Cost of Attendance and Financial Need

2024 First-Year Confirmation Deadline Extended

In light of delays in the 2024-25 FAFSA rollout, the Admissions Office has extended the enrollment deposit deadline for admitted first-year applicants to June 17, 2024. Ready to commit to Seattle University? Claim your spot by completing the Admissions Response Form in your Redhawk Admissions Portal!

To prepare a student's financial aid award, the Student Financial Services Office subtracts the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated from the information provided on the student's FAFSA, from the estimated cost of attendance, often referred to as the student budget, to determine financial need.

Following are sample student budgets for the 2023-24 nine-month academic year for full-time students, undergraduates enrolled for 12-20 credits, and graduate students enrolled for 6 credits:

2023-2024 

Budget Category Undergraduate Student
Living On or Off Campus
Undergraduate Student
Living With Parents or Relatives
Graduate Student*
Living On or Off Campus
Graduate Student
Living With Parents or Relatives
Tuition $53,235 $53,235 $15,012 $15,012
Books & Supplies $762 $762 $762 $762
Technology Fee $576 $576 $387 $387
Wellness Fee $474 $474 $366 $366
Activity Fee - - $30 $30

Housing

$9201 $2,760 $13,746 $2760

Food

$5,547 $2,760 $5547 $2760

Loan Fee

$68 $68 $182 $182
Personal Expenses $1,950 $1,950 $1,950 $1,950
Transportation $1,800 $1,800 $1,800 $1,800
Total Budget $73,613 $64,385 $39,782 $26,009

 

To prepare a student's financial aid award, the Student Financial Services Office subtracts the Student Aid Index (SAI) as calculated from the information provided on the student's FAFSA, from the estimated cost of attendance, often referred to as the student budget, to determine financial need.

Following are sample student budgets for the 2024-25 nine-month academic year for full-time students, undergraduates enrolled for 12-18 credits, and graduate students enrolled for 9 credits:

2024-2025 

Budget Category Undergraduate Student
Living On or Off Campus
Undergraduate Student
Living With Parents or Relatives
Graduate Student*
Living On or Off Campus
Graduate Student
Living With Parents or Relatives
Tuition $55,620 $55,620 $23,085 $23,085 
Books & Supplies $792 $792

$792

$792

Technology Fee $603 $603 $603 $603
Wellness Fee $498 $498 $498 $498
Activity Fee - - $30 $30

Housing

$9,756 $2,871 $14,202 $2,871

Food

$5,946 $2,871 $5,946 $2,871

Loan Fee

$65 $65 $180 $180
Personal Expenses $1,848 $1,848 $1,848 $1,848
Transportation $1,776 $1,776

$1,776

$1,776

Total Budget $76,904 $66,944 $48,960 $34,554

*Enrollment requirements and tuition rates for graduate students vary program-by-program so actual tuition and book costs vary widely from this sample budget. 

After financial need has been determined, Student Financial Services prepares a financial aid award, including as much aid as the student is eligible to receive within the constraints of both the student's need and the availability of funding. Depending on a student's eligibility, a financial aid award will include one, some or all of the following types of aid: scholarships and/or grants, work opportunities and loans.

A student can see the costs and EFC/SAI used to prepare their financial aid offer by accessing their Financial Aid Self Service portal via mySeattleU online. 

Cost of Attendance - Definitions

Tuition and Fees: Includes tuition and fees normally assessed for a student.  Based on your expected enrollment.

Housing: Average of on campus regardless of room type.  Actual costs may differ based on your room assignment.

Food: Cost based on residential meal plan and is based on 3 meals per day for 7 days a week.  Actual costs may differ based on your selected meal plan.

Books and Supplies: Estimated costs based on Washington Financial Aid Association recommended amount informed by student surveys, which include books, supplies, and personal computer needs.

Transportation: Estimated costs based on Washington Financial Aid Association recommended amount informed by student surveys, which may include transportation between campus, residences, and work. 

Personal Expenses: Estimated costs based on Washington Financial Aid Association recommended amount informed by student surveys and includes a variety of miscellaneous costs students may experience.