Terms of Award

Each year, a select number of students are offered and accept New Student Academic Scholarships from Texas Woman’s University. Congratulations on your achievement! The terms of award for these scholarships are listed below.

New Student Scholarships are for new entering students at Texas Woman’s University. These scholarships are available to first time in college (FTIC) students, new transfer students, new international students, and new graduate students. Receipt of a New Student Scholarship is based on academic merit. Any questions or requests for further information should be directed to Lisa Quinones, Scholarship Manager, at 940.898.3635, or by email at scholarships@twu.edu.

Nature of Award

New student academic scholarships are merit-based awards. The award amount will be credited to the recipient’s account to assist with the coverage of tuition and fees.

First Time in College Scholarship

A first time in college (FTIC) student is a student who is graduating from high school, or who has never attended college before. Scholarships for FTIC students are based on high school grade point average (GPA), SAT or ACT scores, and class rank. These scholarships require students to attend TWU full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) each fall and spring semester, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, depending upon the level of scholarship received. These scholarships can be received up to 4 years or upon completion of an undergraduate degree, whichever comes first, as long as the requirements for renewal are met.

New Transfer Student Scholarship

A new transfer student is a student who is new to TWU, transferring from a community college or other institution of higher education, and transferring in more than 15 credit hours. Transfer scholarships are available for full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) and part-time (minimum of 6 credit hours) students. All transfer student scholarships are awarded based on a minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 3.40. TWU transfer scholarships can be renewed for 2 to 3 years depending upon the number of hours transferred into Texas Woman’s University.

New Graduate Student Scholarship

A new graduate student scholarship is for master’s and doctoral students beginning a new program of study at Texas Woman’s University. There are graduate scholarships available for full-time (minimum of 9 credit hours) and part-time (minimum of 6 credit hours) students. These scholarships are based on academic merit.

· Master’s student scholarships are awarded based on the last 60 hours of the bachelor’s degree or final bachelors GPA. Master’s students will receive 50% of the scholarship in the fall and 50% in the spring for up to 2 years (or 4 semesters) or upon completion of the graduate degree, whichever comes first.

· Doctoral student scholarships are awarded based on the graduate master’s cumulative GPA. These scholarships are offered for fall and spring semesters. Doctoral students will receive 50% of the scholarship in the fall and 50% in the spring for up to 3 years (or 6 semesters) or upon completion of the doctoral degree, whichever comes first.

Full-time Enrollment

All scholarship recipients must maintain full-time status. Undergraduates must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester each fall and spring semester. Master’s and doctoral students must enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours each fall and spring semester. Students enrolled in less than full-time studies are not eligible for a full-time scholarship. Although undergraduate enrollment in 12 credit hours is considered full-time status, all undergraduate scholarship recipients are encouraged to take a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester, to ensure they graduate in a timely manner.

If for any reason a scholar does not meet the required hours, the scholarship is removed and the remaining balance of the award is forfeited. The following are the only exceptions for enrolling in less than the required number of credit hours: enrollment in the final semester at TWU; enrollment in student teaching; participation in an internship; employment by the university as a graduate assistant (GA) or graduate teaching assistant (GTA); enrollment in a dual degree program with an affiliated university. In these situations, students must notify Lisa Quinones, Scholarship Manager, at scholarships@twu.edu. This is not an automatic process and exceptions must be requested and approved via email.

Part-time Enrollment

All students receiving a part-time scholarship will be required to enroll in at least 6 credit hours each fall and spring semester. This requirement is the same for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Scholarship Renewals

Students receiving renewable new student academic scholarships will have their GPA and enrollment status reviewed each year after the spring grades are posted. This process starts each year after Spring Commencement. Once GPA and enrollment status are verified, the renewal will be submitted automatically to the Financial Aid Office and will be posted to the student’s account. Funds will not be transmitted until the week before classes begin, and if not registered for the minimum number of credit hours required for the scholarship, the funds will not be transmitted.

