Eligibility & Determination

Student Eligibility

Students seeking Federal Aid must meet guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education:

  • Successfully complete the FAFSA – ISIR must be received by Criswell Financial Aid Office by April 15th for priority awarding.
  • Possess a valid Social Security Number (SSN) – SSN matches are conducted by the government processor for each applicant for federal aid programs.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen – Check with the Financial Aid Office for details.
  • Be degree-seeking – Be enrolled in a degree-granting eligible program for the purpose of obtaining a degree, or certificate.
  • Be fully admitted to Criswell College – Students admitted on a conditional basis (incomplete admission file) may be awarded financial aid, but no aid will be disbursed until the student completes admission file.
  • Be in good standing and making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
  • Not be on Financial Aid Suspension.
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED – Students who have successfully completed at least two years of college-level work that is acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree at Criswell College may also be eligible to apply for federal aid. Students completing their high school education in a home school environment may also be eligible to apply for federal financial aid under certain conditions. See the Financial Aid Office for more information.
  • Not be in default (or delinquent) on any educational loan programs with the state or federal government, or have borrowed in excess of the loan limits on federal loan programs.
  • Not owe a refund on grants previously received under the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, or the Leveraged Educational Assistance Partnership Program Grant.
  • Not be enrolled and receiving aid at another school concurrently.
  • Meet enrollment status requirements (aid eligibility and amounts are based on full time, ¾ time, ½ time or less than ½ time status)
  • Resolved any drug conviction issue.

Determination of Financial Aid

All student financial aid is coordinated through the Financial Aid Office, and all requests for student financial aid are reviewed and processed according to the following guidelines.

A student’s financial aid package can be determined once the Financial Aid Office receives a student’s FAFSA information and Criswell College Supplemental Application for Financial Aid.

A formula established by the U.S. Congress determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an amount the student and the student’s family are expected to contribute to the cost of the student’s education.  The EFC is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance to determine Financial Need.

 

Financial Need formula graphic

 

The Financial Aid Office makes every effort to assist students in meeting their need using all resources available.

Award Procedures

Financial aid awards will be made only after a student’s FAFSA results have been sent to Criswell College and the Criswell College Supplemental Application For Financial Aid has been completed. If a student’s record is selected for verification (a review of the FAFSA data), all required documentation and corrected FAFSA information must be received before the application process is complete.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Criswell College admits students who are Christians of good character, without regard or reference to race, national or ethnic origin, color, age, disability, or sex (except where regard to sex is required by the College’s religious tenets regarding gender and sexuality) to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of these classifications in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.