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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Undergraduate Bulletin Table of Contents

Financial Aid Office

106 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUILDING/308-2047

Financial Need

Several federal, state, and university aid programs exist to help St. Cloud State University students. Most aid programs require that the student demonstrate financial need. The family, including the student, is expected to make a realistic effort to contribute toward the cost of the student's education. Financial need is the difference between the university's cost of attendance and the expected contribution from the family's resources. Many scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence or talent and do not require that the student demonstrate financial need in order to qualify. Loans not based on need are also available.

Types of Financial Aid

There are three basic types of aid and students may receive a combination of these types to meet their financial need.

Gift aid is money that does not have to be repaid. This includes grants and scholarships.
Work aid is money that is earned through on- and off-campus employment.
Loan aid is money that is borrowed in the form of long- and short-term loans and must be repaid.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

  1. Apply for admission early, preferably in the fall of your senior year in high school.
  2. Find out from your high school counselor and college admissions office what scholarships you may be eligible to apply for. Submit applications before the deadlines.
  3. Prepare tax returns as soon as possible after January 1.
  4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
  5. Complete and mail the St. Cloud State University financial aid application to the SCSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid along with the required tax documents. This form is available online at www.stcloudstate.edu/financialaid.

To obtain additional information or application materials, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, 106 Administrative Services Bldg., St. Cloud State University, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498. Phone: (320)308-2047; E-mail: financialaid@stcloudstate.edu.

Financial aid officers are available to consult with students and/or parents regarding financial aid matters. The office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Summer Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.