College of Saint Mary offers a variety of student financial assistance.  Scholarships, grants, loans and work-study are available individually or in combinations to assist with the cost of attending College of Saint Mary. 

CSM participates in the Department of Education's Campus-Based Programs, which include Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program, Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program, and Federal Perkins Loan Program.  Because funds are limited, the earlier an eligible student applies, the more likely she is to receive available campus-based aid. 

Students who receive outside scholarships, veteran benefits, vocational rehabilitation or any other outside assistance should inform the College as early as possible.  It is important that Financial Aid be notified of outside assistance, as it will be considered in the financial aid process.  Under no circumstances may a student's total aid awarded exceed the total cost of attendance.    

  

Students who are interested in applying for financial assistance must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year so that need may be reviewed annually.  Be sure to include our school code 002540 on your FAFSA. 

  

CSM Institutional Scholarships:  Qualified, full-time, undergraduate students (both high school and transfer) may be eligible to receive College of Saint Mary funded scholarships.  Academic scholarships are awarded to eligible students upon acceptance to the College.    

 

Athletic Scholarships:  Students who excel in basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, or volleyball may receive a scholarship in that sport.  These scholarships are determined by both athletic talent as well as the teams' need for players and are awarded on an annual basis. 

  

CSM Student ACE (Affordable College Education) Program:  Beginning fall 2008, new full-time undergraduate students can have all of their interest on Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans paid by College of Saint Mary while they maintain full-time enrollment at CSM.  More information on Student ACE Program  

 

CSM Parent ACE (Affordable College Education) Program:  Beginning fall 2008, the parents of new full-time dependent undergraduate students can borrow up to a maximum of $60,000 ($15,000 per year) in Federal PLUS Loans, for which the college will pay the interest while the student maintains full-time enrollment at CSM.  More information on Parent ACE Program  

  

FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS:  Federal and State Grants are awarded based first and foremost on financial need.  These grants are considered gift aid and do not need to be repaid.  The amount you receive depends on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. 

  

Federal Pell Grant is awarded according to rules set by Federal law.  If a student meets these specific requirements, she will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant. 

  

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.  Federal Pell grant recipients receive priority.  Funds are limited. 

  

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is awarded to full-time, Pell eligible, undergraduate students who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education.  This grant provides up to $750 for the first year of study and up to $1300 for the second year. 

More information on ACG  

 

Federal National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) is awarded to full-time, Pell eligible, undergraduate students who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.  This grant provides up to $4000 for each of the third and fourth years of study. 

More information on SMART  

 

Nebraska State Grant (NSG) is also awarded to Pell eligible undergraduate students based on financial need.  Students must be a resident of Nebraska.  Funds are limited. 

  

Federal Work-Study Program: provides part-time on campus employment while enrolled in school.  Full time students are awarded work-study based on financial need.  Keep in mind that the dollar amount listed for work-study on your award letter does not become actual money until you work the hours and receive a paycheck.  Funds are limited. 

  

Federal Perkins Loan: is borrowed money that must be repaid.  Loans are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.  A student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester.  This is a low interest loan funded by the federal government and must be repaid.  Interest accrues and repayment begins nine months after the student drops below half time or graduates/leaves school.  The interest rate is a fixed 5%. Funds are limited. 

  

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOANS: Student loans are borrowed money that must be repaid.  Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students can qualify.  A student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester to be eligible for a Stafford loan.  These loans are not credit based.  Amounts are determined by grade level and the type of degree you are seeking. 

Repayment begins six months after the student drops below half time or graduates/leaves school.  Stafford loans come in two forms: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. 

  

Subsidized Stafford Loans are awarded to students based on financial need.  The US Department of Education pays the interest while the student is in school at least half-time.    

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not need based.  Interest accrues on this loan immediately and students are encouraged to make the interest payments while in school, but it is not required. 

  

Federal PLUS Loans: are for PARENTS of a dependent undergraduate student.  They are credit-based, non-need based, lower interest loans that must be repaid.  A student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester for the parent to be eligible to borrow a PLUS loan.  There is no grace period and repayment typically begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.  **These payments may be deferred by requesting a forbearance (interest continues to accrue).  Contact your lender for details.    

  

Nursing Loans:  Loans are available to CSM nursing students. Loans are awarded to qualified full-time students that show financial need.  Interest accrues and repayment begins six months after the student drops below half time or graduates/leaves school.  The interest rate is a fixed 5%. Funds are limited. 

  

CSM Institutional Grant:  This grant is awarded to qualified full-time students with great financial need.  The grant does not have to be repaid.    

  

Alternative Loans:  These are credit-based loans that students may apply for from private lenders.  A student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester to borrow an alternative loan.  The loan amount is subject to Cost of Attendance limits. Payments deferred until after the student graduates.  Questions to ask when comparing alternative loans. 

  

Outside scholarships:  Always look for opportunities to apply for scholarships.  Some scholarships are not necessarily distributed through College of Saint Mary.  Be sure to check the following locations for outside scholarship information:  Small waiting area outside of the Express Center and Online Resources. 

  

Veteran benefits:  College of Saint Mary is approved for the training of veterans and their dependents.  More detailed information about this program visit www.gibill.va.gov.  Any student who is eligible for financial assistance from the Department of Veterans' Affairs should contact the Registrar's Office.    

  

ROTC:  Reserve officer training scholarships are available through the Army, Air Force, and Navy.  Military scholarship recipients will have a service obligation in either the reserves or active duty after graduating from college.  For further information about these programs, please select the following links: 

Army      Air Force  

  

Vocational rehabilitation programs:  The Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration provides grants to state vocational rehabilitation agencies to help individuals with disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently.  State vocational rehabilitation agencies are listed in the state government section of the telephone book.    

  

AmeriCorps:  National and community service program that provides funding for education.  Individuals may work before, during, or after their postsecondary education and can use the funds either to pay current or future education expenses or to repay federal student loans.  Participants must be at least 17 and be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents.  For more information go to www.americorps.org.  

  

Job training:  The U.S. Department of Labor administers the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) through the states.  Participants have access to preparation for postsecondary education and/or job training.  For a list of state WIA contacts or for general information, visit www.doleta.gov/usworkforce.  

  

Health professions:  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers several programs for undergraduate students.  For more information on financial aid programs administered by HHS visit www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa.