Admission and Finances

It is the policy of St. Joseph’s University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national and ethnic origin, age, handicap, or marital status in its educational programs, admission policies, and employment polices, financial aid, or other school administered programs. This policy is implemented in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Admission Requirements

An applicant wishing to pursue a graduate degree or certificate program at St. Joseph’s University must hold a bachelor’s degree and be deemed capable of completing the requirements for the degree or certificate. The Office of Admissions, in consultation with the academic department, has the right to waive a requirement or request additional material.  Additional requirements for majors and certificate programs are indicated in the Curricular Offerings  section of the catalog.

Application Procedure

See Curricular Offerings  Section 

International Students

Registration at St. Joseph’s University is contingent upon admission to the University and acquisition of a valid student visa (F1) from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. For further information contact the Office of International Student Services at (718) 940-5830, or visit our website at www.sjny.edu.

Statement of Costs for Academic Year 2024-2025

MFA in Creative Writing

Annual Tuition - $35,995
University Fee - $192
Technology Fee - $226
Thesis Fee (If Applicable) - $100
Maintaining Matriculation ( If Applicable) - $300
Graduation Fee ( If Applicable) - $200

Non-Matriculated Students - see above.Total tuition charges and fees must be paid at registration.

Application Fee: A remittance of $25 is payable when the application for admission is filed. The application fee is a service and is in no case refundable.

Note: In addition to the $25.00 non-refundable application fee, students must make a non-refundable tuition deposit at the time of registration. For full-time students a fee of $250 is due, and for part-time students a fee of $80 is due.

*Payable after the first class session

Tuition Policy

Students accepted for admission must make a tuition deposit of $250 at the time of registration. (This amount includes a $5.00 I.D. Card Fee).  The deposit is not refundable, but it will be credited toward the first term’s tuition. In certain instances, the non-refundable tuition deposit paid by a first semester student may be applied to the next semester.

A student’s bill for tuition and fees is based on the number of credits for which a student intends to register, less applicable Financial Aid, Grants, or Scholarships for that semester. Scholarships or Student Aid may only be subtracted if all related applications and other information have been submitted on a timely basis. Payment of the remaining balance constitutes “Clearance” by the Business Office.

The Business Office must clear bills for the semester before students may attend class. Students who do not receive financial clearance from the Business Office will not be officially registered at the University for that semester. Students may not enroll for a successive semester until their accounts have been completely satisfied.

St. Joseph’s University, New York offers a  tuition financing option through a tuition deferment program. The monthly budgeting program the University offers is through an outside agency called, Nelnet Campus Commerce. Basically, the program is designed to afford students the opportunity to pay their educational expenses in monthly installments. Students may elect to contract with the service for a nominal initial participation fee prior to or at the beginning of each new academic year. Students interested in the plan may obtain brochures and applications in the Business Office. Additional information may be received by calling Nelnet at 1 (800) 609-8056.

Students who are unable to pay what is owed by the first day of class (other than those who are enrolled with Nelnet) will have their account automatically default to St. Joseph’s University, New York Tuition Extension Agreement. Unlike the deferment program, under the St. Joseph’s University, New York Tuition Agreement, a finance charge will be assessed. Questions regarding the University’s tuition policy should be addressed to the Bursar (SJNY Brooklyn at (718) 940-5613 or SJNY Long Island at (631) 687-4555.) The University reserves the right to alter tuition charges and fees when such changes become necessary. A diploma will not be issued until all financial obligations are settled.

Withdrawal from a Course or From the University: Tuition Refunds

Withdrawal from a course or from the University may entitle a student to a refund of tuition, but not of fees. A students last day of attendance or for Online courses, the last day of participation is utilized to determine tuition liability and when calculating refunds. Last day of participation is defined as the last date a graded academic assignment is submitted.  Full-time campus-based undergraduate students who receive permission to withdraw from a single course are not entitled to a refund, unless the withdrawal involves extra credits. In such cases, the student may ask for a refund of the extra tuition within the first four weeks of the term.  Part-time students who withdraw from a course may be entitled to a refund. Once the classes have begun, flat-rate undergraduate students who change their programs to less than 12 credits will continue to be responsible for the flat-rate tuition charge (as opposed to the per-credit rate). The percentage of refund for undergraduate and graduate students will be determined according to the following schedules (based on the courses start/end dates): 
 
