Financial Eligibility
No tuition. No limits.
We took tuition off the table, so you could take a seat at it.
The College’s mission is to serve students of unlimited potential and limited financial means which 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. If you find that your quick estimator result or household income meets the criteria below, we encourage you to apply.
Please be aware that our financial eligibility tools and tables are meant only to be estimated guidelines. Simply meeting the estimated 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 which includes a variety of factors.
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.
If you find your household does not meet financial eligibility criteria, have questions or are unsure, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our Family Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, Becca Parrish.
Household Income
| Family Size | Single Parent Total Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) | Two Parent Total Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)* |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Less than $45,000 | Less than $35,000 |
| 3 | Less than $58,000 | Less than $45,000 |
| 4 | Less than $70,000 | Less than $54,000 |
| 5 | Less than $82,000 | Less than $64,000 |
| 6 | Less than $94,000 | Less than $73,000 |
| 7 | Less than $106,000 | Less than $82,000 |
| 8 | Less than $118,000 | Less than $92,000 |
*Stepparent income MUST be included
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, 2025, 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? |
*The above numbers are based on 2024 poverty guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services. 2024 AGI information will be reported on the 2026-2027 FAFSA. Amounts are updated annually.
Cost Estimator
Berea's Cost Estimator was developed to help you and your family estimate your first-year costs. Results are based on 2024-2025 Cost of Attendance figures and student aid eligibility requirements. To learn more, access our Cost Estimator tool.