Eckerd College Academic Achievement Scholarships recognize outstanding applicants for admission each year. These merit-based scholarships are based on the student's high school GPA and test scores, and are given regardless of financial need. All students who are admitted, without conditions, are automatically considered for our academic scholarships on the basis of their internally calculated GPA and SAT/ACT scores. All merit-based scholarships are renewable.

For students entering the residential program in the Fall of 2010, we will award the following academic achievement scholarships.

Eckerd offers up to US$11,000 in merit/need based aid to international students who demonstrate academic promise. Click here for more information.

Eckerd College recognizes artistic achievement in Music, Theatre, Visual Arts and Creative Writing. Students interested in applying for this award are required to submit the appropriate application and supplemental materials demonstrating evidence of talent as outlined in the application. Students who are able to visit campus may request an on campus audition when applicable. Mail all materials directly to the Office of Admission, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33711. All materials must be postmarked by February 15th.

Submitted materials become the property of Eckerd College and will not be returned. If you would like your materials returned following their consideration for the scholarship, please include a self-addressed postage paid envelope large enough for return delivery.

Download the Artistic Achievement Award Application/Recommendation Form (PDF)
Download the Creative Writing Application (PDF)

Eckerd College Presbyterian Church and Campus Need-Based Scholarships are awarded to Presbyterian Church members, based on church and community involvement as well as financial need. Recommendation by their Presbyterian pastors is required. Nomination forms must be postmarked by February 15.

Download the Church and Campus Scholarship Nomination Form (PDF)

Eckerd College Research Associateships are awarded to approximately 25 incoming freshmen each year. Students are selected on the basis of their overall high school record and are given the opportunity to work closely with a member of the faculty on a research project of mutual interest. The associateship includes a one-year stipend of up to $1,000. The application must be postmarked by February 15.

Click here for 2010 Freshmen Research Associateship project descriptions and applications.

Eckerd College Transfer Scholarships recognize outstanding transfer applicants for admission. Students must be admitted without conditions to be eligible for a transfer scholarship. The scholarships are available for up to four years of study at Eckerd. Recipients will be notified of their Transfer Scholarship amount shortly after admission.

Transfer Scholarships are based on the cumulative GPA of all previous college work and are awarded as follows:

3.5 - 4.0 = $11,000
3.0 - 3.49 = $9,000
2.5 - 2.99 = $5,000

Any transfer student who is a member of Phi Theta Kappa will receive a $1,000 merit award. Please provide proof of your membership to our transfer counselor, Maria Furtado.

Eckerd College is a NCAA Division II college and a member of the Florida Sunshine State Conference. Athletic aid is available for select sports. Please contact the Athletic Department for specific details.

VA Benefits Chapter 33 and Yellow Ribbon Eckerd College accepts VA educational benefits for eligible veterans or their dependents under the new Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) GI Bill. Currently the VA in Florida provides $295 per course hour towards a student's tuition and mandatory fees in accordance with Chapter 33. Because our combined tuition and fees exceed this amount, eligible veterans or their dependents who enroll in the Eckerd College Residential Program or in the Program for Experienced Learners (PEL) will receive additional funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program became effective Aug. 1, 2009 as a supplement to the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008. Eckerd has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund full tuition and student fee expenses (excluding room, board and other charges) for all students who qualify for the VA's new Yellow Ribbon Program. Students who are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program will receive a grant from Eckerd College which covers out-of-pocket tuition charges and student fees which are not covered by VA benefits or other state and federal financial gift aid program.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Program, see www.gibill.va.gov or call (888) GI-Bill-1. You may also contact Pat Watkins watkinpe@eckerd.edu 727-864-8334.

Check out information on Florida Bright Futures on the Florida Aid tab above to learn more.

Students from outside of Florida should check with their state scholarship agency to determine if scholarship funds are portable to colleges in Florida. Students from Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont may be able to use their state scholarships at Eckerd College. Eligibility will be determined by the state scholarship agency and may be based upon need, academic achievement or course of study.

Organizations, foundations, businesses and individuals also support continued education through scholarship programs. There are a number of excellent free website and search programs to help you locate these scholarship funds. Do not pay for a scholarship search as these services are usually not reliable. The following sources are options you may want to consider. You may also find options through your high school guidance office, service organizations, religious affiliations, or your parent's employer.

