Financial Information

Financing a college education is a concern shared by virtually all prospective students and their parents. The financial information contained in the following pages presents educational expenses in a realistic manner and suggests ways that you can meet them.

Harding University, a private institution without benefit of tax support, must meet its operating costs by income from student tuition and fees, government grants, auxiliary enterprises, gifts and endowment earnings. As tuition and fees are discussed in the following pages, you will discover that the cost of attending Harding is moderate compared to many colleges and universities of the same size and quality.

For Undergraduate Programs

Tuition and Fees

Admission Fees: A $50 application fee should accompany the Application for Admission. Additionally, a $250 enrollment fee is charged post admittance at the stage of commitment to enroll. These fees apply to all full-time undergraduate application types, including but not limited to: first-time freshman (boarding or non-boarding), transfer students, and international students. The application fee is to be paid online upon submission of the online Application for Admission or by credit card or check if applying in-person. The application fee is nonrefundable and is designed to cover the cost of application processing. The enrollment fee covers all First-Year Experience (FYE) costs and activities. This includes Bison Bound (student orientation), Impact (welcome weekend), and other FYE events and resources. The enrollment fee will be refunded if a student cancels their commitment to enroll on or before May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, or April 1 for the summer sessions.

Typical Expenses for Undergraduate residential students: A typical resident student taking 15 hours per semester can meet all regular expenses of tuition, fees, room and food service for $31,132 for the school year. A non-boarding student can meet expenses of tuition and fees for $23,148. These expenses are illustrated in the following table:

Undergraduate tuition per hour: Standard rate is $750/hour. Nonstandard rates include ABSN prerequisite courses ($563/hour) and Degree Completion - Education ($410/hour).

*Technology/Academic Enrichment Fee: Each full-time student (12 or more hours) will pay a special fee of $324 per term as a Technology/Academic Enrichment Fee. Students taking 11 credit hours or less will pay $27 per credit hour.

Food Service: Food service ranges from $650 to $2,409 per term, depending on the meal plan selected. For information regarding each plan and cost refer to www.harding.edu/businessoffice/.

Married Student Housing: Married student housing is available. Contact the Office of Rental Properties at 501-279-4367.

Scholarships (requirements described below) are provided by many generous donors. You may find a list of those scholarships, endowment and loan funds at http://www.harding.edu/advancement/scholarships.html.

Course Fees

Course fees are listed on individual courses.

Program Fees

Special Fees

*Maximum recording fee for all AP, CLEP, exemption, or validation by examination transactions is $320.00. 

Summer Session Expenses: For financial information regarding Summer Session, contact the University Business Office.

Graduate/Professional School Expenses: For a summary of the tuition and fees for graduate/professional students, see below. The same facilities and rates for room and board are available for graduate/professional students as for undergraduates. Expenses for graduate students at the Harding School of Theology are published in the catalog section for the Harding School of Theology, 1000 Cherry Road, Memphis, TN 38117.

Financial Policies

Financial Responsibility: Harding’s financial well-being is dependent upon prompt payment of accounts. For this reason, Harding transcripts and diplomas will not be released if a student has failed to take care of any indebtedness to the University. Exception is made for government loans if they are not past due. Failure to meet financial obligations to the University may result in the delinquent account being placed with a collection agency. Students are responsible for all attorney fees and other collection costs incurred by the University in collecting accounts. Term charges are not reduced for late enrollment. There will be a $30 service charge on all dishonored paper checks and a $35 service charge on all dishonored electronic checks or web payments.

Payment of Accounts: Payments may be made via electronic form, mail, or in person at the Business Office, located in the Administration Building. Payments may be in the form of cash, check, and money order in person or by mail. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted on-line, and electronic checks are accepted online via a third-party vendor (CASHNET). Credit card fees do apply.

Payment options:

1. Pay the total balance by the due date on the first ebill statement. September 1 for fall term; February 1 for Spring term.
2. Enroll in Harding University Payment Plan. Enrollment fee is $25 per term (fall and spring only). Deadline to enroll is the first day of classes. Pay the balance due in four monthly payments. A late fee of $35 will be assessed if a due date is not met. No interest will accrue on the Harding Payment Plan.
3. Accounts not paid in full or not enrolled in the payment plan will be subject to a per annum interest charge compounded monthly. Interest charges are not reduced for delays in receiving financial aid.
4. Any additional charges incurred during a term will be posted to the student’s account and should be paid by the due date on the statement. Examples include adding classes, traffic fines, library fines, adding declining balances, etc. Any credits posted to an account will appear on the monthly ebill statement. 

