Saint Mary's College Of California

financial aid

 

Financial Aid Program

Saint Mary's College is committed to helping students obtain the needed assistance, both monetary and advisory, to make attendance possible. The basic philosophy governing financial aid is that the student will first contribute as much as is reasonable toward the cost of attendance. The amount expected would be the same as for other students with similar financial circumstances. Eligibility for financial aid will be the difference between what it costs to attend and what the student can reasonably be expected to pay. The Financial Aid Office uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to collect information used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal and institutional funds.

In addition to demonstrating financial need, applicants for aid must be:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
  • Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at Saint Mary's College on at least a halftime basis; and
  • In good academic standing and maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree or certificate.

Applying for Aid

New Students

  • Complete an application for admission to the School of Education. You may also apply online.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the start of the academic program. (Due to rolling admissions, credential/graduate students may apply year-round, except for those seeking a Lasallian Fellowship who must file their FAFSA by March 2. GPA verification forms should be submitted by that date, also.) The FAFSA is available on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to enter "Saint Mary's College, Moraga CA (code 001302)" as a recipient of the form; teaching credential only candidates should answer NO to question 53, while all graduate degree candidates should answer YES to question 53.
  • Complete a loan application from the SMC Financial Aid Office at least 5 weeks before the funds are needed.

For full-time financial aid, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 units (12 for credential students) of coursework in fall and spring semesters and 6 units in the summer term. For half-time financial aid, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 5 units (6 for credential students) in fall and spring semesters and 3 units in the summer term.

Contact the Kalmanovitz School of Education at (925) 631-4149 for information on other available scholarships and grants.

Continuing Students

If you wish to renew your aid for another year file your FAFSA by March 2 and reapply for aid and/or scholarships.

 

Loan Disbursements

Financial aid loan disbursements are normally made only at the beginning of the fall and spring terms. An additional disbursement of aid will be scheduled at the beginning of the summer term if the student chooses to enroll during that period. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (925) 631-4370 for additional information.

 

Scholarships Available from Saint Mary's College Kalmanovitz School of Education

All students and admitted applicants who have filed a current FAFSA may also apply for School of Education scholarships each Spring semester. Awards are announced in May, disbursaed after July 1, and applicable towards fall tuition .Only one application needs to be completed. A scholarship application form is available on this site as a pdf or can be picked up at our office, mailed, or emailed to you. All applications will be reviewed by the Kalmanovitz School of Education Scholarship Committee. Please call Jane Joyce at (925) 631-4149 or jane.joyce2@stmarys-ca.edu for assistance.

Tuition Credit Program (TCP) Available from Saint Mary's College Kalmanovitz School of Education

All current students and admitted applicants for the Credential Programs only who have filed a current FAFSA may also apply for the Tuition Credit Program (TCP) each Fall and Spring semester. Awards for a (3) unit tuition credit are announced in December and May, applicable towards Jan/Spring and Summer/Fall Terms, respectively. Only one application needs to be completed. A TCP application form is available on this site as a pdf or can be picked up at our office, mailed, or emailed to you. All applications will be reviewed by the Kalmanovitz School of Education. Please call Jane Joyce at (925) 631-4149 or jane.joyce2@stmarys-ca.edu for assistance.

 

SMC Catholic School Educator Tuition Waiver                    

For full-time Catholic school educators and administrators in K-12 schools, colleges, or universities, there is a 50% tuition discount on up to (6) units/year. (Application pdf)

 

Financial Aid from State and Federal Agencies

Doctoral and Master’s Degree Candidates

Financial aid is available to master’s and doctoral degree candidates in the form of student loans and loan forgiveness programs:

  • Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans - Up to $8500 annually - These variable interest rate loans have a 10 year repayment, and repayment is deferred until after graduation.
  • Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans - Up to $18,500 annually less subsidized amounts borrowed -
    These variable interest rate loans for independent students have a 10 year repayment period, and repayment of both principal and interest may be deferred until after graduation.
  • Graduate PLUS Loan - Available to all graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time - Graduate students may borrow the difference between the cost of education and any financial assistance they will receive after demonstrating credit worthiness. Repayment begins within 60 days after final disbusement, with a maximum repayment of 10 years. In addition to interest, a loan fee will be charged and deducted from each disbursement. Plus Loans Lender List
  • Sallie Mae Signature Loans - Students with creditworthy cosigners may borrow up to cost for the year less any other aid being received.
  • Income-Based Repayment (IBR) is a new way to make your federal student loan payments more manageable.  And if you are employed in government or at a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization, you might qualify for a new type of public service loan forgiveness after 10 years of eligible payments and employment.                                     

Teaching Credential Candidates

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, and loan forgiveness programs:

  • Cal Grants (A & B) - Up to $9,708 annually
    Students pursuing teaching credentials who received Cal Grant funds for support of their undergraduate education may usually extend this grant for an additional 2 terms. Request CSAC form G-44 from the Financial Aid Office.
  • Pell Grant - Up to $4,050 annually
    Students pursuing a teaching credential may receive this grant for the duration of their program.
  • APLE Loan Forgiveness Program
    Teaching credential candidates may apply for this loan assumption program which provides for the cancellation of up to $19,000 in outstanding educational loans in exchange for 4 consecutive years of full-time teaching in K-12 in selected California schools. Applications are available at www.csac.ca.gov.
  • Income-Based Repayment (IBR) is a new way to make your federal student loan payments more manageable.  And as a teacher, you may qualify for a new type of public service loan forgiveness after 10 years of eligible payments and employment.
  • Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans - Up to $5500 annually - These variable interest rate loans (6.8%) have a 10 year repayment period, and repayment is deferred until after graduation.
  • Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans - Up to $10,500 annually, minus any subsidized Stafford loans received - These variable interest rate loans for independent students have a 10 year repayment, and repayment of principal and interest may be deferred until after graduation.
  • Federal PLUS Loans - Up to the annual cost of education - These variable interest rate loans are available to creditworthy parents of dependent teaching credential candidates.
  • Sallie Mae Signature Loans - Students with creditworthy cosigners may borrow up to cost for the year less any other aid being received.
  • TEACH Grant - Up to $4,000 annually. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program was establiashed under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA), to benefit current and prospective teachers.

 

Veteran's Benefits

Education Benefit Program applications for members of the armed services are available in the Registrar’s Office on campus. Letters seeking advice or information concerning the College should be addressed to: Veterans, P.O. Box 4748, Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA 94575-4748.

Saint Mary’s College of California is approved for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents under the various public laws which come under the direction of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ask the Financial Aid Office about SMC's participation in the new Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP).

Details and procedures are available from the department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, P.O. Box 8888, Muskogee, OK 74402-8888 or by calling toll free (800)827-1000 or (888)442-4551, or visit www.gibill.va.gov.

California State Benefits for Veterans and Eligible Dependents

Applications and information may be obtained from the following office: California Department of Veterans Affairs, Division of Veterans Services, P.O. Box 942895, Sacramento, CA 95814-5840. Note that the benefits are limited to specific cases.


Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California