Financial Aid Overview
Meridian University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is approved by the U. S. Department of Education for participation in Federal Student Loan Programs. Financial aid provides assistance to students enrolled in an at least half-time basis (four or more credits per quarter) who find it challenging to finance their education. The Financial Aid Office is committed to making the process as straightforward and manageable as possible. Meridian University participates in the awarding of federal financial aid, international financial assistance, VA education benefits, and institutional financial aid. Meridian University does not participate in the awarding of state financial aid. Federal and state regulations governing Federal Student Aid programs may change periodically. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for the most current information.Contacting the Financial Aid Office
Telephone (707) 765-1836 ext. 4 Fax (707) 765-2351 Email financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu Los Angeles Campus2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 100E
Santa Monica, California 90404
Financial Aid Consultation
All applicants and accepted students can schedule a phone or video-conference consultation with the Meridian Financial Aid Office. Please email financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu to request an appointment.Financial Aid Deadlines
- All financial aid application items should be accurately completed and received by the Financial Aid Office at least three weeks prior to the start of the quarter.
- Students who do not submit the required items in a timely manner must be prepared to meet their tuition and fee obligations by the payment deadlines, even if they plan to receive aid later in the year.
- Meridian University uses the quarter system.
| Quarter | Begins | FA Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026-2027 | Dec. 1st, 2026 | Nov. 17th, 2026 |
| Spring 2026-2027 | Mar. 1st, 2027 | Feb. 9th, 2027 |
| Summer 2026-2027 | Jun. 1st, 2027 | May 11th, 2027 |
| Fall 2027-2028 | Sep. 1st, 2027 | Aug. 10th, 2027 |
How Do I Apply?
- Apply for a FSA ID Number before you start your FAFSA application.
- Complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-app and submit it to Meridian University. Meridian's Federal School Code is G42711
- Complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov
- Forward confirmation that you have completed Entrance Counseling and MPN to financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu.
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Due to the OB3 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) changes there are new legacy provisions for the Graduate Plus Loan:
- Students must have had a Direct Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or Graduate PLUS) disbursed for that program before July 1, 2026.
- Remain continuously enrolled in the same program/school through their expected time to credential (max 3 years, or the remaining program length).
- Students who wish to apply for a Federal Graduate PLUS loan submit the application at studentaid.gov. Please inform the Financial Aid Office in writing if you plan to apply for a Grad PLUS loan. Be sure to complete the Entrance Counseling and MPN specific to the Grad PLUS loan and forward confirmations to financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu. Students that obtain an endorser will need to complete a separate Plus Loan Credit Counseling.
Helpful Videos
Veterans Administration Educational Benefits
Veterans and other eligible persons under Title 38, U.S. Code may be eligible to utilize their educational benefits while enrolled at Meridian. To find out if you are eligible under any applicable VA program, call 1-888-GIBILL1 or visit http://www.gibill.va.gov. VA Educational Benefits take effect on the date on which the individual provides to Meridian a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of Title 38. Meridian will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that an individual borrow additional funds, on any individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the VA under chapter 31 or 33 of Title 38. Any coursework accepted for credit at Meridian will be listed on the student’s transcript. The number of credits accepted will be equal to the number of credits the training period is reduced by. Students will be notified of accepted credits via letter.What happens after I apply?
Once your FAFSA is processed, Meridian will confirm receipt of the FAFSA by either sending you a FAFSA receipt confirmation email or an email letting you know if there are any issues with the FAFSA that need to be resolved.Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office of any other aid received or anticipated for the loan period.
After you have officially enrolled, you will be sent via Docusign a Financial Aid Offer for you to sign and return. The Financial Aid Offer discloses your Direct Loan Borrowing Information and Remaining Eligibility from the U.S. Department of Education. Your Financial Aid Offer will indicate the full loan amount(s) for which you are eligible. When signing your offer you will have the opportunity to request less than the maximum amount if you wish.
If you do not understand how much aid you would be accepting by signing the Financial Aid Offer Notification, or don't understand how to note that you want to borrow less than the total offered, contact the Financial Aid Office before signing your Financial Aid Offer Notification.
