Undergraduate Aid Programs

Overview of Aid Programs

From its founding, Fairfield University has been committed to providing educational opportunities to motivated students of diverse social and economic backgrounds. While students and families are primarily responsible for college expenses, Fairfield University sees this as a shared endeavor and will assist students with as much financial aid as possible.
Investing in a college education is often a major financial decision, and many students and families need to look beyond their own resources for assistance. A Fairfield education is possible with proper financial planning, and the lifelong benefits will far exceed the expenses involved.

Review 2024-2025 Full-Time Undergraduate Resident Tuition & Costs

Contact the Office of the Bursar for More Information

Research Aid Opportunities

The following charts provide a comprehensive picture of the aid programs available, with information on eligibility and application requirements for programs administered by Fairfield University, lending institutions, and state and federal government agencies. It is important to pay close attention to application deadlines and instructions for all programs, regardless of the administering agencies.

This list of aid programs is not exhaustive. Many other grant and loan programs exist nationwide, and eligibility often depends on a student's state of residence and high school attended. We recommend that students consult with high school counselors to discuss what special awards may be available. Remember, any financial aid received will reduce the annual costs and/or future loan repayment obligations. It may be worth doing some extra paperwork to apply for additional aid programs!

Fairfield University offers need-based aid as well as merit scholarships. Learn more about the Fairfield University Financial Aid Programs, Federal Aid options, and aid application and payment plan deadlines.

Fairfield University Aid Programs

Fairfield University Aid Programs
Program	Eligibility Requirements	Source of Funds	Annual Awards
Fairfield University Need-Based Grants - names may vary by program	Full-time undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need	Fairfield University	Varies based on eligibility
Financial aid awards cannot be processed until both the FAFSA and CSS Profile have been received (including the Noncustodial PROFILE, when applicable). To confirm eligibility, students may be selected for the verification process. If selected, students will be notified by the Office of Financial and should submit all required documents no later than August 1. Returning students only need to complete the CSS Profile during their freshman year. However, the FAFSA is required every academic school year.
Athletic Grant- in-Aid	Awarded by the Athletics department	Fairfield University	Varies

Program	Application Instructions by Student Status
Fairfield University Need-Based Grants – names may vary by program	Early Action/Early Decision Applicants Submit CSS Profile by December 1 Submit FAFSA by December 1	First-Year Applicants, Regular Decision/Early Decision II Submit CSS Profile & FAFSA by January 15	Transfer Applicants Submit CSS Profile & FAFSA by June 1	Returning Students Submit FAFSA by April 15
Athletic Grant-in-Aid	Contact the Athletics Department at (203) 254-4216

