Your Financial Award

We’re Here to Guide You on Your Financing Options and Obligations

The Saint Michael’s Student Financial Services staff is available to assist you in understanding your financial aid award and navigating the college financing process. Below you will find answers to common questions and information about the financial aid that may be included in your award and other sources of financial aid and financing options. We encourage you to contact us with any questions by email or by calling 802.654.3243.

Financial Aid Resource Guide

Receiving Your Financial Aid Award

Applicants for Fall 2024 admission will receive merit scholarship awards with their notice of admission. Need-based financial aid is considered after admission and as soon as the college has your current FAFSA. This includes consideration of your eligibility for need-based Saint Michael’s Grants, federal grants, federal loans, and work-study. You will be notified via email and text when your award is available for review, and then a print version with supporting documentation will be sent shortly after the award becomes available. If you have not yet submitted your FAFSA, we highly encourage you to do so at studentaid.gov, adding Saint Michael’s school code 003694.

Financial aid awards for continuing Saint Michael’s students will be available online in the Summer of 2024. You will be notified by email at your Saint Michael’s email address.

Tentative Financial Aid Award

In some cases, a student’s FAFSA can be selected for a process called ‘Verification’, where additional information or documentation is required to verify aid eligibility and finalize your financial aid award. Don’t be alarmed if you’re selected, you didn’t do anything wrong, this happens randomly by the Department of Education.

Applicants for Fall 2024 admission who are required to submit additional documentation will receive a tentative financial aid award for planning purposes. Students are notified by email for any information and documentation required and required documents are also listed on the financial aid award letter. Need-based financial aid (including grants, loans, and work-study) may change if any updates are made to the FAFSA based on a review of the information provided. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in non-disbursement of federal aid and may result in a balance owed and/or holds on the student’s account. Additional insight into Verification can be found here.

Understanding Your Award

Your financial aid award may include several types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.

Merit Scholarships
  • Merit scholarships do not require repayment and are awarded in recognition of academic and personal achievement. Saint Michael’s merit scholarships are awarded for a total of 8 semesters or until graduation, whichever comes first, and are renewed automatically, provided you remain enrolled full-time in good standing.
  • Students participating in a 3+2 program are eligible to receive Saint Michael’s merit scholarships for a total of 3 years/6 semesters.
  • Saint Michael’s merit scholarship may not be applied toward summer or winter session courses and may be adjusted if students are eligible for tuition remission, tuition exchange, VA/military tuition benefits, or other tuition benefits.
  • 75% of a student’s merit scholarship may be applied toward an approved study abroad program, limited to one semester abroad.
  • Learn more about Saint Michael’s merit scholarships.
Federal Pell Grant
  • The government determines Federal Pell Grants. These are subject to change if federal budgets change.
  • Federal Pell Grants are awarded based on financial need, which is determined by the information on the FAFSA, and do not require repayment.
  • Awards are made based on a schedule set by the U.S. Department of Education and financial need.
  • Federal Pell Grant eligibility is re-evaluated annually, and if any corrections are made to your current year FAFSA.
  • You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for Federal Pell Grant funds.
  • Learn more about the Federal Pell Grant on the studentaid.gov website.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Federal SEOG funds are awarded from federal funds to students with the highest level of financial need based on the FAFSA.
  • Federal SEOG funds do not require repayment.
  • Federal SEOG eligibility is re-evaluated annually, and if any corrections are made to your current year FAFSA.
  • You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for Federal SEOG funds.
  • Learn more about the Federal SEOG program on the studentaid.gov website.
Saint Michael’s Edmundite Grant
  • The Edmundite Grant is a need-based grant awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA, other financial resources such as federal and state grants, and academic merit.
  • Learn more about the Edmundite Grant
State Grants
  • If you are a Vermont resident, your award may include an estimated Vermont State Grant.
    • You must apply separately for a Vermont State Grant with VSAC.
    • VSAC will determine your Vermont Grant eligibility and will notify you and St. Mike’s.
    • Vermont Grant funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; if you haven’t applied yet, apply now!
  • If you are an out-of-state resident, check with your state’s Higher Education Agency for grant opportunities!
Federal Student Loans
  • Your financial aid award may include Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Student Loans.
  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans require repayment beginning six months after you graduate or fall below half-time status.
  • Learn more about Federal Student Loans
Student Employment
  • Your financial aid award may include need-based student employment (Federal College Work-Study or Student Employment)
  • You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for work-study and student employment awards.
  • Learn more about student employment.
Additional Loan Options
  • The Federal Parent PLUS Loan allows a dependent student’s parent(s) to borrow amounts not covered by student financial aid, up to the cost of attendance.
  • Private student loans may be available to cover amounts not covered by student financial aid, up to the cost of attendance.
  • The Monthly Payment Plan allows you to spread college costs over 4 or 5 monthly installments.
Payment Plans

Saint Michael’s College offers the option of a monthly payment plan. These allow families to spread out their semester bill over time, with their choice of either a 5-month plan or a 4-month plan. Learn more about payment options here.

Questions?

We encourage you to contact us with any questions by email or by calling 802.654.3243.