| SCHOLARSHIPS |
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Scholarships are generally based on academic performance or potential.
Grades, standardized test scores, a writing sample and an interview may
be required as part of the scholarship process. Scholarship programs,
especially those administered by outside organizations, may also look at
factors such as an applicant's academic program, ethnic/racial
background, and home state or region. See scholarship opportunities below. |
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| ASSISTANTSHIPS |
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Assistantships provide a waiver of tuition in exchange for a specified
amount of work on campus. Grad assistants are utilized by a variety of
departments around campus. Grades, GRE/GMAT scores, an
additional recommendation, a writing sample and an interview may be
required as part of the assistantship application process. Click grad assistantships on the left hand navigation menu for more information. |
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| LOANS |
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There are a variety of loan programs through which students may borrow
for graduate study. Keep in mind that a loan is financial aid that must
be repaid. See loan opportunities below. |
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| OTHER OPTIONS |
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Work New York State Programs Other sources of aid |
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St. Bonaventure University Grants
(The awards listed below cannot be combined)
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| AmeriCorps Matching Grant |
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AmeriCorps volunteers accrue educational
benefits (Segal Education Awards) that may be used for graduate study,
up to approximately $5,550 per year of service of full-time service. SBU
will match this educational award - the
first college in Western New York to do so.
St. Bonaventure will match this award
completely for graduate programs up to 38 hours in length. The
University will match 75% of two $5,550 awards for grad programs 39-51
hours in length and will match two awards in full for students in the 60
hour mental health counseling program.
Proof of Segal Education Award
eligibility can be provided through a copy of the award certificate or a
letter from the applicant's AmeriCorps program manager.
The AmeriCorps Education Award cannot be combined with other SBU-based graduate aid programs.
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| Dean's Graduate Scholarship |
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Starting in the summer of 2013, the DGS will be awarded by school or by program, with each having its own criteria and award amounts. To complete the application, please go to the Forms and Documents page and download the form. Early application is encouraged, as funds may run out.
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| Franciscan Mission Grant |
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Employees of Catholic schools and
organizations will receive a 30% tuition discount for graduate study.
Awards will be made on a program space-available basis and all part- or
full-time personnel are eligible. To confirm eligibility, applicants
should provide a letter (on organizational letterhead) from a supervisor
or human resource officer. This cannot be combined with other SBU-based
graduate aid.
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| Buffalo Schools |
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Teachers and staff at public (including
charters) and private schools in the city of Buffalo, NY, receive a 20%
tuition discount. No application is required; eligible persons are
required to have their school provide a letter confirming employment.
This discount cannot be combined with other SBU grants or scholarships.
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Loan Programs
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| Federal Direct Stafford Loans for graduate students |
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The Federal Direct Loan program allows
graduate students to borrow up to $20,500 a year without demonstrating
financial need. Applicants must file the FAFSA (note: grad students file
as independent) and SBU's Student Loan Request Form to receive the
loan. Starting in July 2012, new Graduate Stafford loans are not
eligible for subsidized interest. This means that interest on the loan
principal will accrue while the grad student is enrolled. The exception
to this is that students pursuing a program leading to state-issued
teacher certification may receive an interest subsidy. The interest rate
on the Graduate Stafford loan is 6.8% at this time.
Loan repayment begins six months after the borrower ceases study or drops below half-time status.
Stafford Loan proceeds are
paid through a student’s school in two or more installments, and are
first applied against tuition and fees, room, board and related school
charges. If loan money is left over, this is refunded to the student.
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| Federal Direct PLUS Loans for graduate students |
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Students may borrow up to the total amount needed to pay
for graduate school tuition, room and board (on campus or off campus)
books, fees and other educational expenses - less any pending financial
aid. Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) and apply for their maximum Federal Direct Loans before
the Federal Direct PLUS Loan can be borrowed. Most applicants are
eligible for the PLUS – note that a basic credit check is required for
this loan.
