External Scholarships and Alternative Financing
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Scholarships
Students are encouraged to contact community groups, churches, high school counselors and local civic organizations for information regarding local scholarship opportunities, as well as free national scholarship searches such as those listed below.
National Scholarship Searches
http://www.collegeboard.org
http://www.educationplanner.org
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.salliemae.com/scholarships
http://www.studentscholarships.org
http://www.scholarships.com
https://www.catholiccollegesonline.org/students-parents/financial-aid/nccaa-scholarship.html
Tuition Exchange Scholarship Programs
The Tuition Exchange Scholarship Programs are networks of colleges and universities willing to accept students from families of full-time employees of other participating institutions.
Saint Vincent College is a member of three tuition exchange scholarship programs:
Financial Aid and Tuition
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SVC Tuition Exchange FAQs
Information for Prospective Students
What is Tuition Exchange?
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), Catholic College Cooperative Tuition Exchange (CCCTE) and Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE) are three separate tuition exchange programs each comprised of networks of colleges and universities which make tuition scholarships available to participating dependent children of eligible employees.
In which tuition exchange programs does Saint Vincent College participate?
Saint Vincent College accepts applications from Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE), Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and Catholic Cooperative Tuition Exchange (CCCTE). Students may submit applications from multiple institutions. TE, CIC and CCCTE all offer an online application process (check with your home/export institution for more information).
Who is eligible to apply for a Tuition Exchange Scholarship to attend Saint Vincent College?
You are eligible to apply for tuition exchange if you have a parent/legal guardian who is employed at a participating tuition exchange institution (Export institution). The Export institution certifies your eligibility for tuition exchange consideration. Scholarships are not guaranteed, even if the applicant is certified as eligible.
How many students apply for and receive tuition exchange scholarships at Saint Vincent College?
Saint Vincent College receives approximately 30 to 45 freshman tuition exchange applications each year. Each year SVC awards 5-10 new tuition exchange scholarships.
How is the tuition exchange scholarship awarded?
Prior to January 1 apply to Saint Vincent College and be accepted as a resident student, file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and complete the TE, CIC and/or CCCTE tuition exchange application(s). Tuition Exchange scholarships are based primarily, but not exclusively, on the applicant’s academic profile.
When should I apply for tuition exchange?
You may apply for tuition exchange at any time. It is highly recommended that applications are received by January 1st to be considered by the first review conducted in mid-January. Remember, you must also apply to Saint Vincent, be accepted as a resident student, and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be considered for tuition exchange eligibility.
Do I have to apply for financial aid in general to be considered for a tuition exchange scholarship?
Yes, you are required to apply for need-based financial aid at Saint Vincent College to be considered for a tuition exchange scholarship. It is necessary to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) prior to our review. Therefore, the FAFSA should be submitted by January 1st, if possible. The FAFSA must be filed yearly to remain eligible for a tuition exchange scholarship.
If I am eligible for PELL, PHEAA, or SEOG grants, will my tuition exchange scholarship be reduced?
Yes, student eligibility for federal and/or state grants will reduce the tuition exchange.
Is there a housing requirement to be awarded a tuition exchange scholarship?
Yes, students must live on campus to be eligible for a tuition exchange scholarship.
When will I know if I am awarded a tuition exchange scholarship?
All tuition exchange notifications are completed by email after each review (mid-January and mid-March). Students should expect to hear from the tuition exchange liaison immediately following the review. An email will be sent within 10 days. At times, a student may be admitted to Saint Vincent College, but placed on a waiting list for a tuition exchange scholarship. If this occurs, Saint Vincent College will do its best to notify waitlisted TE applicants of the final decision prior to May 1st, the freshman enrollment deposit due date.
What is the value of a tuition exchange scholarship?
The tuition exchange scholarship at Saint Vincent College covers the full cost of tuition for the academic year, less the reduction as noted for federal and/or state grants.
Are there any special conditions attached to a tuition exchange scholarship?