Account Credit: Credit balances that remain on the student account are refunded to the student upon their request. Credit balance requests are made via Pipeline. Credit refunds can be in the form of a check or an electronic direct deposit to the student’s checking or savings account.

Students wishing to apply for financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Deadlines must be observed, and supporting documents may be required. Applications must be completed each year the student requests financial aid. Students must be sure to observe filing dates for the following school year. Students are notified periodically of documentation (if any) that is missing from their financial aid file through Pipeline and Harding email.

If prior term charges have not been paid in full, enrollment for a future term will be delayed until payment is received or satisfactory payment arrangements have been approved.

Tuition Refunds: Students are granted admission with the understanding that they are to remain for a full term. A student who enrolls in a class but does not attend or stops attending and does not officially withdraw may not receive a refund. An official withdrawal from the University begins in the Student Life Office. A refund of tuition will be made based on the following schedule. (Days indicated are days of the term, excluding Saturday and Sunday.)

The refund table with specific dates can be viewed in Pipeline.

Tuition Refund Plan: A protective insurance program provided by DEWAR Insurance Company is available and enrollment is voluntary. The policy will minimize the financial loss for students who suffer a serious illness or accident and have to leave the University. Application is processed on-line at www.collegerefund.com.

After a student withdraws from the University, room and board will be refunded on a prorated basis. No refunds for board will be made for absences while enrolled in the University.

Appeals related to this refund schedule, complete with appropriate documentation, must be filed on the Tuition Refund Appeal form within one month of the date of withdrawal. Appeal forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

If a student’s withdrawal is the result of misconduct, the institution is under no obligation to make any refunds.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to most Harding students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs, veterans’ programs and vocational rehabilitation programs.

These funds are administered wholly or in part by the Office of Financial Aid Services. Requests for information and assistance should be directed to Harding University, Box 12282, Searcy, AR 72149-5615; telephone 501-279-4257 or 1-800-477-3243 (toll free); or email finaid@harding.edu.

Requirements: Application for aid should be made as follows:

1. Apply or be admitted to Harding University. Application forms are available from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov.
3. Submit any follow-up documentation as required. Any incomplete requirements will be indicated in the student’s Pipeline account.

In most cases, to qualify for financial aid, a student must be enrolled for at least 6 hours each semester. Before enrolling for fewer than 12 hours, students should check with the Office of Financial Aid Services to determine what effect it will have on their financial assistance.

Financial aid awards are based on current federal and state regulations. To help meet students’ needs (as determined by the FAFSA), awards are made in the following order: grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Students have the right to accept or decline any aid offered.

Financial aid funding limitations

Full-Tuition Limitation: The combined maximum award for all Harding-funded grants, scholarships, discounts or other assistance is limited to a student’s full-tuition charges. Should a student receive multiple Harding-funded awards in excess of full tuition, the awards will be reduced to actual tuition costs. NOTE: NCAA grant-in-aid athletic contracts and Harding-funded National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards are exempt from the full-tuition limitation.

Direct-Costs Limitation: Harding-funded academic-based scholarship assistance and discounts may be combined with state-funded or federal-funded academic awards (including the Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship Program), not to exceed a student’s actual direct costs. Direct costs include full tuition, technology fees, standard (multi-occupancy) dorm, and standard meal plan. The cost of books, activity or class fees, privileged housing supplemental charges, and the costs associated with maintaining or purchasing a computer are not considered direct costs. Should a student receive multiple academic awards in excess of direct costs, Harding-funded scholarships will be reduced until total scholarships/discounts do not exceed direct costs.

Financial Aid Budget Limitation: Aid in the form of need-based grants, scholarships, student loans, parent loans, and work may be received in excess of direct costs, not to exceed a student’s financial aid budget. A financial aid budget includes all direct costs, as well as a reasonable allowance for books, transportation to and from school, and personal expenses. Please refer to the financial aid website for a listing of all financial aid budget components.