Grade Point Average

In order to be eligible for annual renewal, all students receiving an academic scholarship must maintain the cumulative GPA required for their specific scholarship. Undergraduate student scholarships generally require a minimum of 3.0 to 3.25 cumulative GPA, and graduate students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20. This criterion will be reviewed annually after the spring semester, at which time all scholars must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their scholarship. If the GPA falls below the required GPA, the scholarship will be revoked, and the scholar will lose eligibility for future renewals.

Continuous Attendance

Students are expected to maintain continuous attendance for fall and spring semesters for the duration of their scholarships. Those separating from the University or taking a leave of absence will forfeit eligibility for the scholarship and may not regain eligibility if they return in a subsequent semester.

Financial Aid Applications

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required to receive scholarships; however, all students are encouraged to do so in order to assist students with meeting the financial obligations of attending college. For assistance regarding Financial Aid, please contact finaid@twu.edu.

Certification and Information Form

All students are required to complete the Certification and Information Form (CIF), even if they are not applying for Financial Aid. The CIF is located in the student’s Web Advisor under the Financial Information tab.

Coordination with Other Financial Aid

In no case may a student's total aid exceed the cost of attendance figure as calculated by the Financial Aid Office. Scholarships and work-study are also considered part of the total financial aid. If an over award does occur, the Financial Aid Office will start by first reducing federal self-help aid (loans or employment) and then grant funds (SEOG, TPEG or Towards Excellence Grant, Board Authorized Tuition Grant). Receipt of additional aid after the initial award letter has been sent may result in an aid adjustment.

Taxability of Scholarships

The Federal 1986 Tax Reform Act affects all scholarships, grants, and fellowships, including Board Authorized Tuition Grants, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Teach Grants, Texas Public Education Grants, Toward Excellence, Access & Success Grants (TEXAS Grants), institutional grants, scholarships or fellowships, which Scholarship Program Awards are applied to room expenses and as such are to be considered as federal taxable income. Student loans are not considered income for federal tax purposes. Matriculated students may exclude scholarship and grant amounts used for tuition and fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction. Grant, scholarship, or fellowship awards applied to room and board are considered to be taxable income. It is very important that students keep receipts to document any excludable expenditures. The law places upon the student the obligation to determine the taxable amount of their scholarships and fellowships by offsetting the above allowable expense against the total of all grants and scholarships received. Domestic students please contact the US Internal Revenue Service or your tax preparer if you have any questions.

Tax Withholding Regulations for Nonresident Alien Scholarships

Federal policy requires all Colleges and Universities to withhold a designated dollar amount from scholarships and grants awarded to nonresident aliens as anticipated tax payments. The amount withheld may differ based upon the student’s country of origin’s tax treaty with the United States. The amount to withhold must be 30% (or lower rate depending on the student’s country of origin) of the taxable part of any grant or scholarship for nonresident alien students or grantees with an *F, *J, *M, or *Q visa who receive a US source grant or scholarship that is not fully exempt. Payments made to nonresident alien students in any other immigration status are subject to 30% withholding. An alien student may claim a tax treaty exemption for a scholarship by submitting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-8BEN to the Payroll Office. The scholarship recipient must provide his or her Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on Form W- 8BEN if their country of origin has such a treaty with the United States.

This federal taxation policy will reduce the amount that a scholarship covers for room expenses. Students will most likely have an amount owing on their student bill and will be required to pay this remaining balance to the Bursar’s Office.

International students may visit http://www.irs.gov/publications/p519 for further information on the taxability of scholarships regarding nonresident aliens. For further questions regarding this tax policy, please contact the Office of International Education.

In-State Tuition Waiver

Under current state law, any competitive scholarship valued at $1000 per year or more and disbursed over the fall and spring semesters, entitles the recipient to pay the Texas resident tuition rate for the academic year.

Education Abroad Programs

TWU scholarships may be used for Education Abroad programs that are affiliated with the University. There are additional scholarship opportunities through the Education Abroad Office. Please visit the Education Abroad site for more information.

Conduct

It is expected that all scholarship recipients will adhere to the Student Code of Conduct and all University policies. Award recipients are expected to foster integrity, civility, and justice. Scholarship recipients who are subject to disciplinary action may lose their scholarship eligibility as a result of infractions associated with the Student Code of Conduct.

Page last updated 1:40 PM, September 9, 2020