Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes a student nontraditional?
A student who meets any of these three criteria: age 23 or older, and/or married, and/or a parent of a dependent child.
Q: As a nontraditional student, what are my living options?
Nontraditional students have several living options while attending Berea College. Berea College will help each student afford the cost of living for these living options:
- They may live in a Residence Hall and receive a meal plan.
- If the nontraditional student is married and/or a parent, they may apply to live in one of the 50 apartments in the Ecovillage with their spouse and/or children.
- They may apply to live off campus. If off-campus housing is approved, it is critical to communicate with the Financial Aid office to work out housing and budgetary needs. A nontraditional student who chooses this option should expect to locate their own housing and roommates.
Q: Can I live off-campus?
Visit the Student Life Office on the 3rd Floor of the Woods-Penn Building and ask for an Off-Campus Housing application form.
- For married students who want to live off campus, you will need to provide a copy of your marriage license with your off-campus application.
- If your parental or marital status changes, please inform Student Life and the Associate Director for Nontraditional Student Services and Operations so that we can assist you and have the most up to date information.
- For those getting married or having children who wish to live in the Ecovillage, please contact NTSP Staff at ntsp@berea.edu.
Q: How much financial aid will I receive a semester to live off campus or in the Ecovillage?
Each student’s grant aid disbursement will vary dependent upon the Student Aid Index or SAI (previously Expected Family Contribution or EFC) and the student’s classification. There is no fixed amount that a student will receive. However, the aid will likely be equivalent to that which it would cost to afford housing in a residence hall and receive a meal plan. For more information contact Student Financial Aid.
- Your financial aid for housing will be disbursed through direct deposit.
- You will usually receive the disbursement about two weeks after the beginning of the semester.
- For those living in the Ecovillage, your rent is billed to your student account and deducted from your student aid before your financial disbursement is issued to you.
Q: How do I get SNAP benefits (food stamps)?
You can apply online here or by visiting the local Department for Community Based Services office.
- For Ecovillage tenants, a letter is provided for you by the Ecovillage Residence Life Coordinator to take with you when you apply for benefits. You’ll also want to provide them with your financial award letter.
- SNAP benefits are renewable every six months at which time they will provide you with paperwork that needs to be signed and returned to them, either in person, by mail, or by fax.
- For nontraditional students, we can send your benefits paperwork for you in the office.
Q: Where do I get a parking decal?
The Parking Decals are sold at the Public Safety office. More information on price and type of decal can be found here.
- A white parking decal will be issued to Ecovillage residents for free. You have the option to purchase a red parking decal that can be used in other campus parking lots.
Q: Does the NTSP serve international nontraditional students?
Just like all nontraditional students, international nontraditional students are invited to utilize all of the resources available, such as the Nontraditional Student Center, a comforting home away from home. All nontraditional students can cook for themselves, make tea or coffee, build community, and study in a peaceful and productive environment.
- The Center for International Education also offers a variety of resources for international students.
Q: Where can I vote?
Students are eligible to vote in local and state elections or in their hometown. Students can register to vote through TurboVote.
- The Voter Empowerment and Political Awareness Coalition, or VEPAC, is a non-partisan coalition of faculty, staff, and students from Student Life, CELTS, and the Student Government Association. VEPAC is committed to bringing students into the political process, providing education and breaking down barriers to electoral participation, and encourage student non-partisan policy solutions. For more information about VEPAC and voting visit the VEPAC Facebook page.
- Kentuckians For the Commonwealth is a statewide organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. They provide information regarding state and local issues, elections, and voting on their website.
Visit the Kentucky Voter Information Portal to check your voter registration status and to see your polling and precinct information.