Questions about financial aid? Here’s the full picture.
Financial aid is important (and often confusing), and we want to help you understand the process.
To help you get started, we’ve distilled it down to the following three steps. Beyond this, reach out to a college financial advisor to discuss your eligibility and needs. At ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â’s, your personal financial aid advisor will work with you — throughout your college career — to identify all of theÌýscholarships, grants and loans you qualify for, and walk you through theÌýapplication process.
We’re committed to helping right-fit students find their place here, with generous scholarships and financial aid packages that meet their needs.
Ìý
Try Our Net Price Calculator
Join the thousands of others -ÌýÌý5 minutes is all it takes toÌý.ÌýÌýHint: Make sure you haveÌýSchool Rank, GPA and Current Tax Information available before you start!
How to Apply for Financial Aid at ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â’s
Apply for Admission
When you apply for admission before the priority deadline, you'll be automatically considered for the mostÌýscholarships.Ìý
Priority Application
Deadline:ÌýFeb. 1
$37,965
Average merit scholarship and/or grant awarded to first-year students
$13,419
Average tuition paid by our first-year students who received scholarships and/or grants
Complete the FAFSA
TheÌýÌýasks questions about a family's income and assets to determine a Student Aid IndexÌý(SAI). Make sure to list the ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â's federal school code, 003621, in the school release section, so the university gets your results. Because every school has a limited amount of financial aid to offer, students who meet our FAFSA priority deadline are most likely to get the best financial aid package. Of course, those who submit FAFSAs after the priority deadline are still considered for financial aid, but it may be a lesser amount than if they had met the deadline.ÌýCheck out our tipsÌýfor completing the FAFSA.Ìý
FAFSA Priority
Deadline:ÌýMayÌý1*
Log intoÌýmyHilltop
After you’re admitted and have provided all the required documents, you’ll receive a financial aid offer letter in the mail. Financial aid offers are also displayed inÌýmyHilltop. You’ll be asked to go toÌýÌýto accept the aid offer and complete any additional requirements to secure your aid offer. ManyÌýaidÌýoffersÌýcombineÌýthree types of aidÌý— merit-based, need-based and supplement aid.
All Other Financial
Paperwork Due:ÌýJuly 1*
* The FAFSA priority deadline is May 1 for entering freshmen, new transfers and continuing undergraduates.
Why Everyone Should Submit the FAFSA
At ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â's, nearly every student receives scholarships and grants they don't have to pay back. But every year, some students miss out on making college more affordable because they didn't complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Learn why every student should complete the FAFSA.Ìý
3 Tips for Submitting your FAFSA
1. You don't need anything besides the FAFSA and your application.
To apply for financial aid at ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â’s, you only need to submit the FAFSA. However, some colleges require additional forms or applications for aid along with the FAFSA. Check with each school’s financial aid office for specific requirements.Ìý
2. Get an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov.
Your FSA ID allows you to complete and sign your FAFSA electronically, and check the status and make corrections to it online. Students and parents must apply for separate FSA IDs. You’ll use your same FSA ID throughout your student’s college career to complete the FAFSA and access your records, so file it in a safe, convenient place.
3. Make sure you get your FAFSA email.
You will receive an email acknowledgmentÌýfrom the Department of Education after completing the FAFSA. If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243. ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â's will receive your results in a week.
3 Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid takes many forms that fall into three categories: merit-based, need-based and supplemental aid. Here are some examples of each.
Merit-Based Awards
TheseÌýscholarshipsÌýare based on academic, service, athletic or other areas of noteworthy achievement. They are grants and do not have to be paid back.Ìý
Academic Scholarships
OurÌýacademic scholarshipsÌýfor high-achieving new freshmen can save you $12,000 to $30,000 annually. And you’ll automatically be considered for them when you apply.
Specialty Scholarships
Our specialty scholarships (the Sorin Award and the Moreau Scholarship) are awarded to students who graduate from Holy Cross high schools.
Additional Scholarships
These are based on superior achievements in athletics, the arts, ROTC, community service or other areas of noteworthy accomplishment.Ìý
Need-Based Aid
When you file yourÌý,Ìýor FAFSA, you will automatically be considered for these financial aid options. Grants andÌýworkÌýstudyÌýdo not require repayment.
University Grants
ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â’s University grants are available to students (U.S. citizens and legal residents) who show financial need according to the FAFSA. In 2021 alone, students at ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â’s were awarded more than $85 million.
Federal Pell Grant
Available to students (U.S. citizens) who show financial need according to the FAFSA. Annual awards vary widely and is based on the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated from the FAFSA. Pell Grant funds are sent directly to the school and applied to the student’s bill.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
FederalÌýgrant awarded to Pell Grant–eligible students who have demonstrated the highest calculated need from the FAFSA. Awards are applied directly to the student’s bill. SEOG is subject to availability.
Texas Tuition Equalization Grant
State-funded,Ìýneed-basedÌýgrant offered to eligible full-time undergraduates who are Texas residents. Students who receive athletic scholarships are not eligible to receive a TEG.
Federal and State College Work Study
Provides paid employment opportunities in various campus offices. Work study is offered to students with demonstrated financial need. Students are paid at an hourly rate and receive pay every two weeks for the hours worked. The average college work-study award is $2,000 annually and is paid directly to the student. College work study is subject to availability.ÌýPlease note that a work-study award is not a prerequisite for the majority of on-campus jobs. Numerous opportunities exist for students who do not qualify for this award.
Supplemental Aid
A number of supplemental educational loan programs exist to allow families to borrow up to their student’s full cost of attendance.ÌýAnnualÌýprogram vary for dependent and independent students.
Federal Direct Student Loan —ÌýSubsidizedÌý
Subsidized student loans are awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA and the college's cost of attendance. The federal government pays the interest on the loan during enrollment of at least six credit hours per semester and during the six-month grace period after enrollment ceases.Ìý
Federal Direct Student Loan —ÌýUnsubsidized
An unsubsidized student loan is not based on financialÌýneed,Ìýand interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds are available for students whose parents are not creditworthy or for students determinedÌýindependentÌýof their parent by Department of Education standards. Federal Student Loan funds are released directly to the school in two or more disbursements via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and applied directly to the student bill.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduates (PLUS)Ìý
Available to creditworthy parents who want to borrow for their undergraduate children's education. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is required in addition to the submission of the FAFSA. The loan amount can be up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid received. PLUS Loan funds are released directly to the school in two or more disbursements and applied directly to the student bill. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed for the academic year, although deferment options are available.
Contact Us
Office of Student Financial Services
seu.finaid@stedwards.edu
512-448-8523 or 800-555-0164