Thiel College Financial Aid Brochure

Making your education

Affordable

T H I E L C O L L E G E

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F I N A N C I A L A I D

H E L P I S A T H A N D

SOURCES FOR FINANCIAL AID Sources of Student Financial Aid for Thiel Students 2012-2013

V A L U E F O R Y O U R I N V E S T M E N T

Your financial aid package,

including your scholarships

and grants, will stay roughly

the same each year you

attend Thiel, assuming you

meet the minimum grade

point requirements. After

you receive your financial

aid package, you will have

the opportunity to accept or

decline parts or all of it.

WITHIN YOUR REACH Filling out the FAFSA

(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is

essential toward receiving the maximum possible

in financial aid. The U.S. Department of

Education uses the information to determine your

eligibility for valuable federal student financial

assistance. Thiel also uses the information for

awarding need-based financial aid. The FAFSA

is available online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Ask

for your results to be sent to Thiel College;

our code is 003376. If you have questions about

how to fill out the FAFSA, call us. Your

admissions counselor will be able to help answer

your questions.

HELP AVAILABLE NOW Even before you are an

official student at Thiel, we’ll work with you and

your parents to help you understand how to

compute your college costs. If you have questions

about filling out the FAFSA, or any part of the

process, just call or come by. Be sure and visit the

Thiel website for more information. All of your

questions are important; so call or e-mail us anytime.

Thiel College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex,religious belief, national origin, ancestry, age or non-job related handicapas those items are defined under applicable law. This policy of non-discrimination applies in connection with admission to and participationin all programs and activities sponsored by Thiel College and to allemployment practices of Thiel College.

SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AIDMore than 98% of students receive some form of financial assistance.

ACADEMICS More than 60 majors, minors andareas of study. Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts,Bachelor of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science.

ACCREDITATION Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Pennsylvania Departmentof Education, American Chemical Society.

STUDENTS More than 1,100 students; 46% arefemale and 54% are male; 6% are internationalstudents.

STUDENT-TO-FACULTY ratio is 13-to-1.

LIVING ON CAMPUS 88% of students live oncampus in nearly 30 residence halls, apartments,theme houses and townhouses.

ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES 24 athletic teams,most at the NCAA Division III level, more than 50student organizations/activities, one local and threenational fraternities, and four national sororities.Intramural sports are available for all interests.

LOCATION Thiel College is located on abeautiful 135-acre, tree-lined campus in Greenville,Pa., in the heart of Western Pennsylvania’s hill country.

HISTORY Founded as Thiel Hall in Monaca, Pa., in 1866 as a co-educational institution; chartered byPennsylvania in 1870 and moved to Greenville, Pa.,in 1871; affiliated with the Evangelical LutheranChurch in America.

QUICK LINKVisit us online to discoverwhat Thiel College can offeryou! Simply use a QR Codereader on your smart phoneto scan the code and launchwww.thiel.edu/finaidin your browser.

VALUABLE ONLINE RESOURCES

www.fafsa.ed.gov — to fill out the FAFSA, which must be completed by all students seekingfinancial aid (Thiel College FAFSA code: 003376)

www.pheaa.org — for information about fundingand scholarships for Pennsylvania residents

www.thiel.edu/finaid — comprehensiveexplanation and resources about the Thiel Collegefinancial aid process

www.thiel.edu/finaidhelp — online calculator toestimate your cost of attendance

We know the process can be confusing, so we

gladly work one-on-one with our students and

their families to answer their questions.

CYNTHIA FARRELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

STUDENT AID COMPARISONSFor the 2012-2013 academic year, Thiel's tuitionand fees was $26,288 and room and board was$10,120, making the total annual direct cost toattend Thiel $36,408. However, with thesubstantial amount of financial aid offered atThiel, students can often pay substantially lessthan the “sticker price.” Below are threeexamples of common financial aid packages:

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JOE is a student transferring to Thiel as asecond year student from another college whowill also be living off campus. Joe was offered afinancial aid package including:Thiel Assistance $1,250Thiel Merit Award $5,000Pennsylvania State Grant $3,992Federal Pell Grant $5,550Federal Direct Subsidized Loan $4,500Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan $6,000Total $26,292

SARAH is an academically high-achievingstudent whose family has average financial need.She will also be living on campus. Sarah wasoffered a financial aid package including:Thiel Assistance $1,500Academic Scholarship $500Thiel Merit Award $10,500Thiel Leadership Award $2,000Pennsylvania State Grant $3,992Federal Pell Grant $4,500Federal Perkins Loan $1,000Federal Work Study Job $1,470Federal Direct Subsidized Loan $3,500Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan $2,000Direct PLUS Loan $5,446Total $36,408

JACOB is an average student academically,but from a family with high financial need. He willbe living on campus. Jacob was offered afinancial aid package including:Thiel Assistance $5,800Thiel Merit Award $9,500Federal Pell Grant $5,550State Grant $600Federal Perkins Loan $1,500Federal Work Study Job $1,470Federal Direct Subsidized Loan $3,500Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan $2,000Parent Plus Loan $3,500Total $33,420

The sample financial aid packages above are intended forinformational purposes only. They are not intended to be aguarantee or contract to any student seeking financial aid with Thiel College.

Institutionally Funded Aid

Federal LoansDirect, Perkins & PLUS

Federal Grant Aid

State Grant Aid

Outside Grants

Outside (Private) Loans

Includes about 1%campus employment

42%

36%

8%

6%3%

5%

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An Education for Your Future

WITHIN YOUR REACH It can be mind-

boggling to sift through information about

financial aid, but it’s worth the effort!

Prospective students and their families

sometimes rule out colleges based on what

they think the school will cost, without

understanding what they might receive in

financial aid. However, the “net” price can be

quite different from a school’s sticker price.

Your own net cost at Thiel is likely to be

much less than what you expect. Last year,

Thiel gave $10,800,000 to students in funded

and unfunded grants and scholarships. Call

us or visit us online today and begin the

conversation about how to make your

education affordable at Thiel.

98%

With Thiel’s competitive

scholarships and access to

grants, we are often less

expensive than regional public

colleges and universities. More

than 98% of our students

receive financial assistance.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING A structured

internship as early as your first year. An

exploratory program providing personal career

guidance. More than 50 clubs and organizations

for building teamwork and leadership skills along

with friendships for life. Erie, Cleveland and

Pittsburgh within 90 minutes for internships, job

opportunities and entertainment. A Washington

Semester as a starting point for a permanent job.

A high acceptance rate for students who go on

to medical, dental, law and graduate programs.

10,000 alumni for professional networking.

An investment in a Thiel education opens doors!

13:1

Small classes mean more

individual attention, closer

mentoring, better career

preparation and increased

confidence. That's why our

small 13:1 student-to-faculty

ratio is so important. Thiel

professors will motivate you

to do your best.

C O M M I T T E D T O Y O U

L I F E L O N G E D U C A T I O N

Everyone at Thiel makes you feel

like family. They are there to

answer your questions. They get to

know you; you aren’t a number.

That’s what appealed to Matthew

and to me, more than anything.

SHARON SCHNEIDER MOTHER OF MATTHEW SCHNEIDER ’13 BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA

I paid as much as my brother who

went to a state school. I loved it

at Thiel. If I needed to talk to a

professor about something,

they were always there.

LIZ SITKO ’10 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION/

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

HIRAM, OHIO4TYPES OF FINANCIAL AIDWhen you receive your financial aid package from Thiel,you’ll find information about the scholarships, grantsand/or loans that you are being offered.

SCHOLARSHIPS are based on academic merit orperformance in programs like music or theater.Scholarships do not have to be repaid. Most areawarded on a rolling basis at the time of yourapplication, but some have specific deadlines, so besure to talk this over with your admissions counselor.

GRANTS are funds offered to you that do not have to be repaid. Grants are usually based on financial need,not academic merit. Sources include the federal andstate governments, as well as Thiel College and privatefoundations.

LOANS must be repaid, with a payment structure setup just before you graduate from college. Educationloans come in the form of 1) low-interest student loans,available through Thiel or federal government funds, 2) low-interest parent loans funded through thegovernment or 3) private or alternative loans.

WORK STUDY PROGRAM is a federally funded,need-based program that helps students earn money oncampus to meet their costs. Work-study students receivepriority in finding jobs on campus.

OTHER SOURCES for financial aid outside of ThielCollege may be available. Grants and scholarships maybe available through your local church, employer andother civic or community organizations. Talk to youradmissions counselor for possible alternatives.

THE THIEL COMMITMENT Sometimes

students need an extra semester to finish

their degrees because of opportunities like

internships, service learning or study

abroad. These opportunities are an

important part of the college experience

and Thiel makes them affordable for

students by significantly reducing tuition in

the ninth semester—a 60% discount for

qualifying students! On the other hand,

some students are able to transfer in AP or

college credits and graduate in 3.5 years,

thereby saving a semester’s tuition. Either

way, you win on your investment at Thiel!

Learn more at www.thiel.edu/commitment.

step

sFINANCIAL AID 101

Applying for financial aid at Thiel is

an easy four-step process.

Fill out and submit an application

for admission to Thiel College.

After January 1, complete and

submit the FAFSA form online.

Upon acceptance, your official

financial aid award will be sent to

you shortly after we have received

the results of your FAFSA.

Accept award package prior to

enrollment.

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SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG

SEP Accepting fall applications.

OCTMake sure application,letter of recommendation,ACT/SAT scores and yourHS transcripts are sent.

NOVReceiveadmissiondecision.

DECMake sure to applyfor a FAFSA PIN forboth students andparents.

JAN PresidentialScholarshipCompetition

FEBAcademicDepartmentalScholarshipCompetition

MAR•Fin Aid packets begin going out•Juniors: Start planning to takethe ACT or SAT

•New Student Registration Day #1 for fall

MAY New StudentRegistrationDay #3

JUN New StudentRegistrationDay #4

JUL New StudentRegistrationDay #5

AUGFreshmenMove-in Day!

FALLThiel admission counselors travel the country visiting high schools andcollege fairs. Take advantage of this opportunity to talk to your admissionscounselor and learn more about Thiel College. Visit Thiel’s campus, take atour, meet a professor or coach and see what our campus has to offer you.Personal Visits or Preview Days are two of the best options.

JAN & FEB•FAFSA is now available to fill out for fall.•Receive your W-2 tax forms and completetaxes in order to complete the FAFSA.

•Send in 7th semester grades to showimprovement.

MAR Acceptedstudents make1:1 visits tocampus.

APR New StudentRegistrationDay #2

SUMMERJuniors and Sophomores: Start to visit Thiel witheither a Personal Visit or one of our Preview Days.It is never too early to start your college search.

Visit www.thiel.edu/finaid to see what you should be doing right now.

JUNE Housingassignmentsbegin for fall.

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