Tuition Exchange Programs for Dependents of Eligible Shenandoah University Employees
Frequently Asked Questions (for Export students)
Who is eligible to apply for a Tuition Exchange Scholarship (TES)?
- Qualifying dependent children of full-time employees at Shenandoah University may be eligible for Tuition Exchange at other participating colleges or universities.
What is the value of a TE Scholarship?
- TE colleges/universities are required to cover at least the minimum amount of their charged tuition (this is called minimum “set rate” value). Each year the Tuition Exchange Board of Directors establishes the “set rate” value amount based on a weighted average of all participating TE college/university tuitions. This means that the set rate value will change each year. In other words, if the student is selected for a TE scholarship, the amount they receive may differ per college/university.
When should I apply for Tuition Exchange?
- Keep in mind, you must apply for admission at the college or university you are wanting to receive Tuition Exchange for as well as submitting the actual Tuition Exchange application. Do not wait on submitting your Tuition Exchange application as colleges and universities will begin reviewing these soon after they review their normal admissions applications.
What are my chances of being certified eligible by Shenandoah University for TE consideration?
- Since the TE program is not a Shenandoah University benefit, you are not automatically eligible to receive it; there are no guarantees. However, Shenandoah University certified all applications received for the 2021-2022 academic year for employees who were employed as full-time for at least one year.
How does my dependent child become eligible for a TE Scholarship?
- There are three steps in the process. First, the employee submits a TE application through the Tuition Exchange portal. The SU TELO will determine if the employee is an eligible employee before certifying the application further. Second, the employee’s dependent child applies for admission to one or more TE participating colleges. And, third, when the dependent child is admitted, the participating college determines whether or not a TE Scholarship is awarded.
What are my chances that the TE college will award my dependent child a scholarship once eligible?
- It depends on the participating TE college’s policies and procedures, and the number of scholarships the college has available. This will vary from college to college.
What is the cost, if any, to the employee for a dependent child receiving a TE Scholarship?
- Shenandoah University pays a membership to Tuition Exchange and a fee per applicant. AT THIS TIME, Shenandoah is choosing not to pass this fee along to our employees.
Who administers Shenandoah University’s TE program?
- The Director of Student Financial Services acts as the Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer (TELO) responsible for the administration of the program on a daily basis.
Is there anything else I should know about TE?
- It is a good idea to apply for financial aid at the same time the admission application is filed just in case the participating TE college does not offer a TE Scholarship. If the student waits to find out if a TES is offered before applying for aid, it may be too late to apply for the participating college’s grant aid. Also, even if a TE Scholarship is offered, the student may still need financial assistance beyond the TE Scholarship.
Where can I get more information about TE?
- You can go to www.tuitionexchange.org or cic.edu to review a current list of participating TE institutions for each program. If you have questions about TE at another college, contact the Admissions Office at that college. If you have more questions about TE in general, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (540) 665-4538 or finaid@su.edu.