Saint Peter's University Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See New Jersey aid & Grants
Last Updated on June 18, 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: ~93%
- Middle 50% ACT: 17-28
- Middle 50% SAT: 885-1178
- Average GPA: 3.0
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Saint Peter's University at a Glance
- The biggest “full tuition” options aren’t pure merit: Programs like New Jersey’s Gateway Tuition Program are income-based and FAFSA-driven—not guaranteed scholarships for strong grades alone.
- Top awards require timing and strong positioning: Competitive options like the Presidential Scholarship have priority timing (around mid-February). Waiting too long—even at a rolling admissions school—can mean missing your best shot.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Saint Peter's University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 17-28; SAT: 885-1178.
Average net price? About $12,973/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
University study abroad funding page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/academics/programs-services/study-abroad/financing/study-abroad-funding-undergraduate-students/
University scholarship page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/apex/
University tuition and aid page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/admissions/tuition-and-aid/
University scholarship page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-aid/scholarships/
Scholarship listing site (non-official amount confirmation); corroborated by CRP table and university scholarship ranges.: https://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/deans-academic-scholarship/2002939/
University catalog financial aid section: https://catalogs.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate/generalinformation/studentfinancialaid/
Partner organization scholarship page: https://glamourgals.org/saint-peters-scholarship
University international student page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/international/
University program page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/academics/programs-services/invest-scholars-program/
Scholarship listing site (non-official) corroborated with Saint Peter’s freshman, test-optional, and financial aid pages: https://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/presidential-academic-scholarship/2002938/
University transfer admission page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate-admission/applying-to-saint-peters/transfer-students/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Saint Peter's 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) | $43,170 | $43,170 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $17,794 | $17,794 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $60,964 | $60,964 |
Average Federal Net Price: $12,973 — 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
- Private tuition model: no out-of-state surcharge — NJ and non-NJ students generally start at the same billed tuition price.
- Commuter-friendly reality: Saint Peter’s has a large commuter population, so many families reduce costs by living at home (and housing is often encouraged, not a hard requirement).
- Gateway Tuition Program (NJ residents): Covers full tuition and mandatory/comprehensive fees for eligible New Jersey students from households with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less. Gateway functions as a last-dollar program, filling remaining tuition costs after federal and state grants are applied.
- Stacking reality: like many private universities, large institutional awards may replace (not stack on top of) smaller institutional grants—so the “best award” often becomes the one that counts.
Parent tip: If your student could commute, you’re often comparing two very different budgets: “tuition + fees only” vs. “tuition + fees + housing/meals.”
👉 New Jersey State Grants & Scholarships
Profile: New Jersey resident • Household AGI ~$90–100k • GPA ~3.6 • On-campus or commuter
- Sticker tuition ≈ $44,000
- Automatic merit ≈ $15,000–$25,000
- Remaining tuition gap covered by Pell + NJ TAG + Gateway
Result: Tuition is often reduced to ~$0. Families typically budget only for housing (if applicable), transportation, and personal expenses.
This is why Saint Peter’s often costs less than expected — and sometimes less than a public in-state option.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Saint Peter’s University
Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same?
Saint Peter’s is a private university, so it typically does not charge a separate “resident vs. non-resident” tuition rate the way public universities do.
Is living on campus required?
Many private colleges encourage first-year students to live on campus, but Saint Peter’s is also known for a strong commuter population.
If commuting is an option, that can be one of the biggest real savings levers for families.
What’s the difference between billed costs and “cost of attendance”?
Billed costs are what you pay directly to the school (tuition/fees and—if applicable—housing/meals).
Cost of attendance also includes indirect expenses like books, transportation, and personal costs, which affect financial aid eligibility even though you don’t pay them to the university.
How accurate is the “about $13,000 net price” number?
It’s a helpful federal average, but it’s not “your” price. Families with high need can be lower, while families without need-based eligibility may be higher.
The fastest way to get your real estimate is the Net Price Calculator.
How does the Gateway Tuition Program work?
