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Online Financial Education Center

Saint Louis University's online financial education center is here to help you understand how money works and how to plan and make financially smart decisions. We’ve compiled resources on all kinds of financial topics that will improve the knowledge and skills you need to effectively manage your finances over your lifetime.

Two students at laptop in a gazebo
 

Financing a SLU Education - New Students

Financial Aid Checklist
Sample Student Financing Example

Let’s estimate Sample Student's remaining balance is $10,000 for the full year. If Sample Student's family paid in full at the beginning of each semester, they would make a $5,000 payment for fall in August and a $5,000 payment for spring in January. Let's look at some additional choices for covering the remaining balance if paying in full might not be an option for you.

Option 1: Payment Plan

  • Enrolling in a Payment Plan would allow the remaining balance to be paid in 5 equal payments throughout the semester. 
  • $75 Enrollment Fee Plan - Families pay an enrollment fee of $75 per semester to enroll in this plan. There will be no interest or finance charges accrued on this plan. Typically best for families with balances larger than $5,000. 
  • 1% Interest Plan - 1% interest is assessed each month on the remaining balance. Interest is added to the bill in the form of a finance charge. Families will balances of less than $5,000 will want to sign up for this plan. 
  • Monthly payment amount on a $10,000 balance will be approximately $1,000 per month

Option 2: Parent Loan 

Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan

  • 4.228% federal origination fee withheld from the disbursement
  • 8.05% fixed interest rate (2023-2024)
  • Loan period: August 2023 – May 2024
  • Loan amount: $10,442
  • Net received: $10,000
  • Estimated monthly payment:  $122 (Standard 10-year repayment term – no prepayment penalty for early payoff)

Option 3: Private Student Loan 

Credit-qualifying student loan usually requires a credit-worthy co-signer

  • Typically no origination fee
  • Fixed rates are available, but usually variable rate loan (estimated variable rate 10%)
  • Loan period: August 2023 – May 2024
  • Loan amount: $10,000
  • Estimated monthly payment: $132 (Standard 10-year repayment term – no prepayment penalty for early payoff)
Need Help?

Resources for new freshmen and transfer students:

Information for Current SLU Students 

Financial Aid Checklist 
  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting on Jan. 1 before the priority deadline of April 1. Saint Louis University’s FAFSA school code is 002506. 
  • Accept/decline financial aid offers via your mySLU account.
  • Your Cost of Attendance might change slightly over the course of your time at SLU. Visit SLU's tuition and costs page to project a more accurate estimate of costs as they pertain to your unique living arrangements and program of study from year to year. 
  • Determine how to pay for any remaining balance not yet covered by financial aid, including expenses relating to living and books. 
  • If you will finance all or part of the remaining balance through additional student and/or parent loans, apply by July 1. For more information about these options, visit the loan webpage. You will need to submit Parent PLUS loan or private loan applications for each year at SLU. 
  • Check the Scholarship Suite in your mySLU account periodically throughout the year to apply for departmental or university scholarships you may be eligible for. 
  • Enroll in the University health insurance plan or complete a health insurance waiver if you already have health insurance.
  • Contact your student financial services counselor or schedule a meeting with them via EAB Navigate. 
Need Help?

Ways to Cover Your Remaining Balance

  • Payment Plan - Any remaining balance may be paid in full at the beginning of a term or spread over the full term to make five equal payments each semester (Fall=August to December, Spring= January to May)
  • Parent PLUS Loan - Parents can borrow up to the full Cost of Attendance minus other aid. Half of the loan will be disbursed in fall and half in spring. Repayment can start as early as 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or deferred while the student remains enrolled at least half-time (6 hours).
  • Private Student Loan - Student can borrow up to the full Cost of Attendance minus other aid. Repayment is deferred until six months after a student drops below half-time (6 hours).
  • Private and Outside Scholarships
  • 529 Plans

Additional Resources

The information below is organized based on four financial phases common to students. Check out the one most relevant to you, and don’t forget that you can contact a financial aid counselor if you have any questions.

Pre-College

Saving For College

Resources for College Savings
Explore additional links to information on 529 plans and other savings options.

College Savings Plans Network
Discover the latest college saving news and 529 plan information. Also compare plans by state or features.

College

Career Planning

Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook
Learn about the pay ranges for specific career paths, what education is required and the expected number of new jobs.

SLU Career Services
Build your career and earning potential by understanding your career prospects.

Finding More Aid

Federal Student Aid Videos
View short videos about filing your FAFSA, common myths about aid and other topics.

Private Scholarship Opportunities
Find scholarship money from sources outside of SLU.

Managing Your Money

Financial Awareness Counseling
Understand your financial aid and manage your finances with these tools.

Understanding Credit Cards
Learn more about credit and credit card basics.

Tax Information

Financial Forms Explained: A 1040EZ Tax Return
Review a thorough explanation of the federal income tax form 1040EZ.

Graduate/Professional

Loans

Your Student Loans
Log in to find out about your borrowing history, compare monthly repayment amounts, complete exit counseling or financial awareness counseling.

Repayment Plans
Learn about federal repayment options based on certain time periods or income.

Consolidation
Determine if federal loan consolidation is right for you.

Loan Forgiveness
Learn about loan forgiveness options for teachers and other public service jobs.

Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC)
Read about student loan repayment information in clear, everyday language.

Interest
Learn about student loan interest and the benefits of paying interest while you are in school.

Tax Information

Education Tax Benefits
Learn about tax benefits that will allow you to get back some of the money spent on tuition or loan interest.

Tax Help for Students
Review IRS resources for your common tax questions.

Other

Money Management Counseling Session
Put your financial knowledge to the test with this quiz for SLU students.

After College

Loan Repayment

Your Student Loans
Log in to find out about your borrowing history, compare monthly repayment amounts, complete exit counseling or financial awareness counseling.

Repayment Plans
Learn about federal repayment options based on certain time periods or income.

Consolidation
Determine if federal loan consolidation is right for you.

Loan Forgiveness
Learn about loan forgiveness options for teachers and other public service jobs.

Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC)
Read about student loan repayment information in clear, everyday language.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Submit any complaints to this agency about financial institutions or loan servicers.

Budgeting

America Saves
Learn more about a campaign managed by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America that seeks to motivate, encourage and support low- to moderate-income households to save money, reduce debt and build wealth.

Mint
Review a free online budget tracking website and app.

Credit

Annual Credit Report
Access one free credit report per year from each credit bureau.

myFico
Learn more about credit scores and access calculator tools.

Other

Grad Sense
Watch short videos on paying for graduate school.

My First Apartment
Watch short videos explaining important financial concepts and terms.