College of Arts & Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who may apply for financial aid?

Since there are so many different types of aid available, every student can apply for and potentially receive financial aid. The key is to apply--and apply on time! (See "How to Apply".) Although you need to be admitted to Bethel before you actually receive your financial aid offer, we encourage you to begin applying for financial aid even before you are officially admitted as a student. Applications for admission and financial aid are processed simultaneously.

Who determines the financial aid I am offered?

The federal Department of Education considers the family size, annual income, and net assets documented on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate your Expected Family Contribution. The Office of University Financial Aid at Bethel then tailors a financial aid package to your unique needs, resources, and readiness for a Bethel education.

When will I receive my financial aid offer from Bethel?

New dependent students may receive estimates between mid-September and February by completing the online Financial Aid Estimate form. When you actually apply for aid, aim to do so by our priority deadline of April 15; we begin to mail out financial aid packages early in March for the coming fall.

Do I have to re-apply for financial aid every year I'm in school?

Yes. Because your circumstances may change from year to year, and because different financing options are often available to continuing students, you need to fill out a new FAFSA and Bethel Financial Aid Application every year, preferably by April 15 for the coming fall.

After my first year at Bethel, will my financial aid continue at the same level?

Some scholarships are for one year only. However, Bethel Scholarships are renewable if you remain in good standing. Bethel Need-Based Grants will also remain the same assuming you continue to demonstrate financial need (based on FAFSA results), have not completed courses needed for your first baccalaureate degree, and continue to meet eligibility criteria. Federal and state gift aid is likely to remain similar if the results of your FAFSA (which must be completed each year) are similar.

Could I receive additional aid as I progress through Bethel?

You may apply for a Departmental Scholarship, awarded at the recommendation of faculty in your major. Also, if you begin studies at Bethel without a Faculty, Dean's, or President's Scholarship, but earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 after one year of studies, you become eligible for a $2,000 per year Faculty Scholarship.

How is my financial aid affected by ...

Private scholarships?

Bethel encourages students to seek scholarships from other sources. Private scholarships will increase your total gift aid. Such scholarships may reduce loan or work study eligibility, but they will not affect Bethel's gift aid unless the total amount of gift aid you receive from all sources exceeds the tuition, room, and board charges you owe Bethel.

Moving on or off campus?

Recipients of the Transfer Grant and Bethel Grant-Campus Housing must either live in campus-controlled housing or participate in a Bethel-approved off-campus semester program. Recipients who choose to live off campus will forfeit these two grants. Other grants and scholarships are not affected by students' housing choices. Please contact the financial aid office prior to moving off campus if you have questions about how the move will affect your financial aid.

Dropping credits or withdrawing from Bethel?

Students must be full time to receive non-need-based Bethel grants and scholarships (e.g., Academic Scholarship, Ministerial Grant). Students considering dropping credits or withdrawing from college mid-term should contact the Office of University Financial Aid before making changes in their enrollment level to determine any financial aid impact these changes may produce.

Repeating classes to improve my grade point average?

On occasion, students may repeat a class to improve their grade point average. In rare circumstances, this may affect eligibility for financial aid if the ratio of attempted to completed classes falls below 67 percent. Refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy for more details.

Studying abroad?

Students may receive financial aid when studying in a Bethel-sponsored off-campus program. The amount of gift aid will not increase if the program costs more than a semester at Bethel. Institutional grants and scholarships may be used for one semester of study in a Bethel-sponsored off-campus program (with the exception of performance scholarships). Contact the Office of University Financial Aid for more details.

Getting married?

Students do not always receive a better financial aid package because they are married.

To determine whether it is best for you to complete your FAFSA before getting married or to wait until after you are married, visit www.getreadyforcollege.org and click on "Financial Aid Estimator." Complete two estimates, one as a single student (include parents' data) and one as a married independent student (include spouse's data). Print the results of your estimates.

After completing the estimates, schedule an appointment with a Bethel financial aid counselor to discuss the results. Bring copies of the estimate results to your appointment.
Remember, once the FAFSA is submitted your marital status cannot be updated, even if you later get married.

Special Circumstances

Eligibility for need-based financial aid is based on information collected in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA does not recognize unusual (i.e., not typical for a family in a normal year) and non-discretionary (i.e., out of one's control) situations. Families with special circumstances may submit an appeal form to have their need-based financial aid eligibility reviewed.

Conditions that do not warrant an appeal include payment of routine living expenses (house or car payments, credit card, etc.), debt repayment, wedding expenses, and other expenses that reflect lifestyle choices.

Here are some unusual financial conditions commonly used in appeals:

Reduced income in current year (2007 for 2007-08 year)
Medical expenses above the FAFSA threshold (paid with after-tax dollars, not reimbursed)
Out-of-pocket funeral expenses
Financial support paid for other family members
Younger children in private school
Parent attending college
Non-reimbursed employee business expenses

What criteria determines independent student status?

Independent student status is determined by information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For federal student aid purposes, a student is considered dependent and must provide parent information if the following FAFSA questions are all answered "NO." If any of the following questions are answered "YES," the student is considered independent and parent information is not required.

2008-2009 FAFSA Student Status Questions

Were you born before January 1, 1985?
At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, will you be working toward a master's or doctoral degree?
As of the day you filed your 2008-2009 FAFSA, are you married?
Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who received more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2009?
Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

Student Billing FAQs

When is my bill due?

Pay your bill at the beginning of each semester. Fall semester charges for tuition, fees, room, and board are due on the day classes begin. Spring semester and interim charges for tuition, fees, room, and board are due on January 15. A finance charge of 1 percent per month will be assessed on any unpaid balance over 30 days old. Direct payments can be mailed to Bethel University Business Office, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112.

Can we pay on the student account with a credit card?

Credit card payments are accepted in person and over the phone (651.638.6208). Payment can be made with VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.

When is financial aid posted to my student account?

Scholarships from Bethel are divided equally between fall and spring terms.
Grants and scholarships from Bethel are applied to student accounts about one week before the beginning of fall semester, and around December 15 for spring semester.
Loans are applied to student accounts after the funds are received, but no earlier than 10 days before the semester begins.
Private scholarships (e.g., Dollars for Scholars) are applied to student accounts after the funds are received.

Can I use financial aid to pay for my rent if I live off campus?

Yes. Students may request a refund of any credit on their student account after the end of the "drop-add" period. Submit your formal request to the Business Office. If there is a PLUS (parent) loan on the account, the Business Office will need permission from the parent for the student to receive the credit balance.
Students may withdraw up to $100 in cash per day at the Business Office banking windows.
If a PLUS (parent) loan generates a credit balance on the student account, federal regulations require Bethel to send a check for the credit amount to the parent within 14 days.

What is a transcript hold?

A transcript hold prevents an official transcript from being printed by the registrar. If payment has not been received for grades that are available, a transcript hold is placed on the student account. If a student has a transcript hold, grades can be viewed online (see the registrar's office if you have questions). Students can register if they have a transcript hold, as long as there is not a registration hold in effect.

What is a registration hold?

Registration for classes in succeeding semesters is dependent on full payment of the previous semester's expenses. Students whose accounts are in arrears will have a Business Office registration hold that will prevent registration.

Do you have any money management tips for students?

Yes, please see our "Top 10 Money Management Tips" with links to helpful information provided by Mapping-Your-Future.