Program for access aids students

Through the Brother James Miller Program for Access, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is making a private college education affordable.  The Brother James Miller Program for Access assists students who might not otherwise be able to afford private college.
Saint Mary’s guarantees that the total comprehensive charges, including tuition, room, board, and fees for all qualified freshmen will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.  The University of Minnesota was chosen for comparison because it is Minnesota’s flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools.    

The value of this program for the 2013-2014 academic year is equal to approximately $14,200.  Over a four-year period, the estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Program for Access will exceed $55,000 per student.

The aid program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary’s graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed in 1982.

Initial Criteria:

To qualify for the Brother James Miller Program for Access, you must:

• be a first-time freshman enrolled full-time on the Winona campus;
• have a parental adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less
• be a “B” student (3.0/4.0 GPA or the equivalent as determined by your high school);
• have a minimum admission test score of 18 on the ACT or 1270 on the SAT.
• be a dependent of parent(s);
• file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 15th;
• live on campus as a residential student.

Renewable Criteria:

The program is renewable up to three consecutive academic years providing the following criteria are met:

• be a full-time undergraduate student on the Winona Campus;
• maintain a 3.0 cumulative college grade point average at SMU;
• have a parental AGI of $100,000 or less;
• be a dependent of parent(s);
• file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid);
• live on campus or be enrolled in SMU’s approved London study abroad program; and
• be a good student-citizen while enrolled, which means you may not be placed on academic or disciplinary probation.