After You’re Admitted

New students will all have access to a suite of materials that describe the expectations, resources, and amenities available to you as a Mercy College Guardian. To gain access to this, you must first complete your Intent to Register form through your application portal.

Your Intent to Register form will become available to you via your application portal as we get closer to your intended start date. Information for each start term will be communicated by the following deadlines:

• July 15: Students intending to register for the fall semester
• November 15: Students intending to register for the spring semester
• March 15: Students intending to register for the summer semester

STUDENT PORTAL

As part of your Intent to Register form, you will be asked to select a preferred format for your registration session. Once you have submitted the form, you will be officially invited to RSVP for the session of your choice. You will have one of two options:

• Open House Registration: This in-person, on-campus event is the perfect opportunity to get to know Mercy College! In addition to registration, a resource fair will be available to all attendees. You’ll have the chance to meet with your advisor, tour campus, chat with Financial Aid representatives, get your student ID badge and parking permit, and more!

• By Appointment: Your advisor will reach out to set up a time with you to go over course options and schedules. With this individualized, personal approach, you can have all your questions answered and be ready to start your classes!

Following the submission of your Intent to Register form and selection of your registration session, you will be sent a comprehensive suite of materials detailing important dates, policies, and procedures regarding your status as a Mercy College student, as well as the resources available to students both on campus and online. Please review all information carefully and complete any outstanding requirements.

REMEMBER: You will not receive an invitation to a registration session until after we have received your Intent to Register form indicating your preferred format.

Many of our programs require students to attend a Student Onboarding session when they officially begin their program coursework. These onboarding sessions will allow you to get to know the resources available to you and the requirements expected of you as students in your specific program of interest. You’ll meet with your program’s faculty and cover everything from required textbooks to dress code to graduation requirements.

Keep an eye on your email for specific dates and times! Student Onboarding sessions are required for new students entering their programs. If you are unable to make the scheduled date, please contact your advisor as soon as possible to discuss alternatives.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

To be considered for federal, state, and Mercy College financial aid, you need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We recommend you do this as soon as the new FAFSA becomes available on October 1, but definitely before you attend a registration session as part of your student onboarding experience! The State of Iowa has a deadline of July 1 every year to be considered eligible for state-funded aid, so no matter when you complete your FAFSA, make sure you have it in by that deadline!

About 99% of Mercy College students who complete the FAFSA receive some form of aid. Students and their spouses or parents must complete this application to qualify. You can complete the FAFSA online. To do this, first obtain your federal Personal Identification Number (PIN). Once you have received your federal PIN, you may submit the FAFSA. Our financial aid team will receive your FAFSA information electronically from the federal government.

Tips to complete your FAFSA:

• Google Chrome is the preferred internet browser.
• Make sure to confirm the dates of the application you are filling out.
• Use of the IRS Data Retrieval tool is highly recommended and ensures the accuracy of your application.
• Use the Mercy College FAFSA Code: 006273
• For more detailed information on types of aid you may qualify for, visit mchs.edu/aid.

Start THE FAFSAFund Your Education

Once you submit your FAFSA, don’t forget to apply for scholarships!

• Internal Scholarships: Our dozens of Mercy College scholarships are made possible by the generosity of numerous donors. We award nearly $300,000 in scholarships each year to incoming and current students. Our scholarship application is open twice a year: October 1 – 31 and March 1 -31.
• External Scholarships: There are so many great external scholarship opportunities out there, and we’ve compiled a list of some of our top choices to help you narrow your search.

MERCY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPSBrowse External Scholarships