3.We encourage you to choose the college that offers you the best educational experience
you can afford, not the school that gives you the best “deal.” When you compare the
variety of experiences, the access to faculty and facilities, the four-year graduation rate,
and the post-college activities of recent graduates, the lowest price may not be the best
investment. We believe a St. Olaf education is an outstanding value.
4.Meeting deadlines is extremely important. To be eligible for all need-based financial aid
sources and merit scholarships, you must meet the stated application deadlines.
To be considered for need-based financial aid you must:
> Complete and submit the Common Application by one of our three application deadlines and check the appropriate box indicating your intent to apply for financial aid. The
Early Decision 1 deadline is November 15. The Early Decision 2 deadline is January 15.
The Regular Decision deadline is January 15.
> Complete and submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE by February 1.
> Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
If you do not meet the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA submission deadlines, we may not be
able to meet your demonstrated financial need.
For merit scholarship consideration you must follow the instructions and meet the deadlines
indicated in the Merit Scholarships section of our website.
Net Price Calculator
To assist you with your planning and provide an early estimate of what you may expect to pay
to attend St. Olaf College, please use our Net Price Calculator. It will provide an estimate of the
financial aid package you can expect. Please be aware that this estimate is based on the preliminary information you provide. We can’t make any commitment until you’ve applied, been
admitted, and have completed the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications provide the information needed to determine
scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment to meet your demonstrated need.
Afford
To use the Net Price Calculator, go to stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/estimator.html
Need-based financial aid application and award dates for students applying for Fall 2013 admission.
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 2
Regular Decision
Complete and submit the
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
November 15*
January 15*
February 1
March 1
March 1
March 1
On or before
December 22
On or before
February 22
On or before
March 22
Complete and submit the FAFSA
Financial Aid Award Notification**
Our financial aid program is carefully designed to consider each family’s individual circumstances and to treat all families as fairly and equitably as possible. Here are a few things you
should know about St. Olaf’s approach to financial aid:
1. St. Olaf is one of very few colleges still committed to meeting the demonstrated financial
need of all admitted students. An economically diverse student body is an important
expression of our mission.
2.Our financial aid program is based on a thorough and consistent review of the information
you and your family will be asked to provide. Family financial data will be evaluated using
a standardized analysis to determine your family’s ability to contribute to college expenses.
Based on this analysis, we’ll prepare the strongest need-based financial aid package we can.
* Use estimated figures for income and assets. Update with actual figures by February 1.
** Students also applying for merit scholarships may receive financial aid award notifications slightly later,
to accommodate the merit scholarship application process.
Financial Aid Quick Links
Financial Aid Office:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid
877-235-8386, [email protected]
Merit Scholarship Information:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/meritaid.html
FAFSA:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/fafsa.htm
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/profile.htm
For more information about all St. Olaf College financial aid programs, please visit our website at
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf College • 1520 St. Olaf Avenue • Northfield, MN 55057
Every student’s and every family’s financial circumstances are different. So are their
attitudes and priorities when it comes to saving, investing, and spending. We believe the
primary responsibility for financing a college education lies with students and their parents,
up to the level of their ability to contribute. When there is a difference between a family’s
ability to contribute and the cost of a St. Olaf education, the college will award need-based
financial aid to meet that difference. We view this philosophy as a three-way partnership
between the student, his or her parents, and St. Olaf.
Family income is not the only factor in determining eligibility for need-based financial
aid. Consequently, there is no income ceiling above which aid is denied. Asset strength,
family size, number of students enrolled in college, standard family living costs, and
other financial circumstances all influence a family’s ability to contribute to the cost of
a St. Olaf education.
Financial Aid Timeline
Financial Aid Deadlines
The St. Olaf College Financial Aid Philosophy
St. Ol af Colle ge
3.We encourage you to choose the college that offers you the best educational experience
you can afford, not the school that gives you the best “deal.” When you compare the
variety of experiences, the access to faculty and facilities, the four-year graduation rate,
and the post-college activities of recent graduates, the lowest price may not be the best
investment. We believe a St. Olaf education is an outstanding value.
4.Meeting deadlines is extremely important. To be eligible for all need-based financial aid
sources and merit scholarships, you must meet the stated application deadlines.
To be considered for need-based financial aid you must:
> Complete and submit the Common Application by one of our three application deadlines and check the appropriate box indicating your intent to apply for financial aid. The
Early Decision 1 deadline is November 15. The Early Decision 2 deadline is January 15.
The Regular Decision deadline is January 15.
> Complete and submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE by February 1.
> Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
If you do not meet the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA submission deadlines, we may not be
able to meet your demonstrated financial need.
For merit scholarship consideration you must follow the instructions and meet the deadlines
indicated in the Merit Scholarships section of our website.
