Based Scholarship Program (NBS) is a grant program created by the state legislature for students with an Student Aid Index (SAI) of $15,000 or less.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a grant program based on students with exceptional need. In order to qualify for this program, students must meet certain requirements in order to be considered.

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarship opportunities are administered by entities other than Gardner-Webb University. In addition to GWU Scholarships, many organizations offer scholarships for students pursuing higher education and Gardner-Webb University strongly encourages students to apply for such assistance. Students have the most success receiving outside scholarships from organizations they already know.

Before you begin searching/applying for scholarships, protect yourself by knowing how to identify scams. Only apply through reputable sites/organizations. Never pay to apply for a scholarship or to gain access to a scholarship database. Don’t believe in a money-back guarantee or the promise of a scholarship.

Complete the form below to make sure the scholarship you earned is posted directly to your student account. Please send a copy of the letter from the scholarship organization and/or the check which confirms the amount and terms of your scholarship. Below is a list of scholarships that have been sent to Gardner-Webb University that are relevant to our student population. Outside organizations that are providing scholarships to Gardner-Webb students should send checks to the address below.

GWU Student AccountsP.O. BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.

Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Some school systems, medical centers and businesses assist Gardner-Webb graduate students enrolled in the M.A., M.S.N, Ed.S, Ed.D., and DNP programs in the payment of tuition and fees. Students should inquire in their central offices as to the availability of such funds. Federal Stafford loans are also available to graduate students who complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), as well as assistantship awards on a limited basis.

Important Policies and Deadlines

Billing Deadlines: In accordance with new university policy, all students must have payment arrangements in place for the fall semester by July 1. Failure to meet billing deadlines may result in the cancellation of class schedules and housing assignments. Please refer to the university’s billing policy for complete details.
Disbursement of Aid: Financial aid awards are disbursed after enrollment is confirmed, typically following the drop/add period. Any disbursement that results in a credit balance (overage) will be processed by the Office of Student Accounts.
FAFSA Deadline: The deadline to file your FAFSA each year is May 28.
Verification: Sometimes the federal government will randomly select you for a process called verification.

Additional Information

Gardner-Webb University admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

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