Browse some of the frequently asked questions about financial aid at the University of St. Thomas.

More than 95 percent of prospective freshmen will receive a financial commitment from St. Thomas when offered admission. This award is merit-based and renewable for four years, provided that the student meets certain academic criteria. We begin notifying students of scholarship awards in December. UST also offers scholarships depending on academic merits and fields of study the student is planning to pursue. As a Division III institution, St. Thomas is prohibited by NCAA regulations from offering athletic scholarships.

Student employment positions are posted online (www.stthomas.edu/jobsatust) beginning in late July-early August. Students are responsible for finding a job that fits with their class schedule and following up on any submitted applications. An offer of student employment gives students an opportunity to look for a job on campus. It is not a guarantee of employment or funds. The average hourly wage for student employment is $7.25. On average, students work 10 to 12 hours per week during the school year.

When parents are divorced the student will include only one biological parent's information on his/her FAFSA. The student should include information about the parent who he/she lives with. If that parent is remarried, the income and other information of the stepparent is also required to be included on the FAFSA. If residence is split equally, the student should include information about the parent who provides most of his/her support. Contact your financial aid counselor with any questions.

UST’s school code is 002345. This code must be included on a student's FAFSA for St. Thomas to receive the results.

For the 2012-13 academic year, the cost of attending St. Thomas includes:

Tuition: $1,032.50 per credit - Most students pay $33,040 for the year.
Fees:  $747
Room (average): $5,546
Board (average): $3,232
Personal Expenses (average): $4,085

Total cost is around $46,650. This includes tuition, fees, room, board, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Students requiring financial assistance must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), found at www.fafsa.gov. St. Thomas does not require a separate application for institutional financial aid. The St. Thomas federal FAFSA code is 002345.

The priority date at St. Thomas is April 1. Students who have a complete financial aid file by this date will receive maximum consideration from all aid programs. After April 1, the financial aid office cannot guarantee that all aid opportunities will still be available.

Scholarships, grants, student employment, and student loans. Eligibility for all need-based sources of aid is determined by the FAFSA.

• Scholarships (merit-based) -- gift aid, no repayment required
• Grants (need-based) -- gift aid, no repayment required
• Student Employment -- self-help aid, funds are paid as they are earned
• Student Loans -- self-help aid, funds are borrowed and must be repaid after graduation

The FAFSA determines your dependency status as part of your application for aid. An undergraduate student will always be considered a dependent of their parent(s) unless he/she is:

• 24 years old before the first filing date for that academic year’s FAFSA;
• pursuing a graduate degree or certificate (NOT teacher licensure);
• married at the time the FAFSA is filed;
• providing more than half of the financial support for a dependent (other than a spouse) and will continue to provide that support from July 1 to June 30 of the upcoming academic year;
• a veteran of the armed forces; or
• an orphan or a ward of the court until age 18.

There are additional provisions pertaining to homeless youth, emancipated minors and legal guardianship. Contact your financial aid counselor for those details.