Shepherd University Financial Aid: Comprehensive Guide to Tuition, Scholarships, and Costs

How does Shepherd University’s financial aid system work. What are the tuition costs for in-state and out-of-state students. What types of scholarships and grants are available to Shepherd University students. How can prospective students calculate their net cost of attendance.

Understanding Shepherd University’s Financial Aid Landscape

Shepherd University, located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, offers a variety of financial aid options to help students manage the cost of their education. With a significant portion of students receiving some form of financial assistance, it’s crucial to understand the available options and how they can impact your educational journey.

Key Financial Aid Statistics

• 96% of students receive grant or scholarship aid, with an average amount of $11,276
• 57% of students utilize student loan aid, with an average amount of $6,495
• 68% of students receive institutional grants or scholarships, averaging $4,450

These statistics demonstrate Shepherd University’s commitment to making higher education accessible through various financial aid channels.

Tuition Costs at Shepherd University

Understanding the tuition costs is essential for financial planning. Shepherd University has different rates for in-state and out-of-state students:

• In-State Tuition: $7,784
• Out-of-State Tuition: $18,224

Is there a significant difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition? Indeed, out-of-state students pay more than double the in-state rate, highlighting the importance of residency status in determining educational costs.

Exploring Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Grants and scholarships form a substantial part of the financial aid package at Shepherd University. Let’s break down the various types:

Federal Grants

39% of students receive federal grants, with an average amount of $5,063. The most common federal grant is the Pell Grant, awarded to 38% of students with an average amount of $4,621.

State and Local Government Grants

46% of students benefit from state or local government grants, receiving an average of $3,921.

Institutional Grants and Scholarships

Shepherd University provides institutional aid to 68% of students, with an average amount of $4,450.

How can students maximize their chances of receiving grants and scholarships? Maintaining a high GPA, actively participating in extracurricular activities, and thoroughly researching and applying for all available opportunities are key strategies.

Navigating Student Loan Options

While grants and scholarships are preferred, many students also rely on loans to finance their education:

• 57% of students take out federal student loans, with an average amount of $6,503
• 6% of students utilize other types of student loans, with a higher average amount of $11,872

Why is there such a difference between federal and other student loan amounts? Federal loans often have more favorable terms and lower interest rates, making them the preferred choice for most students. Private loans, which fall under “other student loans,” typically have higher limits but may come with less favorable terms.

Calculating Your Net Cost of Attendance

The average net price for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates at Shepherd University is $10,685. However, this figure varies based on family income:

How is the net price calculated? It’s determined by subtracting the average amount of federal, state, local, and institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. This provides a more accurate picture of what students actually pay after financial aid is applied.

Additional Costs to Consider

Beyond tuition, students must account for room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses. Shepherd University calculates a weighted average for these costs based on various living arrangements:

• On-campus housing
• Off-campus housing with family
• Off-campus housing not with family

What factors influence these additional costs? Location of housing, meal plan choices, and individual lifestyle decisions can all impact the total cost of attendance beyond tuition.

Applying for Financial Aid at Shepherd University

To begin the financial aid process at Shepherd University, prospective students should follow these steps:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Submit any additional required documentation to the Shepherd University Financial Aid Office
3. Apply for scholarships through the university and external sources
4. Review and accept your financial aid package

When should students start the financial aid application process? It’s recommended to begin as early as possible, ideally right after the FAFSA becomes available on October 1st for the following academic year.

Shepherd University Scholarship Opportunities

Shepherd University offers a variety of scholarships to help students fund their education. Here are some examples:

• Academic Excellence and Leadership Scholarship: Up to $12,000
• Presidential Scholarship: Up to $6,000
• Diversity Scholarship: Up to $3,000
• Transfer Student Scholarship: Up to $3,000
• Alumni Association Scholarship: Up to $1,500

How are scholarship recipients selected? Criteria often include academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement, and specific talents or achievements. Some scholarships may have additional eligibility requirements or application processes.

Campus Life and Student Demographics at Shepherd University

Understanding the student population can provide context for the financial aid landscape:

• Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,716
• 7% of students live on campus
• 7% are transfer students
• The majority of students are under age 25

How does the student population impact financial aid distribution? The high percentage of commuter students may influence the types of aid offered, while the relatively small size of the university could mean more personalized attention in the financial aid process.