Return of Federal Aid Funds (Title IV): Students who receive Title IV financial aid (federal loans, federal grants, etc.) and withdraw, drop out, or are dismissed are subject to a calculation to determine the amount of federal aid that was “earned” and “unearned” for the semester. The earned aid is calculated by comparing the number of days completed against the total days in the semester (including weekends). For example, if a student completed 29 days of a regular 116 day semester, the student will be determined to have earned 25% of total aid eligibility. Once the student has completed at least 60% of the semester, all aid is considered earned.

If total federal aid disbursements are less than the amount earned by the student, the student or parent (in the case of a parent loan) will be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. Borrowers eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement will be notified of their eligibility within 45 days after beginning the withdrawal process and must respond to the aid offer within 14 days.

If total federal aid disbursements are greater than the amount earned by the student, the student will owe a balance to the University and/or the federal government. Unearned funds must be returned within 30 days in the following order:

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Federal PLUS Loan
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Other Title IV aid programs

Please refer to the Registration Policies and Withdrawal Procedures  section of this catalog for detailed withdrawal procedures. Students that stop attending classes without withdrawing, as well as students that receive all failing grades, will be considered unofficially withdrawn. The withdrawal date for all unofficial withdrawals will be determined by the Student Life Office according to the last academic activity completed.

Financial Aid Probation and Suspension: Students who receive Title IV financial aid must make satisfactory progress toward a degree. Satisfactory progress includes maintaining the following grade point averages:

In addition, students must successfully complete at least two-thirds (2/3) of the overall hours attempted cumulatively, and all students must complete all coursework within 150% of the published length of the program (even if the student changes majors, enrolls in remedial coursework, or did not receive federal aid for the entire period of enrollment). Students may repeat enrollment in any courses (either to pass a previously failed course or to simply earn a higher grade) so long as all coursework is completed within the 150% maximum time frame permitted. All hours of enrollment after the free drop/add period are considered attempted hours. Earned hours include all courses for which the student has successfully completed with quality points assigned. (See the “Grades ” section of the catalog for additional information on Harding’s grading scale.)

Enrollment progress and grade point average monitoring occurs at the end of each fall, spring, and summer term.

Failure to maintain the required grade point average or successfully complete degree work as specified will result in financial aid warning status. Warning status is removed at the end of the semester when the student has satisfied the grade point average and enrollment criteria. Failure to remove financial aid warning status at the end of said semester results in financial aid suspension.

Students on financial aid suspension are not eligible to receive Title IV financial aid. Financial aid suspension status caused by extenuating circumstances may be appealed in writing prior to the stated deadline. A suspension appeal packet can be downloaded on Pipeline. Contact advising@harding.edu or visit the University College for additional information. Students approved by appeal are considered in financial aid probation and are generally only granted one additional semester of federal aid eligibility. Failure to make satisfactory progress while in financial aid probation results in financial aid suspension.

Study Abroad Enrollment: Harding study abroad programs consist of courses for which the university awards the academic credit. The courses are taken at university-managed sites in foreign countries. Enrollment in a Harding study abroad program is considered concurrent enrollment at the university making the programs eligible for Title IV financial assistance.

Scholarships

Ethics: Beyond academic requirements, in accepting financial aid students incur an ethical responsibility to observe the University Code of Conduct and fulfill contractual financial obligations.

Academic Scholarships: All full-time freshman students will be considered for an academic scholarship based on a matrix published at harding.edu/scholarships. In cases where multiple scores are reported, the highest composite score will be considered.

All academic scholarships are for eight semesters and may be used for undergraduate enrollment expenses. The scholarship can be prorated if enrolled 1/2 or 3/4 time only during the eighth semester. To retain the scholarship a student must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Transfer students (defined as having one full-time semester or two part-time semesters) are not considered first time in college freshmen and are not considered for the previously mentioned scholarship. Instead, transfer students with a 2.5 or higher college GPA may be considered for a transfer student scholarship.

National Merit Scholarships: An unlimited number of scholarships are available to National Merit Scholarship finalists and semi-finalists. Finalists are awarded an eight semester scholarship which includes full undergraduate tuition, technology fee, standard dorm room and standard meal plan. Semi-finalists receive an eight undergraduate semester full tuition scholarship. To obtain this award, the finalist and semi-finalist must list Harding University as his or her first choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation prior to their notification deadline.

