A primary goal of Southwest Baptist University is to provide quality Christian higher education at a reasonable cost to the student. The University does not provide banking services on campus. There are, however, several banks in Bolivar, all of which provide for personal banking services. An ATM is available on campus for the convenience of our students.
Graduate Tuition and Fees
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $325
- Technology fee: $45 per course
- New student fee: $105
Master of Business Administration
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $565
- Technology fee: $45 per 3-hour course
Master of Science in Nursing
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $510
- Library per credit hour: $25
- Technology fee per term, based on hours of enrollment:
- Enrolled in 1-6 credits: $135
- Enrolled in more than 6 credits: $190
- Assessment fee per term, based on hours of enrollment:
- Enrolled in 1-11 credits: $20
- Enrolled in 12+ credits: $25
- New student fee: $320
Master of Science in Education and Master of Science in Educational Administration
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $325
- Technology fee: $45 per course
Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $345
- Technology fee: $45 per course
Education Specialist in Educational Administration
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $345
- Technology fee: $45 per course
Doctor of Education
- Tuition per credit hour (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025): $470
- Technology fee: $45 per course
Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Tuition per semester: $18,200
- Tuition per credit hour for courses within the regular curriculum is $1000 and for those not in regular curriculum is $500
- Technology fee per semester: $190
- Curriculum/lab fees per semester: $135
- Course fee (PTH 5631, 5641, 6651, 6671): $500
- Course fee (PTH 5047): $700
*For students enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester, the tuition rate shown will be locked through graduation.
Special Fees (Non-Refundable)
Most common fees are identified in this section of the catalog. (Fees are charged to students using the designated service.)
Unique Program Fees
- Application/transcript evaluation fee: Program/location specific
- Student services fee: Program/location specific
- Transcripting fee: $40/credit hour
- Continuous enrollment fee: $55
- Health Administration certificate fee: $70
- MACM new student registration fee: $105
- MBA Outbound Assessment fee: $50
- MBA Leveling Module fee (per module): $50
- MS Athletic/Administration internship fee: $30
- MS Educational Administration internship fee: $30
- Ed. Specialist internship fee: $30
- Ed.D. application/registration fee: $100
- Ed.D. comprehensive exam fee: $125
- Ed.D. dissertation editing fee paid by the student to an editor. Cost varies depending on number of edits and paper length.
- Lab/course fees: See course descriptions
- MSN Clinical fees: See course descriptions
Program Completion Fees
- Master and Specialist: $195
- Doctorate: $315
- Second degree fee for additional diploma (if completing two degrees at same time): $30
Note: All mandatory fees are non-refundable.
Payment of Accounts
All charges for tuition and fees are due in full at the beginning of each semester. These charges will be reduced by any financial aid (scholarships, federal aid, etc.) and loans for which the student is eligible. Students who are unable to pay their net charges in full at the beginning of a semester are required to select one of the University payment plans available through the MyBearcat portal.
Students with unpaid balances will not be eligible to enroll for future semesters or to receive transcripts and diplomas unless they are enrolled in and current on payments through a University payment plan. Students will be assessed finance charges on unpaid balances at an annual rate of 9%. Delinquent accounts requiring additional collection efforts will be subject to additional costs including but not limited to outside collection fees, legal fees and other administrative costs.
All students are required to acknowledge and agree to the Student Financial Responsibility Statement once each academic year via the MyBearcat portal.
Education
Payment of graduate tuition and fees may be made by check, cash, or credit card - American Express, MasterCard, Discover, Visa. Payment may be in full or in installments with a promissory note at the start of the course. All tuition and fees must be paid before a diploma and/or grade reports will be issued.
Physical Therapy
Students must pay a non-refundable $500 deposit upon acceptance into the program which will be applied to tuition. All charges for tuition, fees, room and board are due in full twice a year in January and August at registration. Students waiting on loans to pay their account will be allowed to defer the amount due from the various loan programs until they are received by SBU. However, the out-of-pocket cost to the student must be paid in full before classes begin. Loan applications must be completed and in the possession of the Office of Financial Aid before consideration will be made for deferring that amount. Students unable to pay the full amount at the time of registration may make arrangements through the University’s Office of Credit and Collections at (417) 328-1402.
