INVEST IN A
STRONG FUTURE.
YOURS. A GUIDE TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
A strong education is not optional. Over your lifetime you’ll make many decisions about how to spend your hard-earned money. The car you drive. Travel opportunities. Your first home. Although you’ll make many significant investments in your life, few will be as important as your education. Recent research confirms it: your college experience matters. Connecting with a professor who becomes a mentor. Engaging in deep learning through an internship or in-depth research. Becoming actively involved on campus. All are critical to shaping your strong future. And all are hallmarks of a Meredith education. We know how important this investment is to your future. We also know the cost of college is a significant factor in making that choice. That’s why we offer a range of financial assistance options. Scholarships - both need-based and merit. Grants. Loans. All designed to make a Meredith education affordable for you and your family. Contact our Office of Financial Assistance. Take the next step toward a strong education − and an even stronger future.
meredith.edu/financial-assistance
MELYSSA MINTO, ’17 GOLDEN DOOR SCHOLAR MEREDITH COLLEGE ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL GRAD.
DRAWN TO MEREDITH’S WELCOMING COMMUNITY.
EXPANDED PASSION
FOR RESEARCH. WROTE HONORS THESIS ON
MORPHOLOGY
OF CRAYFISH. UP NEXT: EXPLORE
EPIGENETICS
THROUGH PH.D. AT DUKE UNIVERSITY.
A strong student gets her facts straight. It’s important to get accurate information when you’re doing your college search. Because the truth is, there are a lot of myths about the cost of college and you need to make an informed decision. Here are some facts to consider as you think about where to apply: Myth: Private colleges are a lot more
levels. That’s why approximately 95% of
expensive than public schools.
Meredith students receive financial assistance
Fact: Private colleges often have more
in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans.
financial resources available than public institutions. In 2016 -17, Meredith students received over $54 million in financial assistance. Meredith funded $24 million in scholarships and grants during that same
And middle-income families often qualify for need-based grants and scholarships as a result of submitting the FAFSA or International & Undocumented Students Application for Institutional Aid.
period. And over 95% of our students receive some type of financial aid.
Myth: Student loans should be avoided at all costs.
Myth: As long as I get my degree, it doesn’t really matter where I go.
Fact: Many students need assistance in meeting out-of-pocket expenses. Deferred
Fact: Students who graduate from private
and low-interest student loans are a good
colleges are more likely to do so within four
way to help fund a college education and may
years – and more women’s college students
be a useful tool for your family. Stories in the
graduate in four years or less. That means
national media have demonized student loans,
they accumulate less in tuition charges than
but according to College Board’s Trends in
peers at public and co-ed institutions. They’re
Student Aid 2016, total undergraduate student
also likely to find jobs more readily than their
loan debt has actually decreased every year
counterparts at public institutions. Over the
since 2011. And a college education continues
past three years, 93% of our graduates are
to be one of the most valuable investments
employed or pursuing graduate study within a
you can make; a 2014 Pew Research Center
few short months of graduation.
study found that high school graduates earn only about 62% of what college graduates
Myth: Only wealthy families can afford private
earn. And of the 800 million jobs created since
colleges.
the 2008 - 09 recession, just 80,000 required
Fact: Students at Meredith come from diverse
only a high school degree.
financial backgrounds and family income
meredith.edu/financial-assistance
Financial Assistance at Meredith College Academic Scholarships
Grants – awarded to entering first-year
Meredith Legacy Scholarships – awarded
students to recognize academic ability,
to a limited number of high-achieving entering
achievement, and leadership potential.
first-year students. Students awarded
Awards range from $14,000 to $21,000 and
Meredith’s most prestigious scholarship
are renewable for a total of four years. No
receive full tuition, room and board, books
separate application is needed.
and supplies, international study, and other
Academic Merit Scholarships and Tuition
enrichment opportunities, with an estimated
Grants Academic Profile
value of $200,000 over four years.
Test Scores: Range from 1100 SAT
Meredith Legacy Scholarships Academic
(EBRW+M) or 22 ACT to near perfect scores
Profile
Average Unweighted GPAs: 3.49-4.0
Average SAT (EBRW+M)/ACT: 1540/34 Average Weighted GPA: 4.55
Scholars Programs
Presidential Scholarships – awarded to
motivated students. Honors students
entering first-year students with outstanding academic credentials, intellectual promise, and leadership ability. Presidential scholars receive full tuition, with an estimated value of $150,000 over four years. Presidential Scholarships Academic Profile Average SAT (EBRW+M)/ACT: 1470/32 Average Weighted GPA: 4.3 Academic Merit Scholarships and Tuition meredith.edu/financial-assistance
Honors Program – for gifted and highlyparticipate in innovative courses, travel opportunities, cultural enrichment programs, and community-based learning. Meredith Teaching Fellows – for students intending to become teachers. Students have opportunities to gain classroom experience, learn from education professionals through a two-year mentorship program, study abroad, and take honors courses.
Paschal Scholarships – provide a unique
Transfer Scholarships
opportunity for talented students to
Academic Incentive Scholarships – up
pursue careers in mathematics, computer
to $11,000 annual scholarship for those
science, science, and engineering. Paschal
transferring from a U.S. accredited four-year
Scholars participate in a specialized learning
institution or community college. Amount of
community.
scholarship is based on academic credentials
Service Scholars Program – for students with a demonstrated commitment to making an impact in their communities. Service
submitted with your application for admission. Renewable for up to six semesters and requires full-time enrollment.
