Tuition Payment Plans: Details of the University’s monthly payment plan may be obtained from the Mercer One Office (ext. 1111). General information can be found on their website at www.mercer.edu/bursarm.
Departmental/Athletic/ROTC Scholarships: Please contact the appropriate office on campus concerning Departmental, Athletic, and ROTC scholarships.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Parental Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
If additional funds are needed once you review the enclosed financial aid package, PLUS loans are available to parents of undergraduate “dependent” students enrolled at least half-time (six hours or more) in a regular degree or certificate program. The parent borrower must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident. The parent cannot be in default on any educational loan or owe a refund on any federal grant. The parent borrower’s credit history must be reviewed before s(he) can be approved for this loan. Parents may borrow up to the “cost of attendance” for the year, minus any financial assistance the student will be receiving. The PLUS application is available at www.merceronline_transparent.gif.edu/finaid/forms for any parent who wishes to apply for this loan. The application must be completed and returned to the Office of Student Financial Planning to begin the parent loan process.
Outside Scholarships: There are many outside scholarships available to students today. Often, if students take time to research scholarships, they find they are eligible to apply for several outside awards. We recommend that you use free scholarship search engines on the web, such as www.fastweb.com and www.collegeboard.org, to help you with your search. Also, a variety of handbooks and reference materials on financial assistance and scholarships should be available at your local library. The Office of Student Financial Planning maintains information regarding local outside scholarships on this website under “Types of Financial Aid” and a file of material on a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and fellowships. You must notify the Office of Student Financial Planning if you will be receiving any outside scholarships, as these funds must be counted as part of your financial aid package.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Grants covering college expenses, or some portion thereof, may be available through the Vocational Rehabilitation Service to students who have a disability which substantially interferes with employment. Any student who feels he or she may qualify for this assistance is advised to contact a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in his or her hometown. You MUST notify the Office of Student Financial Planning immediately if you qualify for any Vocational Rehabilitation funds as these funds must be counted as part of your financial aid package. Failure to notify the Office of Student Financial Planning could result in loss of financial aid originally awarded.
Local Civic and Social Organizations/Employers: We recommend that you contact your local civic and social organizations concerning scholarships they may offer to college-bound students. Also, don’t overlook your and/or your parent(s)’ employers, as they may provide tuition reimbursement and scholarships for employees and their dependent children.
Veterans Administration Benefits: We recommend that all veterans contact their local Veterans Administration Office regarding eligibility for financial assistance through this agency. (Mercer’s VA Coordinator is located in the Office of the Registrar.) You MUST notify the Office of Student Financial Planning immediately of all Veterans Educational Benefits you anticipate receiving, as these funds must be counted as part of your financial aid package. Failure to notify the Office of Student Financial Planning could result in loss of financial aid originally awarded. Based on the type of Veteran's Benefits received, Mercer merit-based tuition scholarships may be cancelled or reduced.
Private Alternative Loans: Please contact our office for brochures and applications of several private alternative student loans. All private alternative loans must be certified by the Mercer University Office of Student Financial Planning.
