Resources for New Liberty Scholars

Students who have been admitted to the Liberty Scholars program for the 2024–2025 academic year will find important information about the program and their next steps on this page. Please read this information carefully so that you fully understand the program and your role as a Liberty Scholar.

Liberty Scholars Orientation

Orientation is mandatory for all incoming Liberty Scholars. At this event, students will meet current Liberty Scholars, learn more about the Liberty Scholars program, and review academic strategies for success.

More details about the event will be available in the summer.

Financial Aid and Billing

As a Liberty Scholar, you will receive a scholarship that covers 100 percent of tuition and general University fees charged to you based upon the standard 12 academic quarters of your program. The scholarship does not cover the following items:

• University housing and dining plans
• Textbooks
• University health insurance
• Immunization processing fee
• Fees for special programs (i.e., study abroad program fees)

Federal financial aid offered to you can be used to pay for the costs not covered by the Liberty Scholarship. Pennsylvania residents may also be eligible to receive state financial aid (students from outside Pennsylvania will need to check with their state higher education organizations regarding eligibility and portability of state aid programs). Eligibility for federal and Pennsylvania state aid is determined by completing the 2024–2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); if you have not yet completed a FAFSA, you should do so immediately online.

Even though you will be receiving a full-tuition and fees scholarship, you will still receive monthly eBill statements and be required to check your student account on a regular basis to ensure that you do not have a balance due. Liberty Scholars are required to pay any balance due to Drexel not covered by the financial aid they are receiving.

If your quarterly financial aid is more than your quarterly bill, you may be eligible to receive the difference as a refund. You can use refunds to assist you in purchasing textbooks and paying for other school-related costs. You should sign up for eRefund in order to receive your funds faster.

You should also refer to the New Student Financial Checklist for full details about being financially prepared to start at Drexel in the fall.

Mentor

As a Liberty Scholar, you will be assigned a mentor who is a current Drexel faculty or professional staff member. Your mentor is a resource and an active partner in your academic success. You will meet, at a minimum, quarterly to discuss your goals, experiences, and progress. The individual assigned to be your mentor will be chosen based on the information you submit on your Mentor Match Online Form.

Although the mentor-mentee relationship is a partnership, it is your responsibility to take the lead and maintain contact with your mentor and to ensure you meet with them at least once a quarter. The nature of the relationship you develop is left up to you and your mentor; however, you should keep the following in mind:

• Your mentor may not be associated with your college or major
• Your mentor may come from a different background than you

It is important that you keep an open mind about the benefits a mentor can have on your experience at Drexel. No matter who your mentor is, that individual is a volunteer committed to assisting you in any way possible to achieve your goals. You will be meeting your mentor and creating a Mentor Agreement with them, outlining your relationship before the start of the fall 2024 quarter.

Campus Engagement

Housing

For the 2024–2025 academic year, you will be living in the Liberty Scholars Living Learning Community. Living alongside your fellow Liberty Scholars will give you the opportunity to bond as a group, share experiences, and develop stronger community ties. Additionally, the Liberty Scholars Living Learning Community will host events throughout the year that you will be able to participate in.

Student Activities

Involvement in the Drexel community is an important part of the Liberty Scholars program. There are many different activities, organizations, and opportunities for you to participate in that will benefit both you and the University. As a Liberty Scholar, you are required to participate in at least one extracurricular activity of your choice each year while you are enrolled at Drexel, but it is strongly encouraged that you go beyond this requirement. Some of the options that may be available to you include:

• Drexel Student Organizations
• Study Abroad Programs
• STAR Scholars Program

Program Requirements

As a Liberty Scholar, there are certain requirements you must meet in order to remain in the program:

• Demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, community service, and social justice
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (reviewed at the end of your enrollment each academic year)
• Contact with your mentor at least once per quarter
• Participate in at least one Drexel organization or activity of your choice
• Complete a yearly community involvement with Lindy Center-sponsored service
• Participate in official Liberty Scholars events
• Maintain full-time registration for each term of your enrollment
• Uphold all conduct guidelines as prescribed by Student Conduct
• Complete all end-of-term surveys on time