Undergraduate Financial Aid

These scholarships are based on academic, service, athletic or other areas of noteworthy achievement. They are grants and do not have to be paid back. 

Academic Scholarships

Our academic scholarships for 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 School.

Additional Scholarships

These are based on superior achievements in athletics, the arts, ROTC, community service or other areas of noteworthy accomplishment. 

When you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, you will automatically be considered for these financial aid options. Grants and work study do not require repayment.

University Grants

St. Edward’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 St. Edward’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)

Federal grant 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, need-based grant 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. Please 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.

A number of supplemental educational loan programs exist to allow families to borrow up to their student’s full cost of attendance. Annual loan limits under the Federal Student Loan program vary for dependent and independent students.

Federal Direct Student Loan — Subsidized 

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. 

Federal Direct Student Loan — Unsubsidized

An unsubsidized student loan is not based on financial need, and 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 determined independent of 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 Undergraduate Students (PLUS) 

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.

Education Loans

Many of our undergraduate students use educational loans to help finance the cost of their education in lieu of higher interest credit cards or short term payment plans.  The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan in particular, provide easy eligibility criteria, deferment of payments while enrolled, extended repayment periods, flexible repayment options, and low, fixed interest rates.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan

The Department of Education provides a federal direct student loan for degree-seeking graduate students. This non-credit-based loan features a low, fixed interest rate, as well as deferment of payment during periods of at least half-time enrollment (6 credit hours). Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to certify a student's eligibility to participate in this program.

*This amount is pro-rated for students attending just a single semester during an academic year.

Federal Direct Loan Interest Rates for 2024-2025

As of May 2024 the Treasury Department held a 10-year Treasury note auction that resulted the below  interest rates for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 and before July 1, 2025.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans for Graduate and Professional Students  8.083%

Understand how interest is calculated and what fees are associated with your federal student loan.

Entrance Loan Counseling 

A student who accepts a Federal Student Loan is required to complete entrance counseling.  Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You'll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default.

Understanding Loan Repayment

A student that has borrowed a federal loan is required to complete exit counseling when you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. The purpose of exit counseling is to ensure you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment

Learn more about make payments, change repayment plans, explore options, and get help at the Deportment of Education Student Financial Aid website. 

Forgiveness Scams

If the emails, phone calls, and text messages you’re receiving about student loan forgiveness are setting off your scam sensor, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about the most common student loan forgiveness scams and how to avoid them. Visit Federal Student Aid.

Private Education Loans

Remember that interest rates and fees are generally lower for federal student loans than private student loans.

St. Edward's, in conjunction with Elm Resources, maintains information on a number of  alternative loan programs  offered through private banks and lending groups.

Because these are non-federal loans, each lender sets its own eligibility criteria, interest rates, processing fees, and repayment terms. Generally, students must meet fairly high credit standards to qualify on their own, so many students will need a credit-worthy cosigner in order to qualify. If approved, students can typically borrow up to their full cost of attendance minus any other aid the student is receiving for the period of attendance set to be covered by the loan. Students will receive a finalized disclosure statement after their master promissory note has been signed confirming the terms and conditions of their loan from the lender.

Federal regulations require all private loan borrowers to review a series of disclosures and complete the applicant self-certification form. The student may obtain a copy of the  self-certification form  from the private educational loan lender.

Due to the required credit review, Student Financial Services cannot guarantee that all students who apply will qualify for loan funds. Approval is determined by the lender. 

Please note that a lender's inclusion in this list is not meant as an endorsement by the university, nor is it meant to limit your selection of a private education loan. These particular lenders have been included because:

• they have a proven track record of reliable customer service;
• they offer competitive interest rates and repayment terms; and
• they utilize electronic processing compatible with the university’s financial aid management system ensuring consistent and timely delivery of loan funds. 

However, the Office of Student Financial Services will certify an application for any private education loan regardless of whether the lender appears on this list or not.

Once you have decided upon a lender, please contact your Student Financial Services Advisor for the information you'll need to provide as part of your application for the loan, including loan period, cost of attendance, and total amounts of other assistance.

St. Edward's University does not receive any form of payment or renumeration from lenders in exchange for inclusion on this list.