Notification of Right to Cancel All or a Portion of Your Aid:
If you choose to borrow a different amount, or want to cancel the loan offer, you will need to sign the applicable form. By signing your Financial Aid Offer Notification, you are accepting all of your financial aid offered, unless indicated otherwise.Overview of the Aid Process
The United States Department of Education offers the Federal Direct Loan Program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. The Department of Education does not provide Pell Grants to graduate students.Federal Graduate Student Aid
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are backed by the federal government. Students can borrow up to $20,500 each academic year in federal direct unsubsidized loans. The maximum total debt from subsidized (undergraduate) and unsubsidized loans is $100,000 total, excluding undergraduate loans for graduate or professional students. The graduate debt limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study. This replaces the old $138,500 total for borrowers under the new OB3 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act).- Available to graduate students
- No requirement to demonstrate financial need
- Meridian determines the amount you can borrow by considering the cost of attendance for full or half time enrollment
- Has a fixed interest rate of 8.07% (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
Professional Students
- Annual Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit: $50,000
- New aggregate limit: $200,000 total, excluding undergraduate loans
- Professional programs include: PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans
Graduate PLUS Loans are eliminated for new or first-time borrowers due to OB3 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act)- The U.S. Department of Education is your lender
- The student may not have an adverse credit history
- Has a fixed interest rate 9.07% (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
- Students may be able to utilize a cosigner/guarantor if they do not meet credit history requirements.
- Students who obtain an endorser for the Graduate Plus Loan must complete the Plus Loan Credit Counseling here: https://studentaid.gov/plus-loan-credit-counseling
- Provide proof of compliance with Selective Service registration and drug conviction regulations
- Must be making Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FSAP) toward the completion of degree requirements
- Students are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. If a student chooses not to pay the interest while they are in school or during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, interest will be added to the principal amount of the student's loan).
Interim Exception for Legacy Borrowers
- Students enrolled at an institution as of June 30, 2026 and who received a Direct Loan for that program before July 1, 2026, can continue to borrow under pre-July 1, 2026 rules during their "expected time to credential" (FSA Partner Connect).
- For eligible graduate/professional borrowers:
- Annual Unsubsidized: $20,500
- Aggregate Unsubsidized + Subsidized: $138,500 (including undergrad loans)
- No lifetime maximum applies during this period (FSA Partner Connect)
Repayment
It is important to understand the details of federal loan repayment. To learn more about when repayment starts, how to make your payments, repayment plan options, and more, click the links below to review important Department of Education webpages.Standard Repayment PlanGraduated Repayment PlanExtended Repayment PlanIncome-Based Repayment PlanPay As You Earn Repayment PlanIncome-Contingent Repayment PlanIncome-Sensitive Repayment PlanStudent Loan ForgivenessStudent Consumer Information Disclosures
All postsecondary institutions participating in Federal Student Aid programs are required to make available certain information to assist consumers in making better-informed decisions about their educational options. Please visit Meridian’s Student Consumer Information section for this information and required disclosures.Student Loan Counseling
Students borrowing from the Federal Loan programs are required to complete an Entrance Counseling session prior to receiving their first loan disbursement. They must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Students are required to complete Exit Counseling when leaving Meridian University (graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time enrollment). The loan counseling sessions are intended to inform the student of his/her rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower as well as about student loan indebtedness. The MPN E-Sign (Master Promissory Note) is an electronic signature via which the student is agreeing to borrow the loan(s). Loans will not process to a student’s account until the necessary steps are completed. Students are responsible for tuition payments on the applicable due dates if they have not completed the Entrance Counseling Session and the MPN.General Eligibility Criteria: How Do I Qualify?
The Federal Direct Loan program is not based on your income or assets; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The eligibility criteria to qualify are:- Be enrolled and registered on an at least half-time basis in an eligible program at Meridian (all of Meridian's graduate degree programs are eligible programs)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
- Complete the FAFSA each year to determine eligibility for federal financial assistance (Use Meridian's School Code: G42711)
- Must be in good standing in order to qualify for federal financial assistance (Student may not be in default on or owe a refund for any federal financial aid programs or federal liens)
- Provide proof of compliance with selective service registration and drug conviction regulations
- Must be making Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FSAP) toward the completion of degree requirements
- Students are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. If a student chooses not to pay the interest while they are in school or during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, interest will be added to the principal amount of the student’s loan)
When will my loan be disbursed?