PLUS Loan funds are disbursed directly to a student’s
school, which will apply the funds directly toward tuition, room, board,
fees and other expenses. Any remaining money will be conveyed to the
student. PLUS repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement of
funds, with terms extending up to 10 years. The fixed interest rate is
8.5 percent. Most lenders will defer the PLUS while students are in
school. Students must check directly with their lender about in-school
deferment. |
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| Perkins Loan |
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The Perkins Loan is a federal aid program, managed by the financial aid office at St. Bonaventure University. |
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| Loan Forgiveness |
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The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2669), signed into law
last fall, provides loan forgiveness options and income-based repayment
for those with educational loan debt opting for careers in the public
sector (most non-profit settings). To learn more about this new program,
check out the NASFAA website. |
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| Alternative Loans |
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There are a variety of alternative loan programs offered by banks and
other lenders. Alternative loan funds are disbursed directly to a
student's school, which will apply the funds directly toward tuition,
room, board, fees and other expenses. Any remaining money will be
refunded to the student. Alternative loans have a variable interest
rate, and interest starts accruing immediately after disbursement. St.
Bonaventure urges students to use the Stafford and PLUS loans as first
options, to borrow conservatively, and to examine all loans carefully to
make sure that terms and conditions are clearly understood. |
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Opportunities for work
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| Federal Work-Study (need based) |
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Students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled in a degree
program and taking at least six (6) credit hours may be eligible for
Work-Study (usually campus-based) employment. FWS earnings are not
subtracted from a student's account as other aid is, but are instead
paid directly to the student. FWS is a federally funded aid program. |
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| Graduate Student Work Program |
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The Graduate Student Work Program operates very much like FWS employment described
above, except that the BWP is funded by the University, not the federal
government. Students under this program are $12 per hour for work in certain campus offices and positions. |
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New York state programs
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| New York State Math & Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship (Go to website) |
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Students in SBU's Adolescence Education
graduate program preparing to teach grades 7 - 12 math or science may be
eligible for this grant, which provides a grant equal to SUNY tuition ($5570 in the 12-13 school year) for one year of graduate study. The award does carry a service
requirement. This may not be combined with the TEACH grant described
below, per NY State guidelines.
General financial aid info is available from www.hesc.com. |
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Other sources of aid
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| American Indian Graduate Center |
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Native American applicants should check out the possibilities described on the American Indian Graduate Center website. |
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| Community and Civic Organizations |
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While most community-based scholarship programs are
geared toward undergraduate students, some may support graduate
students. A local high school guidance counselor can be a good source of
information on this. It’s also wise to explore the websites of area
community foundations. Search for foundations here. |
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| Employer Tuition Benefits |
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Some employers have tuition reimbursement plans for
staff who pursue additional schooling. Department managers and human
resource officers are the best sources of information. |
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| Hispanic Scholarship Fund (Go to website ) |
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A scholarship program for students of Hispanic heritage. Awards range from $1,000-$5,000 annually. |
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| National Society of Hispanic MBAs (Go to website) |
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This organization provides scholarship support to
individuals of Hispanic heritage pursuing MBA degrees at AACSB
accredited colleges and universities (SBU has this accreditation). |
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| ROTC (Go to website) |
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ROTC scholarships are available for students pursuing
graduate study in a variety of fields. SBU’s Seneca Battalion ROTC
program is considered one of the best of its size in the country. Check
out the Seneca Battalion website and contact graduate admissions at
716-375-2429 for more information. |
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| TEACH Grant (Go to website ) |
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This federal program provides scholarships to those
preparing to teach literacy or high need subjects (math, science,
languages) in low-income school districts. As of Summer 2013, the TEACH Grant is worth $4000 per year ($2000 per semester). |
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| Troops To Teachers (Go to website) |
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Troops to Teachers provides support to qualifying military personnel who are pursuing teacher certification. |
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| USA Funds Access to Education Scholarship (Go to website) |
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This program assists undergraduate or graduate students demonstrating significant financial need. |
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| Veterans Educational Benefits (Go to website) |
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Educational benefits received through the Montgomery GI Bill may be applied toward an advanced degree. SBU is also a Yellow Ribbon school. |
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| General financial aid info is available from NYSFAA. |