Tuition and Financial Aid

Good news! Contrary to popular perception, nearly everyone qualifies for some form of student financial aid. USJ offers both merit-based and need-based financial aid to students who qualify. All students are eligible for low-interest federal loans, which offer far more attractive repayment terms with lower interest rates than loans available privately. The only way to know what types of funding you may be eligible for is to apply.

International students are not eligible for federal financial assistance programs; however, you may be considered for merit-based scholarships upon admission and private loans. For additional questions about the international admissions process, please visit the international students’ admissions page.

Your admissions counselor will work with you throughout enrollment to explain the financial aid process and make sure you are on track to complete the necessary paperwork in a timely manner. Individual assistance is available through USJ Student Financial Services by calling 860.231.5223.

Independent status will be granted if a student meets the criteria established on the FAFSA. Independent status is not awarded based solely on tax information or a student’s living arrangements. Please refer to FAFSA’s website for further information.

Students are required to report the receipt of scholarships from sources outside of USJ. Outside scholarships will first be applied to unmet need; second, to reduce Federal Direct, PLUS, and/or alternative loans; and lastly, to replace University and/or State funds.

Yes. Each year, you must complete a renewal FAFSA and, if requested, submit all supporting tax return transcripts and documentation by USJ published deadlines.

USJ is committed to awarding need-based financial aid to students who apply by the priority deadline and who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Student Financial Services office. It is the University’s goal to keep the overall value of financial aid awards similar from year to year, provided a family’s circumstances and financial position do not change substantially. Students who wish to receive need-based assistance from USJ must complete the FAFSA each year.

Merit and need-based institutional aid is renewable for up to 8 semesters of enrollment, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and meets all aid requirements.  Students who are unable to complete their degree within eight semesters of enrollment and wish to receive an additional semester of aid must submit an appeal to Student Financial Services.

Federal financial aid has varying limits based on federal regulations.  Review the Federal Student Aid website or contact Student Financial Services to learn more.

Note: Aid eligibility for transfer students is prorated based on accepted transfer credits.

All students are encouraged to seek out scholarships from external organizations. Resources and information for these types of scholarship opportunities is available on the External Scholarships section of our website.

Additionally, parent and private loans are available to credit-worthy borrowers. Please refer to the Student and Parent loans section of our website.

The most common areas of change that affect eligibility for financial aid include, but are not limited to: income; assets; household size; the number of dependents enrolled in a certificate or degree-seeking undergraduate program; and parent/guardian marital status.

Yes. If the custodial parent remarries, federal and institutional policies require that the stepparent’s income and assets be included in determining eligibility for financial aid.

If your sibling does not attend college or is not enrolled at least half-time in a certificate or degree-seeking undergraduate program, you can expect a decrease in your financial aid award.

Graduate students are considered independent for federal financial aid and therefore USJ does not include graduate students when determining your eligibility for financial aid.

Students can opt to use federal financial aid for summer coursework. Eligibility is based on enrollment and federal financial aid history. Please contact Student Financial Services for more information at 860.231.5223.