资助你的研究生教育

As you consider investing in your future with a master’s degree, covering the cost of graduate school is a big part of your decision. 不要犹豫，申请圣. 爱德华的，因为你觉得太贵了. Our Student Financial Services advisors can help you navigate funding resources and make a plan. Here are 9 things to know and do as you explore your options.

1. 制定融资策略

圣. 爱德华的 fund their education with a combination of loans, savings and income. If you decide to take out a loan, begin by developing a budget. 帮助你做计划, your Student Financial Services advisor can give you a breakdown of your program’s anticipated costs. Borrow only what you need to cover your education expenses. And make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the loan.

2. 首先看看联邦贷款

这些低息, fixed-rate loans generally offer better terms and rates than private loans and should be your first choice for aid. The following are available to graduate students (U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens) who meet federal eligibility criteria.  

直接无补贴(斯塔福德)贷款

最高可提供20美元,500 per year with a maximum lifetime amount of $138,500, including what you may have borrowed for undergraduate college expenses, 而且不需要信用检查.

毕业生直接贷款

提供出席的总费用, 减去你收到的任何其他学生资助, 而且需要信用检查或者联署人.

3. 提交FAFSA -越快越好

Federal loans require that you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually to determine your eligibility. 在你的FAFSA被成功处理后, the Department of Education will send the results to you and St. 爱德华在两到四天内. 一旦你被圣. 我们已经收到了你的FAFSA成绩, you’ll receive a financial-aid award notice from us within a few days.

4. 了解联邦贷款是如何分配的

联邦贷款借款限额每年夏天都会重新设定, and the amount is split evenly between the semesters (summer, 秋天, 春季)你参加每个学年. If you begin your program in 秋天, your annual loan amount will be split in half the first year. If you start in summer, it will be split in thirds.

5. 为你的贷款保持良好信誉

To remain eligible for your federal loan, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, successfully complete 75% of your courses each academic year, and take at least 4.每学期5个学分. 如果低于4.5小时后，你就要开始偿还贷款了.

6. 明确贷款偿还条款

Repayment of federal loans is deferred while you’re enrolled in your program at least half-time and begins six months after graduation. It’s important to realize that the interest on federal loans for graduate students is not subsidized; interest accrues from the day the loan is disbursed until fully repaid.

7. 查看其他资金来源

以下是可供考虑的其他融资方案:

私人教育贷款

可通过银行获得的私人贷款, credits unions and other financial institutions are another option. They require a credit check or cosigner and often have higher interest rates and less flexible payback terms than federal loans. 如果你选择走他的路，圣. 爱德华的 can supply a list of recommended loan providers to pursue.

奖学金及助学金

尽管圣. 爱德华大学不提供奖学金, grants or work-study programs for graduate students, outside scholarships and grants may be available through other groups, 比如地基, businesses and community or religious organizations. Our financial services advisors can provide you with a list of scholarship and grant resources for your specific degree program.

雇主学费福利

If your master’s degree will enhance the skills you bring to your job, it’s worth checking with your employer about providing tuition assistance to cover all or a portion of your tuition. You can receive up to $5,250 in tax-free employer education assistance each year.

退伍军人援助计划

如果你是一名美国退伍军人.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible to use your VA Educational Benefits at St. 爱德华的. Our Veteran Affairs office can help determine your eligibility and answer any questions you have.

8. 利用教育税收优惠

Educational tax deductions can help offset the costs of your degree by reducing your income tax. 不要忽视他们! 例如, you can take a tax deduction for the interest paid on your student loans, 最高2美元,每年500英镑. And the government’s Lifetime Learning Credit allows you to claim 最高2美元,每年的学费和杂费, 书, 供应, 设备, 还有上学需要的里程数.

9. 了解学费的支付方式

你在圣. 爱德华的 can be made in one lump sum at the beginning of each semester or in four monthly installments throughout the semester. 贷款, scholarship and veteran assistance money is sent directly to the university to pay tuition and fees. Whatever is left over is reimbursed to you for remaining expenses. 如果你有雇主的学费补助, you can arrange to be reimbursed by your employer for the amount they agree to pay, 或圣. 爱德华的 can bill your employer for that amount at the start of each semester.