Sacred Heart University: Understanding Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Choosing a university is a significant investment, and understanding the costs involved is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the tuition, fees, and financial aid options at Sacred Heart University (SHU), enabling prospective students and their families to make informed decisions.

The Cost of Attendance: A Detailed Breakdown

The overall cost of attending Sacred Heart University is a significant factor for prospective students. The university's tuition and fees are notably high, totaling $46,580 per year, which places it in the top 25% of universities for cost. It's important to differentiate between tuition and the total cost of attendance. Sacred Heart University's tuition is $52,410, which is more expensive than the national average of $46,950. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers. At Sacred Heart University, the total cost is $73,394.

Beyond tuition, students should budget for additional expenses. Books and supplies are estimated at around $1,200 annually, placing the university in the bottom 50% for this expense. This is an important consideration, as textbook costs can vary significantly depending on the chosen courses. Other costs to consider include an estimated $1,650 per year for personal expenses and $1,000 per year for transportation. These are not direct charges from the University and may likely vary from student to student.

Room and Board Expenses

A significant component of the cost of attendance is room and board. Sacred Heart University ranks in the top 10% for these expenses, with a total annual cost of $17,520. The typical room charge for an academic year is $11,730, placing the university in the top 5% for this category, while the typical board charge is $5,790, ranking it in the top 40%.

Sacred Heart University provides on-campus housing and requires first-time degree-seeking students to live on campus. This requirement makes the room and board charges an essential consideration for incoming students. For off-campus students renting, we estimate $14,300 per year for estimated living expenses for housing and food.

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are not billed by the university. Indirect costs represent average estimates for education-related expenses incurred outside the billed charges from the university. These estimated costs are for students attending full-time (9 credits and above for graduate students) per semester. Living Expenses (Housing & Food) A reasonable estimate of what it costs to live while attending school. Actual costs may vary by your individual student choices. Typically includes rent, food, household supplies and utilities. (Living expenses will not be pro-rated based on the number of credits enrolled. Books, Course Materials, Supplies & EquipmentAn allowance for books, course materials, and equipment, including a reasonable allowance for the rental or upfront purchase of a personal computer. Course material expenses vary each semester by program of study and types of materials required and preferred (i.e. Miscellaneous Personal ExpensesAn allowance for a student attending school on at least a half-time basis. Estimated costs for clothing, haircuts, toiletries and other miscellaneous expenses. Professional Licensure, Certification or First Professional CredentialAn allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares the student to enter a profession that requires such a qualification. Federal Student Loan FeesOnly if borrowing federal student loans on at least a half-time basis. An allowance for the costs of any Federal student loan fees and/or origination fees. *The amount listed here is the average federal student loan fee.

Mobile Computing and Other Expenses

The University is part of a select group of academic institutions that embraces the mobile computing philosophy. For the student's benefit, the university supports a laptop acquisition program that provides the most current technology. Costs for transportation should also be within your plan. Items like trips to and from home. Other miscellaneous personal expenses would include, clothing, haircuts, toiletries, entertainment, etc. tend to vary according to individual needs. Families borrowing federal student loans should also include estimated loans fees and/or origination fees. Loan fees will vary depending on a student's exact loan amounts. All students are required by law to have health insurance; students will be billed for the University's health insurance plan but may choose to either enroll in the plan or to waive the charge if their own health insurance meets the qualifications for coverage.

Meal Plan Options

Resident Meal Plan: Based on the Big Red plan, which is required for all first-year resident students (on campus). Commuter Meal Plan: Based on the Jefferson Meal plan, which is required for all commuter students.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

Sacred Heart University offers a variety of financial aid options for prospective students, ensuring that they have access to the necessary resources to pursue their education. 54% Students Receiving Financial Aid. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

One of the key forms of financial assistance provided by the university is grants. These grants play a significant role in supporting students, as 100% of the freshmen with need receive financial aid.

Read also: A Guide to SHU Admissions

The average amount of financial aid received by students at Sacred Heart University varies depending on their academic level. Graduate students, on average, receive 34,509 USD in financial aid, placing the university in the top 30% of institutions for this category. Undergraduate students, however, receive a significantly higher average amount of 44,960 USD, which ranks Sacred Heart University in the top 5% of institutions for undergraduate financial aid. Average Aid Package Awarded $28,942.