Program

Application Instructions by Student Status

Fairfield University Need-Based Grants – names may vary by program

Early Action/Early Decision Applicants

Submit CSS Profile by December 1

Submit FAFSA by December 1

First-Year Applicants, Regular Decision/Early Decision II

Submit CSS Profile & FAFSA by January 15

Transfer Applicants

Submit CSS Profile & FAFSA by June 1

Returning Students

Submit FAFSA by April 15

Athletic Grant-in-Aid

Contact the Athletics Department at (203) 254-4216

Federal, State, and Other Aid Programs

Federal, State, and Other Aid Programs
Program	Eligibility Requirements	Source of Funds	Annual Award Ranges	Application Instructions
Federal Pell Grant	Undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs as determined by the FAFSA Undergraduate students with a parent killed in the line of duty.	Federal	Maximum award for academic year 2024–25: $7,395	Learn More
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant	Undergraduate students with exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA	Federal	Up to $4,000; awards vary	Learn More
Federal Work-Study	Full-time undergraduate students with exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA; awards determined by the University.	Federal	Maximum up to $2,000	Learn more from the Office of Financial Aid once enrolled.
Direct Loan	Subsidized - Students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA Unsubsidized - Students with no financial need as determined by the FAFSA Additional information and eligibility requirements	Federal	View loan limits	After you submit the FAFSA, complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling
Direct PLUS Loan	Loans for parents of dependent undergraduate students Additional information and eligibility requirements	Federal	Cost of Attendance minus - financial aid assistance	After you submit the FAFSA, complete a credit check, and Master Promissory Note.
Alternative Student Loan	Credit-based programs available to qualifying applicants	Search for alternative loans	Cost of Attendance minus - financial aid assistance	Search alternative loan
State Grant	Varies per state	State	Varies	Contact your resident state's Board or Commissioner of Education for information.
Tuition Payment Plan	For Full-Time Undergraduate students, the University offers the option to pay for the semester every month via a payment plan administered by Nelnet Campus Commerce. This semester-based plan allows you to spread the semester balance due over 4 months.	n/a	n/a	See enrollment instructions Contact the Office of the Bursar

Payment & Payment Plan Deadlines

Payment & Payment Plan Deadlines
Date	Deadline
Approx. July 5	FALL semester e-bills sent to all students via university email (and authorized e-bill users)
July 20	Deadline to enroll in a fall monthly payment plan
August 1	Payment due for FALL semester
December 1	SPRING semester e-bills sent to all students via university email (and authorized e-bill users)
December 20	Deadline to enroll in a spring monthly payment plan
January 1	Payment due for SPRING semester

Image of students walking outside

Frequently Asked Questions: FWS Eligibility

Undergraduate, full-time students* with significant financial need, as outlined in federal and institutional awarding policies, may be eligible for federal work-study (FWS). Eligible students are notified in a financial aid award letter from the Office of Financial Aid.

Eligibility is calculated using the results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), in combination with institutional guidelines. FWS awards, similar to all other federal financial aid sources, are NOT guaranteed from one year to the next.
What do I do if I am eligible for FWS?
Students interested in FWS eligibility should:

Meet all application deadlines and submit all required documents (for employment and financial aid verification)
Acknowledge receipt of a final award notification of approved FWS (if eligible) from the Office of Financial Aid
If you are eligible for Federal Work Study, you must log into your my.Fairfield account for more information on the application and hiring process. Students search for FWS jobs in the Student Job Listing in Workday (accessed through my.Fairfield).

*Graduate and part-time students are not eligible for FWS due to limited funding.

There are a variety of University offices and facilities that offer part-time employment to students. Students can search for available non-FWS (NWS) jobs on the Student Job Listing in Workday (accessed through my.Fairfield). For more information you can email studentemploy@fairfield.edu. Graduate students can review the University's available graduate assistantships on our website.

Federal work-study jobs may be available in office administration, research, athletics, lifeguard, mentoring, tutoring, science laboratory assistance, community service, media, theater, and many other areas. There are also limited off-campus community service agencies that provide FWS employment. These positions are associated with private, non-profit organizations, public agencies, or community service, where the work is in the public interest.

Students have both the opportunity AND responsibility of finding and securing their FWS job. Typically, job listings become available during mid-summer for each academic year. Students can begin the job search once jobs are posted and available to apply.

Community agencies interested in Fairfield's Federal Work-Study program can write to the program administrator at fws@fairfield.edu.

Undergraduate Aid Programs

Overview of Aid Programs

Research Aid Opportunities

Fairfield University Aid Programs

Federal, State, and Other Aid Programs

Payment & Payment Plan Deadlines

Federal Work-Study

Frequently Asked Questions: FWS Eligibility

Questions About How Much Money You Can Borrow?

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Undergraduate Aid Programs

Overview of Aid Programs

Research Aid Opportunities

Fairfield University Aid Programs

Federal, State, and Other Aid Programs

Payment & Payment Plan Deadlines

Federal Work-Study

Frequently Asked Questions: FWS Eligibility

Who is eligible for federal work-study?

How is eligibility for FWS calculated?

If I am not eligible for FWS, what jobs are available?

What types of jobs are available?

How do students search for jobs?

Community Service Agency Information

Questions About How Much Money You Can Borrow?

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Follow Us On Social