Apply for Aid
The Meredith College Office of Financial Assistance administers need-based aid to students demonstrating financial need. In order to receive financial assistance, all students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Eligibility for grants, loans and need-based scholarships will be determined based on the results of the FAFSA form. The FAFSA is available on January 1st of the year in which the student plans to attend. For entering first-year students, the priority deadline to complete the FAFSA is February 15th. Returning Meredith students should file their FAFSA no later than March 15th.
How to Apply
The FAFSA form will become available after January 1st of the year in which you plan to attend. Once available, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and complete the FAFSA form. In order to submit the FAFSA successfully, you must complete the following steps:
- Sign Up for Your Federal PIN- In order to sign the electronic FAFSA, you will need to use a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). You may choose your own combination of numbers, or you may request that the Department of Education assign a federal PIN to you by visiting www.pin.ed.gov and clicking “Apply for a PIN.” This number may be used to sign the FAFSA each year and should be kept with your financial documents. For dependent students, both the student and a parent will be required to obtain a federal PIN.
- Gather Your Documentation-The FAFSA will use the information contained in your tax documents to determine your level of financial need. In order to enter this information accurately, you will want to have your current tax forms and W2’s handy. Keep in mind that this means you may want to file your taxes early since the priority filing date for entering first-year students is February 15th, two months prior to the official IRS deadline. For those who are unable to file their taxes before February 15th, you may use your previous year’s taxes to estimate your earnings on the FAFSA, but you will be required to update the FAFSA once your taxes have been completed.
- Answer the Questions- Answer the required questions using your taxes, W2’s and financial statements, and submit the form by entering your federal PIN. The FAFSA’s of dependent students must be signed by both the student and the parent. At the end of the form, you will be asked where you would like the results of your FAFSA form to be sent. You may search for Meredith College in the online listing, or you may simply enter our school code of 002945.
If you have any trouble understanding the FAFSA questions, you may contact the federal processor directly by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). You may also contact our office at (919) 760-8565.
Wait for Your Results
Once the Office of Financial Assistance receives your completed FAFSA, our counselors will create a financial assistance Statement of Award based on your FAFSA results. Some students will be selected by the federal government to complete a one-page worksheet and submit their tax information in addition to completing the FAFSA form. If you are selected by the federal processor to complete the additional worksheet and submit your tax information, we will notify you by mail and supply you with the form.
Incoming first-year students who have completed the FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 15th can expect to receive their Statement of Award in late March or early April. Returning students will receive their continuing Statement of Award after spring semester grades have been submitted in June.
To find out more about the financial assistance Statement of Award and the next steps to plan for your educational expenses, please continue reading in our “What’s Next” section below. If you have specific questions regarding the FAFSA application, you may also want to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
What's Next?
If you have already completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, follow the steps below:
Wait for Your Financial Assistance Statement of Award
Once the Office of Financial Assistance receives your completed FAFSA, our counselors will create a financial assistance Statement of Award based on your FAFSA results. Some students will be selected by the federal government to complete a one-page worksheet and submit their tax information in addition to completing the FAFSA form. If you are selected by the federal processor to complete the additional worksheet and submit your tax information, we will notify you by mail and supply you with the form.
Incoming first-year students who have completed the FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 15th can expect to receive their Statement of Award in late March or early April. Returning students will receive their continuing Statement of Award after spring semester grades have been submitted in June.
Review Your Statement of Award
Review the assumptions made on your Statement of Award regarding your student classification, attempted credit hours, and pending financial assistance. The types and amounts of financial assistance available will vary depending upon the results of your FAFSA. If you would like to know more about specific types of aid listed on your Statement of award, please visit our grants, scholarships, and student loans pages or visit our FAQ.
Complete the Enclosed Documents
Your Statement of Award will include documentation that you will need to complete in order to receive the funding listed in your letter. These documents may include but are not limited to:
- The North Carolina Legislative Tuition Grant - This form must completed by all residents of the State of North Carolina.
- Federal Direct Loan Entrance Loan Counseling and Master Promissory Note - If you wish to receive the student loans listed, both the loan counseling and promissory note must be completed online.
- Calculate Your Annual Cost Worksheet - This worksheet will help students and families anticipate the total cost of education and develop a clear financial plan.
Sign and Return Your Statement of Award to the Office of Financial Assistance
You may return your award and accompanying documentation via mail, fax, or email to:
Meredith College
Office of Financial Assistance
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
Fax: (919) 760-2373
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
