General Information
Mills Merit Scholarships
Mills Need-Based Scholarships and Grants
State and Federal Grants
Student Loans
Student Employment
Rules and Regulations
General Information
How to Apply for Need-Based Financial Aid
Aid Application Forms and Deadlines
Mills College offers a comprehensive financial aid program of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment to achieve several goals: to assist excellent scholars who could not otherwise afford to attend Mills, to enhance the existing cultural and economic diversity of the College, and to increase the opportunities for higher education available to low-income students.
In 2007–08 the College awarded $13.7 million in scholarships from its own funds. Over 89 percent of Mills students receive assistance directly from the College. In addition, many students also receive assistance from federal and state aid programs, civic groups, private foundations, and other charitable organizations. While most grants and scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated financial need, others are based solely on academic achievement, ability, and promise. From all sources, 97 percent of our students received more than $28 million in aid in 2007–08. An installment payment plan and a federal parent loan program are also available to help meet educational expenses.
The M Center makes financial aid decisions each spring for first-year and transfer applicants who are admitted for the upcoming fall semester. Financial aid decisions for the spring semester are made later in the year. Applications from continuing undergraduates are reviewed once spring grades have been submitted to ensure that students have met the financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy standards. Appeals of financial aid decisions can be made to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
How to Apply for Need-Based Financial Aid
To be considered for all financial aid programs administered by Mills, including institutional scholarships, students must file the applicable forms listed by the deadlines shown.
These forms may be obtained from high schools and colleges, online, or directly from the M Center.
Aid Application Forms and Deadlines
Fall Applicants
Spring Applicants
Continuing and Returning Students
Application forms and deadlines (subject to annual change) for continuing undergraduates may be obtained online or directly from the M Center each January for aid consideration for the next academic year.
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Merit-Based Mills Scholarships for Entering Students
General Information
Trustee Scholarships
Presidential/Provost/Faculty/Eucalyptus Scholarships
Dean's Scholarships
Osher Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships
Alpha Gamma Sigma Scholarship
Science Awards
Music Awards
International Students
General Information
Financial aid based solely on merit is awarded upon entrance to Mills. Awards are renewed on the basis of satisfactory academic progress and, in the case of some scholarships, contingent on continued studies in music or science. There is no requirement to file a financial aid application for renewal of merit-based financial aid. Scholarship aid is applied to College fees in two equal installments—one-half at the beginning of each semester. The College reserves the right to remove or adjust financial aid at any time if the recipient's personal or academic record is unsatisfactory, if her financial resources change, or if she fails to complete all requirements for disbursement of her aid in a timely manner.
Financial aid recipients who withdraw for any reason are subject to the College's Tuition and Fees Adjustment Policy.
Trustee Scholarships
The Trustee Scholarship Program recognizes up to 10 entering fall-term first-year students and one transfer student who have demonstrated superior scholastic and extracurricular achievements. The Trustee Scholarship, in combination with other federal, state, and Mills grants, covers full tuition costs for up to four years of study at Mills for first-year students. For transfer students, the number of semesters of eligibility is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. This award, based on merit, is renewable annually as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment and remains in good academic standing. To qualify for consideration as a Trustee Scholar, first-year students must apply and submit all required credentials by February 1. Transfer students must apply and submit all required credentials by March 1. There is no special application for this scholarship.
A California resident who also is awarded a Cal Grant will have a portion of her Trustee Scholarship reduced to remain in compliance with government student aid regulations.
Presidential/Provost/Faculty/Eucalyptus Scholarships
These scholarship programs recognize entering fall-term first-year students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement. These scholarships are awarded in the amount of $12,000–$18,000 each ($6,000–$9,000 per semester) to contribute toward tuition charges of full-time first-year students. These awards, based on merit, are renewable annually as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment and remains in good academic standing. Eligibility is limited to a maximum of eight semesters. To qualify for consideration, a student must apply for admission by February 1. There are no special applications for these scholarships.
A California resident who is also awarded a Cal Grant may have a portion of her merit scholarship reduced to remain in compliance with government student aid regulations.
Dean's Scholarships
The Dean's Scholarship Program recognizes entering transfer students who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement, leadership ability, and/or significant contributions to their previous educational institutions or community. Dean's Scholarships of $8,000–$13,000 each ($4,000–$6,500 per semester) are awarded to contribute toward the tuition charges of full-time transfer students entering in the fall semester. Dean's Scholarships are supported in part by the Dawn Marie Simms Scholarship Fund. These awards, based on merit, are renewable annually as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment and remains in good academic standing. The number of semesters of eligibility for transfer students is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. There is no special application for this scholarship.
A California resident who is also awarded a Cal Grant may have a portion of her merit scholarship reduced to remain in compliance with government student aid regulations.
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Osher Scholarships
The Osher Scholarship Program recognizes entering transfer resuming students who have demonstrated financial need and academic promise. Four to eight Osher awards of $2,000–$10,000 each ($1,000–$5,000 per semester) are awarded to entering transfer resuming students each year to contribute toward full-time tuition charges. These scholarships are renewable annually as long as the recipient has documented financial need, maintains full-time enrollment, and remains in good academic standing. The number of semesters of eligibility for transfer students is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. Students must submit a FAFSA to be considered for this scholarship.