Tuition Refund Policy
The University has three basic semester terms: (1) Fall/spring semester, (2) four-week summer term, and (3) eight-week summer term. These are generally defined as:
- Fall/spring semester: 16-week semester having 75 class days (15 weeks of five days each) and final exams
- Four-week summer term: three or four-week term having 15 class days and final exams
- Eight-week summer term: eight-week term having 31 days of classes and final exams
The following refund policy related to the above structure:
| When refund is requested |
Amount refunded for Fall/Spring |
Amount refunded for Eight-Week terms |
Amount refunded for Three or Four-Week terms |
| Prior to first day of class |
100% |
100% |
100% |
| During first 5 days of semester/term |
100% |
100% |
75% |
| During next 5 days of semester/term |
75% |
75% |
50% |
| During next 5 days of semester/term |
50% |
25% |
0% |
Classes may meet on a regular basis throughout the week or on a once-per-week basis. This policy counts class days as if all classes were meeting each week day. If a term or semester begins on a Tuesday then the first five class days are counted as that first Tuesday through the following Monday. If a term or semester begins on a Monday, the first five class days are counted as that first Monday through Friday. If a term or semester begins on a Monday and a student’s first course of the term or semester has its first class on that Friday, for purposes of the refund calculation, by the end of that Friday, the first five days of the term will have expired. Withdrawal dates for online classes are determined by the last date the student logged into the course. For purposes of the refund calculation, if the last log-in date is on a weekend, the last date of attendance is considered to be the previous Friday.
Other classes that meet on a term that is not defined above (one weekend, etc.) will be allowed a 100% refund if the withdrawal occurs before the first class. Withdrawals during the term will be proportionately based on the fall/spring chart.
Special Circumstances Tuition Refunds
Students may request the special circumstances refund withdrawal calculation if they must withdraw for the following reason:
- Illness, certified by a physician (copy of physician’s request to withdraw required)
- Students called into active military duty (copy of orders required)
The tuition, room and board charges will be refunded based on the percent of the term attended. Financial assistance will be cancelled based on institutional and federal policies. (Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for further details).
The Special Circumstance Request Form must be submitted prior to the end of classes for the term in which the special circumstance occurs.
Cancellation of Federal Financial Assistance
Students who have been awarded federal financial assistance from the University and withdraw from school or cease to attend classes prior to completing 60% of the term are subject to the cancellation of their federal financial assistance and the removal of the awards previously credited to their accounts. Non-attendance of classes does not constitute official withdrawal from the University. Students must complete the official withdrawal process through the University. Applicable refunds for students receiving federal and/or state financial aid funds will be calculated in reference to the student’s last date of documented attendance, or the last day of class participation. See consumer information on the SBU website for additional information about withdrawing from school.
Warning: Students who drop classes during the institutional refund period which causes their enrollment to be other than full-time status will be considered ineligible for full federal financial assistance awards. Federal financial assistance credit will be removed from a student’s account in accordance to the lower number of credit hours.
Cancellation of federal financial assistance will be made in accordance with current federal regulations and will be processed by the Office of Financial Aid. For information concerning the current federal financial assistance cancellation policies, students should contact the Director of Financial Aid.
Cancellation of Other Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Scholarship and other institutional awards are subject to cancellation and the removal of credit from the students account if they withdraw from school, cease to attend classes or are deemed ineligible due to their status of less than full-time. (Exception: Students attending other than the Bolivar campus may be eligible to receive limited private scholarship awards if attending less than full-time.)
Before dropping a class or withdrawing from school, students should consult with their academic advisor, and contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine the financial impact of their decision.
- Dropping Classes: Students who drop a class during the institutional refund period will lose eligibility for scholarships, should that dropped class put them below the hour requirements as specified for that scholarship.
- Withdrawing from School: Students who withdraw from school during the institutional refund period will have scholarships prorated based on the tuition refund for that semester. Students who withdraw after the institutional refund period will maintain scholarships that have been awarded for the semester.
Graduate Student Loans
Southwest Baptist University offers Federal Direct Student Loans and limited Perkins loans to assist students in meeting their financial obligations. All assistance is awarded on the basis of financial need and the total amount of assistance cannot exceed that need. Application for assistance is made by (1) filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (2) If selected for verification, supplying additional information as requested. All assistance application forms must be completed before aid can be awarded by the University. All questions concerning the application process, application deadlines or the following available assistance programs should be directed to the offices of Financial Aid or Admissions.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct Loans are made by the federal government to students who are enrolled on at least a half-time basis and who demonstrate financial need. Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year. Repayment begins six months after half-time enrollment status ceases at a minimum rate of $50 per month plus interest. For the interest rate and other information, visit the SBU financial aid website. No in-school interest subsidies are provided by the federal government.
