Saint Francis University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 19, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~73%
- Middle 50% ACT: N/A
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Average GPA: N/A
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Saint Francis University at a Glance
- The “zero tuition” program isn’t merit—it’s income-based: The Zero-Tuition Advantage depends on FAFSA, Pell, and PA State Grant eligibility—not just grades.
- Merit can look large—but that’s before stacking reality: Even with $18K–$28.5K merit, families still need to evaluate the final net price and whether additional aid actually reduces what you pay.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Saint Francis University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: N/A; SAT: N/A.
Average net price? About $27,421/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
University scholarship page: https://www.francis.edu/scholarships-and-grants
University transfer scholarship page: https://www.francis.edu/admissions/transfer
University scholarship page: https://www.francis.edu/accounting-scholarship
University scholarship page: https://www.francis.edu/admissions/zero-tuition-advantage
University scholarship page: https://www.francis.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid
University scholarship page: https://www.francis.edu/admissions/peace-program
SAGE Tuition Rewards college profile: https://www.tuitionrewards.com/colleges/103/saint-francis-university
University internal scholarship announcement: https://www.francis.edu/internal-announcements/sga-saint-clare-scholarship-application-open
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Saint Francis University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $13,500 | $13,500 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $53,500 | $53,500 |
Average Federal Net Price: $27,421 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
💡 If Your Household Income Is… (Quick Strategy)
- Under ~$65K (PA residents): prioritize Zero-Tuition Advantage. File FAFSA + PA State Grant (PHEAA) early and plan for the remaining bill (typically housing/meals + one-time fees).
- ~$65K–$120K: treat SFU as a stacking game — aim for the highest automatic merit tier you can reach and stack Legacy / Franciscan / PEACE / HOBY where eligible.
- $120K+: treat SFU as a merit-driven choice. Run the Net Price Calculator and compare the final net cost to your strongest in-state option (including total 4-year borrowing).
Note: These are guidance bands, not hard rules. The real decision comes down to your final aid letter and borrowing plan.
Saint Francis University’s Zero-Tuition Advantage is designed to make the tuition portion far more affordable for qualifying Pennsylvania families. If you meet the requirements below, SFU covers the remaining balance of tuition + the university fee after federal, state, and other institutional aid is applied.
- Income cap: Household income of $65,000 or less
- Residency: Must be a Pennsylvania resident
- Aid requirements: Must qualify for both the Federal Pell Grant and the PA State Grant (PHEAA)
- What it covers: The remaining cost of tuition + the university fee
- What it does NOT cover: Housing and meals (about $14,050) and other indirect costs like books, transportation, and personal expenses
Parent reality check: Even with “zero tuition,” families should still plan for housing/meal costs and other billed items that may appear on the first-semester invoice.
⚠️ One-Time “Hidden Cost” to Watch: Laptop Program Fee
Some students may see a required Laptop Program charge (about $1,475) show up as a one-time or program-based fee. It’s not the same as tuition, and it can make the first-semester bill higher than families expect. If your student is in (or considering) a program that requires it, ask Financial Aid or Student Accounts whether the laptop fee can be covered by grants/scholarships or must be paid out-of-pocket.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Saint Francis University
Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same?
Saint Francis is a private university, so it doesn’t use a state-residency pricing model the way public universities do. Everyone is billed the same tuition and mandatory fees, and then scholarships and aid determine what you actually pay.
What’s included in the $61,250 billed total?
This total reflects the 2026–2027 direct charges: tuition + the university fee (combined in the tuition/fees line) plus on-campus housing and a meal plan. It’s the “pay the school” portion of the budget before any aid is applied.
What’s the difference between billed costs and the full cost of attendance?
Billed costs are what SFU charges you directly (tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals). The full cost of attendance also includes indirect costs like books, transportation, and personal expenses, which vary by student.
Does “Zero-Tuition Advantage” mean college is free?
Not exactly. The program is designed to cover the remaining balance of tuition + the university fee after other aid, but families still need a plan for housing and meals (about $14,050) and other non-billed costs. It’s best thought of as “tuition covered,” not “everything covered.”
