The College is committed to the principle that the cost of college should not be a barrier to prospective students, and we are almost always successful in enabling every admitted student to attend the College through tuition scholarships and other forms of financial aid. We do, however, expect families to make a serious effort, and we try to devise a financial package adjusted to the needs of each individual student.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attending the College for the 2011-2012 school year is set forth below. The College has limited space available in apartments on campus, and will assist students in finding affordable housing within close proximity to the campus.
Fees – Traditional Program on campus in Fort Worth
Initial application fee $50
Administrative fee (per semester) $125
Student Services fee (per semester) $275
Late registration fees $30
Tuition – Traditional Program on campus in Fort Worth
Per Semester (Matriculated students) $6,000 for up to 18 credit hours
Per Course (Occasional students) $2,205
Per Credit Hour (Occasional students) $735
Certification courses for Teachers: $750 per course (Greek or Latin)
Fees – CSTM Online Courses
Initial application fee $50
Tuition – CSTM Online Courses
See per course tuition rates on the CSTM Online page
For students enrolled in the Traditional Program on the campus in Fort Worth, tuition and the administrative fee are due upon registration for each term. Payment must be arranged with the College Business Office before the first day of classes. Students enrolling in CSTM Online courses should refer to their specific payment program. Students requesting tuition assistance should complete a financial aid form and discuss their circumstances with the Director of Financial Aid. Scholarships are available for students in the Traditional Program on campus, and are awarded on the basis of need and academic promise. If parental support, personal resources, state and federal grant and loan programs, and scholarship opportunities are exhausted, the student may be permitted to execute a deferred payment agreement.
No scholarships are available at this time for students enrolled in online courses. Please see the CSTM Online web pages for information on tuition discounts.
Overseas Program Costs
The above costs do not include the costs for participating in courses offered concurrent with overseas trips. The program costs for Rome and Oxford vary, but every attempt is made to maintain them at about $2,500. The cost of the Greece Program is somewhat higher, and varies from year to year. The costs of the overseas programs may vary with currency exchange rates. Air transportaion, usually secured by individual students, is an additional cost, as are museum entrance fees and other incidental expenses. See the Student Handbook for more information.
Refunds
Students may drop a class before the beginning of the semester for a full refund. Students who drop a class during the first week of the semester will receive a 90% refund. Students who drop a class during the second week of the semester will receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be given after the end of the second week of the semester.
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education policies for financial aid refunds, students who are enrolled at the College of Saint Thomas More for the first time will have their charges prorated up to the time they have been enrolled for 60% of the time during that current semester. For example, students who withdraw during the first week of school will be refunded 15/16 of their charges; a student who withdraws during the second week of school will be refunded 14/16 of their charges; etc. The amount to be refunded to a first-time student will be the larger of the amount due under either the College policy or the US Department of Education’s policy.
Financial Aid
The College participates in the federal and state grant and loan programs described below and also awards both need– and merit-based scholarships as well as work study opportunities based on need. Through our participation in these programs and the generosity of donors, the College is able to offer financial aid to qualified students that may significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
Types of Financial Aid
The College offers financial aid through grants (federal and state), work study, and both needs-based and merit-based scholarships.
Grants
Federal and State Grants (PELL and TEG): these grants are available based on need and can significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Federal Pell Grants, which do not have to be repaid, are awarded to students based on need. The need is determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). How much money you will receive under the Federal Pell Grant program is based on your need, the cost of attendance at your school, whether you are a part-time or full-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less.
Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)
Texas residents and National Merit Scholarship finalists enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students at independent colleges and universities in Texas are eligible for this program. Student applicants must show financial need according to the FAFSA and be bona fide Texas residents or be a National Merit Scholarship finalist enrolled full time. Students enrolling after Fall 2005 must maintain a 2.5 average and complete 24 hours per academic year. Maximum awards are $3,200.00 TEG and $50.00 LEAP per year. Grants are awarded in the summer, but late applicants may receive “first-come, first-served” status for unencumbered funds in the following spring. Students beginning study in the spring semester may apply for unencumbered funds. There is no repayment required for these grants.
Work-Study Program
Some work-study is available for those who wish to defray part of their tuition and gain work experience while they attend college. Work-study participants work with staff members, performing a variety of jobs on the Fort Worth campus. Assignments and hours are flexible, and are part of the tuition package agreed to between the College and each student at the beginning of each term.
Scholarships
Scholarships, often substantial, are available based on academic promise as well as need.
Raymond and Helen DeMolen Scholarship is offered to well-prepared students with financial need. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to retain the scholarship. This scholarship is offered for one year and may be renewed annually.
Founders’ Scholarship is a gift-aid award which, in conjunction with federal and/or state grants, offers up to $4,000 per semester to its most qualified students and includes any funds received from federal grants and college scholarship funds. This scholarship is based on intellectual ability, past academic performance, and promise. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher to retain this scholarship. This scholarship is offered for one year and may be renewed annually. Applicants are reviewed and selected by the Scholarship Committee.
Those wishing to apply for either scholarship should file the FAFSA. Home-schooled students are especially encouraged to apply.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid
To maintain satisfactory academic progress for receiving financial aid, a student’s grade point average must not fall below a 2.5 for two semesters in a row. The student must complete his or her degree within the equivalent of twelve (12) full-time semesters. For half-time students, the requirement is twenty-four (24) semesters, and for three-quarters time students, the requirement is eighteen (18) semesters. This must be done by completing at least seventy-five percent (75%) of all work attempted during an academic year.
Applying for Financial Aid
All students seeking financial aid are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be done easily online. This is the single most important step in determining financial need, and thus determining how much money is available to you through grants, loans, and scholarships. Please do this as soon as possible using school code: 031894. These forms are available on the internet, through your high school counselor, or at your local public library. To apply on line, go to the Department of Education’s FAFSA Website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the instructions.
Although applications are accepted throughout the year, we recommend that FAFSA forms be submitted by July 31 for the fall semester. All grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited.
For further assistance, contact:
Director of Financial Aid
Phone: (817) 923-8459 ext. 1
e-mail: admissions@cstm.edu
Students who have unusual circumstances or changes in their financial status should contact the Director of Financial Aid immediately.