Meredith College Financial Aid Brochure

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

BRI CRUMBLEY, ’16 MEREDITH COLLEGE ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

TOOK WORLD RELIGION CLASS.

RECOGNIZED THE

POWER OF DIVERSITY.

JUMPSTARTED INTERFAITH

EFFORTS AT MEREDITH.

BECAME ONE OF SEVEN YOUTH LEADERS

IN THE U.S.

LANDED DREAM JOB

BRINGING COMMUNITIES

TOGETHER.

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 $52 million in financial assistance. Meredith funded $23 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. Low-interest

Fact: Students who graduate from private

student loans are a good way to help fund a

colleges are more likely to do so within four

college education and may be a useful tool for

years – and more women’s college students

your family. Stories in the national media have

graduate in four years or less. That means they

demonized student loans, but according to

accumulate less in tuition charges than peers

College Board’s Trends in Student Aid 2015,

at public and co-ed institutions. They’re also

total undergraduate student loan debt has

more likely to find jobs more readily than their

actually decreased every year since 2011. And

counterparts at public institutions. Over the

a college education continues to be one of the

past three years, 95% of our graduates are

most valuable investments you can make; a

employed or pursuing graduate study within a

2014 Pew Research Center study found that

few short months of graduation.

high school graduates only earn about 62% of what college graduates earn.

Myth: Only wealthy families can afford private colleges.

Fact: Students at Meredith come from diverse financial backgrounds and family income

meredith.edu/financial-assistance

Financial Assistance at Meredith College Academic Scholarships Meredith Legacy Scholarships – awarded to a limited number of high-achieving entering first-year students. Students awarded Meredith’s most prestigious scholarship receive full tuition, room and board, books and supplies, international study, and other enrichment opportunities, with an estimated value of $200,000 over four years.

Meredith Legacy Scholarships Academic Profile Average SAT(EBRW+M)/ACT: 1540/34 Average Weighted GPA: 4.55

Academic Merit Scholarships and Tuition Grants – awarded to entering first-year students to recognize academic ability, achievement, and leadership potential. Academic scholarship awards range from $17,000 to $21,000 and are renewable for a total of four years. Tuition grants range from $12,000 to $16,000. No separate application is needed.

Academic Merit Scholarships and Tuition Grants Academic Profile Test Scores: Range from 1100 SAT (EBRW+M) or 22 ACT to near perfect scores Average Unweighted GPAs: 3.49-4.0

Presidential Scholarships – awarded to

Scholars Programs

entering first-year students with outstanding

Honors Program – for gifted and highly-

academic credentials, intellectual promise, and leadership ability. Presidential scholars receive full tuition, with an estimated value of $150,000 over four years.

motivated students. Honors students participate in innovative courses, travel opportunities, cultural enrichment programs, and community-based learning.

Presidential Scholarships Academic Profile Average SAT(EBRW+M)/ACT: 1470/32

Meredith Teaching Fellows – for students

Average Weighted GPA: 4.3

intending to become teachers. Students have

meredith.edu/financial-assistance

opportunities to gain classroom experience,

must audition with theatre faculty to be

learn from education professionals through a

considered for these scholarships.

two-year mentorship program, study abroad, and take honors courses.

Transfer Scholarships

Paschal Scholarships – provide a unique

Academic Incentive Scholarships – up

opportunity for talented students to pursue

to $11,000 annual scholarship for those

careers in mathematics, computer science,

transferring from a U.S. accredited four-year

science, and engineering. Paschal Scholars

institution or community college. Amount of

participate in a specialized learning community.

scholarship is based on academic credentials submitted with your application for admission.

Service Scholars Program – for students with

Renewable for up to six semesters and requires

a demonstrated commitment to making an

full-time enrollment.

impact in their communities. Service Scholars will engage with a variety of organizations throughout the Raleigh area while critically reflecting upon challenges and solutions to issues throughout our community.

Talent Scholarships Art Scholarships – for incoming first-year

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships – $5,000 annual scholarship for members of Phi Theta Kappa who have earned a minimum of 30 transferrable credits. Official documentation of your induction must be provided. This scholarship can be combined with the Academic Incentive Scholarship and requires full-time enrollment.

students pursuing a major in art on the basis of artistic talent. May be renewed annually for a total of four years.

