Financial Aid for International Students

Tuition and Financial Aid

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.edu

English 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:

1. MBA in Creative Enterprise
2. MEd in Educational Leadership
3. MA in Psychology

Meridian Institutional Financial Aid Process:

1. International students start the financial aid process by completing the Institutional Financial Aid Application.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Once the Financial Services Committee has made a decision you will be notified via email.

During this process, students will demonstrate their financial need via the Meridian Financial Need Form, provided to the student once the Scholarship and Grant application has been received and processed. The Financial Services Committee reviews Institutional Financial Aid applications holistically in making their decisions. The Committee considers numerous factors about the application as well as relevant aspects of the University. The Financial Services Committee expects students to take responsibility for some of their tuition; therefore, full tuition scholarships are not offered, and students with the greatest financial need are still expected to contribute toward their tuition each quarter, in addition to the costs associated with obtaining textbooks.

Federal Work-Study

Meridian does not participate in the Federal Work-Study program. Employment at Meridian is not available to current students.