At Marietta College, we’re committed to empowering minds, shaping leaders, and guiding students to purpose, and we believe in making higher education as affordable and achievable as possible.
To that end, Marietta College is thrilled to announce our new MC Pell Promise Grant, designed to make our exceptional education more accessible for low-to-moderate income families. Starting with the 2025-26 academic year, this grant will cover the remaining tuition and mandatory fees for eligible first-time, degree-seeking students after all other scholarships and grants have been applied.
The Pell Promise Grant for Fall 2025 is available to incoming first-time freshmen who qualify for federal Pell grants, and it’s renewable for up to eight semesters, provided you remain enrolled full-time, live on campus, stay in good academic standing, and make satisfactory progress toward your degree.
Eligibility Requirements:
- File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline and qualify for a need-based Federal Pell Grant. Marietta College’s FAFSA code is 003073.
- Earned High School GPA of 2.95 or better
- Confirm your intent to enroll by submitting your deposit by May 1, 2025
- Enroll as a traditional, full-time, first-year student
- Live in on-campus housing
- Must be attempting a first bachelor’s degree
Note: A household adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less may qualify. Pell eligibility considers income, household size, and other factors.
About the MC Pell Promise
What does the MC Pell Promise Grant cover?
The amount of your MC Pell Promise Grant will be finalized after all other scholarships and grants are added to your financial aid. As a “last-fund-in" grant, the amount you receive will cover the remaining balance of your MC tuition and mandatory fees for fall and spring semesters for up to 4 consecutive years (8 semesters). The MC Pell Promise Grant does not cover “other” common fees or expenses, including but not limited to Orientation/matriculation or technology fees, individual course fees, housing, meals, textbooks, or costs associated with payment plan agreements, late fees, or other miscellaneous fees.
When do I receive the MC Pell Promise funding?
This funding will be added to your financial aid offer (generally, in the spring) and appears on your billing statement (typically July, for fall). When additional scholarships or grants are reported, MC Pell Promise funding may need to be adjusted to take those into account. At no point will scholarships or grants combined result in a negative balance for students.
Do I need to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Yes. Students must file a FAFSA. The 2025-26 FAFSA priority deadline for Marietta College is February 15th. Funding is limited and may not be available if filling the FAFSA after that date.
How is income tied to the FAFSA and Pell Grants?
If the college bound student is a dependent then both the student and parents Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) are reported on the FAFSA. While income is a primary component in calculating Pell eligibility, the federal government does consider other factors beyond income, making it challenging for MC (or any college) to provide a specific income range that designates Pell Grant eligibility – we can provide our best estimation.
Traditionally, Pell Grant recipient households have Adjusted Gross Incomes under $75,000, but, even more commonly, under $50,000.
How do I maintain the MC Pell Promise funding for subsequent academic years?
Students must file a FAFSA annually, remain a full-time student in a traditional undergraduate program, and live in campus housing to maintain their MC Pell Promise Grant. Additionally, students must stay in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
What happens if I’m not eligible for the federal Pell Grant in future years?
Renewal is contingent upon continued eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, which may vary in value annually.