Financial Aid

Meridian College is accredited and participate in various federal student aid programs.  During the admissions interview, your admissions representative will arrange for you to meet with an associate from our financial aid office.  This associate will explain the various types of federal aid for which you may qualify.   The difference between grant and loan programs will be explained so you can make a final decision regarding the creation of a financial aid package that best meets your needs.  The financial aid associate will prepare an estimated award letter to help explain how your financial aid package will help cover the cost of college tuition, books, and fees.  Financial aid is available to those who qualify and our financial aid office is dedicated to the following goals.

• Helping to remove the financial barrier for those college students who are unable to pay.
• Easing the financial burden for those who are more able to pay, but still are in need of financial assistance.
• Striving to realize the goal of equality of educational opportunity.
• Providing a consistent method for measuring the ability of families to pay for educational costs.
• Providing all college students the opportunity to apply for aid for which they may qualify.

For Those Who Qualify

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Direct Student Loans
• Federal PLUS Loans
• In-house Payment Plan

Types of Aid Available

Financial Aid Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is need-based assistance that does not have to be repaid unless a college student withdraws from school. Pell is awarded to college students who have a financial need as determined by a standard federal formula, which takes into consideration family size, income, and resources to determine need. Annually, the U.S. Department of Education determines student eligibility for this grant. This grant is available to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree.

The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds available to the college student over their lifetime is limited by federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding you can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%. The calculation of the duration of a college student’s eligibility will include all years of the student’s receipt of Federal Pell Grant funding. College students can monitor their aggregate balance on the NSLDS website at http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds.

Financial Aid Loans

Federal Direct Student Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct loans are low-interest loans that are made available to the college student. The loan must be used to pay for direct (tuition, fees, books and supplies) and indirect (room, board, transportation and personal expenses) educational expenses. Subsidized loans are based on family income and college student need while unsubsidized loans are not. Students repay their loans beginning six months after they graduate, withdraw from the College, or fall below half-time enrollment status.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a low-interest loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. These loans are not based on need but when combined with other resources, cannot exceed the student’s cost of education. The U. S. Department of Education requires a credit check on the parent borrower. Either or both parents may borrow through this program. Repayment begins within 60 days of final disbursement of the loan within a loan period. Parents may request deferment of payments while the college student is attending at least half-time.

Any awards from the federal loan programs must be repaid in accordance with the terms of the promissory note, which is signed by either the college student or the parent.

Helpful Sites

The U.S. Department of Education offers many great sites and resources to students and prospective college students. Here are a few we think you’ll find helpful:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid – complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what types of financial aid you may qualify for to help you cover the costs of going back to school to pursue your new career.

Federal Student Aid – Learn everything you want to know about the various financial aid programs available to college students and more.

StudentLoans.gov – Log in to your account using your FSA ID to complete counseling, consolidate your loans, update your information, change your payment plan, use the repayment calculator, and more.

National Student Loan Data System – Log in here using your FSA ID to check on your college student loan balance as well as how much Pell Grant you have used.

Department of Education Entrance Counseling Video

For college students considering the use of student loans to help pay for the cost of your education, it is vital for you to know the importance of repaying those student loans. You should also limit the amount you borrow to only that which you need.  Don’t overborrow!