July 14: Tuition Bill, Financial Aid and Course Schedule

Dear Merrimack College Undergraduate Students,

As mentioned during the two town halls for undergraduate students, we are writing to you with information about billing, financial aid, fall course schedules, as well as additional support available for students.  

Fall 2020 tuition, fees, room & board, and preliminary financial aid packages have been released and are available online (see below on how to access). Course schedules are also available on myMack. 

This email below is broken into 14 sections that cover very important enrollment, financial aid, tuition, payment and course schedule information. We ask that you please read every section carefully. If you have any questions please contact the departments listed below. 

# 1 - “Intent to Enroll” Form: We want to remind everyone that you need to submit the “Intent to Enroll” form, and choose one of the three options (1) live on campus or commute; (2) go remote only (3) take a COVID-19 leave of absence. This form is due by 5:00 p.m.  EST Friday, July 17. Completing this form will be key to adjusting your earlier decisions in regard to being a residential student or commuting, or if you have changed your plans and decided to take a COVID-19 leave of absence. Please look for the email that has been sent to your Merrimack email address to complete this form. 

# 2 - Tuition and Preliminary Financial Aid Packages: We have released Fall 2020 tuition, fees, room & board, and preliminary financial aid packages to help you plan for your Fall 2020 enrollment decision. Please be advised:

• Your bill (both the costs and the financial aid package) reflect your decisions made this past spring (registration for Fall 2020 classes and whether you deposited for Fall 2020 housing last Spring), and your latest FAFSA submission.

• If you have decided to change your plans, you must notify the college through the Intent to Enroll form, and your bill will be updated next week.  

• Your Fall 2020 bill and preliminary financial aid packages may be adjusted depending on the option you choose in section #1. Once you complete the “Intent to Enroll” form your financial aid package may be updated starting next week.  

• Should your financial situation have changed as a result of COVID, please see #4.

• If you have further questions please contact the Taskforce or the Financial Aid.

# 3 - Adjusting Aid Packages Depending on Enrollment Choice and Personal Financial Circumstance: The College will ultimately adjust financial aid packages according to the choices you make on your “Intent to Enroll” form. Your preliminary financial aid offer is based upon the cost of attendance for 2020-2021 academic year. Your cost of attendance is currently based on your residential plan for Fall 2020 as of June 1, 2020. Example, if you previously told the College you were going to live on campus, and have now decided as part of the “Intent to Enroll” form, you will commute or learn remotely, your full cost of attendance is therefore reduced. This change may impact your financial aid offer which includes merit based scholarships, institutional grants or federal/state funding. Merrimack College reserves the right to make any changes to your financial aid award regardless of the type of aid should your eligibility or cost of attendance change at any point during the 2020-2021 academic year.

The College is committed to working with each student individually and their families to figure out how to pay for college, lessen the burden and adapt to different circumstances. We recognize the importance of understanding your financial aid in order to inform your fall planning and encourage all students and families to review payment plans options, apply for additional assistance and consider alternative payment options for Fall 2020 if necessary. 

# 4 - Addressing Financial Hardships: We recognize that some of our students and their families may be facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Merrimack College is committed to working with students and families to provide additional financial assistance. As a testament to our Augustinian value of service to others and in the wake of this ongoing health crisis, Merrimack has established the Student Emergency Fund to assist those students who are facing additional financial hurdles.  

In addition, Merrimack College has also secured federal funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist students directly. There are rules and policies around the distribution of the CARES Act funds, who is eligible, and limits on its use.  

Students who are concerned financially about this coming academic year may seek additional assistance from the CARES Act funds and through the Merrimack College student emergency fund by submitting a request through the Student Emergency Fund form. Please visit the Student Emergency Fund website for more information.

# 5 - Fall 2020 Tuition, Fees, Room & Board Bills: The following will be reflected in your Fall 2020 tuition, fees, room & board bills:

• Full-Time Tuition

• Comprehensive Fee

• COVID-19 Mitigation Fee

• Room & Board Charges

• Adjustments: 

• Upperclass students who have a credit from Spring 2020 Room and Board reimbursements will see a reduction in the overall amount billed by the unused credit amount. 

• As a result of the academic calendar being adjusted, students who choose to live on campus will be in housing one less week. This results in a reduction in cost for Fall 2020 residential students. This reduction is already reflected in the room and board fees.

