Applying for Financial Aid at Earlham

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students at Earlham receive financial assistance?

In a typical academic year, 85-90% of Earlham’s student body receives some form of financial aid.

What is the difference between merit-based aid and need-based aid?

Merit scholarships are awarded based on ability or achievement. The Presidential Honors Scholarship is one example of this type of award. The recipients are selected by the Admissions staff, based on the student’s credentials reported in their admissions application file. Need-based aid is financial assistance which is based on a family’s financial situation. Recipients are awarded funds through the Financial Aid Office, based on the information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Earlham Financial Aid Application.

How is “financial need” determined?

When a student and their family complete the FAFSA, the data is reported to the federal processor. Earlham then receives this information via a Student Aid Report, or SAR. This SAR includes the “expected family contribution,” or EFC. The difference between the EFC and the cost to attend Earlham is considered a family’s financial need. For example, if Earlham’s costs were $35,000, and a family’s EFC was $6,000, that family’s financial need is the difference, or $29,000. Earlham works to meet that need through a combination of federal, state and institutional resources, which can include grants and scholarships, work-study and student and parent loans.

Will my package change after the first year?

You must apply for need-based aid each year. Students admitted to Earlham and awarded aid will continue to be awarded the aid for which they qualify each year, as per the policy in effect when the student entered Earlham. Simply stated, assuming that your financial situation stays the same and you maintain satisfactory academic progress towards your degree, your aid eligibility should stay approximately the same all four years.

There are four basic areas which directly affect a student’s aid eligibility: number in the family, number in college, income, and assets. Significant changes in any one of these areas could affect your aid from year to year.

How do local and community scholarships affect my aid package?

If Earlham was not able to meet your family’s need through your aid package, then the outside scholarship amount will simply be added to the Earlham package.

If we were able to meet your family’s need, then we will reduce need-based loans and employment first. Need-based grant aid will be reduced only when loans and work are fully eliminated.

We reduce these figures, if your need was met, so that you do not violate any federal or institutional policies.

Can I get financial aid for studying off-campus?

A student may receive Earlham-funded aid, either merit and/or need-based, for one Earlham or GLCA approved off-campus program. Federal and/or state funded aid may be used for more than one Earlham or GLCA approved off-campus program. Earlham-funded aid is not available for May Term programs charges or other expenses.

An international student participating on an approved off-campus program whose International Student Scholarship (or a fund which replaces this particular scholarship) is based on tuition will have their International Student Scholarship for the off-campus programs calculated as per the tuition of the off-campus program's tuition. The basis for the calculation will not be more than Earlham College tuition for the equivalent period.

Is there financial aid for international students?

The Admissions Office selects the recipients of the International Student Scholarships and work awards. For further information & application materials, international students should contact the Admissions Office.

The student has not been claimed as a dependent on their parent’s tax return. Does that make them independent?

No. To be considered independent for financial aid purposes during the 2007-08 academic year, only for the following reasons generally apply:

• the student was born before January 1, 1984

• the student is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

• the student is enrolled in a graduate or professional program (beyond a bachelor’s degree) at the beginning of the 2007-08 academic year

• the student is married

• the student is an orphan or ward of the court (or was, until age 18)

• the student has legal dependents (other than a spouse) who receive more than half their support from the student

• the student is currently serving in the U. S. Armed Forces or is a National Guard or reserve enlistee who is on active duty of other than state or training purposes.