In addition to grants and financial aid, Sacred Heart University also offers military benefits to eligible students. Both graduate and undergraduate students who qualify for these benefits receive an average amount of 24,469 USD. This places the university in the top 5% of institutions for graduate military benefits and in the top 15% for undergraduate military benefits.

Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.

Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses. See the types of scholarships and grants available at Sacred Heart University below. Average Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award (First-year Students)

Financial Aid for Study Abroad

Cost is an important factor when deciding to study abroad. You may be surprised to learn that the cost of studying at SHU Dingle is comparable to staying at your home university. Your tuition will be the same as if you were on campus. *Graduate 3-credit tuition rate is charged at the individual program rate. Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to encourage you to study abroad, and to make a study abroad experience more accessible, the SHU Office of Global Education prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Please note that this is not a conclusive list but it will help you start your search process. If you are a College of Business & Technology student (at SHU), currently enrolled in the Welch Experience, and have not yet utilized your study abroad tuition credit, you are eligible to use the Welch Waiver ($1,950) towards your Summer tuition for the SHU Dingle program. To take advantage of the waiver program, you will need to complete the Welch Waiver application, located within your study abroad account.Please ensure applications for the Welch Tuition Waiver, Thomas More Honors Program Scholarship, and/or Matthew R. Dalling Scholarship are submitted by the specified deadline. Applications and corresponding deadlines can be found in your Study Abroad Account.

Key Financial Aid Dates

Application Due Feb 15 The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.

Work-Study Opportunities and On-Campus Employment

Sacred Heart University offers a range of work-study, internship, and on-campus employment opportunities for its students. One such opportunity is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to gain employment experience in their major field of study for up to one year per higher degree level (bachelor's, master's, doctorate) in their F-1 status. This program aims to complement academic work and is also available to international students for on-campus jobs.

In addition to OPT, Sacred Heart University provides Curricular Practical Training (CPT) opportunities, which are integral or important parts of the curriculum. These include alternate work/study, internships, cooperative education, or any other required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. The terms "co-op," "internship," and "field experience" are used to describe CPT opportunities at the university.

On-campus employment opportunities at Sacred Heart University include positions at The Factory (SHU's computer support center) and the Network Operations Center. The university also offers technology support internships on campus. Students can work with the center for career and professional development and their faculty advisor to learn about and secure internships.

The School of Computer Science & Engineering faculty at Sacred Heart University maintains a strong network of industry contacts, providing numerous opportunities for students to gain valuable workplace experience. Most students choose to do an internship in their junior or senior year, and many of these positions lead to part-time or full-time employment.

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.

Student Loan Debt: What to Expect

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 Sacred Heart University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $25,000. 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 $265.

Additionally, 22% of graduating students at Sacred Heart University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $74,071 in private loan debt at graduation. Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class $52,188. Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024) 67%.

Net Price and Affordability

Average Net Price $46,165 per year Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

If the remaining balance or monthly payment still seems a bit too high, there are other long-term options. Families have the option of financing their share through federal and private educational loan programs. Determine your approximate cost below.

Deductions from Costs

Deduct: Financial Assistance scholarships and grants. To determine the total amount you should deduct, add together similar awards on your letter, for example: Trustee Scholarships, Pell Grants, SHU Grant-in-Aid and SEOG. Deduct: The amount of Direct Loan(s) you intend to borrow. For example, the maximum amount a first-year student can borrow is $5,500 less 1.057% Origination Fees. Deduct: Other payments.

Payment Plans

Payment Plan: With the University's deferred payment plans you can easily budget the remaining cost in 10 monthly payments.

Additional Fees

Ph.D. Ph.D., Master of Social Work & Social Work Advanced Standing (on-ground and online) SW Program Fee, courses SW 578, SW 580, SW 678, SW 680: $350/courseSW One-time Assessment Fee (online), course SW 600: $215/courseSW Accreditation Assessment fee (on-ground), course SW 600 $215/courseSW Accreditation Assessment fee, course SW 601 $100/course

Financial Aid Office Contact

Financial Aid Office Phone Number

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