Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

The Nathan Hunt Scholarship is named after a principal founder of the New Garden Boarding School, now known as Guilford College. A man committed to social justice, his was a prominent voice in opposition to the institution of slavery in America. When many were giving up on the South, Nathan stayed in North Carolina, keeping the doors of Guilford College open when a school like ours may not have been the most popular and, because of him, Guilford College remains the only Quaker-founded founded college in the Southeast. As a minister, Nathan was a leader in the Quaker community.

When considering students for the Nathan Hunt Scholarship, we are looking for those who demonstrate the highest level of academic achievement while embodying the qualities that made Nathan one of the pillars of his community: creativity, integrity, perseverance, and fortitude!

The J. Floyd “Pete” Moore Scholarship is named after Pete Moore, a 1940 graduate of Guilford College and an organizer extraordinaire. As a member of the Guilford community, it was his desire to make a Guilford College education available to all who wanted it. He was one of our 20th-century champions for wide-ranging diversity on campus. Never shy about bringing people together for the purpose of progressive conversations, he served as the coordinator of the Friends World Committee for Consultation Gathering at Guilford in 1967.

Students receiving this scholarship demonstrate an ability to connect their interest in world issues with their academic pursuits with excellence. We hope each of them finds an opportunity to connect with people who are different from them while pursuing their studies — and find personal growth in the process.

A Guilford faculty member from 1958 to 1979, Eugene Thompson had a passion for languages. He taught French, first-year Latin and a course in the universal language of Esperanto. He believed that if you want to have an impact on the lives of students, you must have proximity to them. Students remember him as a constant presence on campus, even after retirement, where he could be found in the library reading, doing research or simply spending time with Guilfordians.

Students receiving this scholarship demonstrate a strong ability and a distinct passion for connecting with others to find success. While interested in pursuing any number of majors while students here, these scholars also understand the importance of being great writers and speakers when you set out to be a world changer in your chosen field.

Clara Cox, Class of 1902, was a community activist from High Point, N.C., known for her dedication to fighting racism. She was particularly active in the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, and to honor her efforts to promote social and civic justice, a low-income housing project in High Point was named after her. She also served as minister of Springfield Meeting until her death in 1940.

Harriet Peck was a Quaker abolitionist and teacher from Rhode Island who served on the first faculty of New Garden Boarding School (1837-39). She actively spoke out against slavery, promoted free produce movement (goods from vendors who did not use slaves), distributed anti-slavery literature, and illegally taught local African Americans on Sundays. Learn more about her through her letters, available in Hege Library’s Friends Historical Collection.

Nereus and Oriana Mendenhall were students in the early years of New Garden Boarding School (now Guilford College). Nereus, born in Jamestown, N.C., was an educator, doctor, and legislator. He returned to the school to serve as the principal teacher for a number of years, most notably from 1860 to 1867, when the couple chose to remain in North Carolina during the U.S. Civil War to continue the school’s operation.

Nereus and Oriana had five daughters and raised them with a commitment to education. Nereus led the coeducational boarding school by offering advanced coursework in the same classroom for both men and women. Their daughter, Mary Mendenhall Hobbs, continued her family’s educational connections as an advocate for women’s access to higher education. (May Hobbs Residence Hall is named in her honor.) She was also the wife of Guilford’s first president, Lewis Lyndon Hobbs.

T. Gilbert Pearson, Class of 1897, is considered a founding father of the U.S. conservation movement because of his leadership in the 1905 founding of the National Audubon Society. Raised as a Quaker in central Florida, he arrived at Guilford needing to improve his writing skills but with a rich knowledge of birds. He offered his collection of bird eggs and specimens as initial payment to Guilford College, which President Lewis Lyndon Hobbs accepted. After graduating from Guilford in 1897, he completed graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He returned to Guilford to found the Biology Department, and later served on the faculty at the State Normal School (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro).

Students who complete and send in the FAFSA are eligible for consideration to receive Guilford College Need-Based Aid. In making these awards, we look at the expected family contribution (EFC) relative to the cost of attendance at Guilford. Students who are not eligible to complete a FAFSA should contact the Office of Financial Aid. We have an independent form that provides us with the same information. 

NOTE: If you receive a scholarship from any source after being awarded the Guilford Grant, the grant may be reduced by the amount of the scholarship that was added to your award package. This can occur before, during or at the conclusion of any semester and will be adjusted at the time the Office of Financial Aid is notified of this additional scholarship.

These grants range from $250 to $10,000 and are need-based forms of financial aid. This means that the amounts are dependent upon the information received from the FAFSA form. This grant is available to all students who qualify for up to a total of eight semesters. Students must be registered for at least 12 credit hours (full-time) and remain in good academic standing.  Guilford grant amounts can vary from year to year depending on the level of financial need demonstrated from year to year.

Students from Guilford County, N.C., are eligible to apply for the Guilford College Shift_ed Scholarship Program (previously known as Say Yes. Students whose household family income is $75,000 or less will be considered for a grant from Guilford College equal to any remaining tuition costs not covered by scholarships and grants that come from other internal and/or external sources. Students with household family incomes greater than $75,000 will be considered for a Shift_ed Choice Grant of up to $5,000 from the Guilford Shift_ed Program.

