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Applying for aid

  1. Admissions & Financial Aid
  2. Undergraduate
  3. Financial aid
  4. Applying for aid

Applying for financial aid is the first step to funding your education. From federal and state aid to private scholarships or loans, we encourage you to apply for the financial aid options available to you.

Where to begin?

WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid)

If you are a Hope/DREAM Act and/or DACA students, you may apply for a Washington State Need Grant through the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) -- a free application for non-citizens who wish to apply for financial aid in the state of Washington. Applications open Jan 1.  Learn more about the WASFA.

File your WASFA application

VA benefits

As a former or active duty service member or military family member, your road to financial aid begins by applying for your VA benefits with eBenefits.

Apply for VA benefits

(Complete details on applying for benefits and admission to Saint Martin's are available through our Military and Military-Affiliated webpage.)

Scholarships and private assistance

If you are eligible for federal or state aid, your first step is to file either a FAFSA or WASFA.

If you do not qualify for federal or state aid, explore institutional and private scholarships and awards based on your student status or program.

Explore scholarships and private assistance

For questions about scholarships and private assistance email the Office of Financial Aid, call 360-688-2150 or visit our offices in Old Main, 250.

Private student loans

To apply for a private loan, your first step is to identify the lender you would like to apply for a loan through. Saint Martin's University does not have a preferred lender list, but we do offer a historical lenders list of frequently used lenders in the past. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid in Old Main, Room 250.

To get help identifying a private lender, please visit: Saint Martin's FastChoice website.

The FastChoice website provides students with a tool to compare interest rates, fees, and other loan incentives between different lenders. Please note the Office of Financial Aid will certify a private educational loan from any lender, regardless of if their lender is featured on the FastChoice website.

Learn more about private student loans

Student employment

Our student employees are a vital part of the our community! If you are eligible for federal or state work study or are looking for non-work study (student labor) employment review our work study and student employment information.

Learn more

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

To be considered for federal financial aid you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are required to complete a FAFSA application each year to be considered for financial aid eligibility. A few things to remember:

The FAFSA is changing. Get the latest updates.

Complete the application online using the University's school code 003794

The application for the 2024-25 academic year is now open. If you are looking ahead for the 2025-26 academic year, the FAFSA form will be available starting Oct. 1st.

Saint Martin's priority deadline is June1st* for the 2024-25 academic year. Please note that FAFSA forms are still accepted after June 1st.

To submit your FAFSA application, you will need to create an FSA User ID. To get started, please review this FSA video.

File your FAFSA application

*If the student and/or contributor(s) have not yet completed their tax return for the prior prior year (FAFSA uses 2 years prior tax information), the income information can be estimated on the FAFSA form to meet the priority deadline. However, once taxes have been filed, the student and/or contributor(s) will need to go back into the FAFSA form to make a correction and use the IRS Direct Data Exchange tool. This tool will transfer data from the filed tax return directly to the current FAFSA form.

  1. What does FAFSA stand for? Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can apply online through the Student Aid website. Students who are not applying for federal or state funds must submit a Financial Aid Application Waiver Form to the Office of Financial Aid.
  2. Does Saint Martin's University have a priority submission FAFSA deadline? The priority deadline is June 1st for the 2024-25 academic year. Learn more about FAFSA changes this year.
  3. What is our school FAFSA code? Saint Martin's FAFSA code: 003794.
  4. Why are you asking for tax information, etc.? In regard to the FAFSA, federal regulations require that if you have been selected for verification, the Office of Financial Aid needs to verify your household size, earnings, etc. to ensure proper calculations of your financial aid eligibility.
  5. What is the difference between merit-based and need-based aid? Merit-based aid requires eligibility based on a student's academic credentials upon admission to the institution. Need-based aid requires eligibility based on financial need (determined by the FAFSA or WASFA forms).
  6. How do I know if I have need? To determine need, use the following formula: take the total cost of attendance (COA) and subtract your student aid index (SAI)* to get your need. (COA - SAI = Need) *A student aid index can be found after completing the FAFSA/WASFA forms.
  7. Should I pay for a scholarship search? Never pay for a scholarship search engine. There are many free resources that offer great information on scholarships available for all levels of education. You can find other scholarship search sites through our scholarship page under the private scholarships (external) section.
  8. What is considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and how could it affect my financial aid? The Office of Financial Aid is required by federal and state guidelines to monitor the SAP status for all students, receiving aid or not. This process is separate from the academic progress that is managed by the Academic Standards Committee. For more information regarding the Financial Aid SAP policy please visit the maintaining eligibility page and contact the Office of Financial Aid.

New students must be admitted to the university and have completed their Financial Aid Application (FAFSA/WASFA) in order to receive an award letter. Please note: if the student is required to submit additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid to verify information on their FAFSA, their original award letter may change.

Once an award letter is available, the Office of Financial Aid will notify new students via email.

After reviewing your financial aid award letter, you need to accept/decline your awards via your Financial Aid Portal.

Continuing students will need to complete the Financial Aid Application and submit all requested documentation to the Office of Financial Aid before an award letter will be prepared.

Once an award letter is available, the Office of Financial Aid will notify continuing students via email.

After reviewing your financial aid award letter, you need to accept/decline your awards via your Financial Aid Portal.

Questions? We're here to help!

Explore Applying for aid