When you consider the availability of financial aid and our competitive tuition rates, you will understand why St. Bonaventure University Online is a decision you can afford to make.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans for Graduate Students
The Federal Direct Loan program allows graduate students to borrow up to $20,500 a year without demonstrating financial need. Applicants must file the FAFSA (note: grad students file as independent) and the Graduate Student Loan Request Form, which is available on My.SBU. Graduate Stafford loans are not eligible for subsidized interest. This means that interest on the loan principal will accrue while the grad student is enrolled. The interest rate on the Graduate Stafford loan is 5.84 percent at this time. Loan repayment begins six months after the borrower ceases study or drops below half-time status. Stafford Loan proceeds are paid through a student’s school in two or more installments and are first applied against tuition and fees, room, board and related school charges. If loan money is left over, this is refunded to the student.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate Students
Students may borrow up to the total amount needed to pay for graduate school tuition, room and board (on campus or off campus) books, fees and other educational expenses - less any pending financial aid. Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for their maximum Federal Direct Loans before the Federal Direct PLUS Loan can be borrowed. Most applicants are eligible for the PLUS – note that a basic credit check is required for this loan.
Alternative Loans
For students who do not qualify to borrow federal student loans, an Alternative educational loan may be a good option. Unlike federal loans, Alternative loans do not require half-time attendance to qualify. A student taking just one course per term may qualify for an Alternative Loan.
Alternative loans are available to students through various major lenders. Most Alternative loans have variable interest rates. Depending on the lender, the interest rate is usually based on Libor or Prime rates and may change monthly or quarterly. Interest on the loan begins accruing after the first disbursement. Many lenders defer interest payments while the student is in school, although some lenders require interest payments. When possible, we recommend the student pay accrued interest while in school and during the six-month grace period.
Students may need a credit worthy co-signer to improve their chances of being approved. With a co-signer, students may receive a lower interest rate which means less interest will be paid over the life of the loan. A co-signer can be a parent, guardian, or relative who has established a good credit history, has a steady income, and the ability to repay the loan if the student is unable. Before borrowing an Alternative loan, the student and co-signer should understand that the loan is in both the student’s and the co-signer’s name. If the student cannot make payments on the loan, the co-signer is fully responsible for repaying the loan.
You may apply for an alternative loan through any lender you choose. If you do not have a lender in mind, we offer a list of lender options. When choosing a lender, remember to review back end borrower and repayment benefits, whether the loan will be sold after disbursement, and who will service the loan after disbursement and while in repayment.
Click here to view the list of lenders provided by www.elmselect.com.
Graduate Assistantship
The School of Graduate Studies at St. Bonaventure University offers a limited number of assistantship grants for an academic year. Assistantships are available for online graduate programs and can provide a partial waiver of tuition in exchange for a specified amount of work. Graduate assistants are utilized by a variety of university departments for project management, research projects, administrative support and more.
These part-time assistantships provide a tuition scholarship of up to nine credit hours per year (12 continuous months) for students who take a total of eighteen credit hours and work 300 hours per year. The type of work, schedule and other details are specific to the particular assistantship.
If you're interested, you may apply for an assistantship when you submit your application for admission or at any time during your graduate level study.
For more information and to apply, see Graduate Assistantships under Scholarships & Aid at sbu.edu.
Employer Tuition Benefits
Some employers have tuition reimbursement plans for staff who pursue additional schooling. Department managers and human resource officers are the best sources of information.
Prospanica: The Association of Hispanic MBAs & Business Professionals
This organization provides scholarship support to individuals of Hispanic heritage pursuing MBA degrees at AACSB-accredited colleges and universities (SBU has this accreditation).
Educational benefits received through the Montgomery GI Bill may be applied toward an advanced degree. SBU is also a Yellow Ribbon school.
Private Scholarships
Some students find private scholarships to supplement their financial aid and cover remaining costs. To find scholarship sources, we recommend checking these websites:
“My experience as an online student in the MSW program at St. Bonaventure University has been amazing. The flexibility of the program has allowed me to pursue my degree while still managing work and family life. I love that I can complete coursework on my own schedule, which makes it easier to stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. The online format keeps me connected with professors and classmates, and I never feel like I’m missing out on support or interaction. This program has given me the confidence to grow professionally while still being present for the people who matter most.”
Jana Rodgers
“I have learned so many great counseling skills at St. Bonaventure and so far, I have been able to apply most of what I am learning in my job as a psychosocial rehabilitation skills trainer. I can apply my skills in listening, counseling with an understanding of theories, and I have a better understanding of many mental disorders. I have been excelling at my job because of these skills and I am thankful to have this knowledge.”
Frank Yarbrough, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2024
“The coursework in my program is very updated and pertains to changes in the world in the future, which I find very important since that is the world that I will be working in. I would recommend St. Bonaventure University to someone who is considering this program because the level of support and the quality of education is unmatched compared to other universities offering competing programs.”
Tori Tomlin, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
“St. Bonaventure has given me ample opportunity to form a community with my professors and peers. If I have a question, I have a network of people whom I can reach out to and whom I trust. The professors are top-notch, and I receive all of the individualized attention that I could ever want from a program, despite it being online.”
Laura Klain, MSED in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2022
“I would absolutely recommend this program because it has been convenient, flexible, and given me opportunities and unwavering support. Learning techniques from the clinical mental health counseling program has taught me how to communicate in various settings effectively. My professional and personal relationships have only improved with learning new skills to help others.”
Kayla Newkirk, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2023
“The support you receive from faculty is out of this world. I never knew that kind of help was out there! I like that my professors not only teach but are required to work out in the field as well. I would recommend SBU to anyone looking to earn a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.”
Karly Elizabeth Fritsch, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
“Not only is St. Bonaventure ranked highly by US News and World Report, but the student success data for the counseling education program are some of the most impressive I noted during my school search. Only having to take one class at a time is ingenious; there are no knowledge deficits going into courses, so I rarely have to double back and connect the dots between concepts. It also saves a ton of anxiety knowing that SBU will assist me with my practicum and internship placements-no other universities I considered do that.”
Justin Coffey, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
“The classes and materials used are phenomenal. I have learned so much about counseling and have gained hands-on experience conducting counseling. Specifically, group, theories, and career counseling afforded these experiences and they really helped. The group course was literally life-changing for me. I was wowed at the end of the course and have never experienced this before. There is also support when needed and help with navigating classes etc.”
Joseline Rodriguez, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
“The coursework is presented in such a clear way, that it was not hard to stay on top of my work. The faculty are so supportive and are always there to help and answer any questions that we may have. I know graduate students can get easily worried about things, and the faculty did a great job of maintaining equilibrium among the students.”
Japriest Quentez Jerry, MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2022
TOP 8
St. Bonaventure University is ranked by the U.S. News & World Report 2025 as the #8 Best Value School in the North.
15:1
The online programs average a 15:1 faculty to student ratio.
30%
As a military-friendly college, St. Bonaventure University offers a 30% tuition discount to all active military.