Qualified graduate students may be able to obtain financial assistance through a variety of programs. For further information on any of the programs listed below, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 203-371-7980 or the sponsoring department.
Tuition Discount
Diocesan Program Discounts
Diocese Discounts are a courtesy discount between Sacred Heart University and the respective Diocese. Masters in Teaching students employed as teachers by the Dioceses of Bridgeport (call 203-365-4791), Hartford (call 860-396-8465), and Norwich (call 860-376-8408) are eligible for a tuition discount.
Diocesan Discounts are processed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The student must submit the Diocese Discount Form at the start of each term in order for the discount to be applied. The discount is 50% of tuition charges only. Fees are not included.
Graduate Program Discounts
These discounts are a courtesy discount between Sacred Heart University and the respective programs. Discounts are processed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The student must submit the Graduate Student Discount Form, approved by the appropriate parties, at the start of each term in order for the discount to be applied. The discounts are for tuition charges only. Fees are not included.
Masters in Religious Studies – 50% off tuition approved by the Religious Studies Department for students in the Religious Studies Program.
Master of Public Administration Discount – 50% off tuition for first responders defined as: paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers and firefighters.
Fairfield Police Department Discount - 50% off tuition applied to student(s) enrolled in Criminal Justice or Cybersecurity degree or certificate programs. The student(s) must be a sworn officer.
Police Department Discount - 50% off tuition for the Master of Arts Criminal Justice. Also available to first responders in the tri state area (CT, NY and NJ)
Griswold Discount – 25% off tuition for Masters in Teaching and Intermediate Administrator (092) Certification programs.
FNP/DNP Discount - 10% off tuition for students who have graduated from SHU with Bachelor of Nursing and are enrolled in the FNP/DNP program.
Graduate Assistantship Programs
Graduate students assist the community professionally in various areas of the university gaining experience while also receiving compensation in form of tuition and/or stipends. Students have to be fully matriculated in a degree program. Many assistantships require graduate students be enrolled full-time. An up-to-date listing of available positions can be found at https://www.sacredheart.edu/admissions--aid/financial-assistance/graduate-students/graduate-assistants--hall-directors/job-postings
Graduate Research Assistantships are available for graduate students to assist faculty with research projects.
Graduate Staff Assistantships are chosen by the sponsoring administrative department and typically require a full-time employment commitment unless otherwise specified.
Residence Hall Director positions are available for graduate students and sponsored by the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services. These are live-in positions and are usually filled by those who are interested in pursuing a career in student services. Residence hall directors are fully matriculated students who attend school on a full-time basis. Criteria are very selective and hiring decisions are made in the spring for the subsequent fall term.
Hartford Healthcare Partnership
Sacred Heart University (SHU) has partnered with Hartford Healthcare Corporation (HHC) to offer eligible employees at HHC a 20% Tuition Discount off the standard program rate for all undergraduate/graduate/certificate programs. There are eligibility details and forms that require completion. Please reference the following webpage at https://www.sacredheart.edu/admissions--aid/financial-assistance/hartford-healthcare-partnership/.
Masonicare Corporation Partnership
Sacred Heart University (SHU) has partnered with Masonicare Corporation (MASON) to offer eligible employees at MASON a 10% Tuition Discount off the standard program rate for specific educational programs. There are eligibility details and forms that require completion. Please reference the following webpage at https://www.sacredheart.edu/admissions-aid/financial-assistance/masonicare-partnership/
Federal Direct Loans
Graduate students who have been fully matriculated into the University and enrolled at least half-time, may be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. This program is administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance and each loan applicant is required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form with the U.S. Department of Education. Once a FAFSA form is processed and the information has been received by the University, the Office of Student Financial Assistance can assist the student in applying for a loan application. We suggest visiting https://www.sacredheart.edu/admissions--aid/financial-assistance/graduate-students/ for additional information. Full-time graduate students may borrow a maximum of $20,500 per year from the Direct Loan program. Payment begins six months after graduation, withdrawal, or change to less than half-time status. The student has 10 years to repay the loan.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is for graduate/professional students who are interested in federal financing in addition to the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Graduate PLUS Loans are available to credit-worthy U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. To process a loan, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan. The amount you are eligible to borrow is determined by the total cost of your educational program less the amount you receive from the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan and other financial aid.
