Berea College

Berea College Financial Aid

Students who are applying for financial aid at Berea College need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.

The FAFSA code for Berea College is 001955.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

Berea College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee

Berea has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.

No Loan Policy at Berea

Berea is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Berea's website for details on their No-Loan policy.

Pell Grants at Berea College

83% of students at Berea College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Berea College.

You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

Berea students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

Berea College Financial Aid Resources

If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Berea or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!

Here’s how you can get in touch:

• Website: https://www.berea.edu/student-financial-aid/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 859-985-3310

1172 is the median SAT score and 26 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Berea. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

Coalition Colleges

Berea is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Berea via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

Does Berea College charge an application fee?

Good news! Berea College does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Berea College, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.

Is Berea test-optional?

Berea College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Berea College?

Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Berea College receive between a 23 and a 27 on their ACT, or a 1097 and a 1264 on their SAT.

What is the application deadline at Berea?

Students must apply by March 31 to enroll at Berea during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Berea, remember that the deadline is November 15.

Should I apply Early Action at Berea?

Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

What is the graduation rate at Berea College?

62% of students who start at Berea College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 4% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of Berea College go on to earn?

10 years after starting school at Berea College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $43,150. This is $7,241 less than the national median.

Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at Berea take out in loans?

Graduates of Berea have to take out a median of $3,591 in federal student loans. This is $9,909 less than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.