Frequently Asked Questions of Admissions,
Financial Aid, & Student Life
Admissions
Can I apply on-line?
Yes we do have an on-line application. You can access it from the university web site. Click here to apply.
Do you offer academic scholarships?
Academic scholarships are awarded automatically to students who score the required scores on the ACT or SAT.
When do I need to apply for admissions? What is the admissions deadline?
Howard Payne has an open admissions date, however, we encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible as many types of financial aid are available only on a first-come, first-served basis.
Do you prefer the ACT/SAT?
We accept either test. We do consider the highest score a student may receive.
How many times do you recommend attempting the ACT/SAT?
We recommend taking both and one at least twice.
What scores do I need to have to be accepted to Howard Payne?
SAT: 910; a combined mathematics & critical reading score.
ACT: 19
*Students whose scores to do not meet the above requirement, please call the Admission office .
What is your student to teacher ratio?
11:1
Financial Aid
What is the purpose of the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is required to determine eligibility for Federal and State financial aid programs.
How often do I have to complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)?
Each student is required to complete the FAFSA each academic year, based on the previous year's income tax return.
When are financial aid applications due?
March 15th is the priority filing date.
If I can't have my financial aid applications in by the "preferred filing date", what happens?
March 15th is a priority date. The Financial Aid Office will continue to process aid beyond that date, but grant and scholarship funds are limited, and late applicants may not receive all eligible grant money, because of a lack of funding.
What are the advantages of filing electronically?
The process of filing the FAFSA through the internet will be much quicker, as long as the information is completed and signed properly. The student and parent will need to register for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) with the Department of Education, to sign the FAFSA electronically. An option of printing a signature page is also available. A signature for the student and parent (if dependent student) is required for processing.
Does my current income tax return have to be filed with IRS before I can complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)?
Your income tax return does not have to be filed with the IRS, but the return needs to be completed for accurate information in processing of the FAFSA.
How does the receiving of local scholarships (i.e. Booster Club, church scholarships) affect financial aid awards?
The Financial Aid Office will need to know of any outside scholarships that the student receives. Any change made to the financial aid award would depend on the financial need of the student, and whether the student is receiving any need-based aid. (i.e. grants, work-study, subsidized loan).
Should I pay a company to help me complete financial aid applications and/or search for scholarships?
No. If needing assistance with the FAFSA or scholarship applications, please contact a high school counselor or a financial aid office to help with the completion of forms, or to receive information about financial aid.
Student Life / Housing
What type of health services are available?
We have a part time nurse (25 hrs/wk) available in the first floor of Veda Hodge Hall. She can dispense over-the-counter medicines and help make doctor’s appointments. She is usually able to get students into the doctor’s office the same day or the next day. HPU also offers Disability Services. A student seeking disability services must contact The Collegium and must sign a confidentiality form for release of classroom modifications. HPU follows the American Disability Act guidelines.
Are freshmen allowed to bring cars on campus?
Yes. Any student may bring a car.
What types of food services are available?
The cafeteria is located in the first floor of the Mabee Center. Each student living in the residence halls is required to have a meal plan. Fambrough’s Sport’s Grill is located on the second floor of the Mabee Center. Fambrough’s offers a great atmosphere to socialize and relax. A variety of food is available such as hamburgers, quesadillas, cyber wraps, chicken strips and much more. A student can use either Jacket Bucks or cash at Fambrough’s.
What are Jacket Bucks?
Jacket Bucks come with a meal plan. You may also purchase extra Jacket Bucks through the cashier’s office. Jacket Bucks are used like a debit-card on a student’s ID card and can only be used at Fambrough’s Sports Grill.
What are Stinger Bucks?
Stinger Bucks also come with a meal plan. You may also purchase extra Stinger Bucks through the cashier's office or online at www.stingerbucks.com. Stinger Bucks are used like a debit-card on a student's ID card and can be used at participating off-campus restaurants, in the cafeteria, and at Fambrough's Sports Grill.
What time are the exit doors to the residence halls secured?
To help promote safety, security, and policy compliance, certain residence hall doors will be locked 24 hours a day throughout the academic year. For Veda Hodge Hall, the two side doors and two back doors are locked 24 hours a day but are accessible to hall residents using their door access tab (Fob). For Jennings Hall, the side stairwell doors are locked 24 hours a day and are only to be used as emergency exits. The two Jennings lobby doors and two Taylor Hall lobby doors are unlocked at 7:00 a.m. and locked at 7:00 p.m., as is the front door of Veda Hodge Hall. From 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m., residents must gain access using their key Fob device. For Taylor Hall, the four back wing doors are locked 24 hours a day and are only to be used as emergency exits.
Does HPU have Security Officers?
There is at least one Security Officer on duty 24 hours a day on a rotation basis. Students may access the Security Office/Officer via telephone. The number is listed in the handbook, HPU directory, and several places throughout the residence halls. Resident Assistants can also help residents reach Security and/or with concerns or crisis. In addition, the campus has emergency call boxes installed in several locations.
What is a Resident Assistant (R.A.)?
A Resident Assistant is an upperclassman who has been hired to live on each wing of a residence hall. They are to assist residents with maintenance concerns, personal/emotional situations, conflict resolution and to handle emergency situations. There is also an RA available each night in the RA Office (lobby of each residence hall) from 7:00 pm to midnight on school nights and until 2:00 a.m. on weekends.
What things are not allowed in the residence halls?
Kitchen appliances (including, but not limited to): toasters, microwaves, skillets, coffee makers, iced tea makers. Other: space heaters, candles, incense, cinderblocks, un-bound carpet.
What appliances can I have in my residence hall?
Cooking equipment such as hot plates, toasters, electric fry pans, microwaves, and coffee pots (unless coffee maker is equipped with an automatic shut-off or is a single-cup maker with no hot plate) are not permitted and will be removed from residence halls. Small refrigerators, no larger than 36" tall, may be used in residence hall rooms. A MicroFridge is permitted, however, it must be the MicroFridge registered brand (only the microwave/fridge models-2.7 cubic feet or 3.7 cubic feet-are allowed).
What type of Network service do we provide in Residence Halls?
Each on-campus residence room has an Ethernet network connection. These are 1000MB (gigabit) connectionsand a switch or hub is required for 2 or more computers to connect. Wireless access is available throughout the residence halls. Wireless access is available throughout the residence halls. Wireless access points or routers are not allowed in the rooms.
What kind of internet access does HPU provide?
Internet access is through a fiber optic connection with 100MB of bandwidth. This is shared by the residential network, academics and faculty staff offices.
What type of security and filter are in place?
A firewall is in place that prevents intrusions from outside the network. We have an internet content filter that blocks inappropriate websites and an email filter that prevents most spam.
Will my Son/Daughter be able to complete projects without having a computer?
Students have access to several general purpose computer labs across campus. There are Computer labs in each residence hall to which residents have 24-hour access, as well.