• FastWeb Scholarship Search
• Fund Finder
• Student Scholarship Search
• AXA Foundation

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need and who are enrolled in a degree program. The amount of the grant is based on the Expected Family Contribution and enrollment status. The award is reduced for less than full time study. Currently, the maximum grant is $5,350. For 2010-2011, the amount will be $5,550.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded by Eckerd College to students, who receive the Federal Pell Grant and demonstrate extreme financial need. These funds are limited and students are encouraged to apply prior to the priority deadline to receive full consideration.

The Federal Academic Competitive Grant is awarded to Federal Pell Grant recipients, who have graduated from a rigorous high school program after January 1, 2005 and are enrolled at least half time in a degree program. Awards for the first academic year are $750 and awards for the second academic year are $1,300. A second year student must have a GPA of 3.0 to receive this funding. These award amounts are pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.  To determine eligibility for the ACG, new students must have their final high school transcript sent to Eckerd College for evaluation. Florida students may satisfy this requirement by applying for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program.

The Federal National SMART Grant is a$4,000 award given to third and fourth year students, who are Pell Grant recipients, are attending at least half time, have a 3.0 GPA and are majoring in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology or critical foreign languages.

Check out information on the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) and Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) on the Florida Aid tab above.

The Federal Work Study Program is awarded by Eckerd College to students, who have significant financial need. Federal Work Study funds are limited. The award amount indicates the maximum Federal Work Study funds a student can earn during the academic year. These funds are paid directly to the student as compensation for hours worked.

Eckerd College awards the Federal Perkins Loan to students with exceptional financial need. These funds are very limited and students are encouraged to apply prior to the priority deadline to receive full consideration. Borrowers have up to 10 years to repay this loan. The 5% interest rate begins to accrue nine months after the borrower is no longer enrolled at least half time.

Beginning with the 2010-2011 Academic Year, Eckerd College will participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program. The lender is the Federal government, rather than a bank or lending institution. The Federal Direct Loan is a low interest loan program available to all students. Beginning with loans disbursed after July 1, 2010, the interest rate is fixed at 4.5% for subsidized Federal Direct Loans and 6.8% for unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Repayment begins six months after the borrower is no longer enrolled at least half time for a period of up to ten years. The interest on the Federal Direct Loan is subsidized (paid by the federal government on the student's behalf) for students with financial need. While interest accrues on an unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, the interest payments may be capitalized. The capitalized interest amount will be added to the principal balance when repayment begins.

The maximum amount a student can borrow is based on grade level.

Independent students and dependent students whose parents have been denied a Federal PLUS loan may borrow additional unsubsidized Stafford loan funds. The maximum a student can borrow is based on grade level.

Did you know that if you borrow $17,500 with an interest rate 6.8% that your monthly payment would be $201.39 for ten years?

Students have not borrowed previously must complete an entrance interview. The entrance interview will explain the borrower's rights and responsibilities as well as review repayment provisions and options. The entrance interview can be completed on line.

New Borrowers for 2010-11

You may complete the entrance counseling on the Federal Direct Loan web site. At the Site Menu, click on "Entrance and Exit Counseling" then pick "Entrance Counseling". Eckerd College will be notified when you have completed this interview.

New Borrowers for 2009-10

You may complete the entrance counseling here online. At the Site Menu, click on "Student Loan Counseling" then pick "Stafford Entrance." Eckerd College will be notified when you have completed this interview.

Federal student loans helped you with your education expenses. Federal regulations require that you complete an exit counseling session once you are no longer enrolled at least half time. This session will also assist you with managing your student loan payments. You may do this here online. At the Site Menu, click on "Student Loan Counseling" then pick "Stafford Exit." Eckerd College will be notified when you have completed this interview.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan - Effective for the 2010-2011 Academic Year

Parents may borrow the difference between a student's financial aid and the cost of attendance. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and meal charges but also books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses. The interest rate of 7.9% is fixed. Repayment begins within 60 days of the second disbursement but can be deferred until the student is no longer enrolled at least half time. When the deferment option is chosen, the interest does accrue on the loan balance. The repayment period on the loan is up to ten years.