For 12-14 week classes (including GMS courses):

Withdrawal Effective % of Refund Prior to Second Week 100% During Second Week 80% Third Week 60% Fourth Week 40% Fifth Week 20% After Fifth Week No Refund 
 
For 6-8 week classes:

Withdrawal Effective % of Refund Prior to Second Week 100% During Second Week 60% Third Week 20% After Third Week No Refund 
 
For 4 week classes: 

Withdrawal Effective % of Refund Prior to Third Class 100% After Third Class 60% After Fourth Class 20% After Fifth Class No Refund 

For classes meeting for 2 weeks or less:

Withdrawal Effective % of Refund Prior to Second Class 100% After Second Class No Refund 
 
This schedule does not apply to the tuition deposit required of first time students. This deposit is non-refundable. Federal Title IV recipients should see the Return of Title IV Funds section of this catalog. In the absence of an instructor’s attendance verification, the date of withdrawal is determined by the Dean. Withdrawal from online courses is based on the last date of participation in the course and is determined by the SJNY Online administrative team. A student who believes his/her individual circumstances warrant an exception to the University’s refund policy may submit a written appeal for special consideration to the Bursar. That decision is subject to appeal to the Chief Financial Officer. Refunds of financial aid awards, student loans, etc., are not refundable until the actual funds have been received by the University and the student’s eligibility for the funds has been determined. A refund will not be granted to a student who is dismissed or who withdraws while under disciplinary action. Once the Bursar’s Office has determined that a student is eligible to receive a refund, it will automatically be processed by the office. Students’ accounts are reviewed regularly to validate the credit and when appropriate, a refund check is scheduled and then issued. All checks are mailed to the permanent address on file for the student. If the refund is generated by a Parent PLUS loan, the refund may be sent to your parent.  For students/parents who wish to carry a credit to a future semester, a carry credit request form (which can be obtained on the SJNY portal, under Bursar Forms), with the semester indicated, needs to be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.  Please note credits can only be carried within the same academic year.  All spring credits will be refunded and cannot be carried to future semesters. 

Awarding of Degrees and Graduation

Graduation exercises are held annually in May/June. Degrees, however, are granted three times a year (August, January, June). August and January graduates may elect to receive their diplomas in February or wait until commencement.

Students who require proof of graduation prior to commencement may request a letter of completion and/or transcript from the Registrar.

Students who miss the deadline for graduation application will not receive diplomas until two months after the date of graduation.

Any change in program stated on the graduation application must be brought to the attention of the Registrar.

Financial Aid

Application Procedures

To be considered for federal, state and institutional sources of financial aid, students should follow these procedures each academic year.

1.    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating St. Joseph’s University as a recipient. The student will be asked to enter the appropriate St. Joseph’s federal school code.

.  SJNY Brooklyn: 002825
.  SJNY Long Island: E00505
   SJNY Online: E00505

       The FAFSA may be completed online at www.studentaid.gov or a paper  FAFSA may be completed and mailed in to the Federal Student Aid Processor.

2.    If the student’s FAFSA is selected by the processor for verification, the student will be asked to provide additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. The documentation will be compared to the FAFSA, and corrections will be made as necessary. The Office of Financial Aid must be in receipt of the documentation, and all necessary corrections must be made before awards can be disbursed.

3.    Priority for certain financial aid programs will be given to students who adhere to the following recommended filing dates:

 Summer entering students:         February 25
 Fall entering students:                  March 15
 Spring entering students:             November 1
 Continuing students:                     April 30

Requirements and Responsibilities of Student Aid Recipients

All students who receive financial aid are responsible for understanding the academic standards they must meet in order to maintain eligibility for specific programs. Federal financial aid recipients should consult the Federal Financial Aid Programs section of this catalog.  Recipients of St. Joseph’s University scholarships and grants should consult the St. Joseph’s University Financial Aid Programs section of this catalog.  New York State financial aid recipients should consult the New York State Financial Aid Programs section of this catalog.

