Fairfield University Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide
Fairfield University, affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith, offers a suburban setting that combines the benefits of city access with a strong campus culture. While the sticker price stands at $76,940, the university is committed to making education accessible through various financial aid options, especially for international students. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs available at Fairfield University, empowering prospective international students to navigate the financial aspects of their education.
Understanding the Cost of Attendance
The sticker price at Fairfield University is $76,940. College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation and can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. It's crucial to differentiate between the sticker price, total cost, and net price. The total cost, which includes tuition, fees ($60,410), food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses, amounts to $80,510 at Fairfield University.
Fairfield University's Financial Aid Philosophy
Fairfield University is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. This commitment extends to international students, with various scholarships and grants available to help bridge the financial gap.
Need-Based Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid considers a student’s financial status. Fairfield University met 70% of its students’ financial aid need. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Fairfield University was $30,784. Additionally, 37% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023.
Pell Grants
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to.
Read also: Fairfield University Student Body Profile
Need-Based Self-Help Aid
Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $3,185.
Merit-Based Aid
Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Fairfield University - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $23,408.
External Scholarship Opportunities
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Fairfield. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. Several organizations offer scholarships and grants to students for study abroad programs and international experiences:
FEA (Fund for Education Abroad): FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs. undergraduates who are least likely to study abroad. More than 100 volunteer reviewers read applications each cycle.
Gilman Scholarship Program: The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and aims to diversity the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates whose finances may have kept them from participating otherwise.
Read also: Fairfield Career Guide
Hostelling International USA (HI USA): Hostelling International USA (HI USA) is committed to creating a more tolerant world, and these scholarships create a whole new breed of young travelers inspired to make the world a better place, but lack the financial means to go abroad.
ItaliaRail: ItaliaRail is committed to helping students study abroad in Italy-and immerse themselves in the country’s rich and dynamic culture.
The National Italian American Foundation: The National Italian American Foundation awards scholarships and grants to students who either are of Italian descent, with at least one ancestor who has emigrated from Italy, or students of any ethnic background majoring or minoring in the Italian language, Italian studies, Italian-American studies or a related field.
The District 7980 Service Above Self: The purpose of the District 7980 Service Above Self is to award students who demonstrate high levels of service activity along with scholarship excellence. Service includes work at local or international levels.
The Thomas J. Hulseman ’87 Fund for Student Global Experiential Learning: The Thomas J. Hulseman ’87 Fund for Student Global Experiential Learning provides funding for students who require financial assistance to fulfill their wish to travel to foreign countries as part of their educational experience at Fairfield. These funds are designated for semester long study abroad programs. A 2.80 GPA is the minimum requirement for this award, regardless of the GPA required for the international experience.
AIFS (American Institute For Foreign Study): AIFS recognizes the challenges today’s students face with meeting the cost of their education. We believe a study abroad experience is an essential component of a well-rounded university education and we are committed to providing financial assistance to as many students as possible in support of their goal to study abroad.
CYA (College Year in Athens): CYA aims to help as many students find options for financial assistance. Eligibility for our scholarships is based on financial need.
IAU College: IAU College offers several merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities to semester and summer students each year. All students are welcome to apply for our need-based financial aid. Students who exhibit financial need for their program will be offered SFS financial aid.
Navigating the Application Process
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Fairfield during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. At Fairfield students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision.
Understanding Loan Debt
How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. At Fairfield University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $26,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $276. Additionally, 19% of graduating students at Fairfield University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $76,096 in private loan debt at graduation. Average Total Indebtedness of Graduating Class is $41,207. Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type) 64%.
Work Opportunities
Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.
Academic Performance and Graduation Rates
84% of students who start at Fairfield University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 26% more than the national median. The median income of students 10 years after starting at Fairfield University is $88,794. Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn.
Return of Title IV Funds
The Financial Aid Office is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence before completing 60 percent of a payment period or term. Federal Title IV financial aid programs must be recalculated in these situations. You must begin enrollment in the semester to be eligible for a federal student aid disbursement. If a student leaves the institution prior to completing 60 percent of a payment period or term, the Financial Aid Office recalculates eligibility for Title IV funds. Recalculation is based on the percentage of earned aid using the following Federal Return of Title IV funds formula: percentage of payment period or term completed equals the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date, divided by the total days in the payment period or term. (Any break of five days or more is not counted as part of the days in the term.) This percentage is also the percentage of earned aid. If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds, and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a debit balance to the institution. If a student earned more aid than was disbursed, the institution would owe the student (or parent in the case of a PLUS loan) a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be paid within 180 days of the student's withdrawal. No reply will indicate a refusal of the disbursement. The institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later than 45 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student's withdrawal. Students are approved for voluntary or medical withdrawal by taking the appropriate steps as prescribed in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.
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