By the Priority Deadline of May 1, applicants must complete the following steps to be considered:

• Apply and get accepted to Guilford College
• Complete the Shift_ed certification forms (http://sayyesguilford.org)
• Complete and submit the FAFSA with actual, not estimated, tax information

Since the Guilford Shift_ed (Say Yes) program began in 2015, roughly 150 students have received the Shift_ed (Say Yes) Grant or Choice Grant, getting an average of $4,253 in institutional aid from the College.

This is a federally funded grant to students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who have a high financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the Pell Grant award ranges from $607 to $6,895.

This federal grant program is for students who receive the Pell Grant and have an exceptional financial need. The amount awarded can change each year. For 2022-2023 the average award was $500. The College has a limited amount we can award, so it's important to have your FAFSA filed as soon as possible if you think you qualify.

North Carolina residents who attend Guilford College may be eligible to receive the North Carolina Need Based Scholarship (NCNBS). To be considered, students must file the FAFSA and have met the following criteria 

• Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA of $16,000 or less
• Maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) = $155,000 regardless of EFC
• Be enrolled it at least 9 credit hours - NCNBS amount will vary based on enrolled credit hours
• A resident of North Carolina
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

For full consideration, you must complete your residency form at https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/home within 30 days of the start of the semester.

The Children of Fallen Heroes scholarship is an award given to Pell eligible students whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer. Students are eligible to receive the maximum amount of Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. Students qualify for this scholarship by demonstrating the following:

• The student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible Expected Family Contribution number.
• The student must be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent's or guardian's death. 
• In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student. 

If you fall into this category, please fill out this form.

*If you are already a maximum Pell recipient there will be no change to your award since you are receiving the maximum amount. 

The Federal Direct Loan is a low-interest loan with flexible repayment options you borrow from the federal government.

• Am I eligible? This loan is available to all undergraduate students who complete the FAFSA and first-time borrowers must complete entrance counseling.
• No credit check is required.
• What is the interest rate? The interest rate for loans borrowed during the 2022-2023 year is 4.99%. For Graduate students using an Unsubsidized loan, the interest rate is 6.54%. Both are a fixed rate, meaning it will never change from the moment you take out the loan. These interest rates are valid until June 30th, 2023. 
• Are there different types of Federal Direct Loans? There are two types of Federal Direct Loans.
  • With the first type, the government pays the interest for you during the times listed below. This is called a subsidized loan. TIP: Subsidized loans are always better than unsubsidized loans.
    • While you’re taking at least six credits (or more) per semester (half-time)
    • For the first six months after you leave school (a grace period)
    • During a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments)
  • The other kind of Federal Direct Loan is when interest begins to accumulate from the moment Guilford receives the loan. This is called an unsubsidized loan. However, paying the interest is optional while you’re taking at least six credits per semester and the first six months after you leave school.
• How much can I borrow? The amount you can borrow each year depends on if you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior.
  • First-year students can borrow up to $5,500 per year, with up to $3,500 subsidized
  • Sophomores can borrow up to $6,500 per year, with up to $4,500 subsidized
  • Juniors and seniors can borrow up to $7,500 per year, with up to $5,500 subsidized
• When do I pay back the loan? You don’t start paying back the loan until six months after you graduate or take fewer than six credit hours per semester (half-time). You must also complete exit counseling.

The Federal Parent PLUS Loan is a loan that parents of undergraduate students can use to cover costs that aren’t covered by other forms of financial aid.

• Am I eligible? Guilford families come in many different shapes and sizes! Biological and adoptive parents of undergraduates are eligible to apply. Stepparents can also apply if they complete the FAFSA with their student. You just need to make sure your student has completed the FAFSA.
• Is there a credit check? Yes, but as long as you don’t have an adverse (negative) credit history within the past 5 years, chances are you will be approved.
• When do I pay back the loan? You can start paying back the loan while your student is in school, or you can wait until after they leave. As long as your student is enrolled for at least six credits per semester, it’s up to you.
• What is the interest rate? The interest rate for loans borrowed during the 2022-2023 year is 7.54%. It’s a fixed rate, meaning it will not change from the time that the loan is disbursed. This interest rate is valid until June 30th, 2023.
• How much can I borrow? The Federal Parent PLUS Loan is meant to cover any remaining Guilford costs after the student’s scholarships, grants, and student loans. Need advice on how much you will need? Contact your Financial Aid counselor. We’re here to help!
• Where can I apply? You can complete the PLUS Loan application at www.studentaid.gov. 

Please ensure you have reviewed all federal loan options prior to applying for a private student loan.  Federal Student Aid (FSA) offers an excellent guide to understanding the important differences between federal and private loans. The Office of Financial Aid strongly encourages you to review this information prior to pursuing a private alternative student loan.

Private student loans (also known as alternative loans) are loans you borrow from a private bank or lender, not the federal government. Unlike the Federal Direct Loan or the Federal Parent PLUS Loan, you don’t need to complete a FAFSA to apply. However, private lenders will vary in their interest rates, loan terms, and eligibility requirements. Carefully research each lender and the loans they offer to figure out which one is best for you. Guilford College has compiled a list of lenders for you to review at ELMSelect.