Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a Federal sponsored grant for undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time at a college or university. Eligibility is determined by the Federal Department of Education. Awards will vary depending upon the student's registration.

Access Missouri Grant Program

The Access Missouri Grant is a State-sponsored program for all undergraduate Missouri residents enrolled full-time at a Missouri college or university with a 2.5 gpa or higher. Eligibility is determined by the State with grants ranging up to $3,200.00 per year. Please note that the amount on your award letter is an estimate. Access Missouri Grant Awards are not finalized until Fontbonne receives official notification from the State as to each student's award status.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

The funds for this grant is appropriated by the Federal Government and made available through institutions of higher education to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need. Limited funding, awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Fontbonne Family Award

$500 per family member awarded to Immediate family members attending Fontbonne as a full-time undergraduate students.

Fontbonne Grants

Available to full-time undergraduate students with financial need. Funding is limited. Complete and submit the FAFSA by June 1.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant and SMART Grant program

The Academic Competitiveness Grant and SMART Grant program was created by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2006; effective July 1, 2006. The program awards need-based Academic Competitiveness Grants to first- and second-year undergraduates who completed a rigorous high school curriculum, and SMART Grants to third- and fourth-year undergraduates majoring in certain technical fields or foreign languages deemed vital to national security.

In order to be eligible for either grant, a student must be a United States citizen, enrolled full time, and eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. A first-year undergraduate is also required to be a first-time undergraduate, to be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a two- or four-year degree-granting institution, and to have completed, after Jan. 1, 2006, a rigorous secondary school program. A second-year undergraduate at such an institution is required to have completed such a rigorous program after Jan. 1, 2005, and to have obtained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the first academic year as an undergraduate.

Third- and fourth-year undergraduates are required to pursue a major in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language, and to obtain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the coursework required for the major being pursued. Critical foreign languages will be determined by the secretary of education in consultation with the director of national intelligence.

Grant amounts are $750 to first-year undergraduate students, $1,300 for a second-year undergraduate, and $4,000 for third- and fourth-year undergraduates, except that these grants, in combination with the Federal Pell Grant and other student financial assistance cannot exceed the student's cost of attendance. A student may only receive one grant for each of the first through fourth years of undergraduate education and only for a year for which the student received credit after the date of enactment of the program.

Federal Work Study Program (FWS)

Federal Work-Study(FWS) is a work program for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. To be considered at Fontbonne, you must have the FAFSA processed by our early application deadline of March 15, have indicated on the FAFSA an interest in student employment and have financial need. Eligible students find job opportunities either on campus or at approved off campus sites either during non-academic day hours or in the evening. Students awarded work-study will participate in a Job Fair that is held during orientation week. Most students work an average of 8 to 9 hours per week and are paid on a monthly basis as time sheets are submitted.

Fontbonne Work-Study is a limited work program classification for students who are employed by the university in critical areas dependent upon special skills or aptitudes. Such employment is not need-based but may be used toward meeting demonstrated need and is considered to be financial aid. LImited funding, awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loan

Federal Stafford Loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students who have made application for financial aid and are registered at least half time (six credit hours or more.) The loan is offered in two different forms or combination of these forms. The first is a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan based upon need with the federal government paying the interest. The second is an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan with interest starting within 60 days of check disbursement and provision for the student to elect to borrow the interest and add it to the principal amount borrowed. These loans are through a participating bank, savings and loan, or credit union. The maximum amount that can be borrowed is determined by the student's classification as an undergraduate ($3,500 as a freshman, $4,500 as a sophomore, and $5,500 as a junior, senior, or fifth year student) for a maximum total of $23,000. Graduate students may borrow a maximum of $8,500 per academic year for periods of enrollment starting October 1, 1993, with an aggregate total of $65,500. Interest rate for all students who borrow on or after July 1, 1994, will be variable based on the Treasury bill rate as of June 30 of each year plus 3.1 percent; interest rate will not exceed 8.25 percent. A three- percent origination fee and a one percent insurance fee are deducted from the amount borrowed. The remaining balance is usually paid in two installments, at the beginning of the loan period and at the midpoint. Repayment of principal and interest on subsidized loans begins six months after graduation, withdrawal or registration for less than six credit hours.

Prepayment may be made at any time without penalty.

All incoming Freshman and Transfer students must also complete an Entrance Interview. Please go to Student Loan Couseling Interview at Mapping Your Future

Federal Parent Plus Loan for Undergraduate Students

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS) is a non-need based loan for dependent students applied for by a parent. Its availability is based upon a credit check and should only be applied for after eligibility for the Stafford Loan has been determined. The loan limit is the budgeted cost of education minus other financial aid. A three- percent origination fee and a one-percent insurance fee will be taken from the amount borrowed. The interest rate is variable but will not exceed 12 percent. Repayment must begin immediately. Applications are available in the financial aid office.

Please note: All Plus Loans must be Pre-Approved. Also, a Parent Loan Data sheet must be completed in order for your Plus loan to be processed. Please contact the office for a Data Sheet.

Federal Perkins Loan

Perkins Loan provides a long-term federal loan to undergraduate students with demonstrated need. The amount varies with a $4,500 maximum total for the undergraduate years until junior status is attained and a maximum total of $9,000 as an undergraduate. Fontbonne University is the lender from funds composed of both federal and university monies. The loan entitles new borrowers to a nine-month grace period, which begins immediately upon graduation, withdrawal from Fontbonne or registration for less than six credit hours. At the conclusion of the grace period, repayment based on interest of five percent per year will begin. Loans may be fully or partially cancelled for teachers of handicapped children or teachers employed by a school with a high concentration of low-income students. Deferment of repayment is possible for half-time student status, military service or VISTA. The appropriate deferment or request for cancellation must be filed at least once annually.

Federal Grad Plus Program

A new federal loan program, the GradPLUS Loan is a low interest, federally backed student loan guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Like its undergraduate counterpart, the Grad PLUS Loan can be used to pay for the total cost of education less any aid you've already been awarded. Also, like the undergraduate version, eligibility for the Graduate PLUS Loan is largely dependent on the borrower's credit rating and history, as opposed to the purely need-based Grad Stafford loan.

See your financial aid counselor for more information.