Direct Plus Loan
As with Plus loans made to parent borrowers, eligible graduate and professional students may borrow under the Plus program up to their cost of attendance, less other aid offered. For the interest rate and other information, visit the SBU financial aid website. No in-school interest subsidies are provided by the federal government. Some deferment opportunities are available.
Financial Assistance Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)
Southwest Baptist University is required by law to establish Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to gauge the progress of students receiving financial assistance through federal, state or institutional aid programs by applying both qualitative and quantitative measurements to academic work. [34 CFR 668.16(e)] These measurements shall be used to determine a student’s eligibility for all federal Title IV aid and for other need-based financial assistance, unless the terms of a particular grant or funding source states otherwise. Degree seeking students in all graduate programs are covered under this policy. (SAP) will be reviewed at the end of each academic year, and you must be meeting SAP standards or you will either be placed on Financial Aid Warning, Financial Aid Probation, or Financial Aid Suspension. Students on Financial Aid Suspension may be eligible to appeal their suspension.
The academic policy at Southwest Baptist University is designed to enable students to achieve the degree requirements for graduation. Degree requirements for graduation include a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at the time of program completion. Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is, therefore, measured by qualitative and quantitative standards to promote this outcome. All students must meet the requirements of both quantitative and qualitative satisfactory academic progress listed below to receive financial aid.
Quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress - Students must complete 67% of the number of credit hours for which they have enrolled to remain eligible for federal financial aid. To establish a quantitative measure, a time frame is set for students to finish a program of study.
Qualitative Satisfactory Academic Progress - At the end of the academic year, the student must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or greater to maintain SAP.
Additional SAP Information
Maximum Time Frame - Regulations require the maximum time frame to not exceed 150% of the published length of the program, measured in the required academic credit hours.
Withdrawals, Repeats and Incomplete Grades - Courses dropped after the drop/add period will count towards attempted hours. Repeat courses for which the student has previously earned credit will not count towards hours completed. However, they will count towards hours attempted even if credit was not previously earned. The highest grade will be the grade that counts towards the GPA calculation. Credit hours for courses for which an incomplete or deferred grade is granted will not count as hours completed but will count towards hours attempted.
Transfer Students - Transfer students are accepted from regionally accredited colleges and universities on the basis of transcripts and satisfactory student records. Credits may be granted upon the approval of the Academic Division and the Office of the Registrar. Transfer students who are admitted and do not meet our quantitative and/or qualitative standard will be notified that they are on probation for their first semester.
Evaluation Period - A student’s academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each academic year. Academic years for Graduate students include fall and spring terms. Summer is only included if the student is taking a summer course.
Financial Aid Warning - A status a school assigns to a student who is failing to make satisfactory academic progress. The school reinstates eligibility for aid for one payment period and may do so without a student appeal. This status may only be used by schools that check SAP at the end of each payment period and only for students who were making SAP in the prior payment period they were enrolled in or who were in the first payment period of their program.
Financial Aid Suspension - Once a student has been placed on Financial Aid Warning, failure to meet SAP will place them on Financial Aid Suspension. Students on Financial Aid Suspension may be eligible to appeal their suspension.
Financial Aid Probation - A status a school assigns to a student who is failing to make satisfactory academic progress and who successfully appeals. Eligibility for aid may be reinstated for one payment period.
Academic Dismissal - Students under academic dismissal are not eligible to receive financial aid and are not eligible to appeal until they have been reinstated to the University. Reinstatement to the University does not guarantee financial aid eligibility or appeal approval.
Appeal - A process by which a student who is not meeting SAP standards petitions the school for reconsideration of his eligibility for FSA funds.
Automatic Termination of Aid Eligibility - Default on a federally funded student loan will result in automatic termination of aid eligibility.
SAP Appeal Process
- Students who have been notified that they are on Financial Aid Suspension will be required to complete a financial aid appeal.
- The first appeal, if approved, places the student on financial aid probation status and they are eligible to receive financial aid.
- A second appeal places a student on financial aid probation and they must complete the appeal process again with supporting documentation. The student is eligible to receive financial aid for an additional semester but must meet stipulations outlined in the appeal decision (e.g., limited hours or repeating course to raise GPA).
- Students who fail to meet SAP requirements for three consecutive semesters are no longer eligible to receive financial aid.
- If a student is making progress on their academic plan but is still below the SAP requirements, a student can be granted extended probation status and continue to receive financial aid as long as appeal stipulations are being met. Failure to make progress and/or failure to follow the academic plan will result in an appeal being denied and loss of financial aid eligibility.
