Commonly Asked Questions and Answers about Financial Aid at Muhlenberg College
How do I qualify for need-based aid?
Muhlenberg uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as the trigger for federal and state entitlement aid, as well as for Muhlenberg’s institutional need-based grant aid.
The 2024-25 FAFSA will be available in December 2023. Students can apply for admission prior to completing the FAFSA. Early Decision I and Early Action applicants should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available. Early Decision II and Regualr Decision applicants should complete the FAFSA by Feb. 1. If you do not intend to apply for need-based financial aid, you do not need to complete a FAFSA and will only need to apply for admission to the College.
What is the income cut-off for financial aid?
There is no income cut-off for financial aid. The primary driver of the analysis of need is family income. However, the FAFSA will take into account assets and the age of the oldest parent, among other protections against your income and assets. We encourage any family that is interested in need-based aid to complete a FAFSA.
My parents are divorced or separated? How do you treat that situation?
Federal regulations state that the parent of record is the parent that provides more than 50% of the financial support for the student. It is the parent of record that completes the “parent” sections of the FAFSA. If this parent has remarried, then the step-parent's financial aid information is REQUIRED. The federal government feels that as part of the marriage, the step-parent assumes some responsibility for the student.
How can I be an independent student?
In order to be considered independent for federal and state purposes for the 2024-2025 academic year, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be born before January 1, 2001
- Be a veteran of the US Armed Forces
- Currently serving active duty in the U.S. Armed Services other than training
- Be married
- Be an orphan or ward of the court
- Have legal dependents other than a spouse that receive half of their support from you between 7/1/23 & 6/30/24
- Been adopted at the age of 13 or older
Muhlenberg College will review a student's independent status on a case-by-case basis.
What percentage of first-year students received financial assistance?
99% of the Class of ‘27 is receiving scholarships and grants from all sources. 99% of the class is receiving some type of financial assistance.
What are the components of a Muhlenberg College financial aid offer?
The typical financial aid offer for a Muhlenberg student will usually consist of one or more of the following:
- Muhlenberg College Grant Money: This is money from Muhlenberg College and it does not need to be repaid.
- Federal/State Grant Money: This is money that does not need to be repaid and is awarded by the federal or state government.
- Student Employment: This is money that the student earns.
- Loans: This is money that the student needs to repay.
The make-up of the award (grant vs. self-help) is based on a student's financial need.
How do I apply for Muhlenberg's Merit Scholarships?
When you submit your application for admission to Muhlenberg College, you are automatically considered for all academic merit scholarships that the College offers. If any additional information is required, the Office of Admissions will contact you directly. Muhlenberg College enrolls over 125 merit scholarship recipients per incoming class with scholarships ranging from $5,000-$35,000. Five (5) merit scholarships with a value of $40,000 each will be awarded to admitted first-year students. If selected to one of four Muhlenberg College honors programs, the student will receive a $5,000 per year scholarship.
Students can earn up to $2,000 in artistic talent scholarships in either art, dance, film, music or theatre. These talent scholarships do require a portfolio or audition. Review the process and deadlines on our Talent Scholarship page.
If I receive a Merit Scholarship, how does that affect my financial aid package?
Merit award decisions are made independently from the need-based financial aid awards. However, because of federal guidelines, merit awards must be counted as a financial aid source and will be listed on your financial aid offer.
How does the student employment program work at Muhlenberg College?
Students are awarded student employment as part of their financial aid offer. The average student employment award is $2,000. It has been our experience that by working 8 hours a week a student can easily earn the full $2,000 award for the year. These funds are not applied directly towards a student’s semester charges but earned through a monthly paycheck for the hours they work. All available positions are posted through Handshake. Positions range from being in administrative offices, academic departments, the Center for the Arts and the Student Union, to name a few.
If I am not offered student employment as part of my financial aid, can I still work on campus?
Students who wish to work on campus but who were not offered student employment as part of their financial aid still have the option of working in specific departments. These available positions are posted in Handshake. In these specific departments students are paid through an office's designated department funds. These funds will not be listed in a student’s aid offer.
Can I expect the same financial aid for all four years at Muhlenberg?
A student's need-based financial aid is renewed each year provided the student still demonstrates financial need as determined by the annual filing of the FAFSA, is making satisfactory academic progress and is in good standing in the College community. However, if your financial need decreases due to a change in your family's circumstances (i.e., the size of your family decreases or your family's income or assets increase), or you are having difficulty with your academic performance, your need-based financial aid will be affected.
Merit and talent based aid will continue to be awarded for the same amount each year, as long as a student meets the requirements for each award. Muhlenberg’s cost of attendance has historically increased each year.
If I receive a scholarship from my high school or local organization, how will it affect my financial aid?
Outside scholarships awarded to Muhlenberg College students will benefit students to the greatest extent possible. Students are required to report their outside awards to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as they are notified of them. In most cases, outsides scholarships will reduce the amount you owe to the College. However, in some cases we may be required to adjust federal financial aid (starting with federal work study or loans). It is rare that an adjustment to a student’s grant funding is required and Muhlenberg institutional aid will only be adjusted if your total financial aid award plus outside scholarships exceeds the full comprehensive cost of attendance that includes indirect expenses like books.
What kinds of loan options are available?
There are several loan options available to students and their parents.
Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan: This is a need-based loan that goes in the student's name. It is subsidized by the federal government so there are no payments required as long as the student is enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis. First-year students may borrow $3,500, sophomores $4,500 and juniors and seniors $5,500. The interest rate changes each July 1st.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan: This is also a loan that goes in the student's name. Interest payments can be deferred until after graduation or are made while the student is in school. All students are eligible for a $2,000 unsubsidized Direct Federal Loan. The interest rate also changes each July 1st.
In addition, students that do not qualify for the maximum subsidized loan for their grade level may borrow the difference in the unsubsidized loan. First-year students may borrow $5,500, sophomores $6,500, juniors and seniors $7,500 less any subsidized Student Loan they received. The interest rate changes each July 1st.
Federal Direct PLUS Loan: This is a loan that the parent(s) of the student can take out as the borrower. The maximum amount that may be borrowed is the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid. Principal and interest payments or interest only payments are required immediately after disbursement, including while your student is enrolled. The interest rate changes each July 1st.
Alternative Educational Loans: These are loans that go in the student’s name. Students normally have a cosigner for the loan. The maximum amount that may be borrowed is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid. Principal and interest may be deferred while the student is enrolled in school. They have variable interest rates. Students may contact their lenders, credit card lenders or search the web for programs available.
Elm Select is a resource that can assist in searching for the right alternative loan for your particular situation. This link will take you to their loan search engine.
How much does it cost to attend Muhlenberg?
Please view the cost chart provided on the Cost of Education webpage. This information is based on the most current academic year.
How can I pay for the part of my tuition that is not covered by financial aid and loans?
Semester statements can be viewed in Workday following course registration for each semester. Payments can be made through Nelnet. The Business Office offers 2 payment plans per year, 5 months each. The Fall Semester payment plan spans from July to November. The Spring Semester payment plan spans from December to April. To view more Tuition Payment Information please view the provided information by the Business Office on the Muhlenberg College website. Payment plans can be setup through Nelnet.