Shepherd University’s financial aid system is designed to support a diverse student body in achieving their educational goals. By understanding the various components of financial aid, tuition costs, and scholarship opportunities, prospective students can make informed decisions about their educational investment. Remember to start the application process early, explore all available options, and reach out to the Financial Aid Office for personalized guidance on navigating the financial aspects of your college journey at Shepherd University.

Shepherd University Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

^*GPA and other eligibility restrictions may apply

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Student Population

Student Diversity

Shepherd University Tuition, Cost and Financial Aid – Shepherdstown, WV

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.

$10,685

Calculate your net cost

Average Net Price By Family Income

< $30k

$7,787

$30k – $48k

$9,126

$48k – $75k

$11,116

$75k – $110k

$14,254

$110k+

$14,684

Tuition

In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.	$7,784
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.	$18,224

Additional Costs

Financial Aid: visit page

Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

100

Need Met

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.

Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.

Students receiving state aid

Students receiving federal aid

Student Loans

Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.

$13,886

Loan Default Rate

US National: 7%

Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.

What Students Are Saying

I feel like this school is an amazingly good deal. Like I mentioned above there are a lot of things that the university offers that is included in tuition so you don’t have to pay for it. They have everything from film festivals to concerts to art shows to plays. The gym is free to students, the library is huge and very helpful, you may check out movies and Rosetta Stone’s from the library free with your I.D. The meal plan is wonderful and very worth it to use all your meals every day. All in all I feel that Shepherd is a wonderful deal.

Amanda from Manassas, VA

Definitely as an in-state student Shepherd University is a great place and readily affordable compared to other schools.

Kayla from Bluefield, WV

Shepherd’s tuition definitely isn’t as expensive as many other colleges/universities around. It’s pretty affordable when comparing your options. You do get your money’s worth if you take advantage of all the things offered. There are multiple places to choose from for food, and they each take meal plan, so your not eating at the same place everyday either. Many schools don’t let first year students have cars on campus, but Shepherd does. Although the parking pass does cost $65, it’s very affordable when you look at another college that doesn’t let students have a car till sophomore year and their parking pass is over $100. You will definitely get your money’s worth here at Shepherd if, and only if, you enjoy being here.

Crystal from Owings, MD

I think that the dining hall packages could be lower priced for the quality of food you get.

Emma from Houston, TX

Average tuition and costs.

Charles from Pasadena, MD

Shepherd is cheaper than most colleges, but it will cost money to attend. Although Shepherd has great financial aid, so it is affordable.

Kacie from Craigsville, WV

This is a small school in West Virginia, so depending on what degree you get and what you want to do with it, you may come out lacking contacts you would get at a larger university. But you probably actually KNOW more, from the extra one-on-one time with professors, than a graduate from a larger school would.

Sarah from Martinsburg, WV

Very cheap, even for out of state students.

Kady from Hagerstown, MD

This is a great place, and it’s cheaper than other places…unless you’re out of state. As soon as you go out of state the tuition increases obscenely, so it gets a bit pricey. But hey, if you’re paying for a college already and you know Shepherd is a good school like I did, you’ll be able to pull it off, and it’s a great college. Plus a lot of features are included in tuition, like meals, movies, concerts, shows, and going to the gym; a beautiful gym, if I might add. So it is definitely worth it. However, if price is really an issue and you’re out of state, you might be better off finding a cheaper school, or maybe doing community college for a year or two til you can save up or something.

Nathan from Shepherdstown, WV

Read all reviews

US University Funding | Financial assistance | Academic Scholarship | Forbes Education

Academic Scholarship Criteria Groups

o whether the student will receive an academic scholarship or not.

The first group includes average score ( GPA ) . In the United States, GPA refers to the average of all four years of high school. For Russian students, a certificate will be an important document. If the grades in the certificate are lower than for each year of study in grades 9, 10 and 11, then an additional statement of grades by year should be attached. Some schools may recalculate the GPA based on the transcript. Most likely, one should not hope for global improvements here, the score can go to tenths. However, even these will be important for improving the GPA.

The second group of criteria includes the results of exams SAT or ACT . Students take one of the elective exams, and the results are sent to the university.

