Financial Aid
SFU Scholarships & Aid
Ways to Fund your SFU Education
Please feel free to explore these common aid types and reach out to your financial counselor with any questions you may have.
Merit-Based Awards
Saint Francis University offers merit-based scholarships that depend entirely upon previous academic performance. New first-time freshman or traditional transfer students with a complete application on file before March 1 for the 2024-2025 academic year will receive the fullest consideration.
Did you know?
Your completed application automatically puts you in the running for all of SFU's institutional merit-based awards!
Our Most Prestigious Merit-Based Awards
Founders' Scholarship
Up to $104,000 over four years (or up to $26,000 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: 4.25 GPA
Trustees' Scholarship
Up to $100,000 over four years (or up to $25,000 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: 4.00 GPA
Presidential Scholarship
Up to $96,000 over four years (or up to $24,000 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: 3.75 GPA
Bell Tower Scholarship
Up to $86,000 over four years (or up to $21,500 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: 3.50 GPA
Assisi Scholarship
Up to $78,000 over four years (or up to $19,500 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: 3.25 GPA
Dorothy Day Scholarship
Up to $73,000 over four years (or up to $18,250 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: 3.0 GPA
Captain McGuire Scholarship
Up to $66,000 over four years (or up to $16,500 each undergraduate year)
Minimum Requirement: <3.0 GPA
Additional Merit-Based Awards
Franciscan Award
Open to Catholic High School Graduates
- Amount: $8,000 ($2,000 each year for all four undergraduate years)
- Automatic consideration with complete SFU application.
Scholarship and Entrepreneurship for Economic Development (SEED) Scholarship
Open to all business-related majors (accounting, business administration, economics, finance, management Information systems, management, management, or marketing). Students awarded the scholarship will be required to perform internships at the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center.
- Amount: $76,000 (2 recipients) ($22,500 each year for all four undergraduate years)
- Minimum requirements are a 3.0 GPA and an 1100 SAT (Math and Critical Reading)
- Qualifying students will be notified directly and must complete the application process.
Note: The SEED Scholarship will replace any Saint Francis University academic award.
Transfer Student Scholarship
Transfer Scholarships are only available to students seeking their first baccalaureate degree.
- Amount: $15,000 - $25,000 per year
- The scholarships are renewable each year as long as the student remains in good standing with Saint Francis University and maintains a 3.0 QPA.
International Student Scholarship
International Scholarships are only available to students seeking their first baccalaureate degree.
- Amount: $15,000 - $25,000 per year
- The scholarships are renewable each year as long as the student remains in good standing with Saint Francis University and maintains a 3.0 QPA.
Hugh O'Brian Youth Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding students with high academic credentials who have participated as Hugh O'Brien Youth Ambassadors.
- Amount: $1,000 per year
- Proof of participation is required for consideration.
Isaac Award Scholarship
High school juniors and seniors who participate in high school theatre/musical programs and the Altoona Community Theatre's Isaac Awards programs are eligible to apply.
- Amount: $1000 one time
- Must apply separately. Ask your counselor for details.
Legacy Scholarship
Awarded to students who have had a parent or grandparent graduate from Saint Francis University.
- Amount: $1,000 per year
- Renewable until completion of the first bachelor's degree.
Athletic Scholarships
Saint Francis University offers a Division I intercollegiate athletic program fully certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
- Student-athletes can receive scholarship money in 22 sports.
- All athletic scholarship decisions are made by the head coaches of each respective sport.
ROTC, Military, & Veterans Benefits
There are many types of financial assistance available to ROTC students, military personnel, and veterans.
Explore potential benefits such as ROTC scholarships and the Yellow Ribbon program through our Office of Military Affairs. Once you have applied for enrollment at Saint Francis University, we suggest that you set up an appointment to meet with our coordinator of military affairs for VA and financial counseling.
Loans (Students & Families)
Federal Direct Student Loan (Subsidized)
For Undergraduate students with financial need
- Amount:
- Freshman: up to $3,500/year
- Sophomore: up to $4,500/year
- Junior/Senior: up to $5,500/year
- Interest: Fixed, 2.75% (1.057% origination fee), Undergraduate rate
How to Apply: Visit studentaid.gov & file FAFSA*. Complete Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Loan Counseling.
Federal Direct Student Loan (Unsubsidized)
Undergraduate/Graduate students with or without financial need
- Amount:
- Freshman: up to $5,500/year
- Sophomore: up to $6,500/year
- Junior/Senior: up to $7,500/year
- Interest: Fixed, 2.75% (1.057% origination fee), *Undergraduate rate"
- Graduate Amount: Up to $10,250/semester
- Interest: Fixed, 4.3% (1.057% origination fee)
How to Apply: Visit studentaid.gov & file FAFSA*. Complete Master Promissory Note (MPN), and Entrance Loan Counseling.
Federal Direct Parents Plus Loan
Parents borrowing for a dependent student
- Amount: Up to the cost of education less aid received
- Interest: Fixed, 5.3% (4.248% origination fee)
How to Apply: Visit studentaid.gov & file FAFSA*. Parent completes PLUS Master Promissory Note and PLUS Loan application.
Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan
Graduate students with financial need
- Amount: Up to the cost of education less aid received.
- Interest: Fixed, 5.3% (4.24% origination fee)
How to Apply: Visit studentaid.gov & file FAFSA*, and the student completes PLUS Master Promissory Note and PLUS Loan application.
Tuition Exchange Scholarship Programs
Saint Francis University is a member of three tuition exchange scholarship programs:
- CIC (Council of Independent Colleges) Tuition Exchange Program,
- Catholic College Cooperative Tuition Exchange Program
- The Tuition Exchange, Inc.
The Tuition Exchange Scholarship Programs are networks of colleges and universities willing to accept students from families of full-time employees of other participating institutions.
Student Employment
About Work Study: Students must find their own jobs. No student is guaranteed a job. Employers are made aware of students who are eligible for FWS and these students are to be given priority in the hiring process. A maximum of twenty hours (20) per week may be worked during periods of enrollment. The current wage rate is $7.25/hour. Students are paid on a bi-weekly basis for the number of hours worked.
How to find a job:
- Review student employment positions
- Check to see if you qualify for work study (noted on your Financial Aid Package).
- Complete your paperwork (you will receive further information from the payroll office once you're enrolled as a student).
Summer employment is based on the discretion of the department. Students carrying 3 or more credits may work a maximum of 20 hours per week when classes are in session. When classes are out of session, they may work up to 35 hours per week (again, based on the discretion of the department they are employed).