INVEST IN A
STRONG
FUTURE.
YOURS. A GUIDE TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
A strong education prepares you for the life you want. 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. Few will be as important as your education. Because college prepares you for the career you envision – and the life you want to live. But not just any college. Research shows the nature of your college experience matters. Finding a mentor. Conducting in-depth research. Taking on leadership roles. All add up to a uniquely empowering experience. At Meredith, we see the impact of great education every day. And we want to make it available to you. Read on to learn how we make strong affordable.
“I felt like I had a team around me to solve a funding issue - my financial assistance adviser, academic adviser, department head, and student success director all worked together to ensure my needs were met and I was able to continue at Meredith.” – Odalis Larios Ortiz, ’20
How and When to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Scholarships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Grants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Student Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Quick Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
meredith.edu/financial-assistance 1
MADISON HAMILTON, ’21 MEREDITH COLLEGE ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
LEARNED THE POWER OF FOOD AT A YOUNG AGE.
EDUCATES PEERS THROUGH NUTRITION ASSOCIATION.
CONDUCTS
DRIED HERB RESEARCH TO
CREATE NEW RECIPES.
ASPIRES
TO OWN THE BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT
OR BAKERY.
2 meredith.edu/financial-assistance
How to Request and Receive Financial Assistance at Meredith Applying for financial assistance can seem complicated, but really there are just three primary steps to the process.
STEP 2: The second step is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1 of your senior year. You do not need to wait for your admission decision to start the need-based financial aid application process at fafsa.gov. Meredith will receive your FAFSA information electronically – just submit your FAFSA with our FAFSA Title IV Code: 002945. We use this information to determine your eligibility for financial aid options like grants, loans, and need-based scholarships. Applying for Financial Assistance • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out available funding options (fafsa.gov)
STEP 1: The first step to getting a financial aid package from Meredith is to apply for admission. Every person who applies for admission to Meredith is automatically considered for academic merit awards and tuition grants. Applying to Meredith • Review admission deadlines and requirements • Use the Meredith Application or The Common Application
• FAFSA opens on October 1; submit it early • Collect your tax returns from two years ago in order to complete the form • Financial aid is awarded after admission to the College and after the FAFSA is submitted • International, undocumented, and non-U.S. resident students can apply for financial assistance. File Meredith’s Application for Institutional Aid for International, Undocumented, and Non-U.S. Resident students. Find the form at meredith.edu/financial-assistance.
meredith.edu/financial-assistance 3
STEP 3: Review the scholarships on pp. 6-8 and apply if qualified. Separate applications are required for Talent Scholarships, Thomas Meredith Baptist Heritage Scholarships, and Meredith Teaching Fellows, Honors, STEM, and Service Scholars programs. You must apply to the Honors Program to be considered for Presidential and Meredith Legacy Scholarships. Applications are available from the Office of Admissions or meredith.edu/scholarships. Talent Scholarship and Scholars Program applications are due January 15.
MYTH FACT MYTH 1: PUBLIC COLLEGES ARE ALWAYS LESS EXPENSIVE. FACT: Private colleges often have more financial resources than public institutions to help you pay for college. Last year, for example, Meredith awarded $25 million in scholarships and grants. And, according to the National
$29,934
Center for Education Statistics, the
Average amount of financial assistance awarded to first-year students.
universities vs. publics, which means
four-year graduation rate is 18 percent higher at private colleges and you can be earning a living one to two years earlier instead of paying tuition.
We’re Here to Help • Financial aid counselors and admissions counselors are available to help you throughout the process. • Once your award letter is received, counselors will be happy to explain your award in detail. • Counselors will provide important next steps for accepting your aid and securing your space at Meredith.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Admission Application Deadline
Admission Decision Date
FAFSA Priority Date
Financial Aid Award Delivery
Deadline to Deposit
Early Decision
October 30
November 15
November 15
December 1
December 15
Early Action
December 3
December 15
January 15
February 15
May 1
Regular Decision
February 15 (priority date)
Rolling after January 1
February 15
March 15
May 1
4 meredith.edu/financial-assistance
ERIN MURRAY, ’19 MEREDITH COLLEGE ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
COMES FROM A FAMILY OF
STRONG WOMEN. TAKES ON EVERY
CHALLENGE. SERVES OTHERS ON CAMPUS.
LEADS
THROUGH HUMOR.
BUILDS COMMUNITY. ENSURES NOBODY
GETS LEFT BEHIND.
meredith.edu/financial-assistance 5
Financial Assistance at Meredith College First-Year Scholarships Meredith Legacy Scholarship is a full, fouryear, merit-based scholarship – the highest academic honor available to entering first-year students. Award recipients have a strong history of superior academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and demonstrated influence as a leader. Award amount: Full tuition, room and board, supplies annually, and international study Presidential Scholarship is a four-year, merit-based scholarship awarded to entering first-year students with outstanding academic credentials, intellectual promise, and leadership ability. Award amount: Full tuition annually and international study Academic Merit Scholarships are awarded to first-year students based on academic achievement and are renewable for up to four years. Recipients of Academic Merit
MYTH FACT MYTH 2: STUDENT LOANS ARE BAD. FACT: Deferred and low-interest student loans are an important way for many families to help fund a college education. And in spite of the negative press that loans often receive, total undergraduate loan debt has actually decreased every year since 2011. Average monthly loan payments among our graduates are just $230/month. 6 meredith.edu/financial-assistance
Scholarships are notified at time of admission. Award amount: $16,000 to $21,000 annually Academic Profile Test scores range from 1100 SAT (EBRW + M) or 22 ACT to perfect scores. Average GPA unweighted: 3.49-4.0
Scholars Programs The Honors Program at Meredith offers high achieving students a learning environment with a rigorous curriculum that reflects the highest level of research, creativity, and critical thinking at the College. STEM Scholarships provide an opportunity for talented students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students may participate in a learning community and mentor relationships that are focused on women’s success in STEM fields. Meredith offers two STEM scholarships: AWE-STEM and Paschal. Advancing Women’s Education in STEM (AWE-STEM) Scholars receive a $4,500 scholarship per year, renewable for up to eight semesters or as appropriate for the student’s degree plan. The award is need and meritbased. Paschal Scholars receive a $500 scholarship per year, renewable for up to eight semesters or as appropriate for the student’s degree plan. The award is based on academic credentials and potential for success at Meredith. The Meredith Teaching Fellows program offers a dynamic educational experience enriched with opportunities to receive teaching experience, learn from professional teachers who serve as mentors, participate in study abroad, and enroll in Honors courses.
