Graduate Studies Financial Aid

Realizing Your Dream of a Fairfield Education

Like Us on FacebookInvesting in your graduate education is a major financial decision. As a prospective Fairfield University student, you are considering an outstanding, private Jesuit institution. The value of this investment - both academically and personally - will not only be realized over the years of your graduate studies, but in the years beyond graduate school when you are enjoying a successful career and an enriching life. Without question, the lifelong benefits of a Fairfield education will far exceed the expenses involved.

Why Choose a Fairfield Graduate Education?

  • To build intellectual skills and confidence to be an adaptable and agile thinker who can contribute in the workplace and in the world.
  • To gain a strong sense of community nurtured through an educational environment steeped in mutual respect and a sense of ethical values.
  • To enhance the depth and breadth of knowledge in a chosen field of study or career.

Image: StudentsMany Financial Options
While the benefits of graduate study can provide immeasurable rewards in the future, the costs associated with earning a degree may be challenging. Many students need to look beyond their own financial resources or the resources of their employer for assistance. Financing a graduate education is possible, if planned properly.

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to helping students find the options that best suit each of their needs. We offer a number of ways to help you finance your education:

Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of part- and full-time graduate assistantships are available to assist promising and deserving students. Graduate assistantships provide a minimum of 10 hours a week employment at the university to offset tuition costs.

Federal Direct Loan Programs
Under this program, graduate students may apply for up to $20,500 per academic year in federal student loans, depending on their educational costs and eligibility. A Fairfield University financial aid counselor can provide helpful information during this process.

Tax Deductions
Some expenses associated with educational expenses such as registration fees, travel costs, meals and lodging may be tax deductible. Our financial aid counselors will help you investigate these cost cutting options.

Veterans
Veterans may apply educational benefits to degree studies pursued at Fairfield University. Fairfield has a long history of working with veterans, and we have recently introduced our Veteran's Pride Program, which further enhances tuition benefits for qualified veterans.

Tuition Discount for Town Employees
Fairfield University offers any active full or part-time employee of the town of Fairfield, Connecticut a ten percent discount off of the published tuition rate of any undergraduate or graduate academic program, full or part time, whether the town employee is seeking a degree or taking individual courses, for credit or auditing.

Education & Allied Professions Graduate Students
Students applying for the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions have a number of scholarship and financial aid opportunities specific to their education.

Nursing Scholarships
Students applying for the Graduate School of Nursing are eligible for a number of scholarships specifically designed for nursing students.

Gainful Employment Disclosures

New federal regulations require colleges to inform students of their prospects for "gainful employment" when receiving federal financial aid for non-degree programs. The disclosures were mandated to assist students in choosing the right program for their needs and to prevent them from taking on debt in exchange for programs that fail to get them adequate jobs. At Fairfield University, we are proud of the strength of our programs, our students' employment outcomes, and the leadership roles our graduates have taken in their respective fields.

Prospective students will find Gainful Employment Disclosures for each certificate program. All degree programs are exempted from the Gainful Employment Disclosure mandate.

For assistance on applying for financial aid or financing your Fairfield education, please contact the Office of Financial Aid:

Fairfield University - Office of Financial Aid
Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

Phone (203) 254-4125
Fax: (203) 254-4008

E-mail:finaid@fairfield.edu

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
*Summer hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.