Admissions

Greetings!

We’re glad you are interested in learning more about Maria College.  Make sure you check out our virtual tour, and don’t forget to browse the prospective students, academics and career placement sections.  If you like what you see and want to know more, call or email to schedule a visit so you can experience our unique community for yourself.  If more convenient, come to campus on one of our many Application/Acceptance Days or Open Houses.  Spend time with us, either online or in person, and see why at Maria College, you really can “Start Here” and “Go Anywhere.”

Looking forward to getting to know you!

Sincerely,

Laurie Gilmore
Director of Admissions

Your Application

We want to do everything we can to make the application process as easy as possible.  The personal attention you receive during the admissions process is an excellent introduction to becoming part of Maria’s warm and encouraging environment.  You have three ways to apply:

Whichever you choose, you can be sure we will give your application the attention it deserves.  We welcome you to the Maria community, where experienced and knowledgeable faculty members are ready to help you achieve your goals.

General Admissions Requirements

Though we do not have a specific date by which your application must be submitted, the Committee on Admissions recommends that application be made well in advance of the semester for which you seek admission.  If you are a high school senior, you should apply for admission as soon as possible after the beginning of your school year.  There are also prerequisites for direct entry into specific programs, shown below under Prerequisites for Maria’s Degree Programs and Prerequisites for Maria’s Certificate Programs.

1. Applicants should have average or above average high school academic performance.
2. Applicants must offer evidence of an anticipated or completed high school program or its equivalent.
3. Applicants accepted as full-time or part-time students in Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant or Early Childhood Education must complete a physical examination form, which will be mailed to them upon acceptance.  Students enrolled in these programs are required to have a physical examination each year.

Note: New York State Public Health Law 2165 requires students born on or after January 1, 1957, who are attending colleges and universities, to demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella.  The immunization form will be mailed to students upon acceptance.  Failure to submit required physical/immunization forms may result in forfeiture of space in a given program.

RN-BS Degree for Registered Nurses

Full-time $5,900/semester
Part-time $490/credit hour

Associate Degree Programs/Certificates

Full-time $4,700/semester
Part-time $390/credit hour

Full-time Students
Any associate/certifcate student carrying 12 to 18 credit hours is considered a full-time student. Unless required, credit hours in excess of 18 will be charged $390 per credit hour. Any RN-BS student carrying 12 to 15 credit hours is considered a full-time student. Credit hours in excess of 15 will be charged $490 per credit hour.

Part-time Students
Any student carrying less than 12 credit hours in any semester is considered part-time.

Auditing Students
Any student registered for a course, but who does not seek credit is considered an auditor, and will be charged at $195/credit hour.

Note: Auditing is not permitted in the bachelor’s degree program.

Senior Citizen Audit
Senior citizens, who are 62 years of age or older, may audit one course per semester, tuition free and may enroll only during the late registration period, on a space-available basis and with the consent of the instructor.

Tuition Deposit
A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required of all applicants upon acceptance to associate/certificate programs. A nonrefundable deposit of $200 is required of all applicants upon acceptance to the RN-BS degree program. This will be credited to the student’s account.

Please Note: Other expenses can be found in the current college Catalog or by calling the Business Office at 438-3111, ext. 220.

Our mission is to facilitate educational access and foster success by helping students fund a Maria education.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Since the U.S. Department of Education no longer prints paper financial aid applications for distribution by colleges and schools, Maria College encourages all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically.  If a student does not have access to a computer and the Internet, a student can request a paper copy of the FAFSA by calling 1-800-4FEDAID.

Students may complete their FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, using their FAFSA Personal Identification Number (PIN) as the electronic signature.  Students who have completed the FAFSA in a previous year have already received a FAFSA PIN.  Students who have not previously applied for financial aid or have misplaced their PIN, can have it emailed from the PIN website at www.pin.ed.gov.

After completing the FAFSA, a student can complete an online Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application by linking to it directly from the FAFSA Confirmation Page, or by going to the quick link button, Apply for TAP, on the HESC website at www.hesc.com.  Each student will be prompted to get a HescPIN and will use it to “sign” the TAP application, keep track of application information, or make changes.

Further information about a student’s financial aid status, as well as any additional documents that are needed, may be viewed through Maria College Web Services.  (Students can log on to Web Services using the username and password that are sent after an admissions application is submitted to the College.)  In addition, once the student’s eligibility for financial aid has been calculated, the financial aid award letter can be viewed and accepted using Web Services.  This letter will indicate the types and amounts of financial aid for which the student qualifies, and is available for viewing about two weeks after the College receives the results of the FAFSA.  When a student’s information is updated on Web Services, an email message will be sent to the address the student provided on the FAFSA form.

