Current Students
At Meredith, we're committed to working with you and your family to help guide you through the financial aid process. We strive to provide all the information and resources available in order to help you make your education affordable.
To contact the appropriate staff person, click here. Please note that staff are assigned to students based on the student's last name and discrete areas of student assistance, such as study abroad and loans. We look forward to working with you!
Information About:
How to Apply
You are required to complete a FAFSA form each year in order to continue to receive need-based scholarships, grants, and federal loans. The FAFSA form will become available after January 1st of each year, and returning students should complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 15th. Once available, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and complete the FAFSA form. In order to submit the FAFSA successfully, you will want to complete the following steps:
- 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 returning students is March 15th, one month prior to the official IRS deadline. For those who are unable to file their taxes before March15th, 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. In order to sign the FAFSA, you will also need to make sure you have your federal PIN. If you can't remember your PIN or you need to sign up for a PIN, please visit the federal PIN website at www.pin.ed.gov.
- Go Online to the FAFSA Website- You may start a new FAFSA by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- 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.
Returning students will receive their continuing Statement of Award after spring semester grades have been submitted in June.
Eligibility for grants, loans and need-based scholarships will be determined based on the results of the FAFSA form. For additional information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Financial Assistance for Study Abroad
Meredith College is committed to helping students find avenues to pay for study abroad. Eligibility for assistance may vary depending on the program and the term you wish to attend. To find out more about the types of aid available for your program, read the information below that pertains to the type of program you're interested in.
Steps to Applying for Financial Assistance to Study Abroad
1) Read the Financial Assistance for Study Abroad Brochure below (once you click to view in full screen, you may click again to zoom):
2) Download the Study Away Financial Assistance Application
3) Complete all of Section I of your Study Away Financial Assistance Application. Be sure to complete the budget section and sign the second page.
4) Make an appointment with Tammi Dittmar in the Office of Financial Assistance or by calling (919) 760-8565. Your final steps for financial assistance will be discussed during your appointment.
Processing times vary depending on the nature of the program and the date of submission. If you are eligible to receive financial assistance, funds are typically dispersed 10 days prior to your departure date.
If you are seeking reimbursement from your financial assistance for expenses related to your study abroad travel (i.e. check advances for airfare, passport, etc.), please complete the Study Abroad Expense Reimbursement Form by clicking here.
Financial Assistance for Semester Study Abroad Programs
Students studying full-time in an approved semester program may be eligible to receive the same grants, loans, and scholarships they receive while attending Meredith, depending on the cost of the program. These funds are typically available only for a student's first study abroad experience.
Grants
The North Carolina Need Based Scholarship is available to all North Carolina Residents attending private institutions. Students are still eligible to receive these funds for the semester they choose to study abroad. Federal Pell Grants, Federal TEACH Grants, and institutional grants are also available to students during semester study abroad programs.
Scholarships
The Meredith Office of International Programs administers specific travel awards each year. These awards are highly competitive and are primarily based on students' academic and service records. Award amounts typically range from $500 to $1,500, depending upon the number and quality of applicants and the expense and length of the program.
Spring scholarship applications are due no later than October 15. Scholarship recipients will be notified in mid-November. For those interested in attending in the Fall semester, applications must be completed by February 15. Recipients will be notified in mid- to late-March. Scholarship applications are available in the Study Abroad office in Joyner 124.
A number of study abroad scholarships are available through outside sources and may vary depending on the type and location of your program. To search available outside scholarships, visit http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/.
Loans
Loans already included in students' financial assistance award letters do not change while studying abroad. Since certain semester programs may exceed the cost of Meredith, students and parents may apply for additional loans to help pay for their expenses abroad. To apply for a loan or to adjust loan amounts, visit our loans page.
Financial Assistance for Summer Study Abroad Programs
In order to qualify for financial assistance during the summer term, students must enroll in a program that lasts at least 18 days and complete a total of six credit hours. These hours can be accumulated entirely through study abroad or through a combination of stateside summer school and study abroad programs.
Loans
The majority of summer study abroad assistance is awarded in the form of loans. To learn how to apply for loans, please visit our loans page.
Scholarships
The Meredith Office of International Programs administers specific travel awards each year. These awards are highly competitive and are primarily based on students' academic and service records. Award amounts typically range from $500 to $1500, depending upon the number and quality of applicants and the expense and length of the program.
Summer scholarship applications are due no later than February 15. Recipients will be notified in mid- to late-March. Scholarship applications are available in the Office of International Programs in Joyner 124.
Once the spring 2013 semester commences, refund requests will be processed electonically through this site. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding financial assistance refunds, please contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 919-760-8565 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for additional information.
Summer Financial Assistance
If you are seeking assistance in the summer term, a separate summer application must be filed. You may complete the summer application by downloading and completing the summer financial assistance form and returning it to the Office of Financial Assistance. The form will be available online in the spring of 2013 for students planning to study during the summer 2013 session.
Academic Requirements
In order for a Meredith College student to retain eligibility for federal, state and institutional assistance, the student must meet the criteria listed below. If a student fails to meet both requirements at the end of an academic period (defined as one academic year, if the student attends both semesters,) then the student is placed on financial assistance probation for the following semester. If the student does not meet both conditions at the end of the probationary period, she will no longer be eligible for financial assistance until she can again meet both requirements.
Undergraduate Degree Students
Qualitative Requirement - Each student must maintain the following minimum Meredith QPA, based on credits attempted:
| Total Attempted Hours: | Minimum Required Meredith QPA |
| 0-16: | 1.500 |
| 17-25: | 1.700 |
| 26-59: | 1.800 |
| 60-89: | 1.900 |
| 90 and above: | 2.000 |
Quantitative Requirement – Each student must also be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree. Satisfactory progress toward graduation is measured in terms of total academic credits earned. A student must earn 75% of all credits attempted and aided for the academic period. Undergraduate students may not receive financial assistance for more than 150% of the expected program length, or ten semesters for full-time students, whichever is less.
Graduate Degree Students
Qualitative Requirement – Each student must meet the academic standards for continued enrollment in the school or program in order to continue to receive financial assistance.
Quantitative Requirement – Graduate students may not receive financial assistance for more than 150% of the expected program length.
Students placed on financial assistance probation: Students placed on financial assistance probation will receive a letter informing them of their probationary status and will be asked to meet with a member of the Office of Financial Assistance staff. This letter will state that the student’s progress will be reviewed after the next semester. If the student then meets SAP requirements, she will be removed from probation. If she does not meet/exceed the requirements, her financial aid will be suspended until she meets the requirements to resume receiving aid. There will be a chance for a student to appeal.
Appeal Process
Students who are placed on financial assistance probation, or had financial assistance suspended, have the right to submit an appeal of the decision. Student must submit a letter to the Director of Financial Assistance stating the reasons for reconsideration. This information will then be discussed by the Financial Assistance Appeals Committee who will make a final decision.
