Sherman College

FINANCIAL AID
How do I apply for financial aid?
What is Sherman College's Title IV Code?
How much money am I eligible for in the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans?
What is the difference between the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans?
Where do I borrow money for my Stafford loan?
How do you apply for the Perkins Loan?
What other loans are available?
When do I re-apply?
How do I get my undergraduate loans deferred?
How does work-study reduce my loan amount? Do I qualify?
What kinds of scholarships do you offer?

ADMISSIONS
What prerequisites do I need?
Prerequisite information found here.

For admission beginning with the fall class of 2003, you must have earned a minimum of 90 semester hour credits, to include at least 30 semester hours in upper division courses, applicable to the award of a baccalaureate degree at an institution or institutions accredited by a nationally recognized agency. Included in these credits must be a minimum of 48 semester hour credits in the course areas noted above. In addition, all matriculants must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 on a scale of 4.00 for those required courses listed above AND for the required 90 semester hours.

All required courses must have been completed with a "C" (2.0) or better. The sciences must have related laboratories with each lecture. Students are advised to check with their own college or university regarding additional prerequisites for physics or chemistry.

Pre-chiropractic and pre-licensure requirements vary from state to state. To ensure that you meet the liberal arts requirements of the state(s) in which you wish to practice, we suggest that you contact the state board(s) of chiropractic examiners directly. For general information about state licensure requirements and links to various state boards, click here.

Do I need a bachelor's degree to start chiropractic college?
No, you do not need a degree to begin chiropractic college, although certain states do require a degree to practice in that particular state, and some states require that you receive that degree before you begin chiropractic college. To view a list of state requirements and links to state boards, please click here, or for more details, contact the Admission Office.

What is the straight philosophy and how does this make you different from other schools?
Straight chiropractic is based on the premise that the body's innate recuperative powers are affected by and integrated through the nervous system. Chiropractic is a science and art devoted to the location, analysis and correction of vertebral subluxations, misaligned vertebrae of the spine that interfere with the ability of the nervous system to coordinate and control the organs and systems of the body. Health-conscious people make chiropractic a regular part of their health regimen, along with such sound practices as exercise, good nutrition, stress management and regular health check-ups. Chiropractic is a separate and distinct field that does not compete with the practice of medicine or the use of alternative therapies. Chiropractic colleges that do not identify themselves as teaching "straight chiropractic" generally view chiropractic as a therapeutic approach to improving musculoskeletal and other conditions.

How much is tuition?
Tuition information found here.

How long does it take to complete prerequisite classes? How long for the DC program?
It generally takes three years to complete 90 semester hours. However, some schools (such as Greenville Technical College, see #9, below) have accelerated programs so that it is possible to complete prerequisites in a shorter amount of time. It takes three years and three months to complete the DC program. We start classes four times a year, in January, April, July and October. You study at Sherman College for 12 quarters, and the last quarter may be spent externing with a field chiropractor.

How much math do I need?
Sherman does not require certain math courses, but the school where you choose to take your chemistry and physics may require math as a prerequisite.

Are you accredited?
Yes. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education, which accredits all chiropractic colleges in the U.S. We are also accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits regional institutions such as Duke University and Converse College. Sherman College is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. For accreditation and licensing details, please click here.

What is your average class size?
Average class size is around 25-30 students, although it does vary depending on when you begin classes in the year, as well as which class you are in. We keep laboratory and technique classes small so that the personal attention you receive from instructors is enhanced. We are one of the smallest chiropractic colleges and offer a highly personal learning environment with student-to-faculty ratios of 15-to-1 or less.

Do you have an accelerated program on your campus?
No, we do not, but we do have an agreement set up with a local college called Greenville Technical College, where you can complete your science prerequisites in a shorter period of time. Depending on when you begin their program and how many classes you have left to complete, the Fast Track Program will take about 27 to 32 weeks, or two semesters. Please click here for details about prerequisite programs.

Can I send you my transcripts now so that you can tell me which classes I still need?
Absolutely; we encourage this. We can start an academic evaluation for you, and tell you exactly which classes you still need to complete. You do not want to find out at the last minute that you are missing some classes, and you don't want to take classes that you do not need.

Do you have housing on campus?
There are several residential neighborhoods within walking and biking distance from Sherman. The Student Services Office keeps a list of housing available (for rent or to buy) that is updated bi-weekly. Also included are "roommates wanted" listings. More information found here.

FINANCIAL AID
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for any type of financial aid at Sherman College, you must submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. You may fill it out on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Each student must also submit the following forms to the financial aid office: Statement of Educational Purpose, a Sherman College Financial Aid Application, Certification Form and a Student Status Form. To receive a financial aid package, please contact the Admissions Office.

What is Sherman College's Title IV Code?
The title IV code for Sherman College is 013853.

How much money am I eligible for in the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans?
Most students are eligible for the full amounts in these two loans which are: Subsidized Stafford up to $8,500.00 for 3 quarters and the Unsubsidized Stafford up to $22,500.00 for 3 quarters.

What is the difference between the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans?
The Subsidized is a need-based loan and the interest rate is capped at 8.25% with no interest accruing until six months after you graduate or withdraw from school. The Unsubsidized is not need based, and the interest rate is also capped at 8.25% with interest accruing while you are in school. You have a choice to either pay the interest while in school or defer the interest until your six-month grace period is up after you graduate or withdraw from Sherman College.

Where do I borrow money for my Stafford loan?
This is the student's decision. You may check with a bank in your hometown and see if they deal with student loans. If they do not, Sherman College deals with many different lenders and has these applications in stock in the Financial Aid Office.

How do you apply for the Perkins Loan?
Each year you must submit a new FAFSA form. The Financial Aid Office determines the need for each student and from this needs analysis the office awards this money to the students with exceptional need. Sherman College only awards this money to graduate students (fourth quarter or higher).

What other loans are available?
There are several different loans a student can apply for while in school at Sherman College. Just about all of these loans are based on your credit history. These loans normally have an interest rate of the Prime plus a percentage, such as 2-3% added to the prime. The interest accrues while you are in school. These loans can run with a very high interest rate and should only be taken as a last resort.

When do I re-apply?
A loan will run for three quarters or one academic year. You should begin your loan process in the middle of your third quarter. This really depends on who your lender is and what their process is. Each January you will be required to complete another FAFSA. Your FAFSA is effective for one fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. A loan cannot be processed without a current FAFSA on file.

How do I get my undergraduate loans deferred?
Before you come to Sherman you will need to get in touch with your lender and request a deferment form. When you matriculate at Sherman College you will need to take that form to the Registrar's Office and ask them to complete it. They will certify the deferment for an academic year (three quarters). You will need to pick this form up from the Registrar's Office and mail it to the lender. You should make a copy of the form before you mail it and it should be sent return receipt.

How does work-study reduce my loan amount? Do I qualify?
College work-study reduces the amount of unsubsidized money that you can borrow. It helps because you get paid at the end of each month and you do not accrue interest. Contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you qualify for college work-study.

What kinds of scholarships do you offer?
There are many different scholarships offered by Sherman College. To see a list of all scholarships offered, click here.