To retain their scholarship, students must be full-time and active members of the Honors College, which means they maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and meet the engagement requirements of the Honors College.

Trustee Scholar Awards: A select group of Trustee Scholar Awards (undergraduate enrollment expenses for eight semesters) are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who meet the qualification requirements and are selected. To be considered students must:

• Have a 31 or higher ACT composite score or 1390 or higher SAT total score;
• Have a 3.5 high school grade point average or higher (based on 4.0);
• Undergo a scholarship interview on campus;
• Be a full-time residence hall student;
• Possess leadership ability;
• Have good moral character; and
• Be a new Harding student with fewer than 14 transferable semester college hours, excluding dual enrollment, AP, CLEP and IB credit.

Students must already be admitted to Harding before interviewing. Winners are selected and notified by mid-April. If selected, student must accept the scholarship by May 1. To retain the scholarship, student must be a full-time residence hall student and active members of the Honors College, which means they maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and meet the engagement requirements of the Honors College. If students are not selected, they receive automatically the academic scholarship commensurate with their ACT/SAT test scores and high school GPA.

Departmental Scholarships: Several academic departments offer scholarships to their majors. Contact the appropriate department chair or dean for information.

Athletic Grants-in-Aid: Grants-in-aid are available in men’s and women’s athletics, according to rules of the NCAA. The maximum grant-in-aid covers tuition, fees, room, board, and a small allowance for books. Contact the head coach of each sport for information.

Endowed Scholarship Funds: Scholarship funds have been established by friends of the University in order to help students receive an education. When students apply for admission to Harding, they are considered for most scholarships for which funding is available. In many cases, these funds are used to pay for scholarships they already have been awarded. The primary endowed scholarship funds include the Bison Grant and the Harding Stephens Scholarship program. Eligible students will be automatically awarded these funds.

To continue to receive all the scholarships described above, students must meet the academic standards of that scholarship and abide by the University’s code of conduct.

Scholarships may be subject to adjustment if a student drops below full-time status. Students who are considering dropping hours should contact Financial Aid Services for information regarding scholarship status.

Government Grants

Federal Pell Grants: All undergraduate students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant will automatically be awarded based on the FAFSA application. Award amounts vary, depending on the financial need of the student and are determined annually by the U.S. Congress.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: FSEOG grants of up to $500 per year are available to students with exceptional need that are also eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: TEACH grants are available to benefit current and prospective teachers that agree to teach in high-need fields in a low-income serving school. Award amount is up to $4,000 per academic year.

Additional information on these and other federal grants can be found at studentaid.gov. Government grants are subject to change without notice. Residents of Arkansas should apply for state scholarships and grants at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education website.

Loans

Federal Direct Student Loan: The Federal Direct Student Loan program makes loans available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Loans are made through the U.S. Department of Education and are electronically processed by the Financial Aid Services Office.

Repayment does not begin until six months after students graduate or cease taking a half-time load of study. The government pays the interest while students are in school if they qualify for a subsidized loan based on need. Students who do not qualify on the basis of need are given unsubsidized loans and are responsible for the interest that accrues while in school.

Federal Nursing Student Loan: This program assists students who are pursuing degrees in nursing. Students must be accepted into the College of Nursing before applying for this loan.

Federal Parent (PLUS) Loan: Credit-worthy parents of dependent undergraduate students can obtain funds to pay remaining educational expenses through the parent PLUS program. Apply at studentaid.gov.

Private Educational Loans: Borrowers with credit-worthy co-signers can obtain funds to pay remaining educational expenses through a variety of private educational loans. Additional information is available on the Financial Aid Services website.

Work

Work on campus is a source of financial aid to students. Working an average of 10 hours per week, students can earn more than $2,000 per year. Many, of course, work fewer hours and earn less.

There are two work programs: The Work-Study program, funded by the federal government; and the Harding work program. To qualify for the federal program, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate need.

Students approved for work on campus are eligible for work but are not guaranteed an assignment. Neither can Harding promise students will be able to earn the entire award for which they are eligible. After arriving on campus, those who have been approved for and have not obtained work should contact the Career Center for assistance in locating an assignment. Students are paid minimum wage on the federal Work-Study program and are switched to the Harding program when Work-Study funds are expended. The Harding program rate of pay is 85 percent of minimum wage.