Who qualifies for Zero-Tuition Advantage?
It’s targeted to Pennsylvania residents with household income of $65,000 or less who also qualify for both the Federal Pell Grant and the PA State Grant (PHEAA). If you’re close to the cutoff, it’s still worth asking SFU Financial Aid what counts as “income” for eligibility.
What’s the best way to reduce the first-year bill?
At SFU, the biggest levers are: (1) getting into the highest automatic merit tier you qualify for, (2) confirming all state/federal grants are filed correctly (especially PA State Grant), and (3) asking early about one-time charges (like the laptop fee) so they don’t surprise you on the first invoice.
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/zero-tuition-advantage
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=215743
🧾 What an SFU Aid Package Can Look Like (Illustrative Examples)
These examples are illustrative only to show how SFU’s aid pieces can interact. Your actual numbers will depend on your FAFSA, PA State Grant eligibility, academic profile, and yearly funding.
If Zero-Tuition covers remaining tuition + university fee, families still plan for housing/meals and any one-time fees. For many families, the “real bill” becomes the on-campus living cost rather than tuition.
A strong academic student in Accounting may use top-tier merit plus program guarantees and affiliation awards (Legacy/Franciscan/HOBY/SAGE where eligible). The key is checking whether awards are add-ons or simply bring total institutional aid up to a minimum floor.
Want to run real numbers? Use SFU’s Net Price Calculator and compare it to your best in-state option using the CRP Offer Comparison Sheet →
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Saint Francis University (2026–2027)
Saint Francis University (SFU) is test-optional, and the automatic merit awards below are published with clear minimum GPA thresholds. In most cases, students are considered automatically after applying for admission.
SFU is test-optional. If your student submits ACT/SAT scores, confirm with Admissions whether SFU superscores (combines best section scores across test dates), since policies can change and may impact merit placement for some students.
*Renewability and renewal criteria are confirmed in the student’s official award letter (minimum college GPA, credit completion, and satisfactory academic progress requirements may apply).
Disclaimer: Award amounts and policies can change annually based on funding and enrollment strategy. Some institutional awards may replace or reduce other aid rather than stack — always confirm details with SFU Financial Aid and your student’s official award letter.
FAQ — Automatic Merit Scholarships at Saint Francis University
Do we have to submit a separate scholarship application for these merit awards?
In most cases, no. SFU publishes these as admission-based merit scholarships, meaning students are typically considered when they apply for admission. If your student is missing an award you expected, ask Admissions whether additional documentation (transcript updates, final grades, etc.) is needed.
SFU is test-optional — do ACT/SAT scores still matter for merit?
SFU’s published automatic merit thresholds here are GPA-based. If your student has strong test scores, it can still help in admissions review and placement conversations, but the safest strategy is to make sure the transcript and GPA used for evaluation are current and accurate.
How does SFU choose which merit tier a student receives?
SFU’s grid is built around minimum GPA thresholds (for example, 4.25+ for the Founders’ level, 4.00+ for Trustees, 3.75+ for Presidential, etc.). If your student’s GPA is close to a cutoff, an updated transcript after senior-year grades can sometimes matter — especially in rolling admission.
Can these merit scholarships stack with the Zero-Tuition Advantage?
Zero-Tuition Advantage is structured to cover the remaining balance of tuition + the university fee for qualifying Pennsylvania residents after federal, state, and institutional aid are applied. In practice, that means merit scholarships may reduce the remaining “gap,” and SFU covers what’s left (if eligible). Confirm the exact stacking order with SFU Financial Aid.
When should we apply if SFU is rolling?
With rolling admission, earlier is almost always better for both admissions decisions and aid packaging. Even when a school lists “rolling,” scholarship budgets and institutional grant funds can become tighter later in the cycle.
Is an automatic merit award guaranteed for every student?
