What is the financial aid like at St. John's College?

Question

I'm a prospective St. John's College student, hoping to attend the Annapolis campus in a year. I'm fairly poor, though, so I am wary of the costs. My family's financial aid report states that my EFC is 0, so most state schools are willing to give me large scholarships. My point is, I am eager to attend St. John's College. Does anyone have experience with the type of financial aid awarded at the College to students with low, or zero EFC rates? Thank you.

Answer 1

I think a lot of what you're looking for is answered, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, on the St. John's College website, particularly on the financial aid pages.

Some of the things that caught my eye:

"St. John's College is committed to making its unique program available to all qualified students, regardless of their financial circumstances.  St. John's maintains a financial aid program to assist eligible students to the greatest extent possible within the limits of the College's resources."

"The primary responsibility for financing a college education lies with the student and the student's parents. The college can offer aid only to supplement funds the family provides."

"In keeping with the philosophy that students should contribute to their educational expenses, self-help is, in most cases, the first component of a financial aid award. At St. John's self-help consists of a part-time job and educational loans. We also expect students to work during the summer to earn money for educational expenses."

The good news is this - you will not be required to accept an admissions offer to St. John's, or any other school, until you have had an opportunity to review the financial aid offer that they will make to you. The best advice is to apply to those state schools AND to St. John's. When the acceptance letters and financial aid offers arrive, THEN you can worry about whether St. John's is able to effectively 'compete' with the state universities on funding.

Hopefully that puts your mind at ease. Good luck!