• Financial Aid: Including Merit Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship, Institutional Grant Aid, Federal Financial Aid or special scholarships that you many qualify for. Merrimack College reserves the right to make any changes to your financial aid award regardless of the type of aid, should your eligibility or cost of attendance change at any point during the 2020-2021 academic year.  If you have not already completed your 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it is not too late. Visit fafsa.gov for more information and to complete your FAFSA. Once you complete the FAFSA your financial aid package will be updated and reflected on your bill. 

# 6 - Accessing Bills - The Student Account Center: Merrimack College has partnered with Cashnet, powered by Transact to provide a new and improved Student Account Center. The Student Account Center is a service the College provides in order to allow students to access billing statements, make payments and enroll in an optional monthly payment plan. The new improved system offers robust features and will provide more convenience and ease of use for students and their families in order to manage student education bills online. To access your Student Account Center (SAC):

• Login to MyMack 

• Select Student Info on main menu

• Select Student Billing

• Under Student Account Center, select Go to Cashnet

# 7 - Adding Individuals to Your Student Account Center: Students can access their new Student Account Center through MyMack. However, parents, family members or those who were previously invited by a student to access the Student Account Center will need to be invited again in order to access a student’s account. To invite individuals to access and pay the bill on your behalf:

• Go to your Student Account Center (SAC) in MyMack

• Select your name located in the left column 

• Under Payers select Send a payer invitation

# 8 - Monthly Payment Plan Options: Merrimack College offers interest-free, per semester payment plans through the Student Account Center. Plans are available now with payments due on the 15th of each month beginning July 15. Payment plans are offered in 5, 4 and 3 month plans. To set up a monthly payment plan:

• Log into your Student Account Center (SAC) in MyMack

• Select Payment plans

• Select View payment plan options

• Enter the Plan amount

• Select Enroll in Plan

If you wish to enroll in the 5 month payment plan option, you will have until July 22 to complete the enrollment process.

# 9 -  Payment Options: Fall 2020 semester bills are due by Monday, August 10.

Payment can be made in a variety of ways:

• Electronic payment options:

• E-check (no fee)

• Credit/Debit card payments (a convenience fee will be charged)

• International payments can be made using flywire, available through the Student Accounts Center 

• Checks made payable to Merrimack College can be mailed to the Bursar’s Office at:

Merrimack College 
Attn. Bursar’s Office, A14 
315 Turnpike Street 
North Andover, MA 01845.

For more information about the Student Account Center visit www.merrimack.edu/SAC or for any questions contact the Office of the Bursar at bursar@merrimack.edu.

# 10 - Financial Aid: Merrimack College has invested approximately $80M in institutional aid to help families and their students with their education. At this time, 2020-2021 preliminary financial aid offers are ready to view in your Financial Aid portal in MyMack. In addition, the fall portion of your financial aid is reflected within your bill in the Student Accounts Center in order to provide you with an accurate cost for the fall semester. In order to view your financial aid offer, please complete the following steps:

• Login to MyMack 

• Select Student Info on main menu

• Select Financial Aid

• Click Financial Aid Portal link

• Choose Financial Aid Award from the MENU choices on the top of the screen

Your preliminary financial aid offer is based upon the cost of attendance for 2020-2021 academic year. Your cost of attendance is currently based on your residential plan for Fall 2020 as of June 1, 2020. Example, if you previously told the College you were going to live on campus, and have now decided as part of the “Intent to Enroll” form you will commute or learn remotely, your full cost of attendance is therefore reduced. This change may impact your financial aid offer which includes merit-based scholarships, institutional grants or federal/state funding. Merrimack College reserves the right to make any changes to your financial aid award regardless of the type of aid should your eligibility or cost of attendance change at any point during the 2020-2021 academic year.

For students who have not completed the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we encourage you to submit it as soon as possible. This application allows us to determine your eligibility for federal and state grants and loans as well as need-based institutional funds. Please remember to include Merrimack College’s school code (002120) on your FAFSA. Visit fafsa.gov for more information and to complete your FAFSA.

Federal PLUS/Alternative Loans - Students and/or parents may apply for a federal PLUS or private/alternative loan with a credit-worthy co-borrower up to the annual cost of attendance less any financial aid received. Loans vary in interest rates, fees, and repayment options. Repayment of interest usually begins immediately with some lenders offering deferment options. You may use any private lender of your choice. All loans should be approved prior to the start of the semester. Visit https://www.merrimack.edu/aid/ for more information and to view educational lenders that are commonly used by Merrimack students through ELMSelect.

