FINANCIAL AID AT SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY

Excellence is Within Your Reach

Your Journey. Our Commitment.

Saint Francis University believes every qualified person who desires higher education has the right to pursue it regardless of socioeconomic status.  Below you will find many tools to help you on your journey, but always feel free to reach out at any time. We are here for you!


Contact Us Anytime!

E-mail: finaid@francis.edu
Phone: 814-472-3010
Fax: 814-472-3999
Staff Homepage


 

 

 

Cost Estimators

Choose one of the following Net Price Calculators to estimate net totals and financial aid considerations. Use the estimator to generate an Early Version Financial Aid Package.  This will give you an indication of the amount of financial aid for which you may qualify.

 

Financial Aid Dictionary

Below, we define some terms frequently used by colleges and universities.  


Cost of Attendance

Our estimate of each year’s total college costs includes tuition and fees, room and meals, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.


Demonstrated Need

This is the Cost of Attendance for Saint Francis University minus your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 


Financial Aid

Money given, loaned or made available to help cover college costs. Financial aid can come in the form of gift (scholarships and grants) and self-help (loan and work). At Saint Francis University, 98% of undergraduates who apply received some type of aid.


Merit-based Financial Aid

Money offered to students based entirely on high school or previous academic performance.  Saint Francis University currently offers 5 different merit-based scholarships that are calculated by your admission's counselor.


Need-based Financial Aid


Federal, State, or Institutional aid given to families that qualify by filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
 


Net Price


The amount that the family pays for one year of college. This is calculated by subtracting the total amount of grants, scholarships and self-help aid from the Cost of Attendance.


Student Aid Index (SAI)

Student Aid Index (SAI) is an eligibility index number that a college’s or career school’s financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive if the student attended the school. This number results from the information that the student provides in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

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Financial Aid Types

Please feel free to explore these common aid types and reach out to your financial counselor with any questions you may have.

UNDERGRADUATE 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

  • Apply for a federal username and password at studentaid.gov. Both the student and a parent must apply for separate usernames and passwords.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov. The FAFSA can be completed as early as October 1st. 
  • Once the FAFSA is complete, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Government. The SAR will contain a number known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
  • The Office of Financial Aid will send you a Financial Aid Award Package once you are fully accepted to Saint Francis and the office has received your FAFSA. Please note: May 1st is the filing deadline for Pennsylvania State Grant consideration (PHEAA).  To check state grant status, check pheaa.org

  • Eligibility

    In order to receive Saint Francis University Institutional Aid (Institutional merit aid, University grants, Endowed University scholarships, etc.) full-time dependent (as determined by Federal guidelines) undergraduate students are required to do one of the following:

    • Live in University owned or operated housing includes Residence Halls, University owned apartments/houses/townhouses, and University operated rentals.
    • Commute from primary home of parent or legal guardian as long as the home is within a 40 mile radius of the campus.
    • Be registered with the university as a dependent of a current Saint Francis University employee and receiving tuition remission benefits.
  • Athletic Aid Eligibility

    In order to receive athletic aid, an undergraduate or graduate student, regardless of dependency status, must reside in University housing unless approved by the Department of Athletics. 

  • Commuter Students
    • To be eligible for institutional aid, students who commute from the home of a parent or legal guardian or are dependents of a SFU employee and receiving tuition remission benefits must be registered with the Office of Residence Life and approved as a commuter.
    • If a student chooses to live off-campus (private residence, apartment, etc.) they do so with the understanding that they will forfeit Saint Francis University institutional aid.
    • If a student fraudulently reports that they are commuting from home to the Office of Residence Life and are found to be living off-campus, the University reserves the right to revoke institutional aid and disciplinary action may be taken.
    • A Saint Francis University student housing contract is for two semesters. The on-campus housing policy applies to Fall and Spring semesters (Summer is excluded with the exception of Athletic contracts which are subject to their terms and conditions). 

Graduate 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To receive a Financial Aid Package you must first be accepted to Saint Francis University.  Please contact the Graduate Department you are seeking acceptance to for Admissions information.

  • Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or add Saint Francis University's federal school code (003366) at studentaid.gov  for the academic year in which you will be enrolled.
  • Complete Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling for Federal Direct Loan at studentaid.gov.   
  • Alternative/Private Loan information can be found at www.elmselect.com.
  • Payment plan options available via CashNet. Please visit the Student Finances section on your my.francis.edu portal to enroll.

 

Division of Professional Studies

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To receive a Financial Aid Package you must first be accepted to Saint Francis University.  Please contact the Division of Professional Studies for Admission information.  

  • Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or add Saint Francis University's federal school code (003366) at studentaid.gov  for the academic year in which you will be enrolled. 
  • Complete Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling for Federal Direct Loan at studentaid.gov. 
  • Alternative/Private Loan information can be found at www.elmselect.com.
  • Payment plan options available via CashNet. Please visit the Student Finances section on your my.francis.edu portal to enroll.

FAQs

  • Can I Reduce or Cancel my Loan?

    You may request that your loan be reduced or cancelled through the Financial Aid Office at Saint Francis University within 30 days* of the loan being posted to your student account.

    Please note if you completely cancel a disbursement of a loan, any pending disbursements will automatically be cancelled. If you request a loan with more than one disbursement to be reduced and no disbursements have yet been made, the disbursements will be evenly reduced. All requests must be in writing and include the following information:

    • Direct Student, Direct Graduate PLUS, and Private Educational Alternative Loans — Student must make request, not parent. Please include your name, your SFU ID Number, and the amount you want the loan reduced to or cancelled.
    • Direct PLUS Loans — Parent borrower must make request, not student. Please include parent borrower's name, the student's name, the student's SFU ID Number, and the amount you want the loan reduced to or cancelled.
    • Perkins Loans — Student must make request, not parent. Please include your name, your SFU ID Number. 

      *Please note – any loan not returned within 30 days will be the responsibility of the borrower to return to their loan servicer directly
  • I signed a Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note before but now I received another one to sign. Do I need to sign it?

    Yes, if the Master Promissory Note you received has information concerning Saint Francis University. No, if the Master Promissory Note does not contain information concerning Saint Francis University.

  • How do I waive or enroll in the University health insurance?

    You must complete a waiver or enrollment form via the internet, mail, or fax.  Enroll or waive the insurance coverage using your unique ID and password received in a mailing from Hulse/QM, or go to www.hulseqm.com/myinsurance and follow the instructions provided. If you do not have your unique ID and password, call 800-273-1715. Please be aware no proof of insurance waiver forms will be accepted after the 20th business day of each semester and you will be responsible for the cost of the health insurance.

     

  • Is there a Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Aid?

    To be eligible for federal and institutional financial aid,students at Saint Francis University must be making satisfactory academic progress towards their degree as defined below. Federal student aid includes Federal PELL Grant, Federal Perkins Loan,Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Direct PLUS Loan.

    More information found HERE

  • How do I become eligible for Company Sponsored Tuition Deferment?

    To be eligible for tuition deferment, a letter regarding your company's tuition reimbursement policy is due at the beginning of every semester.  The letter must be on your company’s letterhead and include the student's name and the reimbursement policy of the company.  Each student will receive a billing statement at the end of the semester.  It is the responsibility of the student to give the statement to his/her employer along with his/her grade(s) for reimbursement.  Payment must be made within approximately 30 days upon completion of the course.

    For more information visit our Business Office Page

  • What happens to my Title IV federal financial aid if I withdraw?

    If you withdraw a percentage of your Title IV aid may be required to be returned. Saint Francis University's return to Title IV (R2T4) policy is "Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws".

Student Billing FAQs

  • I have a billing adjustment concerning my meal or housing plan?

    Please see the Tuition and Fee Schedule for the correct cost and calculate your new balance.; Please contact the Office of Residence Life to process your meal or housing change. Your student billing account will be automatically updated for the beginning of the semester when the change is received and approved by the Residence Life Office.

  • I have an outside scholarship not listed on my student bill?

    Please mail a copy of the scholarship award letter to the Business Office and make the necessary deduction from your student bill to calculate your new balance.

  • My bill does not show any financial aid, now what?

    Contact the Financial Aid Office at (814) 472-3010 or at finaid@francis.edu.

  • When will refund checks be issued?

    Refund checks will be direct deposited into a student’s bank account or placed in the students’ campus mail box or mailed home the 11th business day of the semester.