Students must notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing of the amounts and sources of any outside aid that they may be receiving.  For example, students should inform the Office of Financial Aid about a scholarship that they may be receiving from a community organization.

Student Expenses

In order to aid in financial planning, the Office of Financial Aid has provided the following table of estimated costs at St. Joseph’s University. All costs are subject to change.

St. Joseph’s University Graduate Program 2024-25 Student Expenses

Graduate Programs

Annual Direct Costs (payable to SJNY):

• Per-credit tuition  $1270/credit
• University fee (1-7 credits per semester) $13/credit
• University fee (8-11 credits per semester $192
• Parking fee (L.I. Campus only) $10
• Technology fee (1-7 credits per semester) $120
• Technology fee (8 or more credits per semester) $226
• Graduation Fee ( if applicable) $200
                           

Annual Indirect Costs (estimated):

• Loan fees $140
• Books and supplies $500
• Personal Expenses  $3,000
• Transportation $2,500
• Independent student-living expense $10,000

Graduate Online Programs

Annual Direct Costs (payable to SJNY):

• Per-credit tuition $860/credit
• University fee (per semester) $77
• Technology fee (per semester) $87
• Administrative fee $49 per semester
• Graduation Fee ( if applicable) $200

Annual Indirect Costs (estimated):

• Loan fees $140
• Books and supplies $500
• Personal Expenses $3,000
• Independent student-living expense $10,000                                                      

M.F.A in Creative Writing

Annual Direct Costs (payable to SJNY):

Costs based on 9 credits per semester

• Tuition  $35,995
• University fee $192
• Technology fee $226
• Thesis fee (per semester when applicable) $100
• Maintaining matriculation fee (per semester when applicable)  $300
• Graduation Fee (if applicable) $200

Annual Indirect Costs (estimated):

• Loan fees $140 Books and supplies $500
• Personal expenses $3,000
• Transportation $2,500
• Independent student-living expense $10,000

Federal Financial Aid Programs

To receive federal student aid, a student must: 1)  have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or complete a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law; 2)  be enrolled or accepted as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program; 3) be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or eligible non-citizen; 4) have a valid Social Security Number (unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau); 5) maintain satisfactory academic progress in University; 6) sign certifying statements on the FAFSA stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant; and 7) certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Federal Financial Aid Recipients

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as proceeding toward successful completion of degree requirements. The SJNY Office of Financial Aid is required by federal regulation to determine whether a student is meeting the requirements. The official record of the SJNY Registrar is reviewed to determine student compliance with this Policy. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed and determined at the conclusion of each semester.

This Policy pertains only to applicants for federal financial aid. Federal financial aid includes Federal Pell grants, Federal SEOG, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans and Federal Work Study. A recipient of an SJNY institutional scholarship, tuition remission, or an institutional grant must meet the eligibility requirements of the respective program. The New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), as well as any other state sponsored programs, has their own, specific progress policies. We encourage you to review the Office of Financial Aid website. If you have questions about the monitoring of satisfactory progress not addressed in this policy, please contact our office.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

1. GPA

• Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

2. Pace

• All students must successfully complete at least 75% of the cumulative hours attempted.  This includes all courses attempted at St. Joseph’s as well as courses transferred into St. Joseph’s that are applicable to a student’s program.  For example, a student who has attempted a cumulative total of 55 hours must have successfully completed at least 41 credit hours to meet the requirement (55 x .75 = 41.25; round decimals down to whole numbers).

3. Maximum Time Frame

• Students must not exceed a maximum number of hours to complete the degree program.  Undergraduate students are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid once they have attempted 150% of the credits required to complete the degree. Graduate students must complete the degree within five calendar years. For example;
  • 120 credit undergraduate degree programs must not exceed 180 credits.
  • Certificate programs must not exceed 150% of published length of program.  For example, a 24 credit program must not exceed 36 credits (24 x 1.5 = 36).
  • Graduate programs must be completed within five calendar years of the start term.

