Financial Eligibility
Future Without Limits
The financial eligibility requirement is unique to Berea College and is a direct response to the College’s commitment to serve students of unlimited potential and limited financial means. This requires the Office of Admissions to assess an applicant’s financial eligibility. Estimating your financial eligibility to attend Berea College is an important first step in determining if you qualify.
For a two-parent household, include both parents' income (or a stepparent, if remarried). Use the adjusted gross income from the 2024 federal tax return. This is typically line 11 of IRS Form 1040.
Please be aware that our financial eligibility estimator is meant only to provide estimated guidelines. Simply meeting the guidelines does not guarantee acceptance. All students being considered for admission are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to complete an application file and will be holistically assessed on both academic merit and financial eligibility.
Independent Student
If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you are considered an independent student and will likely meet Berea’s financial eligibility criteria.
| Are you now or have you ever been in a legal guardianship (as determined by a court) with someone other than a parent or stepparent? |
| At any time on or after July 1, 2026, have you been on your own and homeless OR Self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? |
| At any time since you turned 13, have you been an orphan, a ward of the court, or in foster care? |
| Are you a legally emancipated minor (as determined by a court)? |
| Do you have children or other people (excluding your spouse) who live with you and will be receiving more than half their support from you between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027? |
| Are you currently serving on active duty or are you a veteran of the US armed forces? |
Many factors are considered when determining a student’s financial eligibility, primarily using the FAFSA, but in some cases, a student may be required to submit a Non-Custodial Financial Questionnaire, Self-Employed/Business Owner Questionnaire, or additional documentation to ultimately determine an applicant’s financial eligibility.
Please note, determining financial eligibility is an assessment within the Office of Admissions, and determining financial aid offers is a function of Student Financial Aid Services. However, information provided during the admissions process may be used to guide professional judgements, resolve conflicting information and finalize financial aid offers if admitted.