Mercer University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide
Mercer University is committed to making academic excellence accessible and affordable for its students. U.S. News & World Report consistently recognizes Mercer for its commitment to providing financial aid and scholarship opportunities. This article delves into the various scholarships offered by Mercer University, eligibility requirements, and renewal criteria.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Automatic Evaluation Upon Admission
Upon admission to Mercer, all students are automatically evaluated for eligibility to receive a merit scholarship. This process eliminates the need for a separate application for initial consideration.
Renewal Requirements
University Merit Scholarships are renewable for up to four years or eight semesters. To maintain academic scholarships, students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (Fall and Spring). Students enrolled in less than 12 hours are not eligible for academic scholarships and must submit an appeal to the Financial Planning Office for approval to receive their merit award. The minimum standard for the renewal of merit-based scholarships is a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) for undergraduate studies. Specific scholarships and/or academic programs may require a higher grade point average. Cumulative grade point averages and amount of credit hours will be checked at the end of each spring term.
Academic Performance and Provisional Status
The minimum standard for the renewal of merit-based scholarships is a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (on a 4-point scale) for undergraduate studies. If, at the end of the provisional term, a student’s GPA is less than 2.0, the student will be required to meet with the Office for Student Success to create a success plan. Once the student has created a success plan, the student will be eligible for 50% of their original merit award. Continuation of the scholarship will be based on meeting their success plan requirements.
Pro-Rated Funds for Graduating Students
If a graduating student is approved for less-than-full-time enrollment, any original Mercer funds awarded to the student are pro-rated based on the number of hours enrolled.
Read also: Future Leaders Program
Competitive Scholarships
David A. Presidential Scholarships
The David A. Presidential Scholarships are awarded through Scholars Weekend, an annual competition held each fall for the most talented early applicants to Mercer University. This prestigious scholarship covers facility-tech fees and up to full tuition. Applicants are invited based on a Freshman Index (FI) of 3200. The FI is calculated by multiplying the academic high school grade point average (GPA) by 500 and adding that number to the SAT/converted ACT score.
Need-Based Scholarships
University Partners Scholarship
The University Partners Scholarship is awarded to eligible students based on financial need and is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters. Students must complete the FAFSA each year to determine eligibility for need-based funds. There is not a separate application for the University Partners Scholarship. Students are evaluated for scholarship eligibility during the awarding process.
Replacement with Endowed Scholarships
Each year, the Office of Student Financial Planning seeks to replace the Partners Scholarship with an endowed, named scholarship based on student eligibility matches with donor agreements. Replacement of the Partners Scholarship with an endowed scholarship does not increase a student’s total award package. Examples of named scholarships include A.W. Katherine C. Ann L. L.P. Lanier, Leonora J. Lois B. Louise B. Louise R. Lucille A. M. M. Mary P. Charles H. Melvin I. Michael D. Mildred C. Ms. O. Dr. B. Dr. Charles D & Mrs. Dr. Dwight A. Robert F. Robert H. Robert L. Ellen M. Robert L. Elmo L. Rufus C. Eugene W. Thomas E. Thomas S. G.W. Tift D. Tift E.R. Henry E. Ira & Lucile F. Isa B. J. Tift Rev. J.D. J.J. J.L. & A. J.P. Vaughn, Mary L. James D. James E. W. W.F. W.G. W.T. Joel J. William B. William D.
External Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Universe
Mercer University students can find outside scholarship opportunities in one place using Scholarship Universe. This platform contains thousands of private scholarships that have been researched. Mercer University students can now match to more than 15,000 scholarship opportunities in one place!
Notification of External Awards
Many agencies, employers, military, and service organizations award funds to students. Receipt of these external awards may result in a reduction of Need-Based Federal Aid and Institutional Scholarships from Mercer. Therefore, if you are a financial aid recipient, you must notify the Office of Student Financial Planning, in writing, of any resources you anticipate receiving from sources other than Mercer. Students must notify the Office of Student Financial Planning of any special instructions or billing information regarding external funds. All checks for these awards must be sent to the Office of Student Financial Planning.
Read also: Roles of the Mercer Board
National Fellowships and Scholarships
Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships
The Office of Fellowships and Scholarships assists students applying for nationally and internationally competitive merit scholarship programs that support undergraduate or graduate study, research, or work experiences, here or abroad. Fellowships support students in their efforts to do great work in the world and open doors to mentoring, graduate schools, and careers. Mercer University encourages students to apply for national fellowships and scholarships, and dozens of Mercer students earn awards each year.
Support and Advising
The Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships offers individual advising sessions and assists with applications, personal statements, and recommendations. We assist students with a number of awards, including the Goldwater, Marshall, Truman, Gates Cambridge, Udall, NSF, Boren, Gilman, and Rhodes Scholarships. We seek to inform students as early as their freshmen and sophomore years about specific opportunities and to design plans for development.
Understanding Cost of Attendance
Definition of COA
Cost of attendance (COA) is the estimated cost to attend college for one academic year. Understanding the COA is crucial for financial planning and determining the amount of financial aid needed.
Read also: Opportunities at Mercer County
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