Gateway is designed for eligible New Jersey students and typically functions like a “last-dollar” tuition promise—meaning it fills remaining tuition/comprehensive fees after other grants are applied.
Because eligibility rules can change year to year, confirm the current requirements directly on the Gateway pages.
If my student wins a bigger scholarship later, do awards stack?
Often, no. At many private universities, a larger institutional award can replace (not stack on top of) smaller institutional grants.
If your student is chasing a full-tuition competitive award, ask admissions/financial aid how it interacts with initial merit.
https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/undergraduate-cost-of-attendance/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-aid/tuition-and-fees/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/gateway/
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=186432
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Saint Peter’s University (2026–2027)
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
Note: Automatic merit awards at Saint Peter’s generally do not stack with one another. If a student later qualifies for a higher competitive award (such as full-tuition Presidential), that award typically replaces the automatic merit rather than adding to it.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at Saint Peter’s
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. All automatic merit scholarships are awarded based on your admission application.
There is no additional essay or scholarship form required.
Is GPA more important than test scores?
Yes. Saint Peter’s is test-optional, and GPA/course rigor are the primary factors used
for automatic merit placement.
Can automatic merit be combined with the Gateway Program?
Gateway is a last-dollar tuition promise for eligible New Jersey residents.
For families with AGI ≤ $100,000 who are Pell-eligible, Gateway covers remaining tuition and comprehensive fees
after other grants/scholarships are applied. In practice, institutional merit may reduce the Gateway amount,
but the program still acts as a tuition “backstop.”
Are these awards guaranteed for four years?
They are typically renewable for up to four years as long as students remain enrolled full-time and meet the university’s
scholarship renewal requirements (which are confirmed in the official award letter).
https://www.saintpeters.edu/apex/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-aid/scholarships/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/international/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate-admission/applying-to-saint-peters/transfer-students/
Gateway Tuition Program
- Missing the February 15 priority deadline for Presidential consideration
- Assuming Gateway stacks on top of full-tuition awards (it doesn’t)
- Applying test-optional when aiming for APEX or Presidential tiers
- Assuming on-campus housing is required (many students commute)
- Losing renewal eligibility due to misunderstanding GPA requirements
🏆 Flagship (Highly Competitive) Scholarships at Saint Peter’s University (2026–2027)
These are Saint Peter’s top-tier academic awards. They are not automatic and involve a supplemental review process. If your student is aiming for a full-tuition outcome, this is the most important scholarship tier to understand.
*Benchmarks and processes reflect typical past recipients and institutional practice; details may change year to year and are confirmed in the official award letter.
Stacking note: At Saint Peter’s, flagship awards like the Presidential Scholarship generally replace lower automatic merit rather than stacking on top of it. The Presidential award functions as the institutional “ceiling.”
FAQ — Flagship Scholarships at Saint Peter’s
Is there a hard GPA or test-score cutoff?
No. Saint Peter’s emphasizes a holistic review. The GPA and test scores shown above reflect
typical recipients, not guaranteed cutoffs.
If my student applies test-optional, can they still win Presidential?
Yes. Test-optional applicants remain eligible, but are typically asked to submit
an additional essay as part of the scholarship review.
Is the February 15 deadline firm?
Yes. February 15 is the priority deadline for full-tuition Presidential consideration.
Applications submitted after this date are rarely reviewed for this award.
Does Presidential stack with APEX or other merit?
No. Like most private colleges, Saint Peter’s awards the highest institutional scholarship
a student qualifies for; Presidential usually replaces automatic merit.
https://www.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate-admission/applying-to-saint-peters/freshman/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate-admission/applying-to-saint-peters/freshman/testop/
https://catalogs.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate/generalinformation/studentfinancialaid/
🎓 Honors Program & Honors-Based Scholarships
Saint Peter’s University offers an Honors Program designed for high-achieving students seeking smaller classes, enriched coursework, and close faculty mentorship. While the Honors Program itself does not guarantee additional scholarship money, it is closely associated with the university’s highest academic merit awards.
