TLU CHOICE Scholarship
Freshmen Eligibility Requirements

• Student must be an incoming first-time, full-time freshman – Fall semester only
• Student must be admitted to TLU by May 1, 2009
• Student must be admitted to Texas A&M University – College Station (TAMU) or The University of Texas at Austin (UT) for the same academic year

Once the student is admitted to TAMU or UT, he/she must submit the following to the TLU Office of Admission by May 1, 2009, to receive the scholarship:

• Copy of admit letter to TAMU or UT
• Letter from high school counselor on school letterhead with signature affirming the student’s admission to TAMU or UT
• $200 non-refundable enrollment deposit confirming intent to enroll full-time at TLU

All incoming Freshman Students must abide by current TLU Residence Life (campus housing) policies.

Scholarship Information:

• The TLU CHOICE Scholarship replaces any TLU academic scholarship the student has been awarded.
   
• When receiving the TLU CHOICE Scholarship after a financial aid award package is created based on an academic scholarship, the financial aid award package may change due to institutional, state, and federal guidelines.
   
• Students will be reviewed for additional institutional, state, and federal aid based on FAFSA information.
   
• The scholarship is renewable for subsequent years at TLU provided the student maintains full time status, a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, and satisfactory academic progress. Freshmen may receive the scholarship for a maximum of 8 semesters.
   
• Each year the scholarship is calculated as the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) at TLU for a full-time student (12-17 hours) and the average COA for a full-time student at UT (12-17 hours).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible for the TLU CHOICE Scholarship?
Incoming freshmen students are eligible if they are admitted to TLU and TAMU or UT, and submit all the required documentation to the TLU Admissions Office by May 1, 2009.

What if I qualify for a larger academic scholarship at TLU?
You will be awarded the larger scholarship – but not both.

Are re-admitted students eligible?
No. This program is for first-time, incoming freshmen students only.

I don’t live in Texas; can I qualify for the TLU CHOICE Scholarship?
Yes! If you are an incoming freshman and you are admitted to TLU and TAMU or UT by the program deadlines, you can submit your paperwork and enrollment deposit and be eligible for this program.

Are International Students eligible?
Yes, if the student meets the other eligibility requirements.

If I qualify for this scholarship, can I receive additional aid?
Yes! Provided you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be awarded any additional state, or federal aid for which you are eligible.

I received an Academic Scholarship to TLU and I am eligible for the TLU CHOICE Scholarship, do I get both?
You will receive whichever scholarship amount is greater, but not both.

If I am eligible for the TLU CHOICE Scholarship and the PACE Scholarship, do I get both?
The PACE Scholarship is the most distinguished scholarship offered to students who have excelled in high school. The PACE Scholarship supersedes other academic scholarships at TLU.

Is this scholarship renewable?
Yes! Provided the student maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher and maintains satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. Freshmen may receive the scholarship for an additional 3 years.

When will the scholarship amount be available?
The 2009 - 2010 scholarship amount will be available mid to late April 2009.

Does the scholarship remain the same each year?
As the cost of attendance (COA) at TLU, TAMU and UT change, so will the scholarship amount.

I’m a current TLU student, am I eligible?
All current students were evaluated for scholarships and financial aid based on the opportunities available to them during their application process to TLU.

What happens if I don’t maintain a 3.0 GPA?
You will be granted one probationary semester in which to raise your cumulative GPA to at least a 3.0.

What if I bring my GPA back up?
If you bring your cumulative GPA back to 3.0 or higher after one semester, contact the Office of Financial Aid and request your scholarship to be reinstated.

What if I qualify for outside scholarships?
Award amounts may be adjusted due to Cost of Attendance (COA) and financial need based aid, based upon state and federal regulations.

Do I have to live on campus to receive the scholarship?
All incoming freshman students must abide by current TLU Residence Life (campus housing) policies. Students (except those who live within 50 miles of campus) are required to live on the TLU campus until they reach senior classification (90 credit hours), are married, or turn 21 years of age.

I received a scholarship at TAMU or UT; will my TLU CHOICE Scholarship be increased to match that?
No. The TLU CHOICE Scholarship is meant to make the cost of attending TLU approximately the same as the cost of attending TAMU or UT for students who have excelled in their previous academic environment, not including any scholarship money received from those institutions.

If I was admitted to a TAMU system school other than TAMU-College Station or a UT system school other than UT-Austin, am I eligible?
Only students admitted into the TAMU-College Station campus or the UT-Austin campus are eligible for this program.

If I was admitted to UT under the Coordinated Admissions Program (CAP) or to TAMU under the Gateway program, am I eligible?
A student must be granted regular admission at TAMU or UT to be eligible for this program.

Will TLU limit the number of CHOICE Scholarships that will be awarded?
In order to stay true to the mission of small classes and individualized education at TLU, there is a possibility that the TLU CHOICE Scholarship program may reach a maximum number. TLU reserves the right to limit the program if it is deemed necessary.

Why is TLU doing this?
TLU is offering this program for several reasons:

• Affordability and personalized attention within a context of faith and learning are distinctive ideals at TLU. The TLU CHOICE Scholarship program is designed to offer a unique opportunity for those students who have excelled in their previous academic settings and would prefer smaller class sizes in a private university environment, but do not think they can afford a private school.
   
  
• TLU recognizes the quality education that a student can receive at TAMU or UT. However, we understand that some students are looking for a smaller university and would be more successful, both in confidence and competence, within a more intimate academic setting. In addition, we want to encourage students to look at all of the higher education options available to them.
   
  
• The economic crash in recent times has altered many families’ financial ability to pay for college. This new economic reality, coupled with the increasing cost of college at both public and private institutions makes it difficult for many students to receive a high quality education. TLU wants to ensure that as many students as possible have access to a high quality education that fits their academic and personal needs.
   
  
• The TLU CHOICE Scholarship is designed to help make a values-centered, private university education more of a reality for many students.

What if I have more questions?
If you have any additional questions, please contact the TLU Director of Admissions, Dale Gaubatz, via email dgaubatz@tlu.edu or phone (830-372-8050).

Is this program affiliated with Texas A&M University or The University of Texas?
Texas A&M University and The University of Texas are not affiliated with and do not endorse or support the TLU CHOICE Scholarship Program.

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The TLU Office of Admissions would like to thank our sister ELCA university, California Lutheran University (CLU) and their Office of Admissions for advice and guidance with the development of the TLU CHOICE Scholarship.