The Financial Aid Office works closely with prospective students and their families to help make a Catawba education affordable. Students and their families who anticipate having financial need should start planning for the cost of a college education as early as possible. The family is encouraged to determine the amount that can be saved for educational expenses. Students are expected to work during the summer and set aside a major portion of earnings to be used for college costs.

While Catawba endeavors to help all students afford a Catawba degree, the primary responsibility for meeting college costs rests with the student and family. Financial aid is intended to supplement what the family and student can contribute toward educational costs. The student should investigate all available sources to assist with educational expenses. Many scholarships are awarded by local civic clubs, high schools, companies, parental employers, and other local sources. Information about local financial assistance can often be found in high school guidance offices.

The financial aid program at Catawba is designed to assist several categories of students, including:

• Students who qualify for merit aid based on excellence in academics, performance, scholarships, and/or athletics

• Students who qualify for need-based aid

• Students who do not qualify for federal programs and who want to supplement other assistance through student loan programs and parent loan programs.

Below are some important things to consider regarding financial aid:

• Student financial aid packages are awarded in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Loans and grants often require that students enroll in a minimum number of hours during the semester in order to be eligible. For example, in addition to meeting the residency requirements for the NCNBS, a student must register for at least 9 semester hours. The staff in the Office of Financial Aid (704-637-4416 or 1-800-CATAWBA) will be happy to explain eligibility requirements and application procedures pertaining to all financial aid grants or loans, or students may contact Catawba Online (704-637-4772).

• Financial assistance normally will not be credited officially to the student’s account until the end of each semester when it is certain that eligibility requirements have been met. Failure to meet eligibility requirements will result in the loss of financial aid. Students will be responsible for all tuition costs if they fail to maintain eligibility for financial aid.

• When students cease attending courses during a semester but do not officially withdraw, they remain indebted to the institution for the courses for which they have registered. Students deciding not to return to classes should officially withdraw with the Registrar’s Office (to remove financial responsibility for courses for which they have registered and, also, to avoid receiving failing grades in all remaining classes) and report the withdrawal to the Office of Financial Aid to make proper adjustments in their aid packages.

For more information about scholarship and financial aid programs at Catawba please contact:

The Office of Financial Aid

Catawba College

2300 West Innes Street Salisbury, NC 28144-2488

finaid@catawba.edu , 704-637-4416, 1-800-CATAWBA, Fax-704-637-4252