No. These are published tiers, but eligibility depends on SFU’s evaluation of the student’s academic record. If you’re unsure which GPA SFU will use (weighted vs unweighted vs recalculated), ask Admissions what they use for scholarship placement.
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/transfer
🧱 How Stacking Usually Works at SFU (Plain English)
- Automatic Merit: typically applied first as an institutional discount.
- Affiliation “Hidden Gems” (Legacy, Franciscan, PEACE, HOBY): often stack, but SFU may rebalance total institutional aid depending on your full package.
- Accounting Scholarship: acts like a minimum aid floor (guarantees at least $25,000/year in total institutional aid) — it may not add on top if you already exceed that amount.
- SAGE Tuition Rewards: frequently behaves like a true add-on (best “clean stack” category on this page).
- Zero-Tuition Advantage: works as a gap-closer at the end — it covers remaining tuition + university fee after merit + Pell + PA Grant are applied (funds can be limited if you file late).
Always verify stacking on the official award letter. Schools can rebalance institutional aid when outside scholarships or new awards are added.
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships at Saint Francis University (2026–2027)
Saint Francis University offers a small, targeted set of competitive scholarships that go beyond automatic merit. These awards are limited in number and focus on financial eligibility, leadership, service, and alignment with SFU’s Franciscan mission.
*Zero-Tuition eligibility is reviewed annually based on FAFSA data, residency, and grant qualification. Final terms are confirmed in the official financial aid award letter.
Disclaimer: Competitive awards are limited and may replace or reduce other institutional aid rather than stack on top of it. Always confirm how a competitive scholarship interacts with automatic merit and need-based aid.
FAQ — Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at Saint Francis University
Is the Zero-Tuition Advantage really “competitive”?
Yes — not because of essays, but because it has strict financial and residency criteria and limited funding.
Missing a requirement (or a deadline) can mean losing the award entirely.
What is the most important deadline for Zero-Tuition?
The FAFSA must be received by Saint Francis University by March 1 for full consideration.
After March 1, Zero-Tuition funding may be awarded only if funds remain.
How does Zero-Tuition actually “stack” with other aid?
SFU applies automatic merit scholarships first, then Pell and PA State Grants.
The Zero-Tuition Advantage only covers the remaining gap in tuition + the university fee.
If outside scholarships reduce that gap, the Zero-Tuition amount may be reduced accordingly.
Does Zero-Tuition cover housing, meals, or the laptop fee?
No. Zero-Tuition applies only to tuition and the university fee.
Costs like housing, meals, and one-time charges such as the Laptop Program fee must be covered separately.
Is St. Clare’s worth planning for if aid is tight freshman year?
Yes. St. Clare’s is a classic upper-class retention award.
If your student gets involved early — especially in Student Government or Campus Ministry —
this scholarship can help offset costs in later years.
Does Saint Francis offer true full-ride scholarships?
Not in a traditional sense. SFU’s strongest programs focus on tuition coverage, combined with need-based aid.
Full rides covering tuition, housing, and meals are rare.
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/zero-tuition-advantage
https://www.francis.edu/internal-announcements/st-clares-scholarship
https://www.francis.edu/internal-announcements/sga-saint-clare-scholarship-application-open
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid
🎖 Honors Program at Saint Francis University
Saint Francis University offers a central, university-wide Honors Program (not a separately branded Honors College). The program is a structured, four-year curriculum open to high-achieving students from all majors and includes honors-designated coursework, faculty mentoring, and senior-level academic distinction.
SFU’s Honors Program is not just a label. It includes dedicated coursework, service components, and a mentored senior thesis. Families should weigh the added workload carefully—especially for students in clinically intensive or lockstep majors like Nursing or Physician Assistant pathways.
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
What the SFU Honors Program Includes
- Four-Year Honors Curriculum: Honors-designated courses embedded within general education and major pathways.
- Priority Registration: Honors students register earlier than their peers, which can matter in high-demand courses.
- Honors Housing & Community Space: Access to the Bach Family Honors House, including a 24-hour study lounge and limited residential options.
- Faculty-Mentored Senior Thesis: A capstone research or creative project completed over the final year.
