FAFSA Filing Information
Current students, or students who will begin at Mount St. Joseph University in Spring of 2025 must complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA available now at https://fafsa.gov. Students taking courses in Summer of 2025 to Spring of 2026 will need to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA when it becomes available on or before December 1st, 2025. More information is found on the FAFSA website linked above.
We Care About Your Financial Aid Experience
Your success is our mission. The Office of Student Administrative Services is committed to your individualized success, that’s why we work to make a university education affordable. In addition to the resources offered in our office, we provide other tools and information to help you navigate the financial aid process.
Get Started to Apply for Financial Aid
You're more likely to qualify for federal, state, and college-offered grants if you file your FAFSA early. Need-based aid is awarded on the basis of a student’s financial need calculated from the information supplied on the FAFSA. Learn how to apply for and receive grants or loans in our step-by-step getting started guide.
Greatness within Grasp
Nicholas Jackson, Chemistry, '25
What are three things you would say to a student from your high school about the Mount?
"A lot of scholarships make it very affordable, professors really want to see you succeed, and in a small community, you can get to know a lot of people."
Financial Aid Tools
Looking for scholarship opportunities as a freshman?
Visit our scholarships page for more information on any of the academic-performance based scholarships offered to undergraduate freshmen students at Mount St. Joseph University.
Wondering what your estimated college tuition will amount to?
Our handy Net Price Calculator makes it easy for you to determine the approximate cost of an education at the Mount, after factoring in all financial aid and expected family contributions.Application Fee Waiver
Our institution proudly participates in the College Board’s SAT-to-College Application Fee-Waiver Program. If you took the SAT using a fee waiver, you automatically qualify for a college application fee waiver to apply for admission here at Mount St. Joseph University. Learn more about College Board’s SAT-to-College Application Fee-Waiver Program.
MSJ Scholarships, Grants, & Loans
Mount St. Joseph University provides grants, scholarships, and loans to assist with your transition to college.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awards based on outstanding academic performance. These awards do not require repayment. We offer scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $26,000.
Scholarship Forms & Applications
Looking for forms or scholarship applications? Visit our Forms & Applications page for submission.
Grants
Grants are a form of aid typically based on financial need, provided by the the Mount, or federal or state government. Students who receive grants do not need to repay them. Available grants range from $500 to $13,000.
Loans
Loans are a sum of money lent at a specific interest rate for a specific time to students and parents to assist with university costs. They require repayment plus interest. The amount loaned varies depending on eligibility. Loans typically come from the federal government, private institutions or banks.
Payment plan
This interest-free monthly plan makes tuition payments more convenient and affordable. The Mount offers a payment plan through Nelnet that lets you pay all or part of your educational expenses in manageable monthly installments.
University Student Employment Opportunities
We take pride in providing opportunities beyond the classroom for our students.
Students can earn money to help pay their university tuition through student employment. In addition to traditional jobs, students who qualify based on financial need can seek work study or Mount employment opportunities. Each year there are a limited number of Federal Work Study community service opportunities. Please contact us for details or watch for email notifications of available openings. Those who meet the necessary skill levels and professional requirements can apply for a co-op position, allowing them to earn credit and money.
Check out this link to view and apply for student employment opportunities.
Additional Financial Aid Resources
You aren’t the first student to apply for financial aid. Read case studies on how other students used financial aid to help make university affordable. You can apply what you learn to your financial aid application process.
Figuring out financial aid can be confusing, but you aren’t alone. Read tips from the experts in the Office of Student Administrative Services on applying for and receiving financial aid. We also provide a helpful glossary so you can find out what commonly-used financial aid terms actually mean.
We also provide convenient links to external Web sites that offer important financial aid information.
Contact the Office of Student Administrative Services
The Office of Student Administrative Services provides financial aid support to students at the Mount. If you have questions about applying for and receiving financial aid, contact us today.
Student Administrative Services/Financial Aid
Phone: (513) 244-4418
Email: financial.aid@msj.edu
5701 Delhi Road
Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670
Conlan Center Help Desk Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Financial Aid Terms
Student Aid Index (SAI): Primarily based on your family's prior year income, combined with assets, and family size. The lower your SAI, the more need-based aid you may qualify for. Formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): A standardized form used to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid by collecting data about your family’s income and monetary assets.
Financial need: The difference between the annual cost of attendance and your SAI.
Grant: An award based on financial need that does not have to be repaid.
Loan: A sum of money lent at a specific rate of interest for a specific timeframe.
Financial Aid Offer: The total combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment offered to students to meet financial need.
Scholarship: An award that is typically based on ability and that does not have to be repaid.
Merit-based Scholarships: These are based on grade-point average and if applicable, SAT/ACT scores, as well as ability in such areas as music or art.
Need-based Awards: These are based on the cost to attend the Mount minus the SAI calculated from your data.
Federal Direct Loan: A federal loan consisting of subsidized and/or unsubsidized funds.
Subsidized Loan: The U.S. Department of Education will pay the interest on this loan for as long as you’re enrolled in school at least half time, during your grace period and during deferment periods.
Unsubsidized Loan: You are responsible for paying interest that accrues while you’re in college.