Courses/Grades Used in Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress:

All coursework attempted, including any dropped, repeated, reprieved or remedial courses or withdrawals recorded on the St. Joseph’s University Transcript at the time of the progress check are considered when determining if the student has exceeded the maximum number of hours for degree completion and has completed 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted.

The following grades indicate successful completion of a course: “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “P”.

The following grades indicate a course was not successfully completed: “F”,”I”, “AB”, “WD”, “WF”, “WU”, “FN”, “NC”, or a course for which a grade was not entered.

Audit courses are not counted in the total hours attempted for any semester or as successful completion of a course. Independent study, correspondence and extension courses may count toward successful completion of hours attempted if they are completed by the last day of the semester. For information about eligibility and payment of aid for these types of courses, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Transfer coursework must be reflected on the St. Joseph’s University Transcript to be considered for purposes of financial aid eligibility.

Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress:

A student who exceeds the maximum number of hours allowed for degree completion will be suspended from future financial aid until the reason for the excessive hours can be adequately documented.

A student who either fails to achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA, or to complete at least 75% of the total hours attempted, will be placed on financial aid warning for the following academic semester of enrollment at St. Joseph’s University. A student may receive financial aid while on warning. At the end of the warning, if a student is meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, he/she will regain unconditional eligibility for federal financial aid programs. If a student has not met the requirements, he/she will have eligibility for federal financial aid suspended. Please see below.

Financial Aid Suspension:

A student denied assistance based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. An appeal form is included in the suspension notification letter. The appeal and supporting documentation must be received in the St. Joseph’s University Financial Aid Office by the deadline reflected in the suspension notification letter. The appeal should speak in detail to mitigating or extenuating circumstances that affected the student’s academic performance, i.e., severe physical injury or mental trauma.

A student suspended for exceeding the maximum hours allowed for degree completion should also have the academic advisor complete the “Remaining Hours Required for Degree Completion” form if extenuating circumstances require the student to exceed the maximum hours limit. The form is included in the suspension notification letter.

Action taken on a financial aid appeal is final and is transmitted to the student in writing by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Depending upon the timeliness of the appeal, it is possible for a student to have an appeal denied and also not be entitled to a refund of charges if the student chooses to withdraw from classes. A student who enrolls and attends class whose appeal is subsequently denied will be eligible for a refund of charges based solely on the refund policy in the in the St. Joseph’s University Catalog.

A student suspended for reasons other than exceeding the maximum number of hours for degree completion who does not appeal, or whose appeal is denied, may be reinstated on a probationary basis by meeting both of the following criteria:

1. Achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA. (Undergraduate = 2.00; Graduate = 3.00); and,
2. Successfully complete 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted or 75% of the hours attempted for that semester.

A student may regain eligibility by attending St. Joseph’s University for the academic year without the benefit of federal financial aid and meeting the SAP eligibility criteria. A student may also regain eligibility by transferring work into St. Joseph’s University from an accredited institution. Transfer work must be reflected on the St. Joseph’s University transcript to be considered for purposes of federal financial aid eligibility.

Withdrawal from the University Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Funds - Federal Financial Aid Recipients

All students should consult with a financial aid counselor in the Office of Financial Aid before changing enrollment status or withdrawing from the University. Any changes may affect financial aid eligibility.

Federal financial aid is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire semester for which the aid is awarded. When a student withdraws from the University (officially or unofficially), he or she may no longer be eligible for the full amount of federal aid originally awarded. If a federal financial aid recipient withdraws after beginning classes and before the 60 percent point in the term, the amount of federal grant and/or loan assistance earned by the student must be determined. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, unearned funds must be returned to the federal government by the university. If the amount disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, the student may be entitled to a post-withdrawal disbursement. It is important to note that the amount of federal aid earned by the student is determined by the percentage of term completion (number of days in the semester divided into the number of days the student attended), and is not related to the University tuition refund policy. Scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days are excluded from the number of days in the payment period.  In the event that funds need to be returned, the student may find an outstanding balance on his/her account. The student is responsible for any outstanding balances owed to the University when funds are returned. Funds that the institution must return to the federal government will be returned no later than 45 days after the date of withdrawal determination. 

