The financial assistance process is complicated and everyone has questions at some point. We have answered some of your most common questions. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact us.

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is available to talk with you whenever you need help.

Just give us a call at (800) 367-7868 or (210) 436-3141, or e-mail finaid@stmarytx.edu

Current Undergraduates

How much does it cost to attend St. Mary's University?

Tuition and Fees at St. Mary's are priced below the national average for a private, regional university.

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

For more information visit the Business Office website.

Will I receive more financial aid if I live off-campus?

No. If you decide to live off campus, you will not receive any additional assistance.

Why does my friend have more financial aid than I do?

In awarding financial aid, we consider several factors:

• When was your financial aid file completed?
• How much financial need do you have?
• How much does your family make and what is the size of your family?
• What is your cumulative grade point average? If all things were equal, awards would be similar. Typically is not the case; therefore, awards vary for each student.

Are my financial aid records confidential?

Absolutely! Information provided to the Office of Financial Assistance remains confidential.

How do I receive a Work-Study assignment?

Work-Study is awarded as part of the financial aid award; however, it is not automatically assigned. Students are placed in a work study position based on job availability.

Learn more about the Work-Study Process.

What happens if I drop below full-time status?

It depends on when you make the change. We award undergraduate financial aid on the basis of full-time enrollment (and full-time charges). If you drop during the tuition credit period, you will no longer be charged full-time tuition, which is what your aid is designed to cover. In this situation your aid will be reduced.

If you drop after the tuition credit period, your aid will not be changed. However, to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, students must complete 67% of the hours attempted. Please review the information under the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) section of our web page.

Can I declare myself independent when filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?

• Are you 24 years old or older?

• At the beginning of the upcoming school year, will you be working on a masters or doctorate program?

• As of today, are you married?

• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) that live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?

• Are both of your parents deceased or are you or were you a ward/dependent of the court?

• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

• Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?

• Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?

• In the past, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• In the past year, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• In the past year, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Unfortunately, unless you can answer YES to one of the questions above, you will be considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes and will need to submit your parents' income information on the FAFSA even if they do not claim you on their taxes or provide any financial support. Only in the rarest of situations, when there is documentation of a complete break in the family situation can our office override the general dependency criteria. If you think your situation might warrant a dependency override, please contact our office to consult with a financial aid counselor.

Graduate and Ph.D. Students

How do I apply for assistantships?

Complete the application to the Graduate School. Assistantships are determined by the Graduate School during the admission process. If selected, you will be notified in writing by the Graduate School.

What kind of aid is available to attend at St. Mary's University?

Typically, graduate students at the master's and doctoral levels will be eligible to borrow funds from the Federal Stafford loan program. You need to be enrolled at least half time.

How much does it cost to attend St. Mary's?

St. Mary's is ranked in the top 10 for "Best Value" by U.S. News and World Report. To view the total cost of attendance for graduate students, click here.

Detailed cost information is available on the Business Office website.

Prospective Students

How do I compare financial aid offers from several schools?

You should be comparing 'apples to apples' instead of 'apples to oranges.' Financial aid is awarded in two primary categories: gift aid and self-help. Gift aid consists of financial aid that does not have to be repaid or earned. Examples include grants and/or scholarships awarded by the institution. Self-help is comprised of student loans and/or work-study. Examples include the Stafford loan and the Federal Perkins loan.

Some institutions may inflate your financial aid offer by including an alternative loan (such as a parent loan and/or private loans). St. Mary's University does not pre-package these loans since this is a family decision and most, if not all, are based on a credit check. In your comparison of financial aid offers, you should only consider similar programs.

If you and your family decide to pursue these alternative loans, St. Mary's University can assist you in the application process. Keep in mind that you are deciding where you will attend college for the next four to five years. Renewability of financial aid programs will vary from year to year, but the types and quantity should be consistent provided your family's finances, size, meeting priority deadlines and your academic success are also consistent from year to year.

How do I apply for scholarships?

Academic scholarships are awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admission during the admission process. The Application for Admission and Scholarship should be submitted by January 15 for priority consideration.

Students are also encouraged to seek additional scholarship opportunities in their communities.

How do I accept my St. Mary's University financial aid offer?

It's easy to accept your financial aid award. Review the letter detailing your financial aid offer, then sign and return it to us promptly. You can also accept your offered financial aid via Gateway.

In addition, you ll need to choose St. Mary s University by making your enrollment deposit and residence hall deposit, if you will be living on campus. Then, attend an orientation session and register for classes (most financial aid programs require full-time enrollment).

How do I receive a Work-Study assignment?

Work-Study is awarded as part of the financial aid award; however, it is not automatically assigned.

Learn more about the Work-Study Process.

What is St. Mary's University's FAFSA code?

003623

Do I have to wait until I file my taxes to do the FAFSA?

No, you may estimate using last year's tax figures and make corrections later.

See more information about Federal Verification.

Can I declare myself independent when filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?

• Are you 24 years old or older?

• At the beginning of the upcoming school year, will you be working on a masters or doctorate program?

• As of today, are you married?

• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) that live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?

• Are both of your parents deceased or are you or were you a ward/dependent of the court?

• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

• Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?

• Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?

• In the past, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• In the past year, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• In the past year, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Unfortunately, unless you can answer YES to one of the questions above, you will be considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes and will need to submit your parents' income information on the FAFSA even if they do not claim you on their taxes or provide any financial support. Only in the rarest of situations, when there is documentation of a complete break in the family situation can our office override the general dependency criteria. If you think your situation might warrant a dependency override, please contact our office to consult with a financial aid counselor.

Work-Study

How am I assigned work-study?
If you are awarded work-study for the fall and spring semesters, the first step is accept your work study award via Gateway or return a signed copy of your financial aid award letter to the Financial Assistance Office.

Next, you need to complete and return the Work-Study Survey Form.

The Human Resource Department also requires employees to complete and return the I-9 Employment Eligibility Form, W-4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, and the Human Resources Policy Signature Page. These forms are also available for download under the Forms and Resources linkat www.stmarytx.edu/finaid.

How many hours am I allowed to work?
If you are awarded work-study for the fall and spring semesters, you may work an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, depending on the amount of your award.

The hours per week you may work is calculated by dividing the award amount by the number of weeks in a semester and by the hourly wage rate. For example, if you have a $1,250 fall semester award, you will work approximately 12 hours per week ($1,250 / 16 weeks = 78; 78 / $7.25 hourly rate = 11 hours approximately).

Your work-study earnings for each semester must not exceed the award amount. Once the award amount has been earned each semester, you must stop working.

Can I work during scheduled class times?
Your work schedule must not coincide with your class schedule. It is your responsibility, as well as your supervisor, to ensure that you do not work during scheduled class and lab times. If your class or lab is canceled and you decide to work, that notation should be made on your web entry timesheet for that pay period.

Are work-study earnings taxable income?
Earnings from the work-study program are taxable income. Check with your tax advisor for specific tax filing information.

What kind of training will I receive, and what will my responsibilities be?
Individual departments provide specific training, which includes a job description outlining responsibilities. The position you accept carries with it some responsibilities, as well as some benefits.

You are accountable for the work that you do, which is important to the University. Regardless of your job, you are learning and practicing important skills that will be needed the rest of your working life. More information is available in our work-study manual.

How often will I be paid?
The work-study payroll process is a cooperative effort between student employees, supervisors, the Office of Financial Assistance, the Comptroller's (Payroll) Office and the Business Office. Payroll is run twice a month with pay periods from roughly the 1st to the 15th and the 16th through the end of the month. Work-study payroll schedules are available from your supervisor.

Can I apply my work-study earnings to my bill?
You are required to complete the Payroll Authorization Form, which will allow you to pay your educational expenses with your work-study earnings. As each payroll is processed, your earnings are credited to your account with the Business Office.

Where will I be placed?
First, you must complete a Work Study Survey Form to indicate your interests, skills and job preferences. Next, we will use this information and attempt to place you in a position which most accurately meets your abilities and interests, as well as the needs and requirements of the department.

Students are placed in a work study position based on job availability.