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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Apply & Next Steps

You know that investing in your education is critical.  An important first step toward that investment is applying for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Institutional Aid Application for international and undocumented students.

Because of significant Department of Education processing delays, we will not have information about FAFSA submissions or financial aid until at least the end of March. Once FAFSA data is released to us, we are committed to sharing financial aid information as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.

New Students - Fall Entry

Type of StudentFAFSA Priority DeadlineEstimated date
Dept. Of ED Releases
FAFSA data to Schools
Estimate Mailing
Financial Aid Offer Letter (AOL)
First Year Early DecisionMarch 1, 2024Late MarchEarly April, 2024
First Year Early ActionMarch 1, 2024Late MarchEarly April, 2024
First Year Regular DecisionMarch 1, 2024Late MarchEarly April, 2024
TransferMarch 1, 2024Late MarchEarly April, 2024
GraduateApril 15, 2024After May 15

New Students - Spring Entry

Type of StudentFAFSA Priority DeadlineReceive Financial Aid Offer Letter (AOL)
First YearNovember 1, 2024By November 15
TransferNovember 1, 2024By November 15
GraduateNovember 1, 2024By November 15

The first step in applying for aid (scholarships, grants, loans or work-study) is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Helpful tips for filling out the FAFSA:

1. Double-check your information – Social Security Number, date of birth, and name (legal name) must be those of the recipient; incorrect information here will severely delay the processing of your application.

2. Enter Meredith’s school code #002945 on your FAFSA to ensure that we receive the data.

3. Leave no blanks – Unless instructed to do so, make sure all blanks are filled in, even if that means entering a “0”. Read the FAFSA instructions carefully.

4. File your FAFSA by the priority deadline (February 15 for new students; March 15 for returning students). Ideally, submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens in December. Students who apply by the priority deadline maximize their funding options. However, you should still apply even if the priority deadline has passed.

Videos and Other Resources to Help with the FAFSA

If you have been notified to complete missing information, please do so as soon as possible. If you’ve been selected for verification, you’ll find an explanation of what that means below.

You must be officially accepted by Meredith before any financial aid package (scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study) can be offered.

Next Steps

1. New students whose FAFSA is received by February 15 will be given priority for awards and will be notified of aid eligibility by mid-March. Returning students typically receive their award packages in June.

2. Review your award letter and determine if you are accepting or declining all or part of your financial aid awards. Return your signed statement of award to the Office of Financial Assistance.

Meredith College
Attn: Financial Assistance Office
Johnson Hall East
3800 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
Fax: (919) 760-2373

3. If awarded the North Carolina Need Based Scholarship (NBS), please complete the NC RDS (Residency Determination Service) online form to determine your eligibility at www.ncresidency.org.

4. Complete Entrance Counseling and Loan Agreement for a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (MPN).
Note: If you are a current student, this step only needs to be completed your first year.

5. Utilize the Calculating your Annual Cost Worksheet to determine your estimated annual bill. If additional funding is needed, please refer to the back of the Worksheet where additional options are listed with instructions.

Selected for Verification

Some FAFSAs will be selected by the Federal Department of Education for a process called Verification. When selected, Meredith College is required by law to collect specific documentation from the student/parent(s)/spouse listed on the FAFSA to verify information that was submitted. Being selected for Verification is not an indication that there is a problem, but rather an effort to ensure the accuracy of the Federal Financial Aid System.

When a FAFSA is selected for Verification, the Financial Assistance Office will contact the student about what information is needed for documentation, how it may be obtained, and how it is submitted. If you have been asked to complete a form, please look under Missing Information Forms. The Financial Assistance Office cannot waive the requirement for verification when the student is selected by the Federal Department of Education. Failure to provide documentation may result in the delay and/or loss of Federal, State, and Institutional funds.

Missing Information (For current students only)

If you have received an email indicating you are missing financial aid documents, you can view the items that are necessary to complete your financial aid application.

Contact Information
1st Floor, Johnson Hall
1-800-MEREDITH
(919) 760-8565
Fax: (919) 760-2373
finaid@meredith.edu