Understanding Elizabethtown College Costs: Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Opportunities

Choosing the right college is a significant decision involving many factors, with cost being a primary concern for most students and their families. Elizabethtown College, like many private institutions, represents a substantial investment. This article breaks down the various costs associated with attending Elizabethtown College, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. It further explores the financial aid options available, such as scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans, to help prospective students and their families make informed decisions about financing their education.

The Cost of Attendance: A Breakdown

Understanding the sticker price is the first step in planning for college expenses. Elizabethtown College's full-time undergraduate tuition is \$39,370. This positions the college within the top 30% of higher-cost higher education institutions.

Tuition and Fees

For the academic year, Elizabethtown College's tuition is \$39,370. Compared with the national average cost of tuition of \$47,097, Elizabethtown College is cheaper. In addition to tuition, students can expect to pay fees of \$676 annually. These fees, which fall in the lower 30% percentile compared to other colleges, support various campus services and facilities, including library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers.

Room and Board

Housing and food costs also constitute a significant portion of the overall cost of attendance. At Elizabethtown College, the expenses for room and board amount to \$13,810 annually. Specifically, the college charges \$6,830 for room, a figure marked as average and falling in the lower 35% percentile, while board costs are higher at \$6,980 and fall into the top 30% percentile range.

Total Cost of Attendance

Taking the elements of tuition, fees, room, and board together, students can anticipate an annual cost near \$53,180 to attend Elizabethtown College. At Elizabethtown College, the total cost is \$53,440. In comparison, this total is somewhat below the average annual cost for private non-profit four-year colleges in the United States, which is \$54,501.

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Additional Expenses

In addition to Tuition, Housing, and Food, students may incur expenses for books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The cost of attendance listed above might be intimidating. Let's start with the overall numbers.

Understanding Financial Aid Options

To make education more accessible, Elizabethtown College offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. These programs can significantly reduce the net price, making the college more affordable for students from diverse financial backgrounds.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid, making them a valuable resource for students. They can be need-based, merit-based, or awarded based on specific criteria such as community service, unique talents, or affiliations. Elizabethtown College offers a range of scholarships and grants to assist students in funding their education.

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: These scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Elizabethtown College was \$22,935. Additionally, 67% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023. Types of need-based scholarships/grants available.

Merit-Based Scholarships: Also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Elizabethtown College - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was \$21,391.

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Elizabethtown College offers more than \$30 million in awards each year.

Specific Scholarship Programs:

Stamps Scholars Program: This prestigious scholarship recognizes and rewards exceptional students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, overcoming obstacles, and innovation. Stamps Scholars receive an award meeting 100% of the total cost of tuition plus access to an enrichment fund which can be used for study abroad, internship support, community/civic engagement opportunities, and other qualified educational activities and is renewable for up to eight semesters. Students must submit a completed application to Elizabethtown College by January 15 to be eligible for this scholarship; interviews are encouraged.
Mosaic Award: Mosaic Award winners have a demonstrated commitment to valuing and fostering the diversity reflected in their community and in the bigger world beyond. They have sought opportunities to both seek and provide perspective in conversations and activity related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, age, and national origin. Elizabethtown expects Mosaic Award winners to continue to contribute in similar ways during their time on campus. All accepted students are considered for the Mosaic Award.
Legacy Scholarships: Elizabethtown recognizes the relationship legacy students have with our community by awarding a Legacy Scholarships to accepted students who are children or grandchildren of Elizabethtown alumni. These grants are available to students who demonstrate financial need. A student must apply annually to be considered for this grant. This money is an outright grant to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill. The receipt of additional institutional awards/aid, outside scholarships/aid or a change in residential status may impact this amount.
Church of the Brethren Awards: These awards are available to students who are active members of the Church of the Brethren when they are admitted to the College. This money is an outright award to the student and does not have to be repaid.