Once a student is provided with a tuition exchange scholarship, Saint Vincent College will continue it to a maximum of eight (8) consecutive semesters excluding summer and winter intersessions, provided the employee remains eligible at the Export institution.
The recipient must meet Saint Vincent College’s standards of academic performance and personal conduct and be certified eligible by his/her export institution. A Saint Vincent College tuition exchange scholarship can be applied to any on or off campus bachelor degree program of study that carries the Saint Vincent College tuition charge. If a tuition exchange student is not in attendance in a Saint Vincent College tuition-charging program for longer than one semester, the student will lose the tuition exchange scholarship and will need to reapply and re-compete to receive any future tuition exchange funding.
If I am not a successful freshman candidate to receive a tuition exchange scholarship, can I re-apply as an upperclassman for tuition exchange?
Yes, you can re-apply. However, preference is given to first-time, first-year applicants.
If I become eligible to apply for a tuition exchange scholarship after I have enrolled as a current student at Saint Vincent College, will I be considered for a tuition exchange scholarship?
Yes, if you meet all the requirements for a tuition exchange scholarship after you enrolled at Saint Vincent College, you may apply for tuition exchange for the next academic year. However, preference is given to first-time, first-year applicants.
Are transfer applicants eligible to apply for a tuition exchange scholarship?
Yes, however, it is rare that a transfer student is offered a tuition exchange scholarship.
Who administers Saint Vincent College’s tuition exchange program?
If you have specific questions about Saint Vincent’s tuition exchange program, contact Saint Vincent College and ask for the Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer. Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650, by phone at 724-805-2084 or email Kate.dzurica@stvincent.edu.
Where can I get more information about tuition exchange?
Contact the tuition exchange liaison officer at the Export institution (where your parent/guardian is employed), typically within the human resources or financial aid office. You may also visit www.tuitionexchange.org for general information about Tuition Exchange (TE), www.cic.edu for information about Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), or www.cccte.org for information about Catholic College Cooperative Exchange (CCCTE).
Loans
Additional private loans, generally referred to as “alternative loans,” are also available to students to bridge any funding gaps. Most student borrowers will need a co-signer. Payment can usually be deferred until after graduation, but interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed. Additional information on this type of loan is available through the Financial Aid Office.
The list of lenders is available online through www.ELMSelect.com. This summary information is intended only as a guide for comparison purposes. Many other options exist for supplemental borrowing. You are not required to use any of the loans or lenders listed in this guide. Please consider the lender and loan product that best meets your needs. More information and a list of private lenders can also be found at www.finaid.org. A list of Pennsylvania Credit unions who offer private loans can be found at https://pennsylvania.studentchoice.org/ along with their requirements. Please refer to the lender for updated information before making your choice. Rates, Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.
Monthly Interest-Free Payment Plan
Saint Vincent College administers a deferred payment plan that provides flexibility and time to meet your financial obligation. The SVC Payment Plan is administered by the Business Office at Saint Vincent College. The plan has a $30 per semester fee which is due at set-up but carries no interest charges. The plan allows you to spread out payments over each semester while you are enrolled in classes, rather than making payment-in-full at the start of each semester and is typically spread over five months starting in July for the fall semester and December for the spring semester.
Information about the SVC Payment Plan will be available at orientation. Contact the Business Office at 724-805-2248 for questions or to obtain an application.
Work-Study
A work-study position allows you to earn money to help cover non-billable educational expenses by working on or off-campus. The position may be paid by federal funds, institutional funds, or through the cooperative efforts of PHEAA and Saint Vincent College for community service work.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is counted as part of your financial aid package and placed on your award letter.
Institutional Work-Study is not considered financial aid and will not appear on your award letter.
Students are not guaranteed a position and are required to secure their own employment, working up to 15 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Earnings are paid directly to the student and are not deducted from your bill.
Students can search for on-campus positions through Career Service's database at https://stvincent.joinhandshake.com/login.