To apply for a Federal Direct PLUS loan, visit this site.

If you have previously received a Federal PLUS loan, you must reapply for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan. You will be required to complete a new Master Promissory Note (MPN). If you have questions regarding this transition to direct lending, please feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid.

To apply for a Federal Plus Loan for the 2009-2010 academic year, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Alternative loans may be available to students who are not eligible for federal financial aid or who may need additional funds to meet educational expenses. The student's eligibility is determined by the lender and is based upon credit worthiness. The maximum amount that a student may receive for an alternative loan is the cost of attendance less the expected financial aid.

Alternative loans are not for everyone. They are expensive and should only be borrowed when all other resources (such as Federal Direct loans, Federal Direct PLUS loans or the Tuition Pay monthly payment plan) have been exhausted.

Because alternative loans are not guaranteed by the federal government, they must be insured privately. This cost is passed on to the borrower in the form of higher fees and interest rates. In addition, the lender will look at your credit history as well as other factors to determine if they will lend to you. Most alternative loan lenders require a student to have a credit worthy co-signer for the loan. The co-signer is responsible for the repayment of your loan if you go into default, become disabled or become deceased.

Most lenders require that borrowers:

• Be enrolled at least half time in an undergraduate program
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen
• Be creditworthy or have a creditworthy co-signer

Here are some questions you should ask an alternative loan provider:

• What is the interest rate? Is the interest rate fixed or variable? What is it based on?
• When does repayment begin? Can principal and interest be deferred?
• Is the interest capitalized? If interest is not capitalized, when are interest payments due? What happens if payments are not made?
• How much is the loan origination fee? Is this deducted from my loan disbursement or added to the amount I borrow?
• Can payments be made through electronic transfer?
• Can the loan be consolidated with other loans?
• Can I borrow money to cover past due balances from a previous school term?
• Are there interest rate deductions or other incentives for borrowers who make their payments on time?

Review the interest rates, repayment requirements and fees for several lenders before you apply for an alternative loan. The lender may require you to pay interest on the outstanding principal balance while you are in school. If the interest is not paid, subsequent loan disbursements may be canceled. If the lender does not collect the interest while you are in school, the interest will be capitalized. This means that the interest accruing on your loan will be added to your principal, increasing the amount of your alternative loan indebtedness. Remember, you may be denied by one lender and approved by another because of the criteria for lending established by the lender.

To be in compliance with federal reporting requirements, Eckerd College does not maintain a preferred list of lenders nor does the college recommend any lenders of alternative loans. We would suggest that you discuss alternative loans with your bank or lending institution. Information on alternative educational loans is also available through the web.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program recognizes academic achievement of Florida high school graduates with three scholarship programs. Beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year, award amounts are paid based upon the number of credit hours enrolled each semester. The Florida Academic Scholars program awards $126.00 per credit hour. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the average annual amount is $3,528. The Florida Medallion Scholarship and the Florida Gold Seal Scholarship program awards $95.00 per credit hour. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the average annual amount is $2,660. To apply students must contact their high school guidance counselor or Florida Bright Futures office. More information can be obtained at the Florida Department of Education site.

The Florida Department of Education administers the Robert C. Bryd Honors Scholarship program for outstanding high school graduates who show promise of continued academic achievement. Information and applications are available online.

The Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) supports Florida students attending a non-profit, Florida private college. This award is made to full time students, with enrollment of at least 12 credit hours each semester. The award is not contingent upon either academic achievement or financial need. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the Florida Resident Access Grant is $2,425.

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) is awarded by Eckerd College to full time students, who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship ranges from $200 to $2,000 per academic year and is limited based on annual state allocations. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the Florida Student Assistance Grant. Priority is given to students who file before our March 1st priority deadline.

Qualified Tuition Plans, also known as 529 Plans, are pre-paid tuition plans or college savings plans. Most pre-paid tuition plans are operated by state governments and pay an average of a state college's tuition and required fees. Eckerd College is an eligible institution for the Florida Pre-Paid Tuition Program. If you have a pre-paid plan through another state, contact your plan administrator to determine the portability of this benefit.