Financial Aid Options 

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a federally-funded program for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Award amounts range from $767 to $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year, and are available for full-time, half-time, and less-than-half-time enrollment. Eligibility is automatically evaluated annually, based on your FAFSA results.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOG is a federally-funded program for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Award amount ranges from $100 to $4,000, depending on your financial need, when you complete your FAFSA, the amount of other aid you receive and funding appropriations. Eligibility is automatically evaluated annually, based on your FAFSA results.

Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant

The MAP Grant is a state-funded program for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are Illinois residents, attending an Illinois school. Award amounts are based on the number of credit hours for which you are enrolled (minimum of three credit hours per term) with award amounts ranging from $1,680 to $8,400 for the 2023-2024 academic year, subject to state appropriations. Eligibility is automatically evaluated annually, based on your FAFSA results.

Saint Xavier University Grant

This program is University-funded gift aid for undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. Award amounts vary depending on financial need, amount of other aid and fund availability. Eligibility is automatically evaluated annually, when FAFSA results are received.

Minority Teachers for Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

MTI is a state-funded scholarship for minority students studying to become teachers, with the goal of increasing the number of qualified minority teachers in Illinois elementary and secondary schools with minority student populations of 30% or more. Eligible applicants must be enrolled at least half time as an undergraduate or graduate student. Award amount is up to $7,500 per academic year.

The MTI Scholarship requires an application in addition to the FAFSA. For more information and to submit an application, visit ISAC's website.

Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program

ECACE is a state funded program that was created to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education. Eligible applicants must be enrolled at least half time as an undergraduate student and currently working or having worked in the early childhood field. Award can cover up to the total cost of attendance after other financial aid received.

The ECACE scholarship requires an application in addition to the FAFSA. For more information and to submit an application, visit ISAC's website.

Federal TEACH Grant

This federal program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Students must be admitted to SXU's Education Division and have a GPA of at least 3.25. Eligible students will be contacted by the Office of Financial Aid via email.

As a condition of receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach:

• in a high-need field;
• at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families;
• for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

To apply for TEACH Grant consideration, complete the TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling and the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS).

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois

This Illinois program provides grants to students of up to $2,500 at the freshman and sophomore grade levels and up to $5,000 at the junior and senior grade levels. It encourages academically talented Illinois students to pursue teaching careers in teacher shortage disciplines or at hard-to-staff schools by providing tuition assistance. Receipt of the grant entails a teaching requirement, post-graduation.

Review eligibility criteria and application details for the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program.

Grow Your Own Teachers of Illinois

Grow Your Own Teachers (GYO) is a teacher training program designed to recruit, develop, and retain teachers who are already in the community. It draws from people who are connected to the school or community but may not have considered teaching or who need (or want) additional support to enter the profession. The program may include financial support, guidance, and the promise of a job upon graduation. The amount of assistance varies between $1,000-$3,000 per semester.

For more information about the program and how to apply visit the Grow Your Own Teachers website.

Federal Direct Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, are low-interest loans for students to help meet the cost of higher education. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Direct Loans are subsidized and/or unsubsidized, depending on financial need.

Subsidized loans are for undergraduate students and are awarded based on financial need, as determined by the results of your FAFSA. The interest rate for loans borrowed for the 2024 to 2025 academic year is fixed at 6.53%, effective July 1, 2024. Repayment of the principal is deferred until six months after you graduate or cease half-time enrollment. The interest is paid by the government while you are enrolled at least half-time.

Unsubsidized loans are available to all students - undergraduate and graduate - who file the FAFSA, regardless of financial need. The interest rate for 2024 to 2025 loans is fixed at 6.53% for undergraduates as of July 1, 2024. Repayment of the principal is deferred until six months after you graduate or cease half-time enrollment. Interest accrues while enrolled. Deferment is available for interest payments.

Federal Direct loan amounts vary depending on grade level and dependency status.

Federal Work Study (FWS) is money you earn by working on campus part-time, while enrolled in school, that will help pay your educational expenses.

Wages are paid jointly by federal funds and the University. FWS earnings are not deducted from your tuition bill, unless you elect to do so. The amount you are paid from FWS is dependent upon how much you work.

To determine if you qualify to participate in Federal Work Study, review your financial aid offer in mySXU, under the Financial Aid heading in Self-Service.

Finding a Federal Work Study Job

Eligibility for, or acceptance of, this financial aid award does not guarantee employment. Browse work study job postings and apply for work online at Student Employment.

What if I don't qualify for Federal Work Study?

For students who are not awarded Federal Work Study, on-campus employment may still be available. Contact the Career Development Center at careerdevelopmentFREESXU for details.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents is a credit-based loan that parents may borrow on behalf of their dependent undergraduate students. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program to utilize this loan option.

Apply For a Federal Parent PLUS loan: to apply, the parent will Log In using their own FSA ID. If the parent applying does not yet have one, they can create an FSA ID online.

Visit the Parent PLUS loan page for more information.

Private Loans are credit-based loans, applied for through individual banks, lenders and credit unions, that help students "bridge the gap" between the financial aid they have been awarded and any additional amount they feel may be needed to help achieve their educational goals. A student, parent or other individual may be the borrower of a Private Loan, depending on the design of the loan product. Being approved for a Private Loan depends largely on the credit score of the borrower (and co-signer). With the continuation of tightened credit markets, the largely held belief is that the majority of students applying for Private Loans will need co-signers on the application in order to get approved.