The Office of Financial Assistance connects students and families with the financial resources required to finance a St. Mary’s education. Our staff works personally with students and their families to explain available options and help them to choose the best methods to meet the cost of attendance.
The purpose of this site is to provide you and your family with some of the information needed to get you started on the financial aid process. It is not intended to replace the personal and professional attention that the Office of Financial Assistance takes pride in providing to students and families.
Quick Links
Financial Hardships
The Office of Financial Assistance understands financial hardships can occur throughout the academic year. There are various resources students can seek out including the Special Circumstances process and the Emergency Fund Application.
Special Circumstances
This process is available to students who are eligible for Federal financial aid and have submitted a FAFSA. It is used on a case-by-case basis to adjust a student’s cost of attendance (COA) or the data entered into a student’s FAFSA and impacts the expected family contribution (EFC). If you have either incurred additional expenses, or if your household has experienced loss of income, this process might be one to consider. Please read through the form for examples of incurred expenses that can be considered or for examples of loss of income.
Student Emergency Fund Application
The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) provides limited emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled St. Mary’s University students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of temporary hardship related to an unexpected situation. The fund is designated to off-set a short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid.
Rattler Readiness
Have you lost your job due to COVID-19? Rattler Readiness is a virtual workforce development workshop open to Bexar County residents. The workshop is in partnership with Project Quest and is no cost to participants.
Scholarships
St. Mary’s University offers a wide variety of scholarships. You’ll automatically be considered for most of these scholarships when you submit your completed application. Explore which scholarships and other financial aid you may be eligible for when you enroll.
The Basics of Financial Aid
The theory underlying the financial aid system is that parents and students contribute to the cost of college attendance to the extent they are able. If they are unable to contribute the entire amount, financial aid is available to meet the remaining cost.
The basic formula to determine financial aid eligibility or need is:
Cost of Attendance
– Expected Family Contribution
________________________
= Financial Need
Keep in mind, students from families of all income levels can demonstrate financial need based upon their particular circumstances. Most students who apply are eligible.
Financial Coaching
St. Mary’s students have the opportunity to take advantage of free confidential financial coaching. We understand handling your finances and paying for college takes much planning and consideration. Our partnership with AIE provides our students a wealth of information in financial education.
Consumer Information
For more details and links to important consumer information and institutional practices and reports, please visit our compliance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. St. Mary’s does not require any additional application for financial aid.
Is the FAFSA application the only application St. Mary’s requires for applying for financial aid?
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.
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. Our Financial Aid counselors can assist you with this process, but we do not automatically add this to your financial aid award.
One of the key resources you will have is your award letter, which will outline charges and your awarded financial aid. What is your bottom line after you factor in all the aid you are receiving? Even though charges might appear to be high, it might be more manageable than you think given your financial aid award and additional aid options.
How do I compare financial aid offers from several schools?
Academic scholarships are awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admission during the admission process. Students are also encouraged to seek additional scholarship opportunities in their communities. Once a student has their Gateway credentials, they can login and access iGrad which has an outside scholarship search tool.
How do I apply for scholarships?
Various factors can impact the amount of financial aid you receive at any point in your academic career. In awarding financial aid, several factors are taken into account:
- When was your financial aid file completed?
- How much financial need do you have?
- How much does your family make, and what is your family size?
- What is your cumulative grade point average?
Why does my friend have more financial aid than I do?
If you will be receiving an outside scholarship from your community or an organization outside of St. Mary’s University, you will want to send us a copy of your scholarship notification letter as soon as possible. We will need to update your award to reflect this. We will then work with the Business Office to apply the scholarship to your account when the donor sends the funds.
How do I report an outside scholarship to St. Mary’s?
If you accept work-study, you will be sent an email in July with a link to the job board. Jobs are not guaranteed. You will go through the process of applying for jobs. If hired, you will then work with your supervisor and Human Resources to make sure the necessary paperwork has been submitted.
How do I receive a work-study assignment?
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 percent of the hours attempted. Please review the information under the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) section of our web page.
What happens if I drop below full-time status?
Helpful links
- Federal Student Aid – An Office of the U.S. Department of Education
Contact Financial Assistance
Thank you for your interest in contacting the Office of Financial Assistance! We are available to connect virtually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Contact information
Email
finaid@stmarytx.eduPhone
Local: 210-436-3141
Toll-free: 1-800-367-7868
Fax: 210-431-2221Visit
Office of Financial Assistance
St. Louis Hall, Suite 301St. Mary’s University
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, Texas 78228Students with Gateway Login Information:
Prospective students and those without a Gateway account:
Call our office at 210-436-3141 to speak with a Financial Aid Counselor.
If you need to submit documents, please submit the online form in Gateway.