The Service Scholars Program and scholarship is for incoming first-year students with a commitment to making an impact in their communities. Recipients engage with organizations throughout the Raleigh area while critically reflecting on challenges and solutions to issues in our community.
Talent Scholarships Art Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students pursuing a major in art. Awards are made on the basis of artistic talent determined through a digital portfolio submission and are renewable annually for a total of four years. Interior Design Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students pursuing a major in interior design. Awards are made on the basis of scholarship and potential for success in the field and are renewable annually for a total of four years. Music Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students pursuing a major in music. Applicants must audition with music faculty. Awards are made on the basis of musical talent, academic ability, and potential achievement in the field. Theatre Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students pursuing a major in theatre. Applicants must audition with theatre faculty to be considered for these scholarships, which are awarded on the basis of talent in the theatre. Application for Scholars Programs and Talent Scholarships deadline: January 15
Transfer Scholarships Academic Incentive Scholarships are awarded to students transferring from a U.S. accredited four-year institution, two-year
institution, or community college. Scholarship amounts are based on academic credentials submitted with the application for admission, are renewable for up to six semesters, and require full-time enrollment. Award amount: $6,000 - $11,000 Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is awarded to members of Phi Theta Kappa who have earned a minimum of 30 transferrable credits. Official documentation of PTK induction must be provided. The PTK scholarship can be combined with Academic Incentive Scholarships and requires full-time enrollment. Award amount: $5,000
Other Scholarships Thomas Meredith Baptist Heritage Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students on the basis of academic excellence, outstanding church and community service, and leadership ability. The scholarships are renewable for a total of four years. Recipients must be a member of a North Carolina Baptist church and require a recommendation from a church official. Yellow Ribbon Program matches scholarship contributions from Meredith to veterans and their eligible dependents. The maximum VA benefit is $20,235. Meredith will match any Yellow Ribbon funds up to $5,000 per student.
Grants Grant assistance typically refers to funding that does not have to be repaid, and eligibility is often determined on the basis of financial need. Meredith College administers a variety of grants to eligible students from federal, state, and institutional resources. Federal Pell Grants are for students with demonstrated financial need. Awards range from $600 to $6,095. meredith.edu/financial-assistance 7
MYTH
MYTH 3: ONLY WEALTHY FAMILIES CAN AFFORD PRIVATE COLLEGES. FACT: Students at Meredith come from diverse financial
FACT
backgrounds and family income levels. Approximately 95% of our students receive some type of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans.
North Carolina Need-Based Scholarships are for N.C. residents attending private institutions. Consideration is automatic once applicants complete the FAFSA and list Meredith as an institution of choice. Awards range from $1,100 to $7,500 per year. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are for students with the highest demonstrated financial need. Awards typically range from $100 to $4,000 and do not have to be repaid. Meredith College Grants are for students with demonstrated need. These grants supplement federal and state aid. To be renewed, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continue to demonstrate need. These grants do not have to be repaid. TEACH Grants are for prospective teachers. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 a year in grant aid to undergraduate, graduate, and postbaccalaureate students. Recipients agree to teach for at least four academic years in a high-need field at a school that serves students from low-income families. Golden Leaf Scholarships are for current high school seniors and North Carolina community college transfer students. Recipients must be from certain rural counties and demonstrate 8 meredith.edu/financial-assistance
both financial need and merit. The scholarship is funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation through a grant to the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.
Loans Loans are financial assistance funds that are borrowed and must be paid back, often with interest. Federal student loans are funded by the federal government; private student loans are made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or a school. Federal Student Loans – The Federal Direct Loan program offers fixed, low-interest rate loans to students. Loans are issued directly from the federal government to the school. Federal Parent PLUS Loan – Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loan) to help pay for education expenses. On-Campus Employment – The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for qualified undergraduate students with financial need. 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.
Financial Assistance Quick Facts
OVER
95% of first-year students receive scholarships or financial assistance.
StrongPoints®, Meredith’s advising and personal
$25
million
in scholarships and grants available from Meredith College.
coaching model, includes a financial literacy component that prepares students to take control of their financial futures.
$55.3 million
coordinated in financial assistance annually.
$16-21K
Range of academic merit-based scholarships awarded to qualified students at time of admission.
CONTACT US Get personalized support and information about your financial aid options. We’ll work with you and your family throughout the aid process. To schedule an appointment, call (919) 760-8565 or email finaid@meredith.edu.
Meredith College admits qualified women students without regard to race, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
meredith.edu/financial-assistance 9
Subscribe to receive financial assistance tips and other admissions advice at meredith.edu/admissions-blog.
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
18-11918-119