- Extenuating circumstances include the death of a family member, illness or injury, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. Appropriate supporting documentation of the circumstance must be provided. Students may not use the same extenuating circumstance for multiple appeals without sufficient documentation of ongoing issues.
- Appeals must include a statement from the student explaining why they did not meet the SAP requirements, what has changed to allow them to meet the requirements in the next semester, an academic plan completed by the student and the advisor, and a statement from the advisor.
- Students who have reached the maximum timeframe due to switching majors, second majors or additional degrees, will be evaluated on a case by case basis through the appeal process.
- Incomplete appeals will not be reviewed.
Reestablishing Financial Aid Eligibility
Students may reestablish eligibility by enrolling in one or more semesters and successfully completing the course(s) without the assistance of financial aid. When a student’s cumulative SAP progress is at or above 67% and they have met the required GPA for hours earned, then he or she will once again become eligible to receive financial aid.
Disbursement of Funds Policy
Acceptance and authorization to credit Federal funds to the student’s account is given by the award letter process. Funds are credited to the student’s account on or as soon as possible after the first day of class assuming the student has been determined eligible and completed verification if necessary.
Work Opportunities
Graduate Assistantships
As a service and commitment to graduate level education on the SBU Campus, the university supports the placement of quality graduate students in employed campus positions to secure real life work experience. Graduate assistants will be employed using campus employment student guidelines as directed by human resources. Graduate assistants will work no more than twenty hours per week and will receive appropriate remuneration in the form of an hourly wage and/or tuition concessions. For more information about Graduate Assistantship availability please contact the Office of the Provost for further detail.
Veteran Work Study
Open to anyone using VA educational benefits. Spaces are limited so apply near/at the beginning of the semester. Applicants will need to fill out a VA Form 22-8691, the hourly rate will be the Federal minimum wage or the minimum wage for the state, or whichever is greater. The total hours you can work will not exceed 25 times the number of weeks in the semester, the student cannot work more than 25 hours in a week. Applicants will be chosen each semester. You must be passing your courses and you must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Your responsibilities will be:
- Answer the phone in the VA section
- Greet Students that come in
- Answer guest students questions as best they can in regards to VA Ed. Benefits
- Refer all questions that cannot be answered to the site supervisor
- Assist Site Supervisor with files
- Assist Site Supervisor in filing documents in student files
- Make sure student files are up to date and in the correct order
- Collect VA education paper work from students
- Print VA paperwork as needed to assist the site supervisor to help VA students
- VA Work Study Students may not perform physical manual labor other than what is previously listed here
- No work outside the VA section may be completed while on the VA time clock
- Work Study students may not assist other sections while on the VA time clock.
- All times sheets must be filled out each day and signed by site supervisor each day
Veterans and Military Students
Southwest Baptist University is approved for the education of veterans and their dependents under Chapters 30, 31, 34, 35 and 1606, Title 38, U.S. Code. According to the recommendations of the American Council of Education, credit may be granted for courses completed while in military service. Note: Under Chapter 33 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon benefit is not able to be used for Graduate classes
SBU, in compliance with USC Title 38 Public Law 115-407 Section 103 (A) & (B), any student utilizing theses chapters will not be assessed any penalties, fines, or interest as a result of the delay in receiving their Veteran’s Administration (VA) educational benefits. These students will still have access to, and be able to utilize all facilities on all SBU campuses. While the payment for Chapters 30,35, and 1606 are payed directly to the student, and these students are covered under the law discussed in this section. The student is still responsible for ensuring that the University is paid in full by the end of the semester.
Veterans’ Benefits
In conjunction with Veteran’s Administration (VA) rules regarding USC Title 38 Section 21.4201 (e2i) any student eligible for any scholarship or award will be able to receive the award regardless of any VA benefit they may be utilizing. Furthermore, any student, VA and non-VA student alike, who is utilizing a payment plan with SBU must have that balance paid in full before the end of the semester and may not start any new semester until that balance is paid in full.
All persons wishing to use VA benefits are now required to request the use of their specific benefit each month utilizing the Veteran Certification Request Form. This form is located on the SBU website.
Beginning August of 2022, in accordance with Public Law 316-315 Section 1018, students using VA benefits will be required to meet with SBU’s VA Certifying Officer to go over the possible cost of their education, the other sources of income besides VA benefits, and other information.
The Registrar’s Office serves as the certifying office for eligible veterans and/or dependents of veterans. The certifying officer is the advisor and campus administrator of the Veterans’ Educational Benefit programs. Questions regarding eligibility benefits and enrollment should be made directly to the certifying officer.
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