# 11 - Fall 2020 Course Schedules: Fall 2020 course schedules are now live in MyMack. To view your schedule:

• Login to MyMack 

• Select Student Info on main menu

• Select Registrar

• The Schedule will show the course number, name, day, time and faculty for the courses registered for. Days are listed as Monday (M), Tuesday (T), Wednesday (W), Thursday (R), Friday (F)

• Remote only classes will also be noted on schedules. 

Freshmen: The Academic Success Center (ASC) has spent the last month building your fall schedules.  This process involved: 

• Placement in required courses for your major

• If possible placement in courses you said you were interested in on the Academic Interest Form - if you completed it

• Placement in appropriate and required Liberal Studies Core courses (You have 4 years to complete these so there is no rush)  

• Taking your Math Placement Exam and Language Placement Exam scores into account before placing you in one of these (Not all students are in a math or language course in the first semester)

• Reviewing any Advanced Placement and college credit you might qualify for (Be sure to have scores sent if you have not already done so)

• Keeping in mind your athletic practice times or other items mentioned on the Academic Interest Form

• Keeping in mind if you were in one of the following programs: Compass, Promise, Drive, Austin Scholars, Discover, Pioneer Scholars, Honors, etc.  (Some programs have courses just for you)

• Being attentive to commuting students to ensure reasonable schedules for commuting life.

• Then we carefully crafted your schedules.

# 12 - Making Changes to Schedules and Accessing Academic Support: We highly suggest that you  - especially freshmen- speak to a Success Coach or Academic Advisor before you make changes. You can make changes on your own, but if you wish to speak with an academic success coach, please complete the Request Changes to Schedule Form and a Success Coach will contact you. Changes can be made throughout the summer. Some classes that are closed now, may open up later. If you have any other academic concerns, you can contact a success coach at ASC@merrimack.edu.

# 13 -  Mandatory COVID-19 Mitigation Fee: All students taking in-person classes are required to participate in the College’s COVID-19 testing and mitigation program. The cost of COVID-19 testing is significant and Merrimack is subsidizing this cost. However, each student will be required to pay a COVID-19 testing fee each semester. At the time of this email, the federal government is considering some funding to colleges for COVID-19 testing. Should Merrimack receive funding for COVID-19 testing, it will share a portion of these funds with students by crediting student accounts. Having a separate and transparent COVID-19 testing fee will make any credits easier to identify should funding become available.

# 14 -  Health Insurance Requirement: Massachusetts law requires all students enrolled three-quarter-time or more at the start of the semester, (undergraduates - 9 or more credits, graduates - 6 or more credits) to have comprehensive health insurance coverage. Domestic students must either enroll in the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan or request a waiver with proof of adequate health insurance through an outside provider. Students who do not complete the online waiver-request form by September 10 will automatically be enrolled in the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan and will be responsible for the $3,508 charged premium, even if they are covered by another plan. We anticipate the waiver to be available to students by early August and a notification will be sent.

To waive Merrimack’s health insurance you must complete an online waiver. Please note that pursuant to Massachusetts law, not all plans provide comparable coverage and may not be eligible for waiver. Online waivers will be reviewed to ensure that the insurance plan offers adequate access to emergency and non-emergency care in the North Andover, Massachusetts area and that the plan and member ID number are currently active. Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk will email an official decision of whether your request has been approved or denied. The majority of waiver requests will be processed within one business day.

To enroll in Merrimack’s health insurance, please complete the online enrollment form. Once completed, an insurance card will be generated and mailed to the address that you provided. Insurance coverage begins on August 13, 2020 and continues through August 12, 2021.

For more information please visit: https://www.merrimack.edu/student-health-insurance.php. To enroll or waive insurance, the website will be available the last week of July.  You will receive additional information regarding health insurance by the end of this month.  

International Students are not eligible to waive the insurance and will automatically be enrolled in the Merrimack College Health Insurance Plan.

We realize that there are several unknowns and questions that can make planning for this Fall very difficult for students and their families. In addition to the information above, answers to questions about Merrimack’s plans to reopen campus in the fall can be found in the “Fall 2020 Return to Campus Handbook” and on our Reopening Merrimack’s Campus website. For any additional questions do not hesitate to reach out to departments listed above or the Task Force.

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Jeffrey Doggett, Executive Vice President
Dr. Sean Condon, Senior Vice President and Provost