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Music Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to first-year and transfer students who are outstanding performing musicians who meet the challenges of Elizabethtown's academic environment. Scholarships are open to music and non-music majors. Awards are renewable for four years. Scholarship winners must participate in a College music ensemble identified by the College and take private music lessons for credit in their primary performing areas to maintain their scholarships.
M. Darlene Myer '66 Writers Award: The M. Darlene Myer '66 Writers Award will provide a rising junior with the opportunity to work directly with the Bowers Writers House to craft a multi-modal project, offering a real-world experience to learn the importance of writing for career and professional advancement. The writing experience will span one semester during the awardees’ senior year, after which they will write about the impact of this experience. A financial award will be designated to support student costs incurred while participating in the program as well as an honorarium for the professional mentor. The student awardee may receive \$250 to begin work on this project and an additional award of \$500 upon successful completion of the project. Must have a GPA of at least 3.2 or higher. To apply, students should review eligibility requirements and then submit a 200-300 word proposal detailing why they want to research writing and/or communication in the industry or profession associated with their intended career path.
Transfer Scholarship: Transfer students are eligible for all merit-based scholarships (with the exception of the Stamps Scholarship) and may also qualify for the renewable Transfer Scholarship. Beginning in 2022, this renewable scholarship is awarded to all new, full-time transfer students who enroll through the traditional day program. No separate application is required.
International Student Scholarship: Qualified International Students are eligible for an Elizabethtown College International Student Scholarship for their four years at the College. This \$1,000 scholarship is awarded to incoming students who reside outside of the state of Pennsylvania.
Excelsior scholarships: are reserved for students who demonstrate the highest academic marks. Candidates for this award rank in the top of their high school class with a 3.9 GPA, have taken the most challenging of curriculums, and have made positive contributions within their school and communities.
Presidential scholarships: are offered to academically superior entering first-year students. Strong candidates for this award rank in the top percentages of their high school class, have taken a challenging curriculum, and demonstrated leadership, citizenship, and extracurricular achievement.
Founders scholarships: are offered to academically superior students. Strong candidates for this award rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class, have taken a challenging curriculum, and demonstrated leadership, citizenship, and extracurricular achievement.
Deans scholarships are offered to a select group of incoming students whose high school curriculum is challenging, academic record is excellent, have demonstrated leadership and service backgrounds, and are likely to contribute to the Elizabethtown College community in significant ways.
Community Referral Program Grants: is a community referral program, where community members are encouraged to refer prospective students who they believe would be a good fit for the Blue Jay community.

Grants: Grants are financial aid awards, usually based on financial need, which do not have to be repaid. You should start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Elizabethtown College's school code for the FAFSA is 003262. Students may be eligible for one or more of the following grants. These grants are funded by the Federal Government on the basis of its financial need formula. This grant does not have to be repaid. These federally funded grants are need-based awards, granted through Elizabethtown College. These grants are given to students with extremely high financial need. This money is an outright grant to the student and does not have to be repaid. A Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer is eligible, under the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, to receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant award.

Pennsylvania State Grant: These funds are awarded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the basis of its financial need formula. Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) must have received your FAFSA results prior to May 1 to be eligible. The figure shown is only an estimate of your award. You will receive a confirmation notice from PHEAA. This is a grant which does not have to be repaid. PHEAA limits students to 8 semesters of Pennsylvania State Grant eligibility. Students with Pennsylvania State Grants must advance a minimum of 24 credits per academic year in order to maintain eligibility. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.
Pennsylvania Summer State Grant: To be eligible for the Pennsylvania Summer State Grant Program, you must be enrolled at least half-time (defined as at least six credits per semester) and be enrolled in at least 5 weeks worth of courses. Students must submit an application to PHEAA to determine if they are eligible. Summer Pennsylvania State Grants will be credited to eligible student accounts at the end of summer. Please note, a Summer Pennsylvania State Grant is included in the maximum number of payments for which a student may be eligible. By law, students are limited to the number of Pennsylvania State Grant payments needed to complete the program in which they are enrolled.
Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program: This is a program that provides a tuition waiver for eligible youth who are or have been in foster care and are seeking access to a postsecondary education. For more information, please visit the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program.