The most common is the SAT. On it you can score a maximum of 1600 points. It is tacitly believed that a scholarship, with a high level of other groups of criteria, can be counted on, having received from 1400 points and above. But a high average SAT is no guarantee of getting into a university, much less getting a scholarship. All criteria are considered together.

Is it possible to prepare and pass the SAT with a really high score while in Russia? In general, with a high level of motivation, yes, you can. It is better to start preparing two years before the exam and spend 2-3 hours daily preparing. In this case, you can approach the beginning of grade 11 with results of 1450 points and above. Important: applicants begin to submit documents to US universities already in November of the graduating class, that is, by October, students should have everything ready.

In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, some universities, including leading ones, announced that SAT / ACT results will not be taken into account when entering the university. Some other universities were more vague and noted that the results of these exams would have less weight in the university application compared to other criteria. Since the situation is ambiguous and no one can say for sure how universities will evaluate the package of documents for admission without exam results, the opinions of students are divided: someone plans to attach the SAT results to the package of documents, someone does not. My recommendation: if the results are high (from 1380 points), then, of course, it is worth applying them, even if the university announced the temporary cancellation of recording their results.

The third group includes student essay , reflecting both the motivation for studying at the chosen university and the reasons why this particular scholarship student should be taken. The bad news is that the essay should be short, concise, perfectly calibrated in accordance with all essay writing standards. That is, you need to seriously prepare for it again. The good news is that a successful essay can override the non-maximum scores on the previous two items.

The fourth group includes productive additional activities : participation in school clubs, events, sports competitions, etc. – everything counts. This also includes olympiads, conferences, research work in the chosen direction. The results for the entire period of study at High School are considered (for applicants from Russia – starting from the 9th grade).

It is important to understand that the results of additional activities are not just a translation of all certificates and diplomas, but a thorough description of what and, most importantly, why you did these additional classes, how they relate to your future studies and, preferably, your career. And they should also demonstrate your versatile interests and ability to plan time. This group of criteria can also overpower the results of the first two groups.

In most cases, universities want to have academically strong, versatile individuals on campus, not the epitome of average test scores. That is, in fact, an applicant with a GPA 3.9 and SAT 1450, who has won several regional olympiads, runs a club of young leaders, plays the bass guitar in a school band, and in the summer participated in volunteer programs for the restoration of ancient monuments, has more chances to receive a scholarship than an applicant with a GPA 4.1 and SAT 1580, who does nothing more than intensive training in subjects during his school years.

But, again, all indicators are evaluated in aggregate and it is important to understand how much the student was passionate about additional activities, and did not do it just for the sake of filling out the university application form.

The fifth group of criteria is letters of recommendation from teachers . The culture of writing recommendations in American and Russian schools is very different. In the US, the “write it yourself, and I will sign” option does not work at all. A letter of recommendation should be as detailed as possible, describing both the success of the student and the aspects that need to be developed. The university admissions committees really pay special attention to letters of recommendation, so it is extremely important that the letters are written at a high professional level.

In some cases, universities may ask the student to complete the video interview , where the admissions committee will ask additional or more in-depth questions to help the student present themselves as an outstanding student deserving of the highest possible scholarship.

Financial support from US universities

Higher education in the US is expensive. The good news is that talented, high-achieving students may qualify for financial aid. We talk about its types and methods of obtaining in the article.

Financial assistance is money that is allocated to certain groups of students to pay for university education.

Financial aid may be provided on a means-tested or academic basis. Scholarships, grants, work-study programs, educational loans, tax credits are all forms of financial assistance. Some species will subsequently need to be returned, and some do not require a return.

Funds for financial assistance are provided by universities, foundations, private organizations, federal structures (the latter – for US citizens).

Need-based aid

Need-based aid is given to students whose families do not have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their child’s education at a university. To receive it, you need to prove that the family is really not able to pay the amount that the university asks for.

If an applicant wants to apply for financial assistance on a need basis, he will have to fill out the appropriate questionnaires when applying and provide a variety of information about the well-being of the family : From documented parental income to proof of ownership.

The university will then evaluate the applicant’s ability to cover the costs and make a decision whether to pay for his education or not.

An important remark: the applicant’s opinion about his ability to pay for education and the opinion of the university may not coincide. It is not uncommon for an applicant to be sincerely convinced that he will not be able to afford the cost of education, but the university thinks otherwise.