Veterans Programs

Veterans, spouses, and dependents must apply for education benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and once approved, forward a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO). The SCO is located within the Office of the Registrar.

The following VA education benefits are approved for use at Harding University: Post 9/11 GI Bill® (including the Fry scholarship and Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship), Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (including Tuition Assistance Top Up), Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserves, and the Dependents Education Assistance program.

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Students utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill® are required by the VA to verify their enrollment monthly with the VA before their monthly housing stipend will be released by the VA. While the VA recommends using their text messaging system, other options include verifying through email or by calling the VA Education Call Center (888-442-4551). If the student misses verifying their monthly enrollment for two months, they will then be required to call the VA Education Call Center before their monthly stipends will be released.

In compliance with the Veterans Administration’s minimum standards of progress, if a student receives VA assistance, is placed on academic probation, and does not remove this probation within one semester, he or she will be suspended from receiving VA education benefits for the following semester.

Undergraduate students utilizing benefits from the Post 9/11 GI Bill® may qualify for Yellow Ribbon funds. Students need to contact the SCO to find out if they are eligible at Harding University.

In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (Section 103), students utilizing either Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 31:
Any covered individual will be able to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. Ninety days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Harding University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Documentation required by Harding University before certification:

1. Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits (Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill ®)
2. VA Form 28-1905 or emailed approval from the student’s Case Manager (Chapter 31)
3. VA Certification Form (both Chapter 33 and 31 students and found in the student portal)
   a. This form is to be submitted every semester until the student exhausts their benefits or they graduate.

Once both forms of documentation are received by the VA School Certifying Official, the VA Account Manager will place the student on deferred billing so no interest is automatically accrued.

Veterans must be certified for eligibility by their local VA offices and must contact the appropriate representative in the Office of the Registrar. Veterans of the post-Vietnam period must have made contributions into the educational program (Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bill^®) in order to receive benefits. An educational program is also available to certain members of the Reserves and National Guard. Widows and children of eligible veterans should contact the Office of Veterans Affairs to apply for assistance through educational benefits.

Disabled veterans entering under Public Law 16 should apply to their state Veterans Administration headquarters for counseling and approval, and then contact the Office of the Registrar.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Students who have a documented disability may receive free vocational counseling and financial assistance toward the cost of their college education, provided their vocational objective is approved by a rehabilitation counselor. They should apply directly to the vocational rehabilitation counseling service of their state Department of Education.

Scholarship, Loan and Endowment Funds

Scholarships are provided by many generous donors. You may find a list of those scholarships, endowment, and loan funds at www.harding.edu/advancement/scholarships.html.

Not all scholarships listed have funds available; this list is compiled to honor the donors who have supported the University. Students applying for admission are automatically considered for most scholarships for which funds are still available. Information about new scholarships, scholarships requiring a separate application, and other sources of scholarship funds is available on the Office of Financial Aid Services’ website, located at www.harding.edu/finaid, or by contacting the office at 501-279-4257.

For Graduate and Professional Programs

Tuition and Special Fees

Course Fees

Course fees are listed in the individual course description.

Financial Policies

Financial Responsibility: Harding’s financial well-being is dependent upon prompt payment of accounts. For this reason, Harding transcripts and diplomas will not be released if a student has failed to take care of any indebtedness to the University. Exception is made for government loans if they are not past due. Failure to meet financial obligations to the University may result in the delinquent account being placed with a collection agency. Students are responsible for all attorney fees and other collection costs incurred by the University in collecting accounts. Term charges are not reduced for late enrollment. There will be a $30 service charge on all dishonored paper checks and a $35 service charge on all dishonored electronic checks.

Payment of Accounts: Payments may be mailed in or made in person at the Business Office, located in the Administration Building. Payments may be in the form of cash, check, and money order in person or mail. MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted on-line via a third-party vendor (CASHNET). Credit card fees do apply.

