Two Students on campus working on laptops together

Learn about Financial Aid and Funding for Graduate Programs

We know your financial aid award may be one of many important factors when deciding if you will attend St. Mary’s University. We also know that getting a quality college education and advanced degree is an investment in your future.

Studies show that attending a private, Catholic institution offers students a significant return on investment (ROI), and the cost of attending St. Mary’s is priced below the average for top-rated independent regional universities.

The Office of Financial Assistance is here to support you and help you navigate your financial aid options as a graduate student.

cost of attendance
tuition and fees
#1
University in the West for Best Value (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)
icon of diploma
Top 15%
Best value nationwide (2021)

  • Remember to submit your FAFSA®!

    Did you know the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for is not just for undergraduates? Graduate students may be eligible for federal student loans, a form of self-help aid requiring repayment. Your financial aid award represents the type of financial assistance you are eligible to receive based on information supplied on the FAFSA®, so we encourage you to submit the form each year.

    The St. Mary’s University school code 003623.

    Submit your FAFSA®

    Changes have been made to the 2024-2025 FAFSA®. The new FAFSA® features fewer questions and retrieves tax information using a direct data exchange from the IRS instead of the previous IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Review 2024-2025 FAFSA® Simplification changes.

St. Mary's University

After graduating from [the English Literature and Language graduate] program, my internship offered me a part-time position, which eventually led to the creation of my current full-time position. … Everything has been transferable and has allowed me to have that much more of an edge in my professional career.”

Gabriella Gonzalez Rodriguez (B.A. ’21, M.A. ’22)

Graduate Financial Aid Checklist

Applying for financial aid and accepting a financial aid award offer is easy. Should you have any questions regarding the process, contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 210-436-3141 or finaid@stmarytx.edu.

Need to submit an additional financial aid form? Visit the Financial Aid Forms page for more information.

Step 1

Submit the FAFSA®

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) using St. Mary’s University school code 003623.

Submit your FAFSA®

Step 2

Review your Financial Aid and Award

After completing the Enrollment Confirmation Form through the application portal, you can then review your financial aid award by logging into Gateway, the University portal, with the credentials you received.

To review your financial aid award:

  1. Access Gateway using your St. Mary’s University credentials.
  2. On the home page, click the Students button.
  3. Click the Financial Aid button. The Gateway Self-Service area will open in a new tab.
  4. Select Award, then View Award Offer.
  5. Select the appropriate academic year and hit the Submit button.
  6. Tabs will specify details on each award.

Step 3

Accept your Financial Aid Award

Accepting your financial aid award is an easy process:

  1. Access Gateway using your St. Mary’s University credentials.
  2. On the home page, click the Students button.
  3. Click the Financial Aid button. The Gateway Self-Service area will open in a new tab.
  4. Select Award, then View Award Offer.
  5. Select the appropriate academic year and hit the Submit button.
  6. Tabs will specify details on each award. To accept your award, click on Accept Award Offer.

Complete all steps below before the first day of class. Your award(s) will not be directly applied to your student account until you have accepted your award items and have completed all necessary documents.

Students who accept the Federal Direct Loan will need to complete the Unsubsidized Direct Loan requirements:

  1. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). 
  2. Complete the Entrance Counseling Session. 

Step 4

Apply for Alternative Loans (optional)

Graduate and professional students can apply for federal, state or private credit-based loans to help cover educational expenses. A student can borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) less any financial assistance received.

Alternative loan programs include:

  1. The Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students: For details and to apply, visit www.studentaid.gov.
  2. Private lenders: For information on private lenders, go to www.elmselect.com and search St. Mary’s University, or contact a Financial Assistance representative.

Before borrowing from an alternative loan program, you are encouraged to pursue all possible outside scholarship opportunities.

Step 5

Make a Plan to Pay Your Bill

You should plan for any out-of-pocket expenses. Your student bill is due by the first day of class. After all aid has been considered and accepted, students who still have a remaining balance will have two options to pay out-of-pocket expenses. 

  • Option 1: Pay out-of-pocket expenses in full by the first day of class. 
  • Option 2: Enroll in a payment plan.

For questions about the payment plan or student account balances, contact the Business Office at 210-436-3731 or businessoffice@stmarytx.edu.

Keeping Your Financial Aid Award

To be considered for federal financial assistance, you must be considered at least half-time, which is a minimum of 4 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. If your actual enrollment is different than the requirement, please notify the Office of Financial Assistance.

Once enrolled at St. Mary’s, you must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to remain eligible to receive federal student aid. The SAP requirements are:

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA (for graduate students).
  • Complete at least 67 percent of all credit hours attempted each academic year.

Renewal criteria for scholarships awarded by St. Mary’s University will be included with your scholarship offer.

If you fail to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress standards (SAP), you will be placed on Suspension.

You can appeal this suspension by writing a letter to the Appeals Committee after receiving the official notification. Please include the reason why you did not meet the minimum academic standards and state why financial aid should not be terminated. You may also include supporting documentation regarding your plan of action. Appeals must be submitted prior to established deadlines.

The Appeals Committee will review your appeal and determine whether the suspension is justified. You will be notified in writing of the final decision. If your appeal is granted, the status will be updated to Probation and you will be eligible for financial aid for the next semester. If your appeal is not approved, you may become eligible again by meeting the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

How to Appeal

Financial Aid Options for Graduate Students

Graduate and professional students can apply for federal, state or private credit-based loans to help cover educational expenses. Graduate students are encouraged to seek out gift aid and benefits, such as scholarships and tuition assistance.

The Unsubsidized Direct Loan is offered at a fixed interest rate, and interest accrues on the loan while the student is in school. Students may borrow Unsubsidized Direct Loans up to the academic-year limit of $20,500. More information can be found at www.studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Loan

Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college or career school. More information can be found at www.studentaid.gov.

Direct PLUS Loan

For information on private lenders, go to www.elmselect.com and search St. Mary’s University, or contact a Financial Assistance representative.

Private Lenders

Military, dependents of military members, and Department of Defense employees may be eligible for a tuition discount.

Some employers may offer tuition assistance to their employees. Check with your employer to see if you are eligible for tuition assistance for graduate education.

Tuition Discount or Assistance

Graduate assistantships are offered each academic year beginning in the fall semester and ending the following spring semester. Students awarded a graduate assistantship must enroll in a minimum of 6 hours each semester. The number of assistantships is limited. The amount of the stipend is announced annually.

Graduate assistantships will be posted each semester on the Virtual Career Center.

Graduate Assistantships

The Title V Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Program Grant was awarded in 2014 to St. Mary’s University, a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), by the U.S. Department of Education to expand and enhance its offerings to graduate students. The Title V, Part B Program (or PPOHA-BRAVO), will help fund scholarships, assistantships, fellowships and internships for graduate students admitted to St. Mary’s University.

PPOHA-BRAVO Grant

Additional Financial Aid Resources

  • Questions?

    For any questions you have regarding graduate financial aid, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you.

    Office of Financial Assistance
    St. Louis Hall, Room 301

    210-436-3141
    finaid@stmarytx.edu

    Office of Graduate Admission
    Chaminade Tower

    210-436-3126
    graduate@stmarytx.edu

Back to top