The university may cover all or part of the tuition fees. After assessing the well-being of the family, the amount of the so-called “family contribution” will be determined – the amount that the family is still able to pay. The amount of the “family contribution” is deducted from the total cost of education – this will be the amount that the university is ready to cover.

You can apply for means-based financial assistance on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website. You can apply to students of the last grades from October 1, as well as in subsequent years. Approximately 18 million students apply each year for federal financial aid through the FAFSA platform.

Merit-based aid

Merit-based aid is given in the form of scholarships for achievements in and out of school. These can be academic, sports, musical, artistic and other achievements in various fields.

10 American universities that offer generous financial aid

• Columbia University
• Yale University
• Williams College
• Amherst College
• Harvard University
• Vassar College
• Webb Institute
• Duke University
• University of Chicago
• Colgate University

Can you afford to study in the USA?

How to Get Financial Aid – Crimson Education Expert Advice and Advice

How to Get Started?

Start by learning how to get financial assistance. Check out the rules for granting it to the universities you want to enroll in, what types of assistance they offer, what documents you need to fill out and when to apply.

How much financial assistance can I get?

The amount of financial assistance depends on a number of factors that are individual for each student. Such factors, in particular, include the cost of studying at a university, the financial situation of the applicant and his family, citizenship, personal history and social activities.

Where else can I get financial assistance?

US citizens have access to federal and state financial assistance programs. Foreign applicants are deprived of such an opportunity.

But you can apply for scholarships from private foundations, such as the Gates Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation. For scholarships, you can apply to organizations in your country.

Still, the main source of financial aid in the US is the universities themselves. In 2018-19, universities spent more than $76 billion on student tuition fees, according to educationdata.org.

Does the need-blind or need-aware policy of the university affect the prospects for receiving financial support?

Need-blind is the policy of the university, when the university does not take into account the applicant’s need for financial assistance when making a decision on admission. And vice versa, need-aware is the policy of the university, when, when making a decision on enrolling a student, the university takes into account the applicant’s need for financial assistance, that is, a request for financial assistance in this case reduces the chance of admission.

Need-blind does not guarantee receipt of financial support, just as need-aware does not indicate that it is impossible to obtain it.

What should I include on my financial aid appeal letter?

If, due to life circumstances, an applicant needs additional financial assistance, he can apply for it. It must indicate significant changes in the financial situation of the family (loss of permanent income or lump-sum income, significant and unexpected medical expenses) that were not reflected in previously submitted applications.

The application must describe in detail the specific circumstances that led to such a situation: what happened and when, how much the financial situation worsened, and whether this change is permanent or temporary. The application must be accompanied by documents confirming the situation.

Can the university provide financial assistance comparable to that offered by another university?

Let’s say an applicant received financial assistance from two universities: in the first, its amount is less than in the second, but the first university is the applicant’s dream university and he would like to study in it. Can an applicant ask the first institution to increase the amount of financial assistance to the level of the second institution?

The answer will depend on the rules of the particular university. Many universities strive to “show the product face” and are ready to offer the student the most competitive option for financial assistance. However, before applying for an increase in assistance, we advise you to find out if the rules of the university allow you to offer an applicant the amount of financial assistance that corresponds to the offers of competing universities.

What does “meeting full demonstrated need” mean?

If a university is willing to “fully satisfy a verified need for financial aid”, this means that it has offered an applicant a financial aid package that covers the difference between tuition fees (including tuition fees, living expenses, meals, textbooks, supplies and travel) and the ability of the student’s family to pay these costs.

For example, the tuition fee is $80,000, and the family’s ability to pay is estimated at $20,000. This means that the university will pay the missing $60,000.

Financial aid can include not only grants, but also education loans and on-campus jobs.

What financial aid is available to international students?

The main sources of financial assistance to international students are scholarships and private student loans (a type of financial aid on need) provided by universities. Foreign students can apply for scholarships to private organizations that support students in the United States.

How Crimson Education Helps Applicants Get Financial Aid

The financial aid application process is not an easy one. It is important to take into account the requirements of universities, deadlines, and provide a complete package of documents. In order to avoid mistakes and increase the chances of receiving the coveted financial support, you can contact Crimson Education. Our Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisors will guide you through this challenging journey.

We start by talking about two financial aid application options, the free FAFSA application and the CSS Profile.