Hello everyone! I'm just curious about the financial aid offered by Spelman. I know a lot of schools offer need-based scholarships and all, but how generous is Spelman specifically? Do they have a lot of merit-based scholarships or other aid opportunities I can possibly go for?
Spelman College is known to be quite generous when it comes to financial aid. It does offer both need-based and merit-based scholarships. The college meets about 86% of the demonstrated financial need for its students on average.
Spelman's need-based financial aid is determined through your FAFSA application, which determines your Student Aid Index (SAI). The college uses this information to assess your family's financial situation, and the aid awarded can come in the form of grants, work-study, or loans.
On the merit-based side of things, there are a few different scholarships that might be of interest to you. For example, the Presidential Scholarship, which is the most prestigious, is awarded to first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability. It covers the full cost of tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, and includes a personal stipend. There are also other lesser-known, designated scholarships that are awarded on the basis of both merit and need.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Spelman has a few notable partnerships like the Bonner Scholars Program which provides a substantial scholarship for students with demonstrated community service and leadership experience.
The best course of action would be to check out Spelman's financial aid website for the most detailed and current information. Also, don't forget you can reach out to the financial aid office directly with any specific questions or concerns. They can help guide you through the process if needed - calcuating your net price in their net price calculator might be a good first step.
Remember to cast a wide net when searching for financial aid opportunities. There could also be external scholarships that you may qualify for, based on a variety of factors. So while school-specific aid is super important, don't limit your exploration to only what Spelman offers.
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