Since Southern Arkansas University is supported by legislative appropriations, the tuition and fees, which the student pays, constitute less than 40 percent of the actual cost of one’s education. Tuition and fees charged by the University are to defray, in part, the expense involved. Payment for tuition, books, and other fees may be made in cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit cards, or a student’s account may be credited by scholarships and other financial aid awards.
The University administration reserves the right to increase the costs of tuition, fees, and room and board without advance notice if it is necessary to do so in order to meet increasing costs.
Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
A limited amount of the out-of-state tuition may be waived for students living in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas and for children of SAU graduates living anywhere may be waived when these students choose to live in University housing.
Arkansas Taxpayer Waiver
Arkansas income taxpayers and their dependents who reside in one of the eligible counties or parishes of an approved state may enroll at any qualifying Arkansas public institution of higher education and receive the out-of-state tuition waiver.
In order to get the non-resident fee waived, the following criteria must be met:
- Dependent student or parent must provide a W-2 or verification of Arkansas earnings of $5,500 or more tax year preceding enrollment.
- Student and parent must live in one of the following counties or parishes:
| Louisiana: |
Claiborne, Morehouse, Union, or Webster parishes |
| Mississippi: |
Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto or Tunica counties |
| Missouri: |
Barry, Dunklin, McDonald, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Ripley, or Taney counties |
| Oklahoma: |
Adair, Delaware, LeFlore, McCurtain, or Sequoyah counties |
| Tennessee: |
Dyer, Lauderdale, Shelby, or Tipton counties |
| Texas: |
Bowie County |
The Waiver of Non-resident Fees form is available in the SAU Business Office and must be submitted each semester. For more information about this waiver, call (870) 235-5045.
Arkansas Residents Aged 60 or Above
Act 678 of 1975 provides for tuition-free enrollment in academic credit courses for all Arkansas residents aged 60 or above on a “space available” basis upon proof of age. Enrollment options include credit registration (grade and transcript record), audit (no grade but a transcript record), or non-credit (no grade, no transcript record). Subsequently the University will waive the fees associated with the class.
The Age Waiver form is available in the SAU Business Office. For more information about the waiver, call (870) 235-5045.
Refund Policies for Title IV Withdrawals
When Title IV recipients withdraw on or after the first day of class during the period of enrollment for which they were charged, the University must determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned. This calculation is done in accordance with Federal Title IV guidelines. If the student has not been in attendance long enough to earn all of the awarded aid, the student may have to repay some of the unearned aid.
Institutional Refund Policy
During a regular academic semester, the tuition is refundable to the student who officially withdraws from the University on the following basis:
| Classes in session 4 through 10 class days |
80% |
| Classes in session 11 through 15 class days |
60% |
| Classes in session 16 through 20 class days |
40% |
| Classes in session 21 through 25 class days |
20% |
Summer school tuition is 80 percent refundable until classes have been in session two days, after which the refund decreases 20 percent for each two days classes are in session.
No refunds are made on room and board payments except under those conditions, which are stated, in the housing contract.
Veterans Affairs Pending Payment Policy
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(c), this educational institution adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9-11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. This educational institution will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certification of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide a written request to be certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
Scholarships and Other Financial Aid
Recognizing that many prospective students need help in meeting their post-secondary expenses, the University makes every effort to encourage and assist them by providing scholarships, grants-in-aid, student loans, and student employment to those who meet established criteria.
Regardless of the type of financial aid desired (loans, grants, or on-campus employment), all applications and requests for information should be addressed to the Office of Financial Aid, Southern Arkansas University, 100 E. University, MSC 9344, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753. To ensure that funds are available on a timely basis, all complete and correct forms must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid by May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, and March 1 for the summer semester.
Scholarships
A number of academic and performance scholarships are awarded each year to beginning freshmen who have not been enrolled in any post-secondary institution following their high school graduation and whose past academic records indicate outstanding dedication and ability. A recipient of both academic and performance scholarships may receive the full amount of the academic scholarship and the value of the music performance scholarship up to the amount of other University charges appearing on the student’s account for fees, room and board, and University bookstore charges for academic books and supplies for the current semester.
