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Supporting Our Local Students to Thrive On-Campus

An Opportunity Designed for Local Students 

At Saint Leo University, we are dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive college experience for students in our community. To support eligible undergraduate students residing in select Florida counties, we are thrilled to introduce the Local Promise Award. As a recipient, you'll benefit from financial assistance toward on-campus housing, enabling you to fully embrace the advantages of living on campus and immersing yourself in our vibrant community. Students who qualify for the Local Promise Award will receive a housing-specific award of $7,040.00 for the academic year. The award is renewable for a second year, covering the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. 

Target Group and Eligibility 

The Local Promise Award is tailored for new and continuing undergraduate students at the university campus who reside in the eligible Florida counties of Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Citrus, and Hillsborough.  

Initial Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible, students must: 

  • Be degree-seeking with a minimum 2.5 GPA or higher 

  • Enroll full-time each semester (12 or more credit hours)

  • Complete the Proof of Florida Residency review 

  • Must be a resident of the indicated counties for 12 or more months 

  • If the student can prove 12 or more months by Fall 2024, student can receive the award in the next eligible academic year 

Maintaining Eligibility Requirements 

To continue benefiting from the award, students must: 

  • Meet all academic performance requirements and maintain good standing in their program from attendance, student conduct, residence life, etc. 

  • Meet all student financial obligations to the University 

  • Remain in a degree seeking program  

  • Enroll full-time each semester (12 or more credit hours) 

  • Maintain continuous enrollment for each academic year (Fall and Spring) 

  • Carry a 19-meal plan regardless of housing type (meal plan exemptions must be approved by the Meal Plan Exemptions Committee or be because of an Accessibility accommodation)”

Application Process and Deadlines 

Students interested in applying for the Local Promise Award should first complete their application . Upon acceptance, they must submit their admissions deposit. 

Restrictions 

Note that some restrictions apply: 

  • Student-athletes receiving athletic scholarships are ineligible, as the award is not stackable with such scholarships 

  • The housing award does not count toward the total for the maximum amount of institutional aid, as it is designated for housing 

  • Award is renewable for a second year, covering the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years

Apply Now 

Living on-campus at Saint Leo University offers invaluable academic and social experiences. The Local Promise Award ensures that more students in our community have access to these opportunities. Apply today and pave the way to a fulfilling college experience at Saint Leo University. 

Apply Now

Housing Award Policy FAQ 

Housing Award Policy FAQ – Local Promise 

This recruiting and retention campaign is a pilot program for the 2024-2025 academic year beginning with the fall 2024 semester. This campaign is for new and continuing undergraduate University Campus students who are permanent residents of Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Citrus, and Hillsborough counties.  

How much funding will the student receive as part of the program? 

Students will receive a housing specific award of up to $7,040.00 for the academic year. This award is based on the 2024-2025 board approved rate for Marmion/Snyder Residence Halls. This rate will be reevaluated and adjusted yearly based on Board approved charges.  

Is the award renewable? 

Yes. The award is renewable for a second year, covering the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, so long as students qualify.

Can a student elect to live in a different building and still receive the award?  

Yes. Students can live outside of Marmion/Snyder but will be responsible for paying the difference in housing costs beyond the approved award amount.  

Are there exceptions to the 19 meal plan requirement? 

Yes. If the student has extenuating circumstances, a student can submit a meal plan exemption via Residence Life. Any meal plan exemptions must be approved by the Meal Plan Exemption Committee.  Alternatively, if a student receives a meal plan waiver accommodation through Accessibility Services, this requirement is waived.  

Are students that are already enrolled for fall 2024 eligible to participate in this program? 

Yes, full-time new and continuing students attending University campus who have successfully completed the Proof of Florida Residency process and met all award criteria may receive the award.  

What does the student have to do to receive the award? 

  • Domestic, degree seeking students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher 

  • Enroll Full Time each semester (12 credit hours or more) 

  • Must complete Proof of Florida Residency review

  • Must be a resident of the indicated counties for 12 or more months 

  • If student cannot prove 12 or more months by Fall 2024, student can receive award in the next eligible academic year

  • Students must meet all academic performance requirements and maintain good standing in their program from an attendance, university student conduct, university standards, etc.

  • Students must meet all student financial obligations to the University.

  • Students must remain in a degree seeking program.

  • Student must maintain continuous enrollment for each Academic Year (Fall and Spring)

  • Students must be in good standing with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard as dictated by the policy. Satisfactory Academic Progress | Saint Leo University 

 

What happens if a student stops out of the program? 

A student must have continuous enrollment to receive the award unless extenuating circumstances such as medical reasons or military service. If a student drops below full-time status of 12 or more credits, the award will be removed from the student’s account. The student will be responsible to cover the balance owed as a result of the reduced financial aid offer.  

Are there award restrictions to receiving the housing award? 

  • Limit of 10 students on Tuition Remission or Tuition Exchange will be allowed to participate and receive both the Tuition Remission/Tuition Exchange and housing award.  

  • Student Athletes receiving an athletic scholarship are not eligible for the housing award. The award is not stackable with an athletic scholarship. 

  • The housing award does not count toward total institutional aid when calculating the limit of tuition for the maximum amount of total institutional aid.  This will not count because it is a housing award. 

Are international students eligible for the housing award? 

No, this award is for domestic students only.  

When will eligible students see the award on the account? 

Student Financial Services will continuously evaluate and award students for the 2024-2025 year. Student that have already received financial aid offers will receive revised copies sent via email to students to show the additional award.   

Student Financial Services will program the fund so that the award will not disburse if student drops below full-time status at the end of add/drop for fall 2024 and spring 2025.