Payment options:

1. Pay the total balance by the due date on the first ebill statement of each term.
2. Enroll in Harding University Payment Plan. Enrollment fee is $25 per term (fall and spring only). Deadline to enroll is September 1 for fall and February 1 for spring. Pay the balance due in four monthly payments. A late fee of $35 will be assessed if a due date is not met. No interest will accrue on the Harding Payment Plan.
3. Accounts not paid in full or not enrolled in the payment plan will be subject to a per annum interest charge compounded monthly. Interest charges are not reduced for delays in receiving financial aid.
4. Any additional charges incurred during a term will be posted to the student’s account and should be paid by the due date on the statement. Examples include adding classes, traffic fines, library fines, adding declining balances, etc. Any credits posted to an account will appear on the monthly ebill statement. 

Students wishing to apply for financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Deadlines must be observed, and supporting documents may be required. Applications must be completed each year the student requests financial aid. Students must be sure to observe filing dates for the following school year. Students are notified periodically of documentation (if any) that is missing from their financial aid file.

If prior term charges have not been paid in full, enrollment for a future term will be delayed until payment is received or satisfactory payment arrangements have been approved.

Tuition Refunds: Students are granted admission with the understanding that they are to remain for a full term. A student who enrolls in a class but does not attend or stops attending and does not officially withdraw may not receive a refund. An official withdrawal from the University begins with the respective graduate or professional office. Please note that the Business Office manages the refund policy, not the individual programs. A prorated refund will be made according to an established refund schedule that takes into account the particular characteristics of each course (traditional, on-line, nontraditional term, etc.). The refund table with specific dates can be viewed in Pipeline.

If a student’s withdrawal is the result of misconduct, the institution is under no obligation to make any refunds.

Credit Balance Refunds: Students may request a refund through Pipeline. No refunds are issued during the first week following registration.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to most Harding graduate and professional degree students in the form of federal and private loans, graduate assistantships, veterans programs, and vocational rehabilitation programs.

These funds are administered wholly or in part by the Office of Financial Aid Services. Requests for information and assistance should be directed to Harding University, Box 12282, Searcy, AR 72149-5615; telephone 501-279-4081; or email finaidgrad@harding.edu.

Requirements: Application for aid should be made as follows:

1. Apply to be admitted to a Harding University graduate or professional degree program. (https://www.harding.edu/academics/graduate-professional/graduate-apply). 
2. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov.

To qualify for federal loans, graduate and professional students must be enrolled in accordance with at least half-time status requirements. Half-time status requirements are as follows:

Financial aid awards are based on current federal and institutional rules. Students have the right to accept or decline any aid offered.

Return of Title IV Funds (Federal Aid): Students who receive Title IV federal loans or other federal aid and withdraw, drop out, or are dismissed are subject to a calculation to determine the amount of federal aid that was “earned” and “unearned” for the semester. The earned aid is calculated by comparing the number of days completed against the total days in the semester (including weekends). For example, if a student completed 29 days of a regular 116-day semester, the student will be determined to have earned 25% of total aid eligibility. Once the student has completed at least 60% of the semester, all aid is considered earned.

If total federal aid disbursements are less than the amount earned by the student, the student will be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. Borrowers eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement will be notified of their eligibility within 45 days after beginning the withdrawal process and must respond to the aid offer within 14 days.

If total federal aid disbursements are greater than the amount earned by the student, the student will owe a balance to the University and/or the federal government. Unearned funds must be returned within 30 days in the following order:

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Graduate PLUS Loan
TEACH Grant

Please refer to the Registration: Policies and Procedures  section of this catalog for detailed withdrawal procedures. Students who stop attending classes without withdrawing, as well as students who receive all failing grades, will be considered unofficially withdrawn. The withdrawal date for all unofficial withdrawals will be determined by the appropriate academic dean according to the last academic activity completed.

Financial Aid Warning and Suspension: Students who receive Title IV financial aid must make satisfactory progress toward a degree by maintaining a minimum grade point average as stipulated by the academic program. In addition, students must successfully complete at least two-thirds of the overall credit hours attempted cumulatively. All students must complete all coursework within 150% of the published length of the program (even if the student changes majors, enrolls in remedial coursework, or did not receive federal aid for the entire period of enrollment). Students may repeat enrollment in any courses (either to pass a previously failed course or to simply earn a higher grade, as stipulated by the academic program) so long as all coursework is completed within the 150% maximum time-frame permitted. All hours of enrollment after the free drop/add period are considered attempted hours. Earned hours include all courses from which the student has not withdrawn.