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
What the Honors Program Includes
- Priority course registration
- Small, discussion-based honors sections
- Faculty mentoring and research opportunities
- Honors-only seminars and interdisciplinary coursework
- Enhanced preparation for graduate and professional programs
To graduate with Honors distinction (in cursu honorum), students must complete approximately 30 honors credits, including honors-designated coursework and a senior thesis.
How Honors Status Connects to Scholarships
Students admitted to the Honors Program are frequently among the recipients of Saint Peter’s top academic awards, including:
- Presidential Academic Scholarship (full tuition; competitive)
- APEX Scholarship (high-tier merit for top NJ/NY applicants)
- Dean’s and Ignatian Scholarships (upper merit tiers)
However, Honors participation itself does not add a separate dollar amount to a student’s aid package. Instead, it serves as an academic enrichment track layered on top of existing merit or need-based aid.
❓ Honors Program FAQs
Is the Honors Program automatic with top scholarships?
No. While many Presidential and APEX recipients are invited to the Honors Program, admission is determined separately and is based on a holistic review of academics, recommendations, and overall fit.
Does being in Honors increase scholarship amounts?
No. Honors participation does not increase the dollar value of merit scholarships. The financial benefit is indirect — through enhanced academic access, mentoring, and preparation for future opportunities.
Can Honors students commute?
Yes. Saint Peter’s has a large commuter population, and Honors participation is not tied to on-campus housing.
Is Honors compatible with the Gateway Tuition Program?
Yes. Eligible New Jersey residents can participate in both the Honors Program and the Gateway Tuition Program. Gateway covers tuition as a last-dollar program, while Honors provides academic enrichment rather than additional funding.
What GPA is required to remain in the Honors Program?
Students must maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA to remain in good standing in the Honors Program.
Students who fall below this threshold are typically given a one-semester grace period to raise their GPA before being removed from the program.
https://www.saintpeters.edu/academics/honors-program/
https://www.saintpeters.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-aid/scholarships/
https://catalogs.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate/generalinformation/studentfinancialaid/
⭐ College Specialty
Saint Peter’s University is best known for delivering a private, Jesuit education with unusually strong outcomes for the price, especially for students interested in healthcare, business, education, and public service. Its location in Jersey City places students minutes from Manhattan, giving them access to internships, research partnerships, and career pipelines that most small private universities simply can’t match.
Health Sciences & Nursing — Saint Peter’s has deep institutional ties to the regional healthcare system, including Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Programs emphasize hands-on clinical experience, community-based care, and strong placement into nursing, allied health, and graduate healthcare programs.
- Business & Finance: Located within the New York City metro area, Saint Peter’s business programs benefit from proximity to Wall Street, major accounting firms, and corporate headquarters. Students frequently secure internships during the academic year, not just summers.
- Education & Urban Teaching: The university is well-regarded in New Jersey for teacher preparation, particularly for students interested in urban education, bilingual education, and service-oriented teaching careers.
- STEM & the INVEST Scholars Program: Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Physics students can access the highly regarded INVEST Scholars Program, which combines scholarships, mentoring, and paid teaching pathways in high-need school districts.
- Criminal Justice, Sociology & Public Service: These programs reflect Saint Peter’s Jesuit mission, emphasizing ethics, leadership, and community impact, with graduates moving into law enforcement, social services, policy, and graduate study.
🔗 Official Saint Peter’s University Links
Use Saint Peter’s official university 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.
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Undergraduate Admissions:
Undergraduate Admissions
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Application Types & Deadlines:
Apply to Saint Peter’s – Freshman Applicants
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Scholarships & Institutional Aid:
Scholarships
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Gateway Tuition Program:
Gateway Tuition Program
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Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
Cost of Attendance
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Net Price Calculator:
Cost of Attendance
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Honors Program:
Honors Program
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Common Data Set & Academic Policies:
https://catalogs.saintpeters.edu/undergraduate/
- Fall: Apply early for rolling admission and maximum merit review
- January: Submit FAFSA and New Jersey state aid forms
- February 15: Hard priority cutoff for Presidential Scholarship consideration
- After admission: Compare net price offers and consider a financial aid appeal if needed