Stephen F. Austin State University: A Comprehensive Guide to Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Choosing a university is a significant decision, and understanding the costs associated with attending is crucial. This article provides a detailed overview of the tuition, fees, financial aid opportunities, and other expenses at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). Whether you're a prospective student, a current student, or a parent, this guide will help you navigate the financial aspects of attending SFA.

Understanding the Sticker Price: Tuition and Fees

The "sticker price" refers to the advertised cost of attending a university before any financial aid or scholarships are applied. At Stephen F. Austin State University, the tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year are:

In-State Tuition and Fees: \$11,128
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: \$23,428

Compared to the national average for in-state tuition (\$12,422) and out-of-state tuition (\$29,767), SFA is a relatively affordable option, especially for Texas residents.

It's important to note that tuition and fees cover various aspects of university life, including library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers.

Additional Fees and Considerations

Beyond the base tuition and fees, students may encounter additional charges:

Medical Services Fee: The board of regents of The University of Texas System may charge each student a medical services fee not to exceed \$55 for each semester or term.
Baker Pattillo Student Center Fee: A fee is required to be paid by each student to cover the costs of operating, maintaining, improving, equipping, and financing the Baker Pattillo Student Center as authorized by Texas Education Code Section 54.520. The current fee is \$9 per credit hour, with a minimum charge of \$35.
Individual Coaching or Instruction Fee: Charged to students registered in classes where individual coaching or instruction (for example, music performance classes) is the usual method of instruction. Fee amount varies per course.
Quality Assurance System Fee: A one-time fee assessed in a course required for a student's major, minor or educator certification program through the James I. Perkins College of Education. The fee covers the use of the Quality Assurance System, which facilitates the centralization of the unit-, program- and course-level data within the college.
Returned Payment Fee: A student whose payment is returned for any reason will incur a fee.
Excessive Credit Hour Fee: Students who exceed the maximum semester credit hour limit of their program will be charged an additional \$200 per semester credit hour.

Residency Requirements for In-State Tuition

To qualify for in-state tuition, students must meet Texas residency requirements. Generally, this requires living in Texas for at least one year prior to enrollment. If a student is claimed as a dependent on their parents' federal tax return, their parents' residency status will be used to determine eligibility for in-state tuition. It is the student's obligation to raise any questions regarding their residency classification with the Office of Admissions prior to registration.

Estimating the Total Cost of Attendance

While tuition and fees are a significant part of the cost, it's essential to consider the total cost of attendance, which includes:

Tuition and Fees: As mentioned above.
Food and Housing: \$13,144 (2025-26)
Books and Supplies: \$1,206 per year (estimated)
Personal Expenses: \$1,850 per year (estimated)
Transportation: \$1,388 per year (estimated)

Therefore, the estimated total cost of attendance can vary significantly based on individual lifestyle and spending habits.

Summer Term Estimated Budget

For students attending during the summer term, SFA provides an estimated budget, including:

Expense	Texas Resident	Border-state Resident	Non-Resident
Tuition / Fees	\$5,564	\$6,014	\$11,714
Loan Fees*	\$23	\$23	\$23
Housing & Food	\$4,381	\$4,381	\$4,381
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment	\$604	\$604	\$604
Travel	\$298	\$298	\$298
Misc.	\$600	\$600	\$600
Estimated Total	\$11,470	\$11,920	\$17,620

*Loan Fees: Additional loan fees are required to be added to a student's Cost of Attendance budget for any student loan borrowed.

Read also: Affording ECU

**Room and board rates for on-campus residents are for summer occupancy May 12 through Aug. 6. The full rate will be applied to the student's eBill. Cost calculators and full rate tables are resources available to help you estimate your cost based on your own direct and additional costs.

On-Campus Housing Requirement

Stephen F Austin State University provides on-campus housing for its students, and first-time degree-seeking students are required to live on campus. Room and board charges at Stephen F Austin State University are relatively low, amounting to 9642 USD per year and placing the university in the bottom 30% of institutions for this cost.

Navigating Financial Aid Opportunities

Financial aid is a critical resource for many students, and Stephen F. Austin State University offers various options to help students finance their education. 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.

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 60%
Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 84%
Average Aid Package Awarded: \$13,732

Types of Financial Aid

Grants: Grants are typically need-based and do not need to be repaid. They can be awarded by the federal government, the state of Texas, or the university itself. 38% of undergraduates receive Pell grants.
Scholarships: Scholarships can be need-based or merit-based and do not need to be repaid. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, talents, or other criteria.
Loans: Student loans are sums of money given to students to help them pay for college now. You must pay this money back later with interest. Loans must be paid back.
Work-Study: Work-study programs allow students to earn money through part-time jobs on campus or in the community.

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: \$8,659
Need-Based Loan Amount: \$4,661
% of full-time first-time undergraduates awarded federal student loans: 47%

Important Financial Aid Dates

Priority Application Due: January 15 (Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.)
FAFSA: The 2025-26 FAFSA is now available via studentaid.gov.

Net Price and Average Net Price by Household Income

The net price is the average cost of the university after aid and scholarship funds are discounted from the total cost. The average 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.

The average net price for full-time beginning students at Stephen F Austin State University varies depending on their income level. For students with an income between 0-30,000 USD, the average net price is 11244 USD. Similarly, for students with an income between 30,001-48,000 USD, the average net price is 12046 USD. Students with an income between 48,001-75,000 USD have an average net price of 14735 USD.

Read also: Withdrawals for College: A Guide

Student Loan Debt

Debt at Graduation: The typical amount of loans a student must pay back is \$23,226.
Median Federal Loan Debt: At Stephen F. Austin State University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is \$23,409.
Median Monthly Federal Loan Payment: 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 \$248.
Private Loan Debt: Additionally, 8% of graduating students at Stephen F. Austin State University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of \$24,952 in private loan debt at graduation.

Work-Study Opportunities

Stephen F Austin State University offers a diverse range of work-study, internship, and on-campus employment opportunities to its students. These opportunities are meticulously designed to provide students with invaluable learning experiences, help them finance their education, and equip them with essential job and lifelong skills that will serve them well in their post-graduation life and beyond.

The university offers part-time hourly positions such as student assistant and work-study student assistant. While these positions do not come with benefits, they offer competitive pay that varies based on the position and the number of hours worked. On-campus employment opportunities are available across various departments including the library, campus recreation, and dining services.

This program facilitates internships in collaboration with the campus community and local employers, providing students with resume-building experiences, enhancing their transferrable skills, and potentially leading to a higher starting salary in full-time employment.

Tuition and Fee Plans and Rate Tables

Need more information about tuition and fees? If there is any question of the your right to classification as a resident of Texas, it is your obligation to raise the question with the Office of Admissions prior to registration. Students who exceed the maximum semester credit hour limit of their program will be charged an additional \$200 per semester credit hour.

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