Enrollment in other than registered degree programs may jeopardize eligibility for aid awards.

Questions about your financial aid?

If you have any questions about your financial aid or the financial aid application process, contact the Financial Aid Office at (518) 438-3111, ext. 286, or finaid@mariacollege.edu.

Maria offers various scholarships based on financial need and/or academic achievement:

Allied Health Scholarship

Awarded annually to students who are employed in the health care field, and who wish to pursue an associate degree in the health care field. Priority given to full-time students.

Caron Family Scholarship

Established by the late Reverend Francis X. Caron, and awarded annually to entering freshmen. Preference given to students whose major field of study is liberal arts. Caron scholarships may be renewed.

Capital District Association Education Scholarship

Established in 1998 by The Capital District Association for the Education of Young Children, and awarded every third year to a graduating Maria Early Childhood major. Graduate must have maintained a 3.0 average and have been accepted to an accredited four-year college as an Elementary Education major.

The City Club of Albany, Inc. Scholarship

Awarded annually to a nursing student who has completed two semesters and is a resident of the City of Albany. Priority given to full-time students.

Guido Scholarship

Honoring Kathleen Sheehan Guido, and awarded annually to students who have completed two semesters in an allied health major field of study. Guido scholarships may be renewed, and preference is given to full-time students.

Kelley Memorial Scholarship

Established by World War II Veterans of Watervliet, NY, in memory of Reverend Francis A. Kelley. Administered by the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese and awarded to nursing students who have maintained a 3.0 average. Priority given to full-time students.

Raymond J. and Del Kinley Scholarship

Awarded annually, with preference given to students majoring in management or accounting.

Mary K. Knapek Scholarship

Awarded annually to female students enrolled in the nursing program, with priority given to full-time students.

Judith Ann Marotta Scholarship

Established by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Eckert in recognition of Judith’s retirement from many years of service to Maria College. Awarded to a full-time Early Childhood Education student, with priority given to full-time students.

The Timothy McDonald Scholarship

Established by Timothy McDonald in memory of his mother, Theresa McDonald, a 1948 graduate of St. Peter’s Hospital School of Nursing and a registered nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital for 31 years. Awarded annually, may be renewed. Preference given to full-time nursing students.

Jean A. Schmitz Scholarship

Awarded annually to nursing students, with priority given to those who are attend full time.

Thorne Nursing Scholarship

Established by Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Feuerriegel in memory of Anne Marie Feuerriegel Thorne, RN, Maria College Class of 1975. Granted to nursing students, to be applied exclusively toward tuition expenses. Award may be renewed, and priority is given to full-time students.

The test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign applicants who seek admission as full-time students.  The purpose of the test is to determine the student’s level of English proficiency and to enable the college to meet his or her academic needs.  A student must obtain a minimum score of 500 on the paper-and-pencil test and 173 on the computer-based test to qualify for admission.

An international student must also present an official translated copy of academic credentials.  Once admitted, the student will receive an I-20 form (student visa), but only after completion of an affidavit of financial support.

For details on the TOEFL, or for further information on international admissions, contact the Admissions Office at (518) 438-3111, ext. 217, or at admissions@mariacollege.edu.

Maria College has signed formal articulation (or transfer) agreements with the five colleges listed below. This means that, based on a student meeting specific requirements that have been agreed upon by both institutions, that student will be granted admission, generally with junior status, to one of the four-year college’s bachelor’s degree programs. Information about course equivalencies, grade point average, attendance requirements, and other prerequisites may vary from program to program, and within the different institutions.

While the above represent formal transfer agreements, there are numerous colleges throughout the United States that accept Maria College graduates on an individual basis.

Where is Maria located? Can I schedule a visit?

Maria College is at 700 New Scotland Avenue in Albany.  Call Admissions at 518.438.3111, ext. 217, to schedule a visit.

What is Maria’s enrollment?

Maria College serves approximately 1,000 traditional and nontraditional students, from throughout New York’s Capital Region and beyond, with day, evening, weekend and online classes.

What is Maria’s mission?

Maria’s mission is to “educate to serve.”  The ideal of “service to others” is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and the ideals of the Sisters of Mercy, who founded and sponsor the College.  Maria seeks to deliver its programs with high academic standards through convenient scheduling formats, for students of any age who will benefit from small classes and a warm, encouraging environment.

How can I contact Maria?

Just call the main number, 518.438.3111, and you will be directed to the office you need.