Parents' Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Is the campus safe?

When your child steps out the door for the first day of school, or rolls out the driveway shortly after passing the driving exam, or goes away to college for four years, you ask yourself the same question. Is it safe?

In a small community such as Berea, it is easy to feel comfortable and safe. The town does not permit the sale of alcoholic beverages, so there are no bars or businesses that might, otherwise, foster undesirable behavior. The town's crime rate is also low and the campus is friendly and well lit. Nevertheless, all students are encouraged to maintain an awareness of their surroundings and to use common sense when making choices that may affect their safety and well-being.

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2. Is medical care available?

College can be tough enough without having to contend with illness. At Berea, all students are encouraged to paritcipate in a wellness program. However, sometimes nothing can stop an attack of flu or a nasty cold, and in these cases students may turn to the Berea College Health Service.

Visits to the College Health Service are free of charge. Students may be seen by appointment during office hours. After hours, students may contact the doctor on-call. Should an emergency situation arise, it is comforting to know that the Berea Hospital is located in close proximity to campus.

Prescription medication may be obtained from the College Health Service or the Berea Hospital Pharmacy through the student's college charge account.

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3. What are the living arrangements?

While there's really no place like home, we think it is important for students to feel at home while in college. To that end, Berea is a residential campus. Only students who are older than 23, have dependents, are married, or have special permission may live off-campus. Residence halls are single-gender, with individual visitation policies. Some halls have a faculty-in-residence, while other upper-class halls depend on a facutly representative from the Residential Life Collegium. Student staff include resident assistants, monitors, and janitors. Residents of each hall elect representatives to serve on the House Council. Policies are developed through cooperation of the facutly leader, student staff, and House Council.

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4. Are Berea faculty readily available to students?

With a 10:1 student to facutly ratio, students have the opportunity to interact with professors on a frequent basis. To ensure that students are provided with individual assistance, each teaching faculty member has regular office hours.

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5. Where can my child turn with problems?

The transition to college life is a significant adjustment. Many students find that the academic program is more challenging that expected. In these cases, there are academic support systems in place. The Center for Effective Communication helps students who wish to sharpen study, presentation, interview, or writing skills. Other departments provide tutors and teaching assistants. Those struggling with decisions about career options and choice of major may turn to the Career Development Office for information and career counseling.

For students under extreme stress or emotional difficulty, there are counselors available. Students may make appointments for individual counseling or participate in group sessions which focus on stress management, relaxation techniques, and personal communication skills.

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6. Is Berea a religious college?

Berea College is a non-denominational Christian college in which the traditions of service and love of all people are reinforced throughout the student experience. Through coursework, convocations, extracurricular organizations, and campus discussion, students are encouraged to seek spiritual growth.

Campus Ministry holds weekly worship services which students are invited, but not required, to attend.

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7. How much will a Berea College education cost our family?

Every Berea College student receives a four-year full tuition scholarship valued at over $85,000. The amount a student is expected to contribute toward the costs of room, board, and fees differs depending upon the level of financial need. To determine need, all students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The most any student pays for room, board, and fees is approximately $4,500, with most students paying much less.

Once enrolled, students may use earnings from their campus jobs to cover the costs of books, as well as personal expenses.

Although loans are available to students, Berea College believes it is important to begin life after graduation with as little debt as possible. To that end, most students graduate with no debt whatsoever. Among those students who do leave Berea with an outstanding debt, the average amount is less than $1,000.

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