• Financial aid is intended to assist with a very modest student lifestyle, including only the basics: tuition and fees, room and board, books, and a small amount for personal expenses such as clothing, laundry, haircuts, long-distance charges, an occasional movie or dinner out, and so on. Financial aid is NOT intended to pay for your car, iPhone, cigarettes, or spring break trip.
• For each expenditure, ask yourself: Do I really need this? If you are taking out student loans to cover “extras”, do you really want to be paying interest years after graduation for items you could do without for now? Your time at SAU is a terrific chance to meet and mingle with people of many interests and cultures. Think of this as a free source of entertainment and enrichment.
• Protect your future: Don’t borrow more than you need. If you don’t need all the loans you’ve been offered, you may decline or reduce them in Student Portal – Saint Augustine’s University (st-aug.edu).
• Consider your living arrangement. Is that luxury apartment really a good deal? Do the math. If you live on campus, your “rent” includes all the food you need (even prepared for you with no dishes to do!), your bed linen, high-speed internet, and you can walk to your classes. In an apartment, in addition to your rent, you will have to find your roommate(s), purchase and cook your own food, get yourself to class, produce a rent deposit, pay for utilities, and possibly buy furniture. Add up all the costs associated with apartment living, compare it to campus living, and see which is the better deal.
• Be careful with credit cards! If you don’t have the cash for a purchase, you probably can’t afford it. However, if you have a reasonable budget for personal expenditures and can pay off your credit card in full each month, you will build good credit for your future.
• Don’t use an ATM card for an individual purchase if a fee is involved. Do you really want to pay $2.25 for a $1.50 taco? These little fees add up fast.
• Give yourself an allowance. Know what you can afford to spend for goodies each month and make a monthly withdrawal. Divide that into weekly envelopes to help you stay within your budget.

Our mission is to sustain a learning community in which students can prepare academically, socially, and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world. Please use the below checklist to help assist with your Financial Process.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Student and/or Parent must create FSA User ID here
  • Complete the FAFSA here
  • SAU school code: 002968
  • Use your 2021 Tax Information
• Review your FAFSA Results
  • Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) from nonreply@fafsa.gov
  • Review results in Falcon Landing
  • Submit any documents or requested information(if any)
  • Review your Financial Aid offers
• Grants and Scholarships are automatically accepted
• Accept or Decline offered student loans via Falcon Landing
• If accepted aid is greater than charges, NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED
• If accepted aid is less than charges, ACTION REQUIRED
  • Apply for Additional Scholarships
  • Apply for WorkStudy
  • Consider a Payment Plan
  • Consider a Parent Plus Loan
  • Consider a Private or Alternative Loan