Enrollment progress and grade point average monitoring occurs at the end of each fall, spring and summer term.

Failure to maintain the required grade point average or successfully complete degree work as specified will result in financial aid warning status. Warning status is removed at the end of the semester the student has satisfied the grade point average and enrollment criteria. Failure to remove financial aid warning status at the end of said semester results in financial aid suspension.

Students on financial aid suspension are not eligible to receive Title IV financial aid. Financial aid suspension status caused by extenuating circumstances may be appealed in writing to the academic dean of the college in which the graduate or professional program is housed. Contact finaidgrad@harding.edu for additional information. Students approved by appeal will automatically be placed back in financial aid probation status for the first semester of renewed aid eligibility.

Ethics: Beyond academic requirements, in accepting financial aid the student incurs an ethical responsibility to observe the University code of conduct and fulfill his or her contractual financial obligations.

Scholarships

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program: For students who intend to teach in a subject shortage area in a school that receives Title I funding. Please see studentaid.gov for conditions and eligibility guidelines.

Individual graduate and professional degree programs may have scholarship opportunities available. Please check with the appropriate academic dean for details. To continue to receive awarded scholarships, students must meet the academic standards of that scholarship and abide by the University’s code of conduct.

Graduate Assistantships: Assistantships are available to full-time graduate and professional students. Contact the Graduate & Professional Support Office at grad@harding.edu or Box 12249, Harding University, Searcy, AR 72149 for further information, or visit the Graduate and Professional Studies website.

Total scholarship may not exceed total tuition. Students should contact Financial Aid Services for information regarding scholarship status if they are considering dropping credit hours.

Loans

The Office of Financial Aid Services is the primary source of information about loans. Contact the office at Harding University, Box 12282, Searcy, AR 72149-5615; telephone 501-279-4081; or email finaidgrad@harding.edu.

Federal Direct Student Loan: The Federal Direct student loan program makes loans available to graduate students. Loans are electronically processed by the Financial Aid Services Office.

Repayment begins six months after the student ceases half-time enrollment. Graduate students are only awarded unsubsidized loans, which accrue interest while in school.

Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan: Graduate and professional degree students are eligible to borrow under the PLUS loan program up to the cost of attendance less other financial assistance. Applicants must be credit-worthy or apply with a credit-worthy endorser. Applicants are required to have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Unsubsidized Direct loan program before applying for a Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan. Contact the Office of Financial Aid Services for additional information. Applications can be completed at studentaid.gov.

Veterans Programs

Veterans, spouses, and dependents must apply for education benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and once approved, forward a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO). The SCO is located within the Office of the Registrar.

The following VA education benefits are approved for use at Harding University: Post 9/11 GI Bill® (including the Fry scholarship and Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship), Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (including Tuition Assistance Top Up), Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserves, and the Dependents Education Assistance program.

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Students utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill® are required by the VA to verify their enrollment monthly with the VA before their monthly housing stipend will be released by the VA. While the VA recommends using their text messaging system, other options include verifying through email or by calling the VA Education Call Center (888-442-4551). If the student misses verifying their monthly enrollment for two months, they will then be required to call the VA Education Call Center before their monthly stipends will be released.

In compliance with the Veterans Administration’s minimum standards of progress, if a student receives VA assistance, is placed on academic probation, and does not remove this probation within one semester, he or she will be suspended from receiving VA education benefits for the following semester.

Students working on any graduate level degree or graduate level coursework do not qualify for Yellow Ribbon funds at Harding University.

In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (Section 103), students utilizing either Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 31:
Any covered individual will be able to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. Ninety days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Harding University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Documentation required by Harding University before certification:

1. Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits (Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill ®)
2. VA Form 28-1905 or emailed approval from the student’s Case Manager (Chapter 31)
3. VA Certification Form (both Chapter 33 and 31 students and found in the student portal)
   a. This form is to be submitted every semester until the student exhausts their benefits or they graduate.

Once both forms of documentation are received by the VA School Certifying Official, the VA Account Manager will place the student on deferred billing so no interest is automatically accrued.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If students are permanently disabled, they may receive free vocational counseling and financial assistance toward the cost of their college education, provided their vocational objective is approved by a rehabilitation counselor. Students should apply directly to the vocational rehabilitation counseling service of their state Department of Education.