Timeline & Scholarship Renewal

Here's a helpful financial aid timeline for incoming and current students, along with scholarship renewal criteria.

Financial Aid Timeline – Incoming Students

Date Event
December 31, 2023 Begin filing FAFSA for next academic year. For this year only, the FAFSA is delayed to December rather than the standard of October 1
February 1 Mount Mercy FAFSA filing priority deadline for new students starting fall semester
February 1 Financial aid awards for new traditional students mailed (fall entry)
May 1 Accept your aid online via the Financial Aid Portal
By June 15 Return all financial aid documentation which may include:
  • Work-study application
  • Parent PLUS Loan Datasheet
  • FERPA Form
  • Verification Documentation
Forms are available on your Financial Aid account
By July 1 If taking out federal student loans, go to studentaid.gov to complete your:
  • Direct Loan Master Promissory Note
  • Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
  • Parent Loan Master Promissory Note (parents only)
July 1 FAFSA deadline for Iowa Tuition Grant
Late July Fall bills posted to student account on myMountMercy
July/August Optional; Sign up for payment plan. See Billing and Payment
September 10 Fall bill due for first time incoming students
November Financial aid awards for new traditional students mailed (spring entry)
Late December Spring bills posted to student account on myMountMercy
February 10 Spring bill due

Financial Aid Timeline – Current Students

Date Event
August Financial aid disbursements begin no sooner than 10 days prior to start of fall semester
September 10 Fall bill due
October 1 Begin filing FAFSA for next academic year
November-December Watch for FAFSA renewal information via mail or e-mail
January 1 Financial aid disbursements begin no sooner than 10 days prior to start of spring semester
February 10 Spring bill due
June 15 Summer bill due
July 1 FAFSA deadline for Iowa Tuition Grant

Undergraduate Scholarship Renewal Criteria

Scholarship Name Renewal Criteria
Academic Awards
  • Minimum cumulative MMU grade point 2.0 at the end of each year.
Art & Design Scholarship
  • Determined by department.
  • Recipients are required to take at least one art, graphic design, or art educations course per year and participate in Art Club events and receptions.
Music Scholarship
  • Determined by department.
  • Recipients are required to participate in an ensemble each fall and spring at Mount Mercy. Ensembles do not need to be taken for credit.
Social Work Scholarship
  • Determined by department.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
  • Recipient must be making progress toward the completion of the social work major.
Writing Scholarships
  • Recipients are required to take at least one writer or literature class (beyond composition) each year and participate in two Visiting Writer Series events per year.
  • Recipients should also serve on, and contribute to, at least one student publication each year.
All Scholarships
  • Scholarships apply only to fall and spring semesters.
  • Scholarships are awarded for up to 4 years for courses that are taken on the Mount Mercy campus.
  • Each year full-time students must successfully complete at least 24 semester hours prior to the start of the next academic year.
  • Each year part-time students must successfully complete at least 12 semester prior to the start of the next academic year.
  • Hours completed prior to starting at Mount Mercy University are not counted toward the annual hour completion requirement but do count toward graduation.
  • For all academic scholarships, other than Holland, if a student fails to meet the minimum GPA required the student will not receive the scholarship until eligibility is restored.
  • The regaining of eligibility does not enable retroactive funding of scholarships.
  • A student may appeal the loss of scholarships. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for information on the appeal process.