Offices Types of Financial Aid

All policies are subject to change by the institution or federal and state agencies.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Direct Loans are low-interest loans for eligible students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education (the Department), though the entity you deal with, your loan servicer, can be a private business.

Student Loans:

There are two types of Federal Stafford Loans: Subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. Recipients of Federal Stafford Loans must be enrolled in school at least half-time (6 credit hours). Graduate students are not eligible for subsidized Stafford loans (effective July 1, 2012).

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan is a loan program through which the government pays the loan interest for the student while the student is in school. This type of Stafford loan is need based.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a loan program through which the loan interest accrues while the student is enrolled. This type of Stafford loan is non-need based.

Under the provisions of the program, a qualified dependent undergraduate student may borrow the following maximum annual loan limits:
$5,500 Freshmen
$6,500 Sophomores
$7,500 Juniors and Seniors
$20,500 Graduate students

Independent undergraduate students may be eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford loan.

Additional lifetime aggregate borrowing amounts apply.

Parent and Graduate Student Loans:

PLUS loans are unsubsidized loans for the parents of dependent students and for graduate/professional students. PLUS loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods.

Parent Loan for undergraduate student (PLUS) is for parents of dependent students. The amount a parent may borrow cannot exceed the cost of attendance minus other aid awarded to the student.
Grad PLUS loans are for graduate/professional students. The amount a student may borrow cannot exceed the cost of attendance minus other aid awarded to the student.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Students may use their grants at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Grant amounts are dependent on: the student's expected family contribution (EFC) (see below); the cost of attendance (as determined by the institution); the student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time); and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.

Students may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

Federal Work Study (FWS)

The FWS Program provides funds for part-time employment to help needy students to finance the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.

Merit Scholarshps and Admissions Grants

Merit Scholarships:

3.75+ GPA are eligible for a Trustees' Merit Scholarship: range $11,000 - $16,500
3.5 - 3.74 GPA are eligible for a Presidential Merit Scholarship: range $10,000 - $16,000
3.0-3.49 GPA are eligible for a Dean's Merit Scholarship: range $10,000 - $14,500

Admissions Grants:

2.5 – 2.99 GPA are eligible for a 60^th Anniversary Grant: range $10,000 - $12,500
2.25 – 2.49 GPA are eligible for a Potash Hill Grant: range $7.500 - $12,500

Governor’s Institute Grant $5,000 (For students who have completed a governor’s school summer program)

Phi Theta Kappa Grant $2,500 (transfer students only)

Community College Grant $1,000 (For transfer students from Community College of Vermont)

Awarding Criteria:

All applicants who apply for admission who have an unweighted cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) are eligible for renewable Marlboro scholarships each academic year. Awards are renewable on an annual basis under the following criteria: Students must be enrolled full-time (approved leave of absence and absentia will be considered) for consecutive semesters. Adequate satisfactory academic progress must be maintained. Students lose scholarship eligibility upon withdrawal from the college. Eligibility will not be reinstated if the student is readmitted at a later date. Where an unweighted grade point average is not available on an applicant's transcript (homeschooler, etc.) the awarding of a scholarship will be based upon the following criteria: rigor of curriculum, grades/written evaluations, writing samples, recommendations, co-curricular involvement, community service, and quality of the application.

While the GPA ranges provide some structure in determining scholarship eligibility, each scholarship awarded is ultimately determined by a holistic review of all of the application materials submitted in each applicant's file. Applicants may be awarded scholarships at levels above or below their respective grade point averages.

The final awarding of all scholarships to eligible applicants is ultimately at the admission committee's discretion.

Returning Students:

Merit awards are renewable to returning students on an annual basis under the following criteria: Students must be enrolled full-time (approved leave of absence and absentia will be considered) for consecutive semesters. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students lose scholarship eligibility upon withdrawal from the college. Eligibility will not be reinstated if the student is subsequently readmitted at a later date. This does not apply to endowed or named scholarships below.

Marlboro Grant

This institutional grant is awarded to students who have need as determined by the college’s financial aid policy whose need cannot be met by federal, state or other means. Marlboro College may supplement a portion of need with Marlboro Grant.

Endowed Scholarships

Currently enrolled Marlboro students are eligible for scholarship consideration for our endowed or named scholarships. Ranging from the Roland Boyden Scholarship in the humanities to the Lillian Farber Scholarship in social justice (see list below), the named scholarships vary in fields of study, qualification requirements and funded amounts. Each spring, the faculty scholarship committee reviews eligible continuing students and nominations them for these unique scholarships. These scholarships require financial need and recognized academic excellence. The scholarship will be integrated into the financial aid package such that 100 percent of the award will offset a Marlboro Grant.

All require academic excellence. Scholarship awards vary from year to year depending upon the earnings of endowed funds. Awards replace Marlboro Grants (100 percent), therefore students must have been awarded Marlboro Grant.

The George I. Alden Trust supports two scholarships given annually, one to an older student who has returned to school and the other to a student who shows promise of excellence in the natural sciences.
The Robert Sheldon Stainton Scholarship is awarded annually to an upper-class student for academic achievement and community service.
The Warren R. Sisson Scholarship is awarded annually to an upper-class student for academic achievement and community service.
The M. Brenn Green Scholarship is awarded through the generosity of the late trustee, Brenn Green.
The Thomas Thompson Trust Scholarships are awarded to full-time students, one male and one female, who are Windham County residents.
The Christopher Boeth Scholarships are given to juniors or seniors whose Plans of Concentration are in the field of literature or writing, and who have demonstrated a gift for and an appreciation of the usage of language.
The Jean Crosby Markham Scholarship is given to a junior or senior who best exemplifies the grit and determination needed to complete his or her education.
The Lillian Farber Scholarships are given to juniors or seniors whose Plans of Concentration demonstrate a passion for social justice.
The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust Scholarship is given annually to students from New England towns (Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire) with populations under 15,000.
The Wolf Kahn Scholarship is awarded annually to the junior or senior who demonstrates talent in the visual arts.
The Windham Community Scholarships are awarded annually to freshmen or sophomores from Vermont who, in the opinion of the faculty, demonstrates exceptional potential for upper-level academic work. Two scholarships are awarded.
The John Kenneth Galbraith Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who shows the promise of excellence in the fields of literature, economics or social policy.

State Grants

Some states offer grants to students attending institutions within or outside the student’s home state. It is recommended that a student check with their home state’s Department of Education or State Guarantee Agency to determine if grants are available and how to apply.

Outside Scholarships

Marlboro College recommends that students seek out outside scholarships and grants to subsidize their Marlboro education. Scholarships can come from sources such as private foundations to local companies and financial institutions.

Tuition Exchange

Marlboro College is a member of The Tuition Exchange, Inc., a non-profit association of colleges and universities across the country. The Tuition Exchange (TE) was founded with the purpose to make careers in higher education more attractive. TE strives to achieve this through a reciprocal scholarship program, which finances college tuition for the children and other family members of staff and faculty employed at participating institutions. See Marlboro College’s Tuition Exchange Policy.

Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

Marlboro College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program as part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Only veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) or their designated transferees may receive this funding.