A California resident who is also awarded a Cal Grant may have a portion of her merit scholarship reduced to remain in compliance with government student aid regulations.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships
The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Program recognizes entering transfer students who have been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, an international two-year college honor society that recognizes both outstanding academic achievement and community service. Recipients should have a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA. Priority consideration will be given to students who were enrolled full time. Up to five Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 are awarded each fall for the academic year on a first-come, first-served basis. These merit awards are renewable annually as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment and remains in good academic standing. The number of semesters of eligibility for transfer students is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. There is no special application for this scholarship, but students must provide proof of Phi Theta Kappa membership.
Alpha Gamma Sigma Scholarship
The Alpha Gamma Sigma Scholarship Program recognizes an entering transfer student who has been inducted into the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, the California Community College Scholastic Honor Society that recognizes outstanding scholarship. Recipients should have a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA. Priority consideration will be given to students who were enrolled full time. One scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is awarded each fall for the academic year on a first-come, first-served basis. This merit award is renewable annually as long as the recipient maintains full-time enrollment and remains in good academic standing. The number of semesters of eligibility for a transfer student is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. There is no special application for this scholarship, but students must provide proof of Alpha Gamma Sigma membership.
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Science Awards
Arthur Vining Davis Science Scholarships
These scholarships recognize entering students who have demonstrated strong ability and interest in science, mathematics, and/or computer science. Two scholarships of up to $10,000 (up to $5,000 per semester) are awarded to contribute toward the tuition charges of full-time students entering in the fall semester. This award, based on merit, is renewable annually, providing the student continues her study in science, mathematics, and/or computer science; maintains full-time enrollment; and remains in good academic standing. The number of semesters of eligibility for entering first-year students is limited to eight semesters, while eligibility for transfer students is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. To qualify for consideration for the Arthur Vining Davis Science Scholarship, a student must apply and submit all required credentials by February 1. There is no special application for this scholarship.
Scheffler Pre-Medical Science Scholarships
The Scheffler Pre-Medical Science Scholarship Program recognizes entering students based on academic achievement and demonstrated interest in pre-medical science. Up to five Scheffler Scholarships of up to $5,000 each (up to $2,500 per semester) are awarded to contribute toward the tuition charges of full-time students entering in the fall semester. This award, based on merit, is renewable annually, providing the student continues her study in pre-medical science, maintains full-time enrollment, and remains in good academic standing. The number of semesters of eligibility for entering first-year students is limited to eight semesters, while eligibility for transfer students is established by the initial graduation date defined by the M Center upon entrance to Mills. To qualify for consideration for the Scheffler Scholarship, a student must apply and submit all required credentials by February 1 and indicate her pre-medical interest on her admission application. There is no special application for this scholarship.
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Music Awards
Carroll Donner Commemorative Scholarships in Music
The Carroll Donner Commemorative Scholarships in Music recognize a limited number of entering students who have demonstrated superior musical talent and prospect for achievement as well as scholastic ability. The merit scholarship of up to $8,000 (up to $4,000 per semester) is awarded to a limited number of full-time students entering each fall, based upon auditions and a review of the applicants' admission files.
The scholarship is renewable annually if the student continues her music study with satisfactory academic progress, has Music Department faculty recommendation, has declared a major in music by the end of her sophomore year, maintains full-time enrollment, and remains in good academic standing.
To qualify for consideration for the Carroll Donner Commemorative Scholarship in Music, a student must apply and submit all required credentials by February 1. The candidate must also submit a continuous tape recording, free from any splicing, and is required to perform three representative compositions pertaining to her particular instrument. The repertoire must be chosen from three different periods, including one work in contemporary idiom, each work totaling at least 15 minutes in length. Singers must include at least two languages in their repertoire. Candidates in composition are required to submit three examples of their work in score or tape form.
A student submitting a recording in fulfillment of the audition requirement must send her recording directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, postmarked no later than February 1. Live auditions are preferred; auditions are held in late January. Students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission by January 15 to reserve an audition time.
Barbara Hazelton Floyd Scholarships in Music
The Barbara Hazelton Floyd Scholarships in Music recognizes a limited number of entering students of good, sound character who have demonstrated superior musical talent and prospect for achievement as well as scholastic ability. Preference is given to first-year students and students of piano. The scholarship, of up to $10,000 (up to $5,000 per semester), is based on merit and awarded to a limited number of full-time entering students. It is renewable annually, subject to certain conditions set forth below, for up to four years throughout the pursuit of musical studies leading to the bachelor's degree. Selection is made based upon auditions and a review of the applicants' admission files.
The scholarship is renewable annually if the student continues her music study with satisfactory academic progress, has music faculty recommendation, has declared a major in music by the end of her sophomore year, maintains full-time enrollment, and remains in good academic standing.
To qualify for consideration for the Barbara Hazelton Floyd Scholarship in Music, a student must apply and submit all required credentials by February 1. The candidate must also submit a continuous tape recording, free from any splicing, and is required to perform three representative compositions from three different periods, including one work in contemporary idiom, each work totaling at least 15 minutes in length.
A student submitting a recording in fulfillment of the audition requirement must send her recording directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, postmarked no later than February 1. Live auditions are preferred; auditions are held in late January. Students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission by January 15 to reserve an audition time.
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.
For the 2008–09 academic year, we estimate the international student educational and living expenses to be $55,000. With a full-tuition Trustee Scholarship, for example, the student must have a minimum of $21,000 of her own funds in order to meet the total cost of education for 2008–09 at Mills. This is the largest scholarship amount offered and cannot be combined with other Mills 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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