SWEET BRIAR COLLEGEInvesting In You

in•vest•mentnoun

1: the action or process of investingmoney for profit or material result

2: a thing that is worth buyingbecause it may be profitable oruseful in the future

3: an act of devoting time, e!ort, orenergy to a particular undertakingwith the expectation of aworthwhile result

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We invest in youSweet Briar is unique when itcomes to financial aid. It’s about acaring academic community thatis focused around your individualsuccess.

We understand that a family’sfinancial situation doesn’t fit intoneat categories. That’s why wework with families one on one,providing thoughtful advice andpersonal assistance as you movethrough the financial aid process.

In short, from the very beginning,we invest in you and that’s ourlong-term commitment.

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We look forward to working with you and yourfamily in identifying the opportunities that willhelp make Sweet Briar your best choice. We’recommitted to that. Each year, we give more than$15 million to students through variousscholarships and need-based assistance.

We provide assistance based on demonstratedfinancial need and academic achievement, andmany students receive a combination of both. AtSweet Briar there is no separate application to beconsidered for most merit scholarships. Simplycomplete your application for admission by Feb. 1and we'll include notification of any meritscholarship with your admission letter.

Big question: Can I a!ord Sweet Briar?The short answer is yes.

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{ Table of Contents }Questions you might have 5Defining need-based aid 10Community service scholarships 10For Virginia residents 12Merit scholarships up to $15,000 14A network and a legacy 15Scholarship highlights 17Steps to take 19 Fees and expenses 19

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What are the numbers? Before financial aid, here’s where the numbers start for 2011-12: • Tuition: $30,620 • Room and board: $11,100 • Student life fee: $475 Total: $42,195

Can I find out if Sweet Briaris a!ordable for me now? Yes. You don’t have to apply to Sweet Briar to find out if you mayqualify for need-based financial assistance. Simply download andcomplete the Early Estimator form and send us uno!cial copies ofyour high school transcript and test scores. We’ll review yourinformation and send a written response about need-based aid anddi"erent types of assistance you may be eligible to receive.

What are the priority filing deadlines for Sweet Briar financial aid applicants?Freshmen applicants must complete the Free Application forFederal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 15. It’s available online atwww.fafsa.gov. Sweet Briar’s FAFSA number is 003742.

QUESTIONS you might have

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How do you decide whether we’re eligible for need-basedassistance? If your calculated familycontribution is less than SweetBriar’s tuition, room and board forthat year, you are eligible for need-based aid. We will o"er you afinancial aid award to help make upthe di"erence.

Will I receive the same financialaid award for all four years?The total dollar amount of financialaid awards is based on demonstratedfinancial need. Significant changesin family circumstances, such as, butnot limited to, an increase ordecrease in parents’ or student’sincome, assets, family size, or thenumber of family membersattending college, may a"ecteligibility for financial aid. If thefamily’s circumstances do notchange significantly over the fouryears, the financial aid packageshould remain relatively consistentfrom year to year.

Will the award componentschange from year to year? The ratio of grants, loans and workstudy remains relatively consistent fromyear to year, although the student loanswill increase gradually, usually notmore than $2,000 per year.

What do I need to submit to apply for financial aid at Sweet Briar?Assuming your admittance to SweetBriar, the FAFSA is the only applicationyou need to submit.

Is the ability of my family to pay forSweet Briar considered in theadmissions process?No. Sweet Briar is need-blind inadmissions and makes decisionsindependent of a family's ability to pay.

{ QUESTIONS you might have }

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What is the average need-based scholarship awarded to first-year students?Of the freshmen who enrolled in the fall of 2011 anddemonstrated financial need, the average amount ofscholarship awarded was approximately $9,800.

Does Sweet Briar o!er athletic scholarships? No. We’re a member of NCAA Division III, whichdoesn’t permit athletic scholarships.

What percent of Sweet Briar students receive financial aid?Students receiving institutional financial assistance:93 percent. The total scholarships and grants awarded:$11,781,971. Total from Sweet Briar funds: $9,664,921

Can I receive financial aid if I board my horse?Yes. If you board your own horse at Sweet Briar youare eligible for merit scholarships but not for need-based aid.

How does Sweet Briar treat outside scholarshipsin relation to its own financial assistance? If you receive need-based aid you can add the outsidescholarship amount to your aid package, up to theamount of that unmet need, or use it to reduce theloan portion of your assistance.

Does Sweet Briar o!er scholarships based onleadership or community involvement? Yes. Community service is an important part ofshaping a life. We o"er scholarships for involvementin Girl Scouts and in leadership roles during highschool. (See page 10 for more information.)

If you have additional questions, we're here to help. Contact us at (800) 381-6156 or!nancialaid@sbc.edu.

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Is there special aid available for Virginia students? Yes. We o"er the Sweet Briar College Virginia Grant, a $7,500 grantto undergraduate students entering in the 2012-2013 academic yearwho are legal residents of the commonwealth of Virginia anddeemed eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG),regardless of qualifying for need-based assistance. (See page 12 formore information)

When can I expect to hear about my award?Admitted first-year students who meet the Feb. 15 financial aidpriority deadline for filing the FAFSA should receive notification offinancial aid eligibility in early March.

Should I consider a work-study job? Absolutely. National studies show that students who work part timecan benefit greatly from the experience. Aside from the financialbenefit, jobs can help develop an organized daily schedule and addto your work experience.

What is the billing process?We mail fall semester bills early in July with a payment date of Aug.1. Spring semester bills are mailed in December with a due date ofJan. 5. Grants and scholarships are applied directly to eachsemester bill (50 percent each semester). Loans will also appear as acredit on the semester’s bill (also 50 percent each semester), butmust be signed for by the student before being applied to the bill.

