The programs of financial aid are intended to assist in meeting your educational costs. Please read all information provided very carefully. You may not be receiving funds from all programs described. If you have questions or need clarification, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid by e-mail or by calling 803/323-2189. Due to extensive regulations for financial aid programs, the information contained on this page does not necessarily contain complete details and requirements of all programs listed.
Disclaimer: The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right, on behalf of the University, to review and cancel awards at any time because of changes in your financial or academic status, academic program, resident status, enrollment status, etc. All student financial aid awards are contingent on the availability of funds.
Enrollment Requirements
Accepting Your Award
Athletic Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Outside Scholarships
Outside Sources of Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Study Abroad
Tax Liability
Withdrawals
CREDITING YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT
Federal Pell Grant
South Carolina Grant
South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
South Carolina LIFE Scholarship
South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Other Grants/Scholarships
Federal Work-Study
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
Enrollment Requirements: To receive federal funds from any source, except Pell Grant, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours each term. Based on your eligibility, you may receive a Pell Grant for fewer than 6 hours enrollment. Some types of assistance, such as Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, institutional scholarships, and stipends require full-time enrollment.
Accepting Your Award: You must accept or reject funds offered on the Accept Awards screen in Wingspan. If you would like a lesser amount of loan, contact the Office of Financial Aid by e-mail or by calling 803/323-2189.
Athletic Scholarships: Athletic scholarship recipients must meet Winthrop and NCAA regulations for academic eligibility, sportsmanship, amateurism, and grant-in-aid limitations.
Merit Scholarships: Recipients should review the academic requirements of each scholarship received.
Outside Scholarships: You must notify the Office of Financial Aid of any additional scholarships not included on your award notification All scholarships received are considered as financial aid, and we may be required to adjust your award. You must send copies of letters of award from outside agencies to the Office of Financial Aid; Sykes House; 638 Oakland Avenue; Rock Hill, SC 29733.
Outside Sources of Aid: You must report to the Office of Financial Aid any aid you receive or expect to receive from an outside source regardless of when you receive notification of the award. This includes grants, loans, VA education benefits, and assistantships or fee waivers. The receipt of such aid may result in a reduction, cancellation, and/or repayment of your award(s).
Satisfactory Academic Progress: Continuation of your financial aid is contingent upon your making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Study Abroad: Financial Aid is available for any Winthrop approved program (programs handled by the International Center). If you normally receive a Winthrop tuition waiver, it is only available if your study abroad tuition is billed by Winthrop. You can only receive financial aid for classes that are approved by Winthrop for your degree (Approval To Transfer Credit form).
Tax Liability: The Tax Reform Act of 1986 requires that you report as taxable income any grants and/or scholarships (not loans) which exceed the cost of required tuition, fees, books and equipment.
Withdrawals: Financial aid recipients are expected to complete each payment period in which they are receiving financial aid. If you withdraw from Winthrop (official withdrawal), drop one or more courses, or fail to earn a passing grade in at least one course offered over an entire period (unofficial withdrawal), you may have an adjustment to your financial aid award. More information on the impact to federal Title IV financial aid when officially or unofficially withdrawing is located on the WU Policy Repository. Students who plan to drop a course or two should contact the financial aid office before doing so to determine the impact, if any, on financial aid awards. Students are reminded that withdrawing and/or dropping classes may result in not achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress and future ineligibility for financial aid programs.
Once you have accepted your award and all requirements have been met (with the exception of Work-Study and scholarships from outside sources), your financial aid will be credited to your student account. If your aid exceeds your direct charges, you will receive a refund to assist you in paying other educational costs. Should your enrollment status change after this refund is calculated, your aid may change, and you may owe a portion of the refund you have received back to the University.
Federal Pell Grant: Your eligibility for this program was determined by the US Department of Education using the information you sent in on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The initial award will be based on the enrollment information you provided on your FAFSA. Should your actual enrollment be different than anticipated enrollment, your award may be adjusted. If your award contains a Pell Grant, you must be enrolled as a degree seeking student in your first bachelor's degree. Graduate students, second-degree students, and special students (visiting or post-baccalaureate) are not eligible to receive Pell Grants.
South Carolina Grant: You must be a legal resident of South Carolina and be eligible for need-based funds. In order to continue to receive the SC Grant, you must maintain a 2.00 GPA or better. Full time students must complete 24 credit hours per academic year; part time students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours. Grants may be received for a maximum of 8 semesters and cannot be used for summer term.
South Carolina HOPE Scholarship: This program is awarded to entering freshmen with an earned high school cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the Uniform Grading Policy, who are not LIFE or Palmetto Fellow recipients. This scholarship is non-renewable and once you accept your award, these will be applied to your student account. Students MUST be enrolled full time (12 hours per semester) to receive HOPE funds.
South Carolina LIFE Scholarship: This program is awarded to entering freshmen who meet two of the following three criteria: graduation in the top 30% of their class, an earned high school cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the Uniform Grading Policy, and /or score 1100 on the SAT (verbal and math) (24 on the ACT). To continue eligibility, recipients must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours each academic year. Students MUST be enrolled full time (12 hours per semester) to receive LIFE funds. Once you accept your award, these will be applied to your student account.
South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: This program is awarded to entering freshmen who meet the following three criteria: graduation in the top 6% of their class, an earned high school cumulative 3.5 grade point average (GPA) based on the Uniform Grading Policy, and score 1200 on the SAT (verbal and math) (27 on the ACT) OR meet the following criteria: an earned high school cumulative 4.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the Uniform Grading Policy, and score 1400 on the SAT (verbal and math) (32 on the ACT). To continue eligibility, recipients must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours each academic year. Students MUST be enrolled full time (12 hours per semester) to receive Palmetto Fellow funds. Once you accept your award, these will be applied to your student account.
Other Grants/Scholarships: These may include Winthrop awards, the Federal SEOG program, Out of State Fee Waivers or outside scholarships. Once you accept your award, these will be applied to your student account. EXCEPTION: Outside scholarships are credited to your account once the check from the outside source is received by the University.
Federal Work-Study: This program provides you the opportunity to earn money to help pay for your daily expenses. Students work in a variety of locations on-campus and are paid at least the federal minimum wage. Students are paid twice each month for hours worked.
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans: If your award includes a Subsidized Direct Loan, this means the federal government will pay the interest on the loan while you are in school. Repayment with interest begins six months after you graduate or cease at least half time enrollment. For Unsubsidized Direct Loans, you are responsible for the interest (either by paying it quarterly to the program, or having it added to the principal) while in school as well as during repayment.
In order to receive funds from the Direct Loan program, you must accept the loan. If you are a first time freshman, or have not borrowed from the Direct Loan Program in the previous four years, you will receive information regarding the completion of your Promissory Note after you accept the loan. If you have received Direct Loans in the four previous years, this loan is covered under your Master Promissory Note. You may cancel your loan without penalty through the first day of class of each semester.
Please note: Loan amounts on the award notification reflect your eligibility. If you wish to borrow less than the amount of your eligibility, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid by e-mail or by calling 803/323-2189. Students are reminded that a 3% origination fee may be deducted from the proceeds of the loan. All new borrowers at Winthrop must also complete entrance counseling before loan funds can be credited to their account. Prior to completion of the counseling session, the estimated value of your loan can be used to cover fees until the funds are actually credited to your account.
Both the Master Promissory Note and the Entrance Counseling requirement are to be completed electronically. Instructions for completing the note and counseling will be sent to new borrowers only after you accept the award.
