SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Fall 2008 MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
 PRINTABLE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION (PDF)
IMPORTANT DATES
January 15, 2008 — Applications to Southwestern University must be submitted by this date in order to be eligible for any academic scholarships in our program.
February 1, 2008 — Interviews are strongly recommended for the general scholarship program and required of all Brown Scholar Candidates. All interviews for scholarship purposes must be completed by this date.
March 1, 2008 — Any new information pertaining to scholarship consideration (improved class rank or standardized testing results, for example) must be added to the student's application file at this time.
COURSE WORK REQUIREMENTS
To receive an academic scholarship, students must be offered admission to Southwestern University, meet the criteria of the scholarship program, and must complete the following secondary school course work as a minimum. Eighteen secondary school academic units must be taken, with at least 16 academic units occurring in grades 9 through 12.
Four years of English (e.g. English I, English II, English III, English IV)
Four years of Mathematics (e.g. Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry/Elementary Analysis, Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics)
Three years of Lab Science (e.g. Biology I & II, Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, IPC, Anatomy & Physiology, Environmental Science)
Four years of Social Science/History (e.g. Geography, World History, US History, Government/Economics (Macro or Micro), Psychology/Sociology, European History)
Two years of the same Foreign Language (Languages: French, German, Spanish, Latin, Japanese, Chinese, not including American Sign Language)
One year of additional academic unit from areas above or Computer Science I & II (Not including Microcomputer Applications, Computer Math, or BCIS)
GENERAL INFORMATION
This scholarship program is intended for first-year students. Southwestern's transfer student scholarship program can be found on our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.
Southwestern will take the highest combination of critical reading (verbal) and math scores from separate test dates when calculating SAT scores. The essay portion of the SAT will play a small role in the overall scholarship review.
When an official class rank is provided by the high school, it will be used to determine scholarship levels regardless of grade point average.
If the high school does not rank, a student's grade point average will be used to determine scholarship levels. The Southwestern Admission Staff reserves the right to recalculate a student's official grade point average when the high school provides a grade point average that is not on a 4.0 scale. Only academic courses, as listed above, will be factored into recalculated grade point averages.
All academic scholarships are renewable provided the student maintains a minimum grade point average as specified in the award letter. When demonstrated financial need is greater than the academic scholarship value, the scholarship will become part of the overall need-based award.
A student may receive more than one scholarship or grant; however, only one can be greater than $6,000 per year. With the exception of the Brown Scholar Award, Southwestern merit scholarships and grants cannot exceed tuition without the student first establishing financial need.
NCAA DIVISION III STUDENT-ATHLETE STATEMENT
Southwestern University adheres to all NCAA Division III policies, regulations, and guidelines that prohibit the awarding of merit scholarships and financial aid to student athletes on the basis of athletic participation or performance. All student-athletes will be evaluated under the same programs and procedures as the general student body in all merit scholarship and financial aid reviews.
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
Southwestern University's recruiting of students, awarding of financial aid, and operation of programs and facilities are without regard to sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, or any other impermissible factor. Southwestern University's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2008
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
BROWN SCHOLAR AWARDS
FULL TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD
Criteria: Candidates must submit an application for admission by January 15, 2008, and interview with a member of the admission staff no later than February 1, 2008. Applicants also should rank minimally in the top 5% of their high school class (or if high school does not rank, have the equivalent of at least a 3.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale). In addition, students must score at least a 1400 on the SAT (CR + M) or 32 on the ACT.
Brown Scholar candidates will be considered using information provided in the admission application. This application should be well prepared, with special attention given to the essay. The following criteria will be used to evaluate each candidate: quality and rigor of the high school academic record, performance on the SAT or ACT, extracurricular involvement, quality of the written essay, personal interview with a member of the admission staff and content of recommendation letters.
Finalists will be invited to campus to interview and compete for the award February 29--March 1, 2008 (Fri./Sat.). This award is highly competitive. Typically, more than 100 admitted students meet the minimum guidelines for consideration. There are no more than four Brown Scholars in any entering class.
All accepted students meeting the criteria are automatically considered. Awards are awarded regardless of financial need. Personal interview with a member of the Admission Office is required. Awards are renewable annually for up to eight semesters if a minimum GPA, as stated in the award letter, is maintained.
Cody, Mood & Ruter Scholar Awards
$3,000 to $20,000
Criteria: Candidates should rank minimally in the top 25% of their high school class (or if high school does not rank, have the equivalent of at least a 3.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale) and generally score at least a 1200 on the SAT (CR + M) or 27 on the ACT.
Actual award levels are determined by reviewing the same criteria used for admission purposes: quality and rigor of the high school academic record, standardized testing levels, quality of the admission essay, extracurricular activities, community service and civic engagement, recommendation letters and the personal interview.