Other Scholarships Thomas Meredith Baptist Heritage

Interior Design Scholarships – for incoming

Scholarship – awarded to first-year students

first-year students pursuing a major in interior

on the basis of academic excellence,

design. Award is based on scholarship and

outstanding church and community service,

potential for success in the field. May be

and leadership ability. Recipients must be

renewed annually for a total of four years.

members of a North Carolina Baptist church

Music Scholarships – for incoming first-year students pursuing a major in music. Award

and provide a recommendation from a church official. Renewable for a total of four years.

is based on outstanding musical talent,

Yellow Ribbon Program – for veterans and

academic ability, recommendations, and

their eligible dependents, the program matches

potential for achievement in the field. May

certain grant and scholarship contributions

be renewed annually for a total of four years.

from Meredith. Current maximum Veterans

Audition required.

Affairs (VA) benefit is $20,235. Meredith will

Theatre Scholarships – awarded to incoming first-year students pursuing a major in theatre on the basis of talent in theatre. Applicants

provide grants and scholarships up to $5,000 per student for as many as 50 veterans and dependents who quality.

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

untion, state agency, or a school.

demonstrated financial need. Awards provide up to $5,775 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 institutions.

from the federal government to the school.

Consideration is automatic once applicants complete the FAFSA and list Meredith as an institution of choice. Awards range from $600 to $7,500.

TEACH Grants – 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 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-

Federal Parent PLUS Loan – Parents of

income families.

dependent undergraduate students may apply for the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate

Federal Supplemental Educational

Students (PLUS Loan) to help pay for

Opportunity Grant – awarded to students

education expenses.

with the highest demonstrated financial need.

FSEOG awards typically range from $100 to

On-Campus Employment – The Federal

$4,000 and do not have to be repaid.

Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for qualified undergraduate students with

Meredith College Grants – for students with

financial need.

demonstrated need. These grants are provided by the College to supplement federal and state

Student Community Employment – The

aid, are eligible for renewal, and do not have to

Office of Financial Assistance advertises off-

be repaid.

campus, part-time community employment opportunities for Meredith students. Jobs posted typically include babysitting, tutoring, and other similar positions.

meredith.edu/financial-assistance

SIERRA MOOREFIELD, ’18 MEREDITH LEGACY SCHOLAR

DEDICATED

STUDENT.

SEEKER OF SCIENTIFIC

DISCOVERIES. FUTURE PEDIATRIC

ONCOLOGIST.

CAME TO MEREDITH

TO DO IT ALL.

Financial Assistance Quick Facts

$23

million In Meredith scholarships and grants awarded to students in 2015-16.

$ $52

million Coordinated in financial assistance annually.

OVER

$25,823 Average amount of financial assistance awarded to incoming first-year students.

95%

of first-year students receive

scholarships or financial assistance.

Next Steps Contact Us

Scholarships, Thomas Meredith Baptist

Partnering with you and your family, our

Heritage Scholarships, and Meredith Teaching

financial assistance staff will provide a financial

Fellows, Honors, Paschal, and Service Scholars

aid package to help meet your needs. To

programs. You must apply to the Honors

schedule an appointment, call (919) 760-

Program to be considered for Presidential and

8565 or email us at finaid@meredith.edu.

Meredith Legacy Scholarships. Applications are available from the Office of Admissions or

Apply for Assistance

meredith.edu/admissions.

Apply for financial assistance by filling out

Scholarship and Scholars Program

the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

applications must be submitted by January

(FAFSA). You do not need to wait for your

15. Applicants must also be admitted to the

admissions decision to start with the need-

College by January 15.

based financial aid application process. The FAFSA is available beginning October 1 from

International, Undocumented, and Non-

the U.S. Department of Education’s website

U.S. Resident students can apply for

at www.fafsa.gov. Meredith’s priority FAFSA

financial assistance by filing Meredith’s

date is February 15. Meredith will receive your

Application for Institutional Aid for International,

information electronically – just submit your

Undocumented and Non-U.S. Resident

FAFSA with our FAFSA Title IV Code of 002945.

students. The form is available at

Every student who applies for admission to Meredith is automatically considered for academic merit awards and tuition grants.

Separate applications are required for Talent

meredith.edu/financial-assistance.

Please complete the form by our priority date of February 15.

2,000 STUDENTS

39 COUNTRIES 22,000 GRADS

125 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.

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