Net Price Calculator
To assist you with your planning and provide an early estimate of what you may expect to pay
to attend St. Olaf College, please use our Net Price Calculator. It will provide an estimate of the
financial aid package you can expect. Please be aware that this estimate is based on the preliminary information you provide. We can’t make any commitment until you’ve applied, been
admitted, and have completed the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications provide the information needed to determine
scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment to meet your demonstrated need.
Afford
To use the Net Price Calculator, go to stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/estimator.html
Need-based financial aid application and award dates for students applying for Fall 2013 admission.
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 2
Regular Decision
Complete and submit the
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
November 15*
January 15*
February 1
March 1
March 1
March 1
On or before
December 22
On or before
February 22
On or before
March 22
Complete and submit the FAFSA
Financial Aid Award Notification**
Our financial aid program is carefully designed to consider each family’s individual circumstances and to treat all families as fairly and equitably as possible. Here are a few things you
should know about St. Olaf’s approach to financial aid:
1. St. Olaf is one of very few colleges still committed to meeting the demonstrated financial
need of all admitted students. An economically diverse student body is an important
expression of our mission.
2.Our financial aid program is based on a thorough and consistent review of the information
you and your family will be asked to provide. Family financial data will be evaluated using
a standardized analysis to determine your family’s ability to contribute to college expenses.
Based on this analysis, we’ll prepare the strongest need-based financial aid package we can.
* Use estimated figures for income and assets. Update with actual figures by February 1.
** Students also applying for merit scholarships may receive financial aid award notifications slightly later,
to accommodate the merit scholarship application process.
Financial Aid Quick Links
Financial Aid Office:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid
877-235-8386, [email protected]
Merit Scholarship Information:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/meritaid.html
FAFSA:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/fafsa.htm
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/profile.htm
For more information about all St. Olaf College financial aid programs, please visit our website at
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf College • 1520 St. Olaf Avenue • Northfield, MN 55057
Every student’s and every family’s financial circumstances are different. So are their
attitudes and priorities when it comes to saving, investing, and spending. We believe the
primary responsibility for financing a college education lies with students and their parents,
up to the level of their ability to contribute. When there is a difference between a family’s
ability to contribute and the cost of a St. Olaf education, the college will award need-based
financial aid to meet that difference. We view this philosophy as a three-way partnership
between the student, his or her parents, and St. Olaf.
Family income is not the only factor in determining eligibility for need-based financial
aid. Consequently, there is no income ceiling above which aid is denied. Asset strength,
family size, number of students enrolled in college, standard family living costs, and
other financial circumstances all influence a family’s ability to contribute to the cost of
a St. Olaf education.
Financial Aid Timeline
Financial Aid Deadlines
The St. Olaf College Financial Aid Philosophy
St. Ol af Colle ge
3.We encourage you to choose the college that offers you the best educational experience
you can afford, not the school that gives you the best “deal.” When you compare the
variety of experiences, the access to faculty and facilities, the four-year graduation rate,
and the post-college activities of recent graduates, the lowest price may not be the best
investment. We believe a St. Olaf education is an outstanding value.
4.Meeting deadlines is extremely important. To be eligible for all need-based financial aid
sources and merit scholarships, you must meet the stated application deadlines.
To be considered for need-based financial aid you must:
> Complete and submit the Common Application by one of our three application deadlines and check the appropriate box indicating your intent to apply for financial aid. The
Early Decision 1 deadline is November 15. The Early Decision 2 deadline is January 15.
The Regular Decision deadline is January 15.
> Complete and submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE by February 1.
> Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
If you do not meet the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA submission deadlines, we may not be
able to meet your demonstrated financial need.
For merit scholarship consideration you must follow the instructions and meet the deadlines
indicated in the Merit Scholarships section of our website.
Net Price Calculator
To assist you with your planning and provide an early estimate of what you may expect to pay
to attend St. Olaf College, please use our Net Price Calculator. It will provide an estimate of the
financial aid package you can expect. Please be aware that this estimate is based on the preliminary information you provide. We can’t make any commitment until you’ve applied, been
admitted, and have completed the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications provide the information needed to determine
scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment to meet your demonstrated need.
Afford
To use the Net Price Calculator, go to stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/estimator.html
Need-based financial aid application and award dates for students applying for Fall 2013 admission.
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 2
Regular Decision
Complete and submit the
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
November 15*
January 15*
February 1
March 1
March 1
March 1
On or before
December 22
On or before
February 22
On or before
March 22
Complete and submit the FAFSA
Financial Aid Award Notification**
Our financial aid program is carefully designed to consider each family’s individual circumstances and to treat all families as fairly and equitably as possible. Here are a few things you
should know about St. Olaf’s approach to financial aid:
1. St. Olaf is one of very few colleges still committed to meeting the demonstrated financial
need of all admitted students. An economically diverse student body is an important
expression of our mission.
