These Frequently Asked Questions are general in nature and each student will be treated individually.
1. How do I qualify for the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access?
To qualify for the Scholarship for Access, you must:
• be an entering freshman in the fall of 2008;
• have a parental adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less
(AGI is the figure from 2007 IRS form 1040 line 37 or 1040A line 21);
• be a dependent of parent(s);
• be a “B” student
(3.0/4.0 GPA or the equivalent as determined by your high school);
• file a FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• apply for appropriate governmental grants
(including PELL, the Minnesota State Grant, etc.); and
• live on campus or be enrolled in an approved study abroad program.
2. Am I eligible for the Scholarship for Access if my family's Adjusted Gross Income is over $75,000?
3. Are transfer or re-admit students eligible for the Scholarship for Access?
No. This program is for freshmen only; however, most transfer students do receive academic scholarships and/or need-based grants.
4. Can I get this guarantee if I've accumulated AP, IB, PACC or CLEP credits, or have participated in
PSEO or other dual-enrollment programs?
Yes. You are still considered a first-year freshman and thus are eligible.
5. What does 'B' average mean?
3.0/4.0 scale, or the equivalent on other scales.
If you have less than a B average and are accepted for admission, you are still eligible for all need-based grants and some of Saint Mary’s scholarship programs.
6. If I qualify for this, can I qualify for additional aid?
Yes! It’s important to understand that the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access establishes a minimum level of scholarship and grant assistance. Most students who qualify for this program will receive additional scholarships based on their academic ability and/or financial background. We will determine those additional awards on an individual basis.
7. Is this program renewable?
Yes! The Scholarship for Access is renewable for three additional, consecutive years for undergraduate study at the Winona Campus by maintaining a 3.0 SMU GPA, and having a parental AGI of $75,000 or less. You must also be a campus resident and a good student-citizen while enrolled, which means you may not be placed on academic or disciplinary probation.
8. I'm a current SMU student – can I qualify for this?
All current students are covered by the scholarship and financial aid programs in place when they entered Saint Mary’s. This program starts with freshmen students entering in the fall of 2008. However, current and transfer students can inquire about other financial aid. We will do everything in our power to make Saint Mary’s affordable for every student.
9. What happens if I don't maintain a 3.0 GPA?
You would continue to receive all need-based grants and other scholarships based on the renewal criteria for those programs.
10. What if I bring my GPA back up?
SMU would reinstate the guarantee for subsequent semesters.
11. What if my family's AGI changes and rises above $75,000?
Unfortunately, you would no longer meet the requirements to maintain this guarantee. However, you would continue to receive all need-based grants and other scholarships based on the renewal criteria for those programs.
12. How are other government grants treated that I might already qualify for?
Government grants are included as part of the guarantee -- and in nearly all cases will result in your paying even LESS than the cost of the U of M.
13. What if I qualify for outside scholarships?
Other outside scholarships do not affect your grant and scholarship awards from SMU.
14. If I don't qualify this year due to income, but do qualify next year, can I get this guarantee then?
No, this program is only for incoming freshmen, and SMU would still give other qualifying aid.
15. I don't live in Minnesota – can I qualify for this guarantee?
Absolutely. This program is not restricted to just Minnesota students!
16. Are International Students eligible?
No, this is only for U.S. Citizens. However, we do have a scholarship specifically for International Students! Check online for more information: www.smumn.edu/international
17. Why is the cost comparable to the U of M and not some other school?
SMU is located in Minnesota, and the U of M is our in-state flagship university. Their costs are in the median range of other schools in the Big Ten.
18. Do I have to live on campus to retain this guarantee?
Yes. Room and Board costs are part of the program.
19. What is the actual value of the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access?
Tuition, fees, housing and meals at Saint Mary’s for next year will be $30,530. While corresponding figures for the University of Minnesota have not yet been set, we expect the minimum awards to total more than $45,000 per qualifying student over a four-year period.
20. Why is Saint Mary’s doing this?
Our decision centered around four factors:
a. Our Lasallian heritage is linked to outstanding teaching AND a commitment that the best in
education should be available to ALL students. With our freshman class increasing by more
than 20% last year and our applications for fall 2008 at record levels, concerns have been
expressed that we may move away from both our mission and our traditional constituencies.
This program ensures that we will continue to be financially accessible to students from
ALL financial backgrounds.
b. Two things are clear about the college search process. First, the rapid escalation of college
costs at both public and private institutions has elevated the concern that too many families
are being priced out of a high-quality education. Second, the college search is happening
earlier than ever before. Students and their families have a right to expect information related
to costs and financial aid earlier than it is traditionally available in the spring of the senior year.
The Scholarship for Access provides that information and we hope it enables students to
consider a full range of public and private college options.
c. Many people recognize the University of Minnesota for providing the quality of education
they can afford. With the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, students can
benefit from Saint Mary's smaller classes, close personal attention from full-time professors,
the advantages of community involvement and the likelihood of graduating in four years.
We think students should be able to make this choice regardless of their family financial
background.
d. We’re doing this because we SHOULD. We’re also doing this because we CAN.
Saint Mary’s has generous alumni whose giving makes this possible. Just as important,
Saint Mary’s cost for tuition, fees, housing and meals remains thousands of dollars lower
than comparable Catholic and other private colleges in Minnesota and the Midwest.
21. How can I get more information about this or other Saint Mary's programs?
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