Frequently Asked Questions

Mercer’s evening, blended, and online programs are designed for busy adults. With that in mind, students tend to be in their mid-20s to late 30s.

A completed application and official transcripts of all college work attempted are required to complete an application file. If an applicant has not completed any college work prior to applying to Mercer or has attempted less than 24 hours of college work, a high school or GED transcript is required.

The evening, blended, and online programs run on a semester system, with two eight-week sessions within each 16-week semester. Individual classes meet once a week for the eight-week session.

Most evening classes are held between Monday and Thursday, and some classes are held on Saturday. Evening, blended, and online classes are available, based on your program.

For select programs, yes, you can! Use our program finder to view online and blended (combination of in-class and online coursework) program options.

Mercer is a transfer-friendly university. Upon being admitted to Mercer, an applicant’s official transcripts are sent to the University Registrar for review. The Registrar’s office works to allow a student all possible transfer credits. The general policy outlines the following stipulations for transferring class credit: (a) U.S. Universities/Colleges must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (b) the student must have earned a ‘C’ or better grade; and (c) Mercer must offer a course equivalent. The Registrar may also grant college credit to those who have military experience and can provide either a copy of their DD214 or military Joint Services transcript.
VIEW TRANSFER EQUIVALENCY ESTIMATOR

Each student who is pursuing a program in the College of Professional Advancement and does not already hold a bachelor’s degree will complete the ACCUPLACER assessment. This assessment is used for course placement and waiving of remedial or introductory courses. Students in the School of Business and the College of Education are not required to take this assessment.

For convenience and transparency, Mercer offers a special reduced tuition rate for our working adults undergraduate degree programs in lieu of traditional merit-based scholarships. Additional fees may apply. Consult the Office of the Bursar’s website for current tuition rates and fees.

Students enrolling at Mercer may be eligible to receive financial aid from a variety of sources, such as University-funded aid, federal aid, and state aid. These types of financial aid may include scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans. Students can also apply for scholarships and aid from private outside resources. Speak with your admissions counselor to learn more about the various aid options available for students at Mercer University.
VISIT THE OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL PLANNING

Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) yearly allows the Office of Student Financial Planning to help you figure this out. Your admissions counselor is your first line of contact for questions about paying for college. You will be advised on the best plan on how to use your financial aid eligibility to get you to graduation.

Applying for financial aid is simple. Visit studentaid.gov and complete your FAFSA using Mercer’s school code: 001580. Use the data retrieval tool if applicable. In order to sign the FAFSA electronically, you will need your FSA ID. If you do not have an FSA ID, visit fsaid.ed.gov.
COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA

Loans are sources of funding that allow you to spread the cost of your education over time. Loans are available from various sources, including federal and state governments, the University, and private lenders. As you progress toward your degree completion, the amount of annual loan eligibility typically increases.

When you take out a student loan, you must pay it back — even if you do not complete your education. Some loans are disbursed in the form of a check which you endorse and use to pay any charges you owe the University. Other loans are credited to your student account after you complete a promissory note and any other required documents. Your loans may be canceled if you don’t endorse your loan checks or complete the required documents. You can view a list of available private loan options here.

SPARROW
Mercer University partners with Sparrow to help students and families navigate the confusing world of private student loans. Sparrow allows you to search and compare private loan offers from different private lenders through a single application. Think of Sparrow as an Expedia for private student loans. Sparrow allows students and families to check real rates for 15+ student lenders in one application.
EXPLORE STUDENT LOAN OPTIONS

Mercer University will receive your FAFSA application three days after you complete and sign it (make sure to include Mercer’s school code: 001580). Once we receive it and verify that no additional documentation is needed, your eligibility will be determined, and your financial aid, if applicable, will be set up in your student account. You will then receive a financial aid award notification that you can review and accept through your MyMercer student portal at my.mercer.edu.
ACCESS YOUR MYMERCER ACCOUNT

We encourage students to attend full time for the fall and spring semesters and at least half time in the summer. This will give you 30 hours per year, leading to a more timely graduation. Full-time status requires you to be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours a semester; half-time status requires you to be enrolled for at least six credit hours. Please note that you must be enrolled at least half time (six hours) to establish financial aid eligibility.

We understand that life happens, but we want to make sure you are aware of the financial aid impact withdrawing and dropping classes can have on your ability to remain eligible for financial aid. Dropping and/or withdrawing from classes can create financial aid ineligibility. Before making a decision to drop or withdraw, please contact the Office of Student Financial Planning to review the best options with you.