2.Our financial aid program is based on a thorough and consistent review of the information
you and your family will be asked to provide. Family financial data will be evaluated using
a standardized analysis to determine your family’s ability to contribute to college expenses.
Based on this analysis, we’ll prepare the strongest need-based financial aid package we can.
* Use estimated figures for income and assets. Update with actual figures by February 1.
** Students also applying for merit scholarships may receive financial aid award notifications slightly later,
to accommodate the merit scholarship application process.
Financial Aid Quick Links
Financial Aid Office:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid
877-235-8386, [email protected]
Merit Scholarship Information:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/meritaid.html
FAFSA:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/fafsa.htm
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/profile.htm
For more information about all St. Olaf College financial aid programs, please visit our website at
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf College • 1520 St. Olaf Avenue • Northfield, MN 55057
Every student’s and every family’s financial circumstances are different. So are their
attitudes and priorities when it comes to saving, investing, and spending. We believe the
primary responsibility for financing a college education lies with students and their parents,
up to the level of their ability to contribute. When there is a difference between a family’s
ability to contribute and the cost of a St. Olaf education, the college will award need-based
financial aid to meet that difference. We view this philosophy as a three-way partnership
between the student, his or her parents, and St. Olaf.
Family income is not the only factor in determining eligibility for need-based financial
aid. Consequently, there is no income ceiling above which aid is denied. Asset strength,
family size, number of students enrolled in college, standard family living costs, and
other financial circumstances all influence a family’s ability to contribute to the cost of
a St. Olaf education.
Financial Aid Timeline
Financial Aid Deadlines
The St. Olaf College Financial Aid Philosophy
St. Ol af Colle ge
Need-based Financial Aid
Student Employment
Your eligibility for need-based financial aid is determined by calculating the difference between the
Cost of Attendance (see chart) and your family contribution as calculated by St. Olaf using information from the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA applications. St. Olaf’s expectation is that you will be able to
contribute a minimum of $2,300 per year from summer earnings or other resources.
St. Olaf offers the opportunity to work on campus to students with demonstrated need. Award amounts
range from $1,200 to $2,300, representing approximately 6 to 10 hours of work per week. The average
award recipient earns approximately $1,150 during the academic year.
Need-based financial aid awards may include a combination of the following:
> Scholarships — St. Olaf College funds or other funds awarded in recognition of a student’s
academic record and demonstrated abilities. These funds do not need to be repaid.
> Grants — St. Olaf College, federal, and state funds awarded on the basis of financial need.
These funds do not need to be repaid.
> Student Employment — The opportunity to work on campus.
> Loans — Subsidized and unsubsidized loans that must be repaid.
Students with demonstrated financial need
Need-based grants only
Number of first-year
students receiving awards
Percentage of first-year
students receiving awards
169
20%
Academic Scholarships
Student Loans
Almost every need-based financial aid award includes student loans. We believe that a college education is an investment in the future and every student should be willing to take on a reasonable amount
of debt to help pay the expenses.
Approximately 65% of the graduating class of 2011 used student loans to pay a portion of their college
expenses. The average student indebtedness — including federal, state, and private sources — was
$25,854, which is approximately the national average.
We strongly encourage every student and his or her family to think carefully about the impact of
student loans. For an estimate of the repayment requirements after college, there are a variety of online
tools. A good one may be found at finaid.org.
Need-based grants and merit scholarships awarded
First-year students, Fall 2012
Students with no
demonstrated need or
who did not apply for aid
Need-based grants and merit scholarships
Merit scholarships
360
197
43%
23%
Median award amount
$27,740
$24,748
$12,000
Award range
$5,000-$39,070
$2,000-$39,326
$2,000-$24,325
The following information reflects merit scholarships awarded to first-year students entering in Fall 2012.
Applicants who check the Merit Scholarship box on the Common Application are automatically considered
for St. Olaf’s academic and service leadership scholarships.
Merit Scholarships
St. Olaf merit scholarships are awarded to students without regard to financial need. These awards
recognize student achievement in academics, service leadership, and the fine arts. Students are considered for academic and service leadership scholarships based on information included in the application
for admission, plus additional optional information students may submit to support their eligibility.
Students are considered for fine arts scholarships on the basis of auditions or portfolio reviews by
faculty in the fine arts departments.