What types of payment plans are available? We have two payment plan providers that allow comprehensive feesto be paid in equal installments during the academic year. Visitsbc.edu/financial-aid for more information.

What kinds of students receive merit scholarships at Sweet Briar? Merit scholarships range from $1,000 to $15,000. Students shouldaverage a 3.4 GPA and have an appropriate SAT I or ACT score tobe considered. (See page 14 for more information.)

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Community service scholarshipsSweet Briar o"ers scholarships for studentleaders. For example, have you earned yourSilver or Gold Girl Scout award? Were youin a leadership role for your school club orcommunity organization? We havescholarships designed for you.

Defining need-based aid2/3of students receive some grant assistance (or dollars that do not need to be repaid).

Student loansYou usually begin repaying these six or nine months after graduation at a low percentage rate.

Work studyThere are many opportunities to work in a campus job,which provides up to $1,000 to help cover your personalmonthly expenses during the academic year.

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For Virginia residentsThe Sweet Briar College Virginia Grant provides $7,500 forundergraduate students entering in the 2012-2013academic year who are legal residents of thecommonwealth of Virginia and deemed eligible for theVirginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG), regardless ofqualifying for need-based assistance. Sweet Briar’s grant iscombined with the estimated VTAG $2,650 to total $10,150.

Students must be enrolled at Sweet Briar as full-time,degree-seeking students. For Virginia students who qualifyfor a merit scholarship, the Sweet Briar College VirginiaGrant becomes part of that scholarship. The two awardscannot be added together.

The VTAG is available to any student who is a legalresident of Virginia and attends a Virginia private collegeas a full-time, degree-seeking student, regardless ofeligibility for need-based assistance. The State Council ofHigher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) estimates that theamount of the 2012-2013 VTAG will be $2,650; the actualamount is dependent on funds appropriated by theVirginia General Assembly and, therefore, may di"er fromthis estimate. A link to the VTAG Application is availableon our website.

This $10,150 tuition grant significantly reduces thedi"erence in the cost of tuition between Sweet Briar andVirginia’s public universities.

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Merit scholarships up to $15,000Sweet Briar’s competitive merit scholarships areworth up to $15,000. There’s no need to submit aseparate application. You’ll be consideredautomatically when you apply for admission byFeb. 1. Generally you need a 3.4 average GPA orhigher and an appropriate SAT I or ACT scorefor serious consideration.

Your grade point average should be based on a4.0 scale and should be reflective of college-prep subjects (English, mathematics, naturalsciences, social sciences and foreignlanguages). The combination of your GPA andyour standardized test score is used indetermining merit scholarship awards.

If you receive a merit award we'll include thename, amount and terms of renewal of thescholarship in your acceptance letter. Amountsrange from $1,000 to $15,000.

Want to know something earlier? You cansubmit your high school transcript, SAT I orACT score and your school’s grading scale whenyou send in your Early Estimator at thebeginning of the process. That way, we can letyou know early on whether you’ll qualify for amerit scholarship.

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A network and a legacyA women’s college means a network

of alumnae who create potentialopportunities when you graduate. It

means your association as a Sweet Briargraduate counts long after your four years

are completed. Alumnae also have a legacyof assisting in scholarships to ensure your

experience is well worth it.

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Scholarship highlightsAs an accepted applicant, you areeligible for these and otherscholarships. There is no additionalform or essay to complete.

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The Founders’ and Prothroscholarships, the most prestigiouso"ered by the College, are awarded tothe most academically qualifiedcandidates. The awards, worth up to$15,000, are renewable annually uponreview, provided the studentmaintains a 3.3 GPA and remains ingood academic standing.

The Commonwealth Scholarshiprea!rms Sweet Briar’s commitmentto the best Virginia students byensuring that they have access toprivate as well as public education.The awards, worth up to $15,000, arerenewable annually upon review,provided the student maintains a 3.3GPA and remains in good academicstanding.

The Betty Bean Black Scholarshipprovides up to $13,000 to students ofoutstanding academic ability. Thescholarships are renewable annuallyupon review, provided the studentmaintains a 3.0 GPA and remains ingood academic standing.

The Sweet Briar Scholarship is givento students presenting an excellentoverall academic record, as well asspecial talents or extracurricularactivities that indicate they will bestrong contributors to the Sweet Briarcommunity. The awards, which areworth up to $9,000, are renewableannually upon review, provided thestudent maintains a “B” average andremains in good academic standing.

The Fletcher Awards are given tostudents who demonstrate strongacademic preparation and ability, andwhose extracurricular involvementindicates that they will be strongcontributors to the Sweet Briarcommunity. The amount of the awardis worth up to $6,000, and isrenewable annually provided thestudent remains in good academicstanding and continues to contributeto the Sweet Briar community.

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Steps to takeAs early as September 1Apply for admission to Sweet Briar.

By January 1Send a copy of your high school transcript and test scoresalong with the Early Estimator (online) to the admissions o!ce.

By February 1Apply for admission to Sweet Briar.

By February 15Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(www.fafsa.gov).

By May 1Make Sweet Briar your choice.

Contact informationSweet Briar Admissions O!ce (800) 381-6142Financial Aid O!ce(800) 381-6156

Fees and expenses 2011-2012Tuition: $30,620 Room and board: $11,100 Student life fee: $475 Total: $42,195

Other estimated expensesBooks: $1,100

O F F I C E O F A D M I S S I O N S P.O. Box 1052, Sweet Briar, Virginia 24595

800.381.6142 434.381.6142sbc.edu • admissions@sbc.edu