Courses that do not span the entire length of the regular semester are considered to be modules. A student who is enrolled in module courses is not considered to have withdrawn for R2T4 purposes if the student completes one module that includes 49% or more of the number of days in the payment period. A student is not considered to have withdrawn if he or she submits in writing the intent to enroll in a later module course within the same semester. If the student does not begin attendance in the later module, the student is then considered withdrawn and an R2T4 calculation will be performed. Scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days and all days between modules are excluded from the number of days in the payment period. 

Title IV funds that are subject to recalculation in the event of a withdrawal from the University are (returned in this order): Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) and TEACH Grants (St. Joseph’s University does not currently participate in the TEACH Grant).

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible graduate students who are enrolled at least half time (5 credits per semester).  Financial need is not a requirement.  Interest begins accruing when the loan is disbursed.  Repayment begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.  Direct Unsubsidized Loans have annual limits, and aggregate lifetime limits.  First time borrowers will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling session.  For more information, please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans

Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans are available to graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (5 credits per semester), and who have applied for and exhausted the annual maximum loan eligibility under the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program. The annual loan limit is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other aid received.  A credit pre-approval is required of borrowers.  For more information, please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is offered through the federal campus-based aid program and provides employment opportunities to eligible students.  Actual award amounts are based on the student’s financial need, pay-rate, amount of contracted hours and funding availability.  FWS funds at SJNY are received in the form of a monthly paycheck for hours worked.  FWS funds are limited and positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  An offer of FWS on an award letter does not guarantee position availability.  Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for job availability and more information.

New York State Financial Aid Programs

For additional information on any New York State Programs, including questions of eligibility, please contact New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) at (888) NYS-HESC or visit their website at http://www.hesc.ny.gov

Individuals with Disabilities

Students who are medically diagnosed with a physical, developmental or emotional disability, may be eligible for a grant that would assist with educational expenses.  Please contact the Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) for more information, or visit their website at www.access.nysed.gov/vr/.

St. Joseph’s University Financial Aid Programs

St. Joseph’s University Alumni Graduate Academic Excellence Award

St. Joseph’s University graduates who completed their bachelor’s degree with a final cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher, and who are admitted to a Graduate Program at St. Joseph’s University may be eligible for the one-credit St. Joseph’s University Alumni Graduate Academic Excellence Award. Eligible students are entitled to a one-credit tuition grant in the first semester of matriculation as a graduate student. Consult the Office of Admissions for applicable conditions and procedures. Not applicable to Creative Writing M.F.A. or online graduate programs.

St. Joseph’s University Graduate Alumni Tuition Grant

Students who earned their bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University and who are enrolled in a Graduate Program at St. Joseph’s University may be eligible to receive a three or six credit tuition grant. Students eligible for a six-credit grant are entitled to a three-credit tuition grant in two semesters toward the end of the program of their last year. If students are eligible for a three-credit grant, the grant will be awarded in the last semester or toward the end of the program.  Consult the Office of Admissions for applicable conditions and procedures. Not applicable to the Creative Writing M.F.A Graduate program, Online Graduate programs, Five Year Dual Degree programs or students who participated in the Save Time Save Money program.

Corporate and Organization Partnership Discounts

St. Joseph’s University offers various discounts to personnel and staff members of certain entities. Examples of current partnership discounts are: NY City Police Department, Fire Department of NY City, NY City Department of Correction, NY City Court Officers, Department of Defense, Catholic Charities, Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees (Human Services Leadership M.S. only), Brooklyn Diocesan Teachers (Literacy and Cognition and Special Education only), Long Island Railroad, National Grid, Suffolk County Water Authority, Brookhaven Hospital, Catholic Health Services, Estee Lauder, Northwell Health, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Development Disabilities Institute and the Diocese of Rockville Centre Teacher Discount. Discount programs vary and are subject to change. Discount programs may not be combined with any other institutional grants or scholarships, or discounted tuition ( i.e. required undergraduate prerequisites for a graduate program) and is not available to students enrolled in online degree programs. To be considered students must complete an annual verification form which can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. Please consult with an Admissions or Financial Aid Counselor for more information.