Paying for Higher Education

Undergraduate scholarships and grants are funding options that do not need to be repaid. This type of aid varies widely in terms of amount, eligibility requirements, and application processes. They can be offered from federal, state, institutional or private organizations. Each year, Seattle University awards millions of dollars of merit and need-based scholarships and grants to deserving students.  

To learn more about the options available please visit our Undergraduate Scholarships and Grants page.

As an undergraduate student, there are several federal loan options available to you and your family . Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are two types of direct student loans available to students. Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need while unsubsidized loans are  non-need-based. Meanwhile, Parent PLUS loans are available to the parents or guardians of students who need additional funding to cover the cost of attendance. To be considered for these loans, the student must fill out a FAFSA. 

To learn more about the federal loan options available, please visit our Federal Direct Loans page. 

Work-study is a need-based program that encourages students to work on campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money for their educational expenses. Work-study is not a guarantee of work or wages. Students must apply and be hired for a job; students are paid directly and can use those funds to pay tuition or other expenses..  Students must file a FAFSA or WASFA to determine eligibility for work study.  

To learn more about work-study awards, please visit our Work-study page.

Students and/or their parents may borrow private loans to cover the cost of attendance. Private loans are dependent on credit worthiness and not demonstrated  financial need.  To receive a private loan, interested students should investigate private lenders who offer these services and then apply with their preferred lender.  

Private loans have variable interest rates, and some offer the ability to defer repayment until graduation. For more information visit the Private Educational Loans page. 

Seattle University is approved by the Veterans Administration and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. For undergraduate students, Seattle University contributes up to $20,000 and is equally matched by the VA, covering billable tuition and fees up to $40,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) yearly tuition and fee cap. Read more about Veteran Benefits. 

If you are interested in serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, but you have not yet served, an ROTC scholarship is another path to consider. Learn more about ROTC scholarships at Seattle University. 

Employer tuition reimbursement is a benefit that helps employees pay for college courses or degree programs. About half of employers in the United States offer some form of this benefit, though the amount covered and eligibility requirements vary by employer. At Seattle University, students can take advantage of a tuition reimbursement program to support their educational goals at Seattle University. 

Graduate scholarships and grants are funding options that do not need to be repaid. This type of aid varies widely in terms of amount, eligibility requirements and application processes. They can be offered from federal, state, institutional or private organizations.

To learn more about scholarships and grants available to graduate students visit our Graduate Scholarships and Grants page.

New federal legislation has eliminated the Graduate Plus Loan option and limits borrowing for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan to $20,500 annually with a $100,000 lifetime limit for all graduate students starting a nonprofessional degree as of July 1, 2026.  

The federal government determines which degree programs it considers professional degrees.  

The only Seattle University graduate programs considered professional degrees are law (J.D.) degrees. For these degrees, students can take out loans in the amount of $50,000 per year with a lifetime limit of $200,000.

To learn more, please visit the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans page.

For graduate students who need additional financial assistance, private loans may be an option. Private loans are not need-based; instead, they are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower. To receive a private loan, you must choose a lender that offers higher education loans and apply with that chosen lender. 

Private loans have variable interest rates, and some offer the ability to defer repayment until graduation. For more information visit Private Educational Loans. 

Seattle University is an approved institution school approved by the Veterans Administration and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Yellow Ribbon is an accompaniment program to Ch. 33 (post 9/11) at the 100% level.  Eligible students are automatically considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program. For the following programs only, Masters in Teaching, Leadership Executive MBA or Doctor of Nursing students, Seattle University contributes up to $10,000, equally matched by the VA, covering billable tuition and fees up to an additional $20,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. Read more about veteran benefits. 

If you are interested in serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, but you have not yet served, an ROTC scholarship is another path to consider. Learn more about ROTC scholarships at Seattle University.

Employer tuition reimbursement is a benefit that helps employees pay for college courses or degree programs. Surveys indicate roughly half of United States employers offer this benefit, but the actual limits and restrictions vary between each individual employer. At Seattle University, students can take advantage of a tuition reimbursement program to support their educational goals at Seattle University.