- Service & Leadership Emphasis: Coursework and projects aligned with SFU’s Franciscan mission.
- Transcript & Commencement Distinction: Honors notation on the transcript and recognition at graduation.
The Honors Program tends to deliver the most value for students who:
- Plan to pursue graduate school, medical school, or competitive fellowships
- Enjoy discussion-heavy, writing-intensive coursework
- Have enough schedule flexibility to absorb added honors requirements
FAQ — Honors Program at Saint Francis University
Is there an Honors College at Saint Francis University?
No. SFU operates a General Honors Program rather than a separate Honors College,
but it functions as a structured, cohort-based program with its own curriculum and benefits.
Do Honors students get priority registration?
Yes. Priority registration is a core benefit of the Honors Program.
Is there Honors housing?
Yes. Honors students have access to the Bach Family Honors House,
which serves as a community hub and includes limited residential options.
Is there a separate application for Honors?
Yes. Admission to the Honors Program requires a separate application and review.
Is Honors required to succeed academically at SFU?
No. Many top SFU students succeed without Honors by focusing on selective majors,
faculty mentoring, leadership roles, and strong academic performance.
Should Nursing or PA-track students join Honors?
It depends. Because these programs are academically and clinically demanding,
families should carefully evaluate whether Honors requirements fit alongside progression standards.
⭐ College Specialty
Saint Francis University is best known for programs that lead directly to licensed, mission-driven, and high-demand careers. Families often choose SFU for its health sciences and professional pathways, where small class sizes, early hands-on experience, and strong faculty mentoring translate into concrete outcomes rather than prestige branding. For students who want a clear academic path with purpose—and less guesswork—SFU’s strengths are tightly focused and intentional.
- Nursing & Health Sciences: SFU’s Nursing program is one of the university’s flagship offerings, known for selective admission, rigorous clinical preparation, and strong licensure outcomes. Health Sciences programs serve as common pipelines into graduate study, allied health, and professional schools.
- Physician Assistant & Pre-Health Pathways: While the PA program itself is graduate-level, SFU is widely recognized for preparing undergraduates for PA, medical, and health-professional programs through structured advising, faculty mentoring, and competitive clinical preparation.
- Accounting & Business: The Accounting program stands out nationally for its guaranteed institutional aid pathway and clear CPA/MBA preparation, making it a strategic choice for students seeking a defined return on investment.
- Education & Service-Oriented Majors: Education and related service-driven fields reflect SFU’s Franciscan mission, emphasizing leadership, ethics, and community engagement alongside professional training.
📞 Questions to Ask SFU (Copy/Paste Checklist)
- Merit positioning: Is my student at the top, middle, or lower end of the current merit grid for their GPA/test profile?
- Stacking rules: Will Legacy + Franciscan + PEACE + HOBY stack on top of merit, or will SFU rebalance institutional aid?
- SAGE treatment: Will SAGE Tuition Rewards be treated as a true add-on or used to rebalance other institutional grants?
- Renewal requirements: What GPA is required to keep each scholarship (and what happens if a student is slightly below the renewal GPA after one term)?
- Zero-Tuition specifics (PA residents): What definition of income is used, and what happens if our income increases in a later year?
- Timing: What is the latest date SFU must receive the FAFSA for full consideration of Zero-Tuition funding?
- One-time costs: Are there required first-year fees (like technology/laptop programs) that are billed separately from tuition?
Pro tip: Ask for answers in writing (email). It’s the easiest way to prevent “surprises” later.
🔗 Official Saint Francis University Links
Use Saint Francis University’s official resources below to verify admissions requirements, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines, eligibility rules, and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.francis.edu/admissions -
Application Deadlines & How to Apply:
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/how-to-apply -
Scholarships & Financial Aid:
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid -
Zero-Tuition Advantage Program:
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/zero-tuition-advantage -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.francis.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees -
Net Price Calculator:
https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/francis -
Honors Program:
https://www.francis.edu/academics/honors-program