Apply for Financial Aid

Getting the financial backing you need for your education starts here.

Saint Leo University awards institutional, federal and various state financial aid to eligible students who are enrolled in a degree program and attending at least half-time. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed annually to receive any of these awards.

Complete the steps below as soon as possible to ensure payment arrangements are in order before your first term.

For help, please contact Saint Leo's Office of Student Financial Services:

Phone: (352) 588-7403
Toll Free: (800) 240-7658
Fax: (866) 708-7770
Email: finaid@saintleo.edu

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To begin the financial aid process at Saint Leo, you will want to be sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, when you have tax information available for the prior year. This form is filed electronically and can be done right from your home. Financial aid is a renewable process, and a FAFSA must be completed each year to receive aid.

  1. FAFSA
    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. You will need your latest Federal Tax Return, your federal PIN number and Saint Leo University’s School Code (001526). Estimated income figures can be used initially, and replaced with actual income figures after your federal tax returns are completed. The FAFSA can be completed before official admission notification. For financial aid purposes, if you are under 24 years of age, you are a dependent student. Independent students are 24 years of age or older, active duty military or veterans, married, or graduate students.
  2. Student Aid Report (SAR)
    Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. You will receive this form 7-10 days after the FAFSA is submitted. If there are any errors on your SAR, log back into your FAFSA to make corrections.
  3. Financial Aid Award Letter
    You will receive your financial aid award notification from Saint Leo University. You will need to log into eLion to accept or decline your awards.
  4. Loan Entrance Counseling
    Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note. Entrance Counseling is only required for first time Federal Direct Loan borrowers; all borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note. Both can be completed at www.studentloans.gov (you will need your PIN obtained from Step 1).
  5. mySaintLeo
    Monitor mySaintLeo.edu. At Saint Leo, students accept, reduce and decline their financial aid awards online through this site. The Financial Aid Office will send notifications via student email until all required documents are complete. Completed items will be updated from your My Documents list within two to five days after you actively respond with the required action or documentation.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Any changes in eligibility may result in a reduction or elimination of award. To receive financial aid, a student must meet fundamental eligibility requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student
  • Be making satisfactory progress toward a degree
  • Be registered with the Selective Service, if required
  • Be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan*
  • Not owe a repayment on a federal grant*
  • Not have exceeded the annual or aggregate federal loan limits or lifetime Pell eligibility

*The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) must indicate that a student is not in default or owe a repayment of a federal grant before Saint Leo will award and/or disburse any federal or state funds to the student.