Student loans disburse on a quarterly basis. Loan funds are received by Meridian University and are posted to the student's account via the Student Services Portal. Funds are generally disbursed during the first three to four weeks of the quarters (after the add/drop deadline) for those students who provided all requested information at least three weeks prior to the start of the first quarter in the loan period. Credit balances (if applicable) are disbursed within 14 days of the actual date of disbursement. Factors affecting disbursement include (but are not limited to) registration status, satisfactory academic progress, and receipt of other aid.In-School Loan Deferment
In-school deferments allow students to temporarily stop making or reduce payments on student loans while enrolled in school at least half-time. You should request the applicable form from your loan servicer.Complete Section 1: Borrower Information and then email the form to financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu or via postal mail to:Financial Aid OfficeMeridian University2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 100ESanta Monica, CA 90404The Financial Services Team will complete the bottom of page two; Section 4: Authorized Official’s Certification and return it to you.Note: Meridian cannot submit the form on the student's behalf. The student must submit it to their loan servicer.Change(s) of Personal Information
It is each student’s responsibility to make sure that Meridian University and the U.S. Department of Education have the most current and correct address, phone number, and email information. If this information changes, the respective representatives must be notified.In the event of a legal name change, notify Meridian's Student Services Team and Financial Aid Office. Additionally the U.S. Department of Education requires notification of your legal name change. Call the Federal Student Aid Loan Department at 1-800-848-0978 and go to NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System).Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to remain eligible for federal loan disbursements. Please refer to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress page for complete details.Post-Coursework Status
Students who register as Continuation Students and are not enrolled in the initial eight-quarter PhD/EdD dissertation period, the four-quarter PsyD Clinical Case Study (CCS) period, or the four-quarter dissertation/CCS extension periods are not eligible for financial aid or in-school deferments on student loans. This includes students in the Fieldwork process. See Doctoral Project Fees and Financial Aid.Non-Discrimination Policy
Meridian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation or identity, physical or mental disability, citizenship status (within the limits imposed by law), marital status, medical condition, or age in any of its policies, procedures or practices.Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget determined by Meridian University to estimate the cost of education for the academic year. This estimated budget includes both direct costs, which include applicable bills from the University such as tuition and residential fees, as well as estimates of indirect costs, which include expected expenses that may be incurred by the student but are not directly paid to the University such as living expenses (outside of the fees associated with Meridian’s Residential Accommodation Plan), books, travel, personal, and/or miscellaneous expenses. The cost of attendance is an estimate of educational expenses for the period of enrollment. The estimated figures of the indirect costs listed are based on both California regional and metropolitan budgets developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as benchmarked against other comparable graduate programs. These are only estimates. Individual student costs may vary based on standard of living and where the student lives. A breakdown of the COA is available here (based on full time enrollment status).Financial Aid Support and Assistance
The following links will walk you through the FAFSA and Financial Aid Process.- Federal Student Aid
- Find types of loans and the amounts a graduate student can borrow:
- Check the status of your loan(s) by visiting studentaid.gov
- Retrieve federal student aid information from a central database at nslds.ed.gov
- Loan Repayment Information/Debt Counseling:
- Watch IRS data retrieval tool and instructions at youtube.com/watch?v=W7Uh3SbRaxA
- Find Consolidation/Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Information at studentaid.gov/manage-loans/consolidation
- How to contact the FSA Ombudsman Group: studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman
- More help can be found from the Affordable Colleges Online Resource Center at www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/
- A variety of online calculators, such as financial and investments, mortgage and tax, salary and savings calculators can be found at goodcalculators.com
- Federal Student Aid Glossary
Budgeting Money
The following links are free online resources to create a budget outline- Money management portal: practicalmoneyskills.com
- The Dollar Stretcher: stretcher.com
- Financial tools, guides, and resources: consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools
- GradSense Budget Calculator: http://gradsense.org/gradsense/budget-calculator
- Budgeting software: www.youneedabudget.com
- Loan Repayment Calculator
Estimating Cost of Living
- CNN Money Cost of Living Calculator: http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/
- Economic Policy Institute's "Family Budget" Calculator: http://www.epi.org/resources/budget/
Understanding Credit
- Award-winning journalist and best-selling author: jeanchatzky.com
- Information about your FICO Score: myfico.com
- One-stop money management for students: practicalmoneyskills.com or whatsmyscore.org
- Credit counseling: consumercredit.com
- Credit reporting: annualcreditreport.com
Scholarships
Free scholarship search engines Remember; watch out for financial aid scams. You should never be asked to pay for scholarship applications.Financial Aid Resources for Students with Disabilities
MoneyGeek.com offers resources for students with disabilities:- Scholarships and financial aid for students: www.moneygeek.com/education/college/resources/scholarship-guide-for-students-with-disabilities/
- Understanding ADA laws and rights of workers: www.moneygeek.com/careers/resources/workers-with-disabilities-and-ada/
Other Outside Sources of Financial Assistance
The federal government has created several tax benefits for families who are saving, or already paying, for higher education. There are also benefits for people who are repaying their student loans. For information from the National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), visit Higher Education Tax Incentives. This website is a good resource for explaining the benefits and qualifications for each tax relief program. For more details on these programs, contact your accountant or you may call the IRS Office of Public Liaison at (202) 622-2970 or visit the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov.International Students
As an integral part of Meridian University’s commitment to promoting diversity, international students are welcome to apply for admission into Meridian’s graduate degree programs. Diversity enriches the educational experience by creating an inclusive and dynamic learning environment essential for creative inquiry.Transcripts
Transcripts from schools located outside of the United States must be evaluated and/or translated by a professional agency such as Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), Educational Perspectives, nfg (EP), World Education Services (WES), or Foundation for International Services Inc. (FIS). Transcripts in English may not require evaluation depending on country of origin and format. Evaluations must be received in sealed envelopes and may be mailed directly to the University's Los Angeles Campus (2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 100E, Santa Monica, CA 90404) from the professional agency. Evaluations are accepted if sent directly from the professional agency to admissions@meridianuniversity.eduEnglish Proficiency
All courses at Meridian are conducted in English. Students whose native language is not English may be required to submit the results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). **See below for possible exceptions. For admission, students are required to receive a total score of at least 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based. **You may be eligible for an exception to submitting the English proficiency test score if any of the following are true (these are examples and are not guaranteed exemptions, and this list is not all-inclusive): if your previous degree is from a school that was taught in English, if you attended and graduated high school in the US, or if you have lived a significant amount of time in a country whose native language is English. If you think you qualify for an exception based on one of these scenarios, or for another reason, please reach out to the Admissions team and describe the situation that you think qualifies your English fluency as proficient. Additional information or documents for evaluation may be required. Meridian University does not offer English language services such as ESL instruction.Financial Aid
Financial aid is available from a variety of sources. Meridian encourages international students to research scholarships, grants, and loan options based on their specific circumstances and needs.Sources of Aid
- Meridian’s International Student Scholarship: available to students not eligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) who reside outside the US.