Federal TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant Program is a non-need based federal program that provides up to $4,000 per year to students enrolled in an eligible TEACH Grant program and who agree to teach as a high-qualified teacher in a high-need field, at a low-income elementary or secondary school for at least four years within eight years of completing the program for which the TEACH grant was awarded. If the grant recipient fails to complete the required teaching service, the TEACH grant is converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accruing from the date the grant was disbursed. For additional information, please visit https://www.sacredheart.edu/admissions--aid/financial-assistance/full-time-undergraduates/scholarships--grants/federal-scholarships--grants/teach-grant/
Fellowships
Department of Physical Therapy (“DPT”) Emergency Fund
This fund provides emergency assistance to students that require monetary assistance with emergency situations such as travel cost associated with clinical education, family emergency travel, rent support, and the unexpected burdensome costs associated with the DPT program student status.
Thomas G. Pepe Memorial Award
Established in memory of Dr. Thomas G. Pepe, this award provides support to an outstanding graduate student in the Isabelle Farrington College of Education.
Dr. Margaret Palliser Scholarship
Recipient must be in their final year of the DPT program. Must have interest and commitment to the rehab efforts of those suffering from lymphedema, breast cancer or related women's health problems. Must be in good academic standing and be recommended by Physical Therapy faculty.
Lauren Forster Pestice Scholarship
Recipient must be an incoming female student enrolled full-time in the DPT program. Must have completed their undergraduate education at Sacred Heart University in either the 3+3 or 4+3 track and have been a member of a NCAA DI sports team. Must be in good academic standing and be recommended by Physical Therapy faculty.
Lori S. Bigelow Scholarship
Recipient must be an incoming female student enrolled full-time in the Masters of Science Exercise and Nutrition program. Must demonstrate financial need and maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled in the program. Application is required and be recommended by Dean of the College of Health Professions. Please visit for more information: Lori S. Bigelow Scholarship | Sacred Heart University
Social Work PhD Fellowship
Two PhD Social Work students will be selected each year for this fellowship and awarded free tuition and $2,500 in professional development reimbursements each year for the 4 years they are in the program. In return, the fellowship students will each teach 4 courses at either the Undergraduate or Masters level each year for 4 years.
GI Bill®/Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition and mandatory fee expenses that exceed the national maximum amount payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Sacred Heart University and VA will contribute up to the remainder of the tuition and fees not covered by the national maximum. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding. Students may be eligible if they served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months, if they were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability, and served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, or if they are dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above. Active-duty service members and spouses of active duty service members using transferred entitlement are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Under transferred entitlement, a child of an active duty service member is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if the service member qualifies for the maximum benefit rate. For additional information please visit https://www.sacredheart.edu/offices--departments-directory/registrar/veteran-benefits/yellow-ribbon-program/. Applicants are also encouraged to visit https://www.va.gov/education/.
"GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Refund Allocation Policy for Federal Financial Aid Funds
Direct Deposit electronic refunds – to set up direct deposit refund preference, go to www.refundselection.com
Official Withdrawal—Withdrawing from all courses is considered withdrawing from the University. If you do this before 60% of the semester is completed (approximately 8–9 weeks into the semester), your financial aid award will be recalculated according to the percentage of the semester you have completed. If awarded Title IV (federal) or state aid and you withdraw before completing 60% of the semester, some portion of financial aid must be returned. The formula determines what portion of the aid must be returned and the list below indicates the order in which the aid is returned.
Refunds to Federal Title IV programs are made in this order:
- Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
- Federal Graduate Plus Loan
- Other federal sources of aid
- Other state, private, or institutional aid
- The student
Refund examples are available in the Student Financial Assistance Office. It is important to discuss withdrawal and refund as it pertains to the individual student and its implications for federal student loan repayment and future eligibility for financial assistance.
| (Days enrolled) – (Official breaks of five days or longer) |
| Total number of class days in the semester |