CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE

Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is
committed to meeting the full need of
all admitted students. This infor mation
is designed to help you learn how you
can meet the expense at CMC.
CMC coordinates a comprehensive
financial aid program consisting of
scholarships, grants, loans, and termtime
employment. These are made
possible through funding from state
and federal programs, CMC resources,
and various other sources.
All candidates admitted to CMC
(freshmen and transfers) who have
financial need are awarded 100%
of the financial aid they need.
A WORD ON NO LOAN
CMC’s no-packaged-loan policy replaces
loans with grants for students who have
financial need. This policy takes our longstanding
need-blind admission process a
step further and reinforces the College’s
belief that all qualified students should
be able to attend CMC regardless of
financial circumstances.
Is CMC “Need-Blind”?
Yes, our admission policy is “need-blind,” based solely on
your academic record, personal achievements, talent, and
potential as a CMC student. Your family’s financial situation is
not considered and has no bearing on your admission decision.
What does it cost to attend CMC?
The direct costs for the 2009-2010 academic year are:
Tuition 38,275
Fees (Student Body) 235
Room (double) 6,470
Board (16-meal, $160-flex plan) 6,055
Comprehensive Fee $51,035
Estimated Personal Expenses (includes books) 2,000
Total Student Cost at CMC $53,035
How can I afford CMC?
CMC’s substantial endowment allows the College to be needblind,
to meet the full need of all eligible students and to be
relatively generous in the ways that need is met.
Does CMC offer academic scholarships?
Although CMC’s financial aid program is primarily needbased,
we also offer academic scholarships.
When and How do I apply?
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS)
PROFILE financial aid application to apply for financial aid.
WHEN HOW
SEPT. Begin collecting financial aid information from your
high school counselor or CMC’s Financial Aid Office.
You can register starting Sept. 15 for your CSS
PROFILE application in order to receive your
2010–11 customized PROFILE financial aid
application packet. You can register at College
Board Online (www.collegeboard.org).
DEC. Obtain your Personal Identification Number in
order to electronically sign your Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.pin.ed.gov. Your
parents or legal guardian completing the FAFSA form
will also need a PIN.
JAN. Your customized PROFILE financial aid application
packet must be returned to CSS by Feb. 1. You need to
complete and transmit or mail the FAFSA to the federal
processor by Feb. 1. You may begin completing your
FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (school code 001170)
FEB. You must submit signed copies of your parent(s)
and your U.S. income tax return(s) for 2009 to the
College Board’s document imaging service IDOC to
begin the evaluation of your financial aid eligibility.
You can visit the IDOC website at http://idoc.collegeboard.com
for more information.
CMC Scholarships
YEARLY
NAME NUMBER AMOUNT
Seaver 5 Full Tuition
Interdisciplinary
Science
Scholarship 13 Full Tuition
McKenna
Achievement 15 $10,000
National
$1,000 &
Merit Varies $2,000
ROTC Varies Varies
Each type of scholarship is awarded
yearly. All scholarships are four-year
renewable, except for the ROTC
Scholarship which is two-, three-,
or four-year renewable.
FEB. You may submit copies of your 2008 tax documents
directly to the Financial Aid Office if 2009
are not available. However, you must still submit
copies of your and your parent(s) 2009 income
tax return to IDOC as soon as possible or no later
than March 1 to complete the evaluation of your
final award.
MAR. Transfer applicants must submit their completed
PROFILE financial aid application to CSS and their
FAFSA to the federal processor by Mar. 1.
MAY Reply date for admitted freshmen is May 1.
JUNE Reply date for admitted transfers is June 1.
NOTE TO EARLY DECISION CANDIDATES: You must register
and submit your CSS PROFILE application as follows:
EARly DECISION I EARly DECISION II
Complete/Submit to CSS Dec. 1 Jan. 1
Your completed FAFSA should be mailed to the federal
processor by Feb. 1.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to indicate Claremont McKenna
College’s correct code numbers in the appropriate sections
on both financial aid application forms.
CSS PROFILE Registration Form 4054
FAFSA 001170
How do you determine financial need?
In order to qualify for financial aid you must show “financial
need.”
Determination of Financial Need
COST AT CMC
FAMILY CONTRIBUTION
Tuition & Fees, The amount that you YOUR
Room & Board, – and your parents should = FINANCIAL
Personal & be able to contribute NEED
Transportation
How do you determine my family
contribution?
In order to qualify for financial aid, your financial need
must be determined through the criteria established by an
approved “need analysis” formula. This formula estimates
the amount both you and your family should be able to
contribute toward your education, based on information
you report on your CSS PROFILE and FAFSA. CMC uses a
more in-depth formula to establish family contributions
for institutional aid eligibility.
Loans
Non-need based loans, such
as Unsubsidized Stafford Loans or
PLUS loans, are still available to
families who qualify for them.
Loans may be an option for families
needing to fulfill the family contribution
portion of the cost of education,
but the student financial aid package
will include only grant and gift aid.
Federal Stafford Loans
(subsidized and unsubsidized) are
loans made available by banks,
credit unions, savings and loan
associations, or other lenders.
Federal Perkins Loans are offered
by CMC from funds obtained from
the federal government and from
former CMC students who are in
the process of repaying their loans.
Eligibility is based on need.
Federal PLUS Loans are loans
for eligible borrowers. Parents may
borrow on behalf of their dependent
undergraduate daughter or son
enrolled at least half-time at CMC.
Claremont McKenna College
Loans are funds from many sources
and are used when necessary to supplement
the federal loan programs
for students who do not qualify for
other educational loan programs.
Alternative Student Loan
Programs are loans from lenders
to help families meet their contribution.
Interest rates and fees vary but
are very competitive.
How do you determine my student
contribution?
Your family contribution includes a contribution from you
the student. The student contribution is determined by the
greater of:
A minimum of $1,650–$2,250 (according to grade level)
or
50% of your total income (minus standard allowances)
Parent Contribution + Student Contribution = Family Contribution
What type of financing can I receive based
on my financial need?
1. College Scholarships and Grants
Claremont McKenna College Scholarships and Grants
are derived from gifts and endowments given to CMC by
individuals or organizations for scholarship purposes. Additional
applications are not necessary for these funds.
2. Federal Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grants (SEOG) are awarded to CMC from the federal
government to aid students with financial need as defined
by federal regulations.
Federal Pell Grants are direct grants from the federal
government to students. This program was designed to
provide a floor upon which other financial aid is built.
3. Grants Awarded by the State of California
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards
Cal Grants on the basis of academic achievement and
financial need. CMC requires all students who are
California residents seeking financial assistance to
apply for a Cal Grant. To be considered for a Cal Grant,
you must submit a GPA Verification Form that has been
certified by a high school or college official no later than
March 2, 2010 to CSAC. Forms may be obtained at your
high school or college.
Cal Grant A is awarded to needy undergraduate students
for use at an approved California college or university. It
is renewable for four years.
Cal Grant B is awarded to students from economically
disadvantaged backgrounds.
4. Other State Awards
States such as Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Rhode Island
offer grants that can be used to attend CMC. Students are
strongly encouraged to explore their eligibility for state
grants.