1:
Are there any merit-based scholarships at Middlebury?
A:
No. All financial aid at Middlebury is based solely on financial need, as determined by Student Financial Services.
2:
Does an application for financial aid affect my chances of being admitted to Middlebury?
A:
No. The Middlebury admission process operates separately from the financial aid process. Whether or not a student needs financial aid has no effect on the admissions decision.
3:
Does Middlebury meet full need?
A:
Yes. Middlebury meets a student's full need, as determined by Student Financial Services, with a combination of work, loan, and grant.
4:
Does Middlebury offer aid to international students?
A:
Yes. Middlebury meets the full need, as determined by Student Financial Services, of any accepted international student, with a combination of work, loan and grant. There is almost always at least a minimum Expected Family Contribution as well.
5:
How does Middlebury deal with fluctuations in foreign exchange rates?
A:
Each year, in February, Middlebury checks the current exchange rate for each country. We use that rate consistently throughout the academic year.
6:
What if my parents are divorced or separated?
A:
Middlebury requires information from both natural parents, whether they are married or divorced. The custodial parent (parent with whom the student lives), and current spouse if applicable, must complete the CSS Profile and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The non-custodial parent (parent with whom the student does not live), and current spouse if applicable, must complete a Non-custodial Parents Statement. Contact Student Financial Services if there are extenuating circumstances.
7:
Does Middlebury consider consumer debt as part of the calculation in determining the family contribution?
A:
No. Although consumer debt (car loans, credit card payments) is a very real expense for families, it is not considered in the analysis. We make every effort to treat all families equally, and allowing for consumer debt would give families who owe money an unfair advantage over families who do not.
8:
If I tell you how much my family's annual income is, can Middlebury tell me if I'll get financial aid? Can you estimate the amount I might get?
A:
There is no income cutoff to determine eligibility for aid since much more than just income is included in the calculation. For example, some families with incomes under $100,000 might not qualify for aid because they have high assets, and conversely, some families with incomes exceeding $100,000 might qualify for aid because they have no assets and more than one child in college simultaneously. We cannot estimate a family's eligibility for aid without receiving all of the necessary application materials. However the College Board does have a calculator on their website, which could provide a "ball park" family contribution.
http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp.
9:
Does having more than one in the family in college simultaneously affect the family contribution?
A:
Yes. If the student applying to Middlebury has a sibling in college at the same time he/she will be at Middlebury, we adjust the family contribution to include 60% of the original parent contribution to be paid to Middlebury. If there are two siblings in college at the same time as the Middlebury student, we include 45% of the original parent contribution in what we expect to be paid to Middlebury. More than one child in college at the same time does put a heavier burden on the family, and Middlebury recognizes this with the splits we make. We do not make any adjustment to the family contribution when a parent is in college at the same time as the student; this is a family choice.
10:
How does Middlebury treat aid that I get from outside sources?
A:
Because Middlebury meets full need, we must adjust the aid package if scholarship assistance is received from another source. Pell Grants, ACG, SMART Grants, state grants and subsidies from parents' employers reduce College grant dollar for dollar. Other types of aid, such as local scholarships, high school awards, or National Merit funds will first reduce the work and loan portions of the aid package. Any amount over the work and loan portions will reduce the grant aid.
11:
Why isn't my loan appearing on my bill?
A:
In the case of a Federal Stafford Student Loan, the reason could be one of the following: your aid decision is not complete, you have not accepted your loan and/or a lender for your loan, you require verification and therefore more information is required of you and your family, you are studying abroad and we do not have a Study Away Cost sheet completed and returned, you have not completed Entrance Counseling, or you have not signed your Master Promissory Note through your lender.
In the case of a Federal PLUS (parent) Loan, the reason could be one of the following: your student's aid decision is not complete, your student is studying abroad and we do not have a Study Away Cost sheet completed and returned, you have not signed the Master Promissory Note through your lender, or the lender has not notified Middlebury College of your loan approval, therefore your loan has not been certified.