Work-Study Programs

Elizabethtown College provides a variety of work-study opportunities designed to assist students in managing college expenses while gaining valuable experience. Students participating in the federal work-study program can find part-time employment on campus in departments such as the library, administrative offices, and academic support centers. The average pay for work-study jobs at Elizabethtown College aligns with the federal minimum wage standards and varies depending on the job role and student experience. Work-Study award is not a credit against the students' bill. Rather, students may use earnings to offset books and living expenses.

Student Loans

Loans are another form of financial aid that can help students cover the cost of college. However, unlike scholarships and grants, loans must be repaid with interest. It’s generally a bad sign if a school has many students taking out a lot of loans.

Federal Loans: These loans tend to have low interest rates, which means they cost less in the long run. At Elizabethtown College, 77% of all students take out federal loans. At Elizabethtown College, the average annual federal loan amount is \$5934.

Private Loans: Other loans, or private loans, are the last resource students turn to when paying for college. At Elizabethtown College, 14% of students take out private loans. The average private loan amount at Elizabethtown College is \$12952.

Student Loan Debt: How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. At Elizabethtown College, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is \$27,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is \$286. Additionally, 32% of graduating students at Elizabethtown College took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of \$46,103 in private loan debt at graduation.

Financial Aid Statistics

Understanding the percentage of students receiving aid and the average aid package can provide valuable insights into a college's commitment to financial accessibility.

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 65.74%
Average Aid Package: \$30,216
Average Per Year After Aid: \$27,019
Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 98.19%

Net Price and Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. The estimates below are meant to be a guide in helping you plan for an Elizabethtown College education and are based on the current parameters used for entering first-year students. For a more detailed estimate of financial aid based on your actual information, view the Elizabethtown College Net Price Calculator. Resources and financial aid policies vary from college to college, so your "net price" may vary from institution to institution. Special circumstances are considered by the Elizabethtown College Office of Financial Aid on a case-by-case basis. The Elizabethtown College Office of Financial Aid is the final authority on determining any financial aid award resulting from submission of the appropriate financial aid forms.

The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline.

Important Financial Aid Dates

Application Due: Not available. The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.
Priority Application Due: Not available. Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.
Notification Date: Dec 1. When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.
Response Due: Not available. The deadline for students to respond to the college’s aid offer.

Additional Resources and Policies

Elizabethtown College’s Financial Aid Office assists enrolled and prospective students in finding the financial means to allow them to fully participate in the educational experience at Elizabethtown College. Services include providing current information and resources, budgeting assistance, debt management advice, and suggestions for financing a college education.
Students interested in need-based financial aid from the College must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is strongly recommended that students complete the FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Elizabethtown College’s Title IV code is 003262.
All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships during the admissions application review. Some of these scholarships include the approximately 100 endowed scholarships and gifts that are available to Elizabethtown students through the generosity of the College’s alumni and friends.
Elizabethtown College recognizes that standard financial aid forms do not always capture the full financial profile of our students.
Learners must reapply each year in order for aid to continue. Learners are highly encouraged to complete materials for their application by May 1 for the following summer and fall and November 1 for the following spring. This includes the College’s Employer Assistance Verification Form and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
All information requested by the Financial Aid Office is authorized by law. All applicants for financial aid at Elizabethtown College are advised that disclosure of their social security number is required as a condition of participation in federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. Any information submitted is subject to verification.
If students think that an error in their financial aid package stems from information in their file in the Financial Aid Office, they may review their file at any time, according to the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The Financial Aid Office treats each student’s file with sensitivity and utmost confidentiality. Students must give written and signed permission before the College will release information from their file to a third party.
Withdrawal from classes after the start of a session affects your academic record and tuition charge/financial aid.
Veterans attending the College for the first time should be prepared to pay their tuition for the first semester while awaiting reimbursement from the Veterans’ Administration. Payment is required within 30 days of the completion of the session. If payment is not received by the 30th day, the banking information or credit card listed on the deferred payment form will be charged for outstanding tuition and fee costs. A convenience fee of 2.75% of the total payment amount will be assessed for any credit card payment.

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