Introduction
Berea College has a national reputation for academic excellence. Therefore, a Berea education is highly prized, and admission is competitive. The College seeks to enroll students who possess limited financial resources and who are motivated to grow intellectually and personally in an environment shaped by Berea’s Great Commitments.
In the admissions process, emphasis is placed on the candidate’s academic record, particularly the kind and strength of courses taken and the grades earned. The College recommends, but does not require, that applicants complete the following high-school academic distribution:
- Four units of English (including composition, rhetoric, and literature)
- Three units of Mathematics (at least Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry)
- Two units of Laboratory Science
- Two units of Social Science/History (including World History)
- Two units of Foreign Language
Those wishing to explore whether they meet the financial criterion for admission to Berea College may use the following table as an approximate guide or go to www.berea.edu/qualify to complete an online quick estimator. All students are required to submit the FAFSA to complete an application file and students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant typically meet the College’s financial eligibility requirement. 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 Financial Resource Questionnaire, Non-Custodial Financial Questionnaire, Self-Employed/Business Owner Questionnaire or additional documentation to ultimately determine an applicant’s financial eligibility. NOTE: Families with members who are eligible for certain types of state or federal financial assistance (SSI, Food Stamps, Free or Reduced Lunch, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or WIC) are very likely to meet Berea Financial Requirements.
|
# of Family Members
|
Adjusted Gross Income* (Single Parent Household) |
Adjusted Gross Income* (Two Parent Household) |
|
2 |
$44,000
|
$35,000 |
| 3 |
$56,000 |
$44,000 |
|
4
|
$67,000 |
$52,000 |
|
5
|
$79,000 |
$61,000 |
|
6
|
$90,000 |
$70,000 |
|
7
|
$102,000 |
$80,000 |
|
8
|
$114,000 |
$88,000 |
*Based on 2023 poverty guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services. 2023 AGI information will be reported on the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Amounts are updated annually.
Because of Berea’s Tuition Promise, students are only required to pay out-of-pocket for mandatory fees, housing, and food. The exact amount students pay depends on the family’s demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Over 75% of Berea’s students receive enough aid to cover these expenses entirely. In addition, first-year students earn approximately $2,000 in the Labor Program their first year.
The average student-loan debt of Berea graduates is $6,000 after four years, compared to the national average of over $30,000. In recent years, over 50% of Berea students have graduated debt-free. Those who do receive student loans frequently use these funds to help finance educational experiences abroad in such locations as Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and Europe. Approximately forty percent (40%) of the College’s graduates spend some time abroad during their student experience at Berea.
Generally, admitted students may not defer enrollment. However, a student with a compelling reason may request deferment of enrollment to a subsequent term by writing a letter to the Associate Vice President of Admissions stating the reason for the request. All requests are considered by the Enrollment Policies Committee and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
In keeping with Berea's commitment to serving those with limited financial resources, the College does not charge an application fee.