Students may apply for and receive more than one merit scholarship, but the total value of all merit
scholarships may not exceed one-half of St. Olaf’s comprehensive fee. For a complete overview of
St. Olaf’s merit scholarship programs, the application and audition process, application deadlines, and
the criteria by which applications are evaluated, please visit stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf offers three academic scholarships: the Buntrock Academic Scholarship (total award of up to
$72,000), the Presidential Academic Scholarship (total award of up to $48,000), and the St. Olaf Academic
Scholarship (total award of up to $34,000). Eligibility is based primarily on the academic performance
demonstrated in the application for admission and on our assessment of the candidate’s ability to make
a significant contribution to the St. Olaf community.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Buntrock Academic Scholarship
2,377
199
$18,000
33.1
1459
4.0
98.1
Presidential Academic Scholarship
2,377
563
$12,000
31.6
1396
3.9
95.0
St. Olaf Academic Scholarship
2,377
596
$8,500
29.3
1311
3.8
90.2
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Scholarships
National Merit Finalists who designate St. Olaf College as their first choice school with the National
Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) are eligible for St. Olaf National Merit, National Achievement
Scholar, or National Hispanic Scholar scholarships (each offers a total award of up to $30,000). Students
receiving these scholarships are also eligible to compete for other St. Olaf merit scholarships.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
National Merit, National Hispanic,
and National Achievement
Scholarships (combined)
N/A
50
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
$7,500
33.9
1485
3.9
95.9
Leadership and Access Scholarships
St. Olaf values the contributions our students make to others, both on and off campus. The St. Olaf
Service Leadership Scholarship (total award of up to $32,000) recognizes leadership in students’
home communities or churches. The St. Olaf Access Scholarship (total award of up to $32,000) is
awarded to students meeting at least two of the three federal TRiO eligibility requirements and our
assessment of the candidate’s ability to make a significant contribution to the St. Olaf community.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Service Leadership Scholarship
2,377
322
$8,000
29.2
1287
3.7
88.1
St. Olaf Access Scholarship
259
32
$8,000
26.4
1184
3.7
88.0
Fine Arts Scholarships
Scholarships recognizing creative achievement are available in four fine arts disciplines. Art and Art
History, Dance, and Theater scholarships (total awards of up to $32,000) are based on auditions or
portfolio reviews. Music offers two scholarships, the Christiansen Scholarship (total award of up to
$46,000) and the Cassler Scholarship (total award of up to $30,000). All St. Olaf Fine Arts scholarships
are available to both majors and non-majors in the respective disciplines. Please review application
requirements and deadlines on our website.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Art and Art History, Dance and
134
69
Theater Scholarship (combined)
$4,000-
28.0
1332
3.7
$8,000
88.7
Christiansen and Cassler Music
501
131
Scholarships (combined)
$7,500-
$11,500
29.7
1338
3.7
88.9
St. Olaf Music Recognition
Scholarship
$2,000
29.7
1338
3.7
88.9
501
39
To be considered for any St. Olaf merit scholarship, you must check the merit scholarship
box on the Common Application when you apply for admission.
Cost of Attendance (2012-13)
Tuition
$39,560
Room and Board
$9,090
—————————————————————
Comprehensive Fee:
$48,650
The following scenarios are examples of
Books and Supplies (est.)
$1,000
Personal Expenses (est.)
$900
—————————————————————
Total Cost
$50,550
2012-13 first-year students from families
financial aid packages received by incoming
of varying financial situations. These
examples may help provide a sense of the
need-based financial aid award you and your
family might expect. Because there are many
variables that go into need-based aid eligibility determinations, St. Olaf cannot guarantee
that every student whose family feels they
resemble one of these scenarios will receive a
similar aid package.
Sophia
Zoe
Luke
Daniel
Sophia is from Texas. Her parents are married
and she has one younger sibling. Her father
is a bookkeeper and her mother is a nursing
assistant. Their total family income is $60,000.
They have less than $40,000 in home equity
and investments.
Zoe is from Illinois. Her parents are divorced. Zoe
and her younger brother live with their mother
who is a physical therapist earning $70,000 a year.
Zoe’s father is a freelance writer and earns $46,000
a year. Each of her parents has $250,000 in home
equity and investments.
Luke is from Minnesota. His parents are married
and he has two younger siblings. His father is
an engineer and his mother is a CPA earning
a combined income of $210,000. They have
$350,000 in home equity and investments.
Daniel is from Colorado. His parents are married
and he has two younger siblings. His father is a
pastor and his mother is a guidance counselor.
Their total family income is $110,000. They have
$220,000 in home equity and investments.
Their family contribution is calculated at $4,900
($2,300 from Sophia and $2,600 from her parents).
Her financial aid award is calculated as follows:
Their family contribution is calculated at $31,300
($2,300 from Zoe and $29,000 from her parents).
Her financial aid award is calculated as follows:
Their family contribution is calculated at an
amount higher than the Cost of Attendance
at St. Olaf. Luke does not qualify for any
need-based financial aid, but his family was
offered access to an unsubsidized federal loan