Cody Scholar
$14,500–$20,000
Named for Dr. Claude C. Cody, beloved professor of mathematics and first academic dean in 1907, whose efforts were instrumental in keeping Southwestern University from moving to Dallas.
| Average Class Rank: | 2.59% |
| Median Test Scores: | SAT 1380 - 1450 ACT 30 - 33 |
Mood Scholar
$8,500–$14,000
Named for Francis Asbury Mood, president from 1872-1885, who led Southwestern's 1872 move to Georgetown and the subsequent charter union of our root colleges -- Rutersville, Wesleyan, McKenzie and Soule.
| Average Class Rank: | 7.89% |
| Median Test Scores: | SAT 1240 - 1350 ACT 26 - 29 |
Ruter Scholar
$3,000– $8,000
Named for Martin Ruter, a Methodist minister who rode horseback from Pennsylvania to Texas in 1837, whose work led to the 1840 founding of the first of Southwestern's four root colleges, Rutersville, the first college in Texas.
| Average Class Rank: | 19.65% |
| Median Test Scores: | SAT 1200 - 1280 ACT 25 - 28 |
All accepted students meeting the criteria are automatically considered. Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need. Awards are renewable annually for up to eight semesters if a minimum GPA, as stated in the award letter, is maintained.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Fine Arts Scholarships and Awards — up to $10,000
Students are eligible for awards in vocal and instrumental music, theatre, design and technical theatre, and studio art. Awards are renewable annually for up to eight semesters. Audition and/or portfolio reviews are required. Contact Southwestern University's Sarofim School of Fine Arts at 512-863-1504 or visit ssfa.southwestern.edu/ for more information.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Music Scholarships range from $3,500 to $10,000 per year
Performance Awards are up to $2,500 per year
Audition dates:
November 11, 2007; February 10, 2008; and February 23 & 24, 2008
THEATRE DEPARTMENT
Theatre Scholarships range from $3,000 to $7,000 per year
Audition and portfolio presentation dates:
February 9 & 10, 2008
ART DEPARTMENT
Awards usually range from $3,000 to $5,000 per year
Exceptionally talented students can receive up to $10,000 per year
Portfolio submission deadline:
February 15, 2008
Dixon Scholar Awards — Tuition & $5,000
The Texas Methodist Foundation, in partnership with Southwestern University, administers a competitive scholarship program to benefit high-achieving African-American, Hispanic and Native American students. This program provides donor-assisted support named in honor of a leading advocate of higher education—the late United Methodist Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr.
Criteria: Candidates must submit an application for admission by January 15, 2008. Applicants should rank minimally in the top 10% of their high school class (or if high school does not rank, have the equivalent of at least a 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale). An interview with a member of the admission staff, no later than February 1, 2008, is highly encouraged.
Dixon Scholar candidates will be considered using information provided in the admission application. This application should be well prepared, with special attention given to the essay. The following criteria will be used to evaluate each candidate: quality and rigor of the high school academic record, performance on the SAT or ACT, extracurricular involvement, quality of the written essay, personal interview with a member of the admission staff and content of recommendation letters.
Finalists will be invited to campus to interview and compete for the award February 29--March 1, 2008 (Fri./Sat.). This award is highly competitive. Two full-tuition Dixon Scholarships and 10 $5,000 Dixon Scholarships are awarded annually.
All accepted students meeting the criteria are automatically considered. Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need. Personal interview with a member of the Admission Office is strongly encouraged. Awards are renewable annually for up to eight semesters if a minimum GPA, as stated in the award letter, is maintained.
President's Achievement Awards — up to $6,000
Southwestern University sponsors awards to applicants with strong academic backgrounds, well-rounded extracurricular profiles and outstanding personal qualities, with potential for continued academic success. Brown, Cody, Mood, and Ruter Scholar Award recipients are not eligible for President's Achievement Awards.
All accepted students meeting the criteria are automatically considered. Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need. Awards are renewable annually for up to eight semesters if a minimum GPA, as stated in the award letter, is maintained.
Beneficiary Grants — $6,000
As a United Methodist-related institution, Southwestern University has restricted funds to assist dependents of United Methodist clergy.
Grants are awarded regardless of financial need and are renewable annually.
Preministerial Scholarships — $3,000
Southwestern offers scholarships to students interested in careers in full-time ministry. Contact the Office of Admission for application information.
Scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need and are renewable annually through the Financial Aid Office.
National Hispanic Institute Grants — $2,000
Southwestern University has funds to support students who have participated in one or all of the following NHI programs: Young Leaders Conference (YLC); Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (LDZ); or Collegiate World Series (CWS). Interested students must cite participation in a resume or in admission application materials.
Grants are awarded regardless of financial need and are renewable annually.
National Merit Scholar Awards — $2,000
Southwestern University sponsors merit awards for named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who have been admitted and subsequently enroll. Students must name Southwestern University as their first choice college or university by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's published deadline date.
Grants are awarded regardless of financial need and are renewable annually.
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