Visit the SAU website for scholarship offerings, eligibility, and retention criteria.
Sophomore, junior, and senior college students may apply for a College Scholarship.
No cash will be refunded to the student above and beyond institutional charges.
College Scholarships
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have maintained at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average at SAU may apply for a college scholarship by March 1. These scholarships are competitively awarded annually and are for $2,500 each semester for one year. Students are eligible to reapply provided they maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and complete at least 12 semester hours on the SAU Magnolia campus each semester. Academic departments may have additional criteria for determining eligibility for these scholarships.
Athletic Scholarships
Scholarships are available to athletes when recommended by a coach in the area of their talents. For further information, contact the director of athletics, Southern Arkansas University, 100 E. University, MSC 9301, Magnolia, AR 71753 or (870) 235-4102.
Rodeo Scholarships
Students who are members of the rodeo team may be eligible for scholarships if recommended by the team coach. For information, contact the rodeo team coach, Southern Arkansas University, 100 E. University, MSC 9418, Magnolia, AR 71753 or (870) 235-4391.
Endowed Scholarships (Restricted)
There are several endowed scholarships, which are restricted by the donor as to department, level, amount, etc. These are awarded by the department or other appropriate member of the University staff to conform to the wishes of the donor.
Other Financial Aid Sources
All undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens and need financial assistance to attend Southern Arkansas University, in addition to that provided by their family, must apply through the need analysis for federal and state student aid each year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available after October 1 at www.fafsa.gov.
Students will be considered for one or more of the following types of aid administered by the University with the submission of the approved need analysis provided they are in good standing and make satisfactory academic progress according to the Academic Progress Policy for Students Receiving Federally Funded Student Financial Aid.
Grants
Grants are awarded on the basis of family income of the appropriate year and are need based. Grants are available only to undergraduate students. Grant funds are not repaid unless the student does not complete the term and owes a repayment; however, if the grant is based on incorrect information, it must be repaid.
- Federal Pell Grants provide funds to undergraduate students for educational expenses after high school.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants provide additional funds for students with exceptional need who otherwise would not be able to attend college.
Loans
Loans are considered self-help funds since they must be repaid.
- The Federal Direct Loan program is a need-based subsidized loan program with funds being provided by the federal government. SAU must certify a demonstrated financial need by using federal guidelines. Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available, and the family contribution is not considered when determining eligibility.
- Federal PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent students.
Other
The Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) administers financial aid programs for Arkansas undergraduate students that include Arkansas Academic Challenge (Lottery) Scholarships, Governor’s Scholars Program, and other scholarship programs as available. Check the ADHE website for details at www.adhe.edu.
Vocational Rehabilitation provides some financial assistance to persons who have permanent disabilities.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Higher Education Grant/Loan program provides supplemental money to assist with educational expenses for students with at least one-fourth degree Indian blood.
The Military Dependent Scholarship Program and the Law Enforcement Officer’s Dependents Scholarship Program provide supplemental funds for dependents of Arkansas residents who are missing in action or were killed in action. ADHE (www.adhe.com) also administers these programs.
For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid, Southern Arkansas University, 100 E. University, MSC 9344, Magnolia, AR 71753 or (870) 235-4023.
Career Services
More than 1,000 students work on campus every year to meet part of their college expenses. While work on campus may be part of the federal student aid award package for some students, there are also campus jobs available for students who do not qualify for federal financial aid.
Job availability notices are on the Career Services website. Students are hired based on job availability, student qualifications, and the needs/requirements of the department.
Career Services provides currently enrolled students information on finding on-campus employment. Students may review descriptions of current job openings submitted by faculty and staff on the website. Training is provided to help students develop skills for the workplace. Students register with the office by completing an online data sheet.
Current students who are interested in part-time off-campus employment are also assisted. These students register by completing an online data sheet. Job information from area employers is available for students to review on the Career Services website.
The student employment service is housed under Career Services located in Donald W. Reynolds Center, room 202. The office may be reached by calling (870) 235-4097.
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