Applying for Financial Aid

Your potential need for financial aid will not affect our admission decision. We select applicants on a "need-blind" basis, though being accepted does not guarantee assistance.

When to Apply

Don't wait until you've been admitted to Mills to apply for financial aid. Priority for financial aid will be given to students who meet the published deadlines. Even candidates who initially do not feel they need financial assistance are strongly encouraged to submit the appropriate application materials by the corresponding deadlines.

How to Apply

To request a Mills financial aid packet, we offer you four convenient ways to contact us. Choose one:

Mills College Website: Complete the Financial Aid Inquiry Form

Email: finaid@mills.edu

Mailing address:
M Center–Financial Aid
Mills College
5000 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94613

Telephone: 510.430.2000

When filling out the FAFSA application, use estimated income and estimated tax figures for the previous year if tax returns are not yet completed. Financial aid awards will be adjusted later if the actual income and taxes paid differ significantly from the estimates.

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A Note for Separated or Divorced Parents Providing Support

Mills requires that both natural parents submit financial data on income and assets. We determine the financial need of students whose parents are divorced or separated using the same principle by which we determine financial aid for other students: parents are expected to help contribute to their daughter's college costs. This still holds true in cases of divorce, separation, or remarriage.

The custodial parent or the parent with whom the student lives the majority of the time should complete the FAFSA and the Mills College Financial Aid Form. These forms should reflect only the income and assets of the custodial household (including a step-parent if the natural parent has remarried). The noncustodial parent should complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Noncustodial Parent's Statement, a form available at the Mills M Center and on the Mills College website. Once completed, this form is sent directly to the Mills M Center/Financial Aid, not to CSS. If an applicant prefers that the request come directly from the Mills M Center/Financial Aid, the applicant should make this request in writing.

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Types of Assistance

Financial assistance for attending Mills can come from the following sources:

• Federal government grants
• State of California grants (for state residents)
• Mills College merit and need-based scholarships
• Federal government sponsored student loan programs
• Other student loans
• Student employment
• Community/employer scholarships

All applicants for need-based financial aid must apply for a Federal Pell Grant. Similarly, California residents must apply for a California State Grant. It is important to note that even though you must apply for all available federal and state financial aid, if you do not qualify for this assistance you may still be eligible for assistance from Mills through our institutional aid program.

Grants and Scholarships 

Scholarships and grants from federal and state sources as well as from Mills and private outside organizations do not require repayment. While most grants and scholarships are based on demonstrated financial need, others are based solely on academic achievement, ability, and promise. In order to qualify for any of the following federal or state awards, a student must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen.

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Federal Programs

Two federal programs provide grant assistance based on need.

• Federal Pell Grants are made directly to students with individual grant amounts ranging from $976-$5,350 during the 2009-2010 academic year.
• The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG program) allocates grant aid directly to the College which, in turn, awards these funds to its neediest students. 

State Programs

The California Student Aid Commission administers grant programs for undergraduates and is an important source of support for California residents.

• Cal Grant A tuition grant awards are based, in part, on financial need and grade point average and range up to $9,708 for students attending private California colleges during 2009–2010.
• Cal Grant B awards, reserved for students with exceptional financial need, provide a living stipend up to $1,551 per academic year. After the freshman year, Cal Grant B recipients are also eligible for tuition grants up to $9,708.

To be considered for the 2009-2010 Cal Grant program, California residents must file the FAFSA and the Cal Grant "GPA Verification Form" by the state deadline of March 2, 2009.

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Merit Scholarships

In addition to aid which is based on financial need, Mills offers a variety of merit scholarships which recognize students with outstanding academic and leadership accomplishments. All entering fall-term, full-time applicants who meet the academic or talent eligibility requirements will be considered for the scholarships described below. All admissions materials must be returned by:

• February 1 for entering freshwomen
• March 2 for transfers

With few exceptions, the maximum a student may receive in merit-based scholarship funds is $23,500.

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Educational Loans 

Student loans are an important part of financial aid funding for most families. Loans are available through federal sources as well as through banks, savings and loan institutions, and credit unions. Repayment typically is scheduled to begin after the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at the college.

Federal Perkins Loans are awarded through Mills on the basis of financial need and availability of funds. Undergraduates are limited to borrowing a maximum of $5,500 per year, up to $27,500 total. Repayment at 5% interest begins nine months after the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans enable students with demonstrated financial need to borrow from private lenders (banks, credit unions, savings and loans, etc.) to help pay for college expenses. The annual borrowing limit is $3,500 for first-year students, $4,500 for sophomores, and $5,500 for juniors and seniors. The aggregate borrowing limit for undergraduates is $23,000 and $65,000 for undergraduate/graduate loans combined.

The federal government will pay the interest for students to their lenders as long as they are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. Repayment begins six months after the borrower graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time.  The interest rate for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2009 and before July 1, 2010 is fixed at 5.6%.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available for students who do not qualify for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan or to students who want an additional loan to supplement the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan.  These loans are available to students who have first applied for other financial aid including the Federal Pell Grant (undergraduates only) and the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan program. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. Unlike the Subsidized loan, however, the government does not pay the interest while the student is in school, and the borrower must make monthly or quarterly (depending on lender policy) interest payments, or agree to have the interest added to the principal.

Undergraduate annual borrowing limits for this program, including any subsidized Federal Stafford amounts, are as follows:

The aggregate borrowing limit is $31,000 for dependent undergraduates and $57,500 for independent undergraduates (both figures include Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan amounts).

Mills College Loans are funded by Mills College and are normally awarded to dependent students with financial need who do not have access to the Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Funds are very limited and, therefore, loan offers are always subject to availability of funds. Repayment at an 8.5% interest rate begins nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled full-time. The annual borrowing limit is $2,500.

The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is designed for parents of dependent students (who have no adverse credit history) to supplement the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Parents who find the expected family contribution to be unrealistic or who seek loan funds to cover a student's unmet need may borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other financial aid. In most cases, repayment begins immediately and payments are made in equal installments over a period of up to ten years.

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Student Employment 

Most financial aid awards for resident students who have a limited work history (those who enter Mills directly from high school, for example) include a campus work opportunity. The wide range of part-time jobs enables students to earn up to $4,500 a year.  Career Services, located in Cowell, maintains on-campus job listings.  Off-campus job opportunities are also listed with Career Services.   

If you have been awarded work-study as part of your financial aid package, you may come to the M Center to pick up your Student Employment Agreement and a student employment packet.  Before you begin working, you must submit your completed Student Employment Agreement, I-9 form, and W-4 form to Employee Services in Sage Hall, Room 129.  Your timesheets must be forwarded to the Payroll Office in Employee Services by the timesheet due dates.  Questions regarding work-study can be sent to workstdy@mills.edu.   

International Students 

Financial aid for international students is available only in the form of a Mills College merit-based scholarship.  The scholarship awards are based on academic performance in school, school examination results and the results of standardized tests.  Unfortunately, these scholarships do not meet the total cost of tuition, fees, books and living expenses.  International students are expected to meet these costs with their own funds.  There is no separate application form for scholarships.  All students who submit admission applications and all required credentials by the published deadlines are considered for scholarships.  To indicate the amount of funds available, students should submit the Certification of Finances form, available on the Mills College website, and bank statement(s) with the application for admission.

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