- External scholarships (see the resources noted under “International Scholarship and Loan Options” below)
- The student’s home country federal student aid program
Meridian's Institutional Financial Aid Program
Financial Aid availability is limited and based on demonstrated financial need. Contact the Financial Services Team at financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu for more information.- International Student Scholarship options available to students not eligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) who reside outside of the US
- Meridian Income Share Agreement options available to students not eligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) who reside outside the US
- Meridian Impact Scholarships Available to students worldwide, Meridian University's Impact Scholarships represent the University's commitment to supporting graduates to take transformative action in the fields of psychology, business, coaching, education, and leadership.
- Applicants and students in the following degree programs are eligible to apply for an Impact Scholarship:
- MBA in Creative Enterprise
- MEd in Educational Leadership
- MA in Psychology
Meridian Institutional Financial Aid Process:
- International students start the financial aid process by completing the Institutional Financial Aid Application.
- Once the application has been received it will be reviewed for completeness. If additional information is needed a Financial Aid team member will reach out to you.
- Once your application is complete it will be submitted to the Financial Services Committee for review. This process can take 4-6 weeks so please ensure you have allowed for this when applying for your desired quarter.
- Once the Financial Services Committee has made a decision you will be notified via email.
Federal Work-Study
Meridian does not participate in the Federal Work-Study program. Employment at Meridian is not available to current students.More Information and Resources
Meridian’s Admissions and Financial Aid staff are available to walk students through the process of applying to Meridian internationally. Click here for more information on our Student Visa Services and I-20 details.Home Country Student Aid Program
Canadian Student Loan Program
Residents of Canada can explore educational loans through the Canadian Student Loan Program. Applications are available through the Canadian provincial governments.Students from Latin American and Caribbean Countries
The Organization of American States, through the Rowe Fund, offers interest-free loans to eligible students from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help them finance their studies or research at accredited universities in the United States. For more information visit www.oas.org/rowe.External Scholarships
International Scholarship and Loan Options
- www.iefa.org
- www.internationalscholarships.com
- www.internationalstudentloan.com
- www.studyabroadloans.com
General Information for International Students
Keep in mind that outside grants and scholarships are "free sources" of financial aid that do not have to be paid back. You should never be asked to pay for scholarship applications. Please be mindful and look out for financial aid scams.Private Alternative Education Loans
Under the Federal Financial Aid program available to Meridian students, students may borrow up to the cost of attendance (as determined by the University) less other aid received.Non-federal loan programs may require the following:- At least half-time enrollment
- A good credit history
- Demonstrated ability to repay the loan
- US citizenship or permanent resident status
- The lender present full disclosure of the terms and conditions of the loan (including fees, interest rates, repayment amounts).
- The school certify a student’s cost of attendance and eligibility prior to the lender disbursing funds.
- The lender obtain written confirmation through a signed self-certification from the borrower that he/she understands the terms and conditions prior to releasing loan funds to the school.
Qualifications
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time
- Creditworthy (good credit history) or credit ready (no credit history and adhere to cumulative debt limits)
- Sufficient monthly income to repay the loan
- Stable residence and employment history
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Repayment Options
Students generally have three repayment options (refer to terms and conditions for specific options):- Pay interest and principal while in school
- Pay interest-only while in school
- Defer principal and interest and have the interest capitalized (added to your principal)