Financial Aid

The university offers two forms of financial support:

1. A limited number of fellowships, scholarships, and research assistanceships awarded on a competitive basis.
2. Loans, both need-based and non need-based.

FELLOWSHIPS:

Fellowships are awarded each year on a competitive basis to full-time students (3 courses per semester) of exceptional talent and promise. These fellowships carry a waiver of tuition and a stipend of $4000 per semester. The criteria for fellowship applications are:

• An outstanding GPA, verified by official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate studies, sent directly to the Catholic Studies Graduate Office.
• A distinguished writing sample of 10-12 pages that demonstrates superior research, critical thinking, and writing abilities.
• Three especially strong letters of recommendation from college professors that address the applicant's past academic performance as well as potential for future achievement.
• A short statement of no more than 500 words explaining why you should be considered for a fellowship.  The statement should provide us with some evidence of your past academic or professional accomplishments (for example, scholarships and awards); it should speak to your strengths for undertaking the CSMA program; and finally it should present as clearly and precisely as possible your goals beyond the CMSA degree and how you see the CMSA as a means to those goals.

Fellowship students must maintain a 3.5 GPA each semester. Applications for fellowships are due on March 1.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Dean’s Scholarships
A limited number of Dean’s Scholarships provide tuition assistance for students who enroll as degree seeking students in the program.  Dean’s Scholarships are administered by the Catholic Studies MA Program and are awarded on the basis of need.  Those wishing to be considered for a Dean’s Scholarship must file a FAFSA with the University of St. Thomas.  These scholarships may be renewed annually pending availability of funds.  For further information, please contact Dr. Boyle.

Scholarships for Teachers
Scholarships for Teachers provide tuition assistance for current primary and secondary lay teachers who enroll as degree seeking students in the program.  Scholarships for Teachers are administered by the Catholic Studies MA Program and are awarded on the basis of need.  Those wishing to be considered for this Scholarship must file a FAFSA with the University of St. Thomas. These scholarships may be renewed annually pending availability of funds.  For further information, please contact Dr. Boyle.

Cooperative Scholarship Program for Teachers
The Cooperative Scholarship Program is a program available to primary and secondary schools.  Teachers at cooperating schools, upon admission to the CSMA program, may be named by their school as a recipient of a Cooperative Scholarship. The CSMA program would cover one third of the tuition, the sponsoring school would cover one third, and the student would cover the remaining third. These scholarships are intended primarily for students in the summer program.  Cooperative scholarships may be renewed annually pending availability of funds.  For further information, please contact Dr. Boyle.

RESEARCH ASSISTANCESHIPS:

Research assistanceships allow graduate students to work with faculty members on scholarly projects. They are designed to offer students a specific learning experience and to help faculty members accomplish necessary tasks related to their research. The research assistant might aid the faculty member by researching sources in the library or on the Internet, collecting and summarizing research materials, preparing materials for and communicating with publishers, or other such work.

Only degree-seeking students in satisfactory academic standing and without any outstanding Incompletes on their record may work as assistants. Students holding full-time fellowships are ineligible. Research assistantships are for one semester and carry a stipend of $1500, paid at the end of the work. Depending on funding, several research assistantships may be offered during an academic year.

STUDENT GRANTS and LOANS:

For information about additional scholarships, grants, student loans and other resources available to graduate students, please visit Graduate Financial Aid

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VETERANS:

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for a full tuition scholarship through the MN GI Bill and the Chapter 33/Yellow Ribbon Program.

The University of St. Thomas admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.