Your Financial Aid Planner

Whenever we can be helpful to you, the Saint Leo University Student Financial Services Office is available. Please contact us.

Phone: (352) 588-7403
Toll Free: (800) 240- 7658
Email: finaid@saintleo.edu

Your Financial Aid Calendar

September - December

  • Research financial aid and scholarship resources
  • Attend any financial aid workshops offered in your area
  • Ask for information about other forms of financial aid
  • Complete the process of applying for admission

January - March

  • Complete and file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Saint Leo University’s federal school code for the FAFSA is 001526
  • Receive your letter of admission and financial aid Student Aid Report (SAR)

March - April

  • Review your financial aid information and contact the Student Financial Services Office with any questions
  • You will need to accept and/or decline your award letter online at eLion.
  • Contact the Office of Admission to make your tuition deposit to secure your place in classes and to secure your financial aid package

May - June

July - August

  • Make sure all school fees and expenses are paid and/or a tuition payment plan agreement has been filed prior to the first day of classes
  • For more information on types and sources of financial aid assistance, determining need and how aid is awarded, download our helpful guide.

Helpful Hints for You & Your Family

  • Do your taxes early—prior to receiving your W2 forms—in order to have the information necessary to complete the financial aid process. We strongly recommend that you estimate your tax information in order to file early. If necessary, you can correct the figures later in the filing process.
  • Keep a calendar with dates and deadlines on which you note deadlines for submitting scholarship, grant and financial aid applications for the schools you are considering.
  • Keep a file on each school to which you have applied, and keep in that file the information and correspondence you receive from the school, as well as copies of all correspondence and forms you send to the school, noting the dates the correspondence was sent.
  • Be consistent with information you provide and use the same information when filling out different documents—discrepancies will raise questions and slow the process.
  • Always call to follow-up and make sure applications and supporting documents are received.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute—apply early! Many scholarships and grants have a February 1st priority deadline. Estimate your taxes and file your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. (Saint Leo University’s institutional number for the FAFSA is 001526).
  • Apply online if possible at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Saint Leo Financial Aid FAQs:

Does my family have to apply for financial aid?
Yes. If you would like to be considered for federal aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, many other scholarships and grants are based upon the results from the FAFSA. About 92% of University Campus students receive some form of financial aid. Remember, in order to send your FAFSA results to Saint Leo University, you must include the SLU federal school code which is 001526.

Why should I apply for financial aid?
There are many scholarships and grants that are contingent upon knowing your family’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and need, and you can’t receive state aid, federal aid, loans or work-study unless you apply for financial aid on the appropriate forms. In short, applying for financial aid ensures that your family has explored every avenue of keeping your out-of-pocket costs for college fair and as minimal as they can be.

When do I need to re-apply for financial aid?
The application is available online each year on January 1. To apply online, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is no fee to complete this application, so be sure that you are using the correct website. Apply as early as possible—some grant funds are limited and are exhausted early in the year.

Will my financial aid be the same at every school to which I’m applying?
No. The information you provide in the application process helps colleges arrive at their best financial aid offers.

What information will I need to know so that I can complete the FAFSA?
Estimated Family Contributions are determined by a family’s income and assets as indicated on the tax returns for the year prior to the student’s term of enrollment. For example, your financial aid for the fall of 2013 will be based on your 2012 tax information. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the option provided on the FAFSA application to estimate your tax information in order to be among the earliest filers. You will have the opportunity to make adjustments to your tax figures later in the process. Talk to a Saint Leo University financial aid representative if you have any questions about estimating.