Inve st ing i n
Understanding Your Aid Offered & Costs
BILLING AND PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS
Tuition, fees, housing and food costs are divided equally between fall semester and spring semester. Students will be billed for the first half (fall semester) in July and second half (spring semester) in December. Payment for fall semester (charges remaining after financial aid) is due August 10; spring semester payment is due January 10.
CSB+SJU offer flexible payment plan options. All scholarships and grants from the college, state and federal sources are applied to a student’s account with one half of the amount credited for fall semester and one half for spring semester. Earnings from on-campus employment may be applied to the student’s account or used by the student for personal expenses.
Loans are applied directly to a student’s account as well, with half credited for fall semester and half for spring semester. Outside scholarships received over $1,000 will be equally split between fall and spring semester.
Details on eBilling and payment plan options are available at csbsju.edu/youroffer.
OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
Students are encouraged to apply for outside scholarships. CSB+SJU maintain a website with links to free scholarship information.
Access the resource at csbsju.edu/youroffer
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Colleges and universities that offer federal aid are required to provide consumer information to prospective students. Consumer information for CSB+SJU is located at csbsju.edu/youroffer.
Additional information on policies regarding Academic Affairs, Career Services, Student Development, Campus Security and Life Safety, the Registrar's Office and Financial Aid are also found at this site.
100% of Bennies and Johnnies receive financial aid.
Research conducted by Georgetown University lists CSB and SJU among the national leaders for lifetime return on your college investment.
Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer
FINANCIAL AID GUIDELINES
Students must meet minimum satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility for financial aid. For more information on financial aid guidelines, refer to csbsju.edu/youroffer.
All institutional merit-based scholarship funds awarded to students are renewable for four years. To continue to receive CSB+SJU grants, a FAFSA must be completed each year. Unless the family financial situation changes, most grants will be renewed or could be replaced by institutional scholarships for the same dollar amount.
Financial aid offers are based on full time enrollment of at least 12 credits each semester and living in oncampus housing. Financial aid could be adjusted for students who are enrolled less than full time or not in on-campus housing.
The Federal Pell Grant and Minnesota State Grant are based on FAFSA results each year and may change based on the need calculation. If in future years the student’s FAFSA is selected for verification, additional information may be required before an aid offer is completed. Should this occur, students will receive notifications from the Financial Aid Office.
The Minnesota State Grant Program requires enrollment in 15 or more credits for eligible students to receive the full grant amount. Minnesota Grant recipients enrolled in fewer than 15 credits will see a reduction in the amount of grant awarded.
Financial aid may be adjusted if a student receives outside scholarships. Grants or scholarships from CSB+SJU will not be reduced unless the total of all aid exceeds the cost of attendance. Instead, the student’s loan and/or student employment offer (if applicable) may be adjusted. Students may choose which form of self-help is adjusted.
CHANGES TO FAMILY FINANCES
Financial aid offers are based on information submitted on the FAFSA. Any significant changes to the family’s financial situation occurring during the school year that substantially affect the student’s ability to pay can be reported to the Financial Aid Office for reconsideration of the student’s financial aid offer.
Examples of changes that could affect financial aid eligibility include: loss of employment, high medical expenses or siblings’ parochial tuition.
More information, including our special circumstances form, can be found at csbsju.edu/youroffer
90% of CSB and SJU graduates complete their degree in four years.
SOURCES OF
Grants
Eligibility for federal grants, the Minnesota State Grant and CSB and SJU grants is based on the FAFSA.
CSB or SJU Grant
Awarded based on financial need. May be renewed annually or replaced with other need-based gift aid.
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded based on results of student’s FAFSA and calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).
Minnesota State Grant (MN Residents Only)
Need-based grant with eligibility determined by FAFSA. Students must be enrolled in at least 15 credits per semester to receive full grant eligibility.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Funding is limited and awarded based on financial need.
Federal TEACH Grant
Students may receive up to $4,000 per year. Must be completing or planning to complete coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching. Learn more at csbsju.edu/youroffer
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FEDERAL LOAN OFFER
The Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws or falls below half-time enrollment. Students can accept up to the listed amount in full or modify the offer to accept a smaller amount. Instructions regarding accepting and declining federal loans will be emailed in mid-June. Listed here is important information regarding the loan offer.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are interest-free while enrolled at least half-time. Interest rates are determined by federal law and adjusted annually on July 1. Interest accrues on Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans while the student is enrolled. Loans disbursed during the
2025-2026 academic year are fixed at 6.39% with origination fee of 1.057% of loan amount. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half time.
The Maximum Annual Student Loan (Combined as Follows):
First Year: $5,500
Second Year: $6,500
Third Year: $7,500
Fourth Year: $7,500
Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students)
Parent is borrower and must pass credit review. Interest rate for 2025 is 8.94% and will be adjusted July 1. Origination fee is currently 4.228% of loan amount. Parent may borrow up to $20,000 per student annually, with a $65,000 lifetime limit per student. Repayment begins 60 days after loan is fully disbursed. Borrower may request deferment of repayment while student is enrolled. If parent is denied PLUS Loan, student may borrow an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan up to $4,000.
To apply for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, refer to csbsju.edu/youroffer.
Private Loans
Students who need additional funding beyond federal loans may apply for a private student loan. Students are free to choose any lender including those provided on the financial aid loan website.
Credit-worthy cosigner required. Most loans do not require payments while enrolled at least half time.
Private loan processing for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin in June. Borrowers are encouraged to begin applying in June/July.
For more information, visit csbsju.edu/youroffer
UNDERSTANDING THE STUDENT EMPLOYMENT (WORK STUDY) OFFER
Student Employment is a form of financial aid that allows the student to work on campus. Students are paid only for hours worked, and can choose to apply earnings toward institutional charges or to a personal bank account.
Students are awarded one of three types of employment based on their financial aid eligibility: Federal, Minnesota or institutional. All students who receive student employment can work on campus.
Beginning in mid-June, eligible students will receive an email explaining how to apply and interview for jobs posted on the student employment jobs site.
A student employment award of $4,000 requires 10-12 hours per week of work throughout the academic year. A student employment award of $2,000 requires 5-6 hours per week of work throughout the academic year.
Learn more about student employment at csbsju.edu/youroffer.
100%
CSB and SJU are committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ADA Amendments, and do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, or other legally protected category or characteristic, in their education programs and activities, in their admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the institutions.
CSB and SJU prohibit unlawful sex discrimination, including harassment on the basis of sex, in any education program or activity that they operate. Individuals may report concerns or questions regarding sex discrimination, including harassment on the basis of sex, to the Title IX Coordinator. The institutions’ Title IX Policy, which includes a full notice of nondiscrimination, contact information for the Title IX Coordinator, and grievance procedures, can be found at csbsju.edu/title-ix/policy.
Financial Aid Office
37 S. College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5388 or 800-544-1489
Email: finaid@csbsju.edu
Web: csbsju.edu
We strive to make the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University an affordable college option for students and families. As you review your financial aid offer and compare it with those from other colleges, keep a few things in mind:
Finding a college that is a great fit and provides the best setting for your academic and personal growth is as important as cost.
We’re Here To Help.
The college experience, and the process of choosing a college, should be a rewarding and positive experience. If you have questions about your financial aid package or about financing college please contact us at the phone numbers and email addresses provided.
We’re eager to help!
Robert Piechota
Executive Director of Financial Aid
CSB Students & Families
800-544-1489 / 320-363-5388
FAX 320-363-6090
finaid@csbsju.edu
SJU Students & Families
800-544-1489 / 320-363-3664
FAX 320-363-3102
CSB and SJU both earned spots on U.S. News & World Report’s esteemed list of ‘Best Value Schools’ among national liberal arts colleges.
At Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s, every student engages in high-impact, immersive learning experiences that include internships, alumni connections, undergraduate research, service work and study abroad.
finaid@csbsju.edu
More information and resources can be found at csbsju.edu/youroffer.
Tuition Deposit
We want you to be part of our community! A $300 tuition deposit is required for first-year and transfer students to reserve their spot at CSB+SJU. This deposit is due by May 1, and is nonrefundable.
More information about how to submit your deposit available at csbsju.edu/deposit .