Scholars will engage with a variety of
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships– $5,000
organizations throughout the Raleigh area
annual scholarship for members of Phi Theta
while critically reflecting on challenges and
Kappa who have earned a minimum of 30
solutions to issues throughout our community.
transferrable credits. Official documentation
Talent Scholarships Art Scholarships – for incoming first-year students pursuing a major in art. Award is based on outstanding artistic talent. May be
of your induction must be provided. This scholarship can be combined with the Academic Incentive Scholarship and requires full-time enrollment.
renewed annually for a total of four years.
Other Scholarships
Portfolio required.
Thomas Meredith Baptist Heritage
Interior Design Scholarships – for incoming first-year students pursuing a major in interior design. Award is based on scholarship and potential for success in the field. May be renewed annually for a total of four years. Portfolio required. Music Scholarships – for incoming first-year students pursuing a major in music. Award is based on outstanding musical talent, academic ability, recommendations, and potential for achievement in the field. May be renewed annually for a total of four years. Audition required. Theatre Scholarships – awarded on the
Scholarship – awarded to first-year students on the basis of academic excellence, outstanding church and community service, and leadership ability. Recipients must be members of a North Carolina Baptist church and provide a recommendation from a church official. Renewable for a total of four years. Yellow Ribbon Program – for veterans and their eligible dependents, the program matches certain grant and scholarship contributions from Meredith. Current maximum Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit is $20,235. Meredith will provide grants and scholarships up to $5,000 per student for as many as 50 veterans and dependents who quality.
basis of talent in theatre to incoming firstyear students pursuing a major in theatre. Applicants must audition with theatre faculty to be considered for these scholarships. meredith.edu/financial-assistance
Grants
Loans
Grants are referred to as “gift aid” because
Loans are financial assistance funds that are
they are financial assistance funds that don’t
borrowed and must be paid back, often with
have to be repaid. Grants are often awarded
interest. Federal student loans are funded by
based on financial need.
the federal government; private student loans are made by a lender such as a bank, credit
Federal Pell Grants – for students with
union, state agency, or a school.
demonstrated financial need. Awards provide up to $5,920 and do not have to be repaid.
Federal Student Loans – The Federal Direct Loan program offers fixed, low-interest rate
North Carolina Need-Based Scholarships
loans to students. Loans are issued directly
– for N.C. residents attending private
from the federal government to the school.
institutions. Consideration is automatic once
Federal Parent PLUS Loan – Parents
applicants complete the FAFSA and list
of dependent undergraduate students
Meredith as an institution of choice. Awards
may apply for the Federal Parent Loan for
range from $1,100 to $7,640.
Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loan) to help
TEACH Grants – for prospective teachers,
pay for education expenses.
the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 a year in grant aid to undergraduate and graduate students. Recipients agree to teach for at least four complete academic years in a high-need field at a school that serves students from low-income families. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant – for students with the highest demonstrated financial need. FSEOG awards typically range from $100 to $4,000 and do not have to be repaid.
On-Campus Employment – The Federal
Meredith College Grants – for students
Work-Study program provides part-time jobs
with demonstrated need. These grants are
for qualified undergraduate students with
provided by the College to supplement
financial need.
federal and state aid, are eligible for renewal, and do not have to be repaid.
Student Community Employment – The Office of Financial Assistance advertises offcampus, part-time community employment opportunities for Meredith students. Jobs posted typically include babysitting, tutoring, and other similar positions.
meredith.edu/financial-assistance
AMY POONNAK, ’17 MEREDITH COLLEGE ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
KNEW SHE WANTED TO WORK IN HEALTH CARE. COMPLETED INTERNSHIP
AT HOSPITAL IN
THAILAND.
VOLUNTEERED AT LOCAL DENTAL CLINIC. TOOK LEADERSHIP ROLE IN
MEREDITH
HEALTH
PROFESSIONS SOCIETY.
ACCEPTED TO DENTAL SCHOOL.
Financial Assistance Quick Facts
$24
million In Meredith scholarships and grants awarded to students in 2016-17.
$ $54
million Coordinated in financial assistance annually.
OVER
$27,701 Average amount of financial assistance awarded to incoming first-year students.
95%
of first-year students receive
scholarships or financial assistance.
Next Steps Apply for Assistance
are available from the Office of Admissions or
Apply for financial assistance by filling out
meredith.edu/admissions.
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Talent Scholarship and Scholars Program
(FAFSA). You do not need to wait for your
applications must be submitted by January
admissions decision to start with the need-
15. Applicants must also be admitted to the
based financial aid application process. The
College by January 15.
FAFSA is available beginning October 1 from the U.S. Department of Education’s website
International, Undocumented, and Non-
at fafsa.gov. Meredith will receive your FAFSA
U.S. Resident students can apply for
information electronically – just submit your
financial assistance by filing Meredith’s
FAFSA with our FAFSA Title IV Code of 002945.
Application for Institutional Aid for International, Undocumented and Non-U.S. Resident
Apply for Scholarships
students. The form is available at
Every student who applies for admission to
meredith.edu/financial-assistance.
Meredith is automatically considered for academic merit awards and tuition grants.
Contact Us
Separate applications are required for Talent
Partnering with you and your family, our
Scholarships, Thomas Meredith Baptist
financial assistance staff will work closely with
Heritage Scholarships, and Meredith Teaching
you through the aid process. Get personalized
Fellows, Honors, Paschal, and Service Scholars
support and advice about the many financial
programs. You must apply to the Honors
aid options available. To schedule an
Program to be considered for Presidential and
appointment, call (919) 760-8565 or email
Meredith Legacy Scholarships. Applications
us at finaid@meredith.edu.
2,000 STUDENTS
38 COUNTRIES 22,000 GRADS
126 YEARS Going Strong
Office of Admissions | 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5298 (919) 760-8581 or 1-800-MEREDITH | FAX (919) 760-2348 | admissions@meredith.edu
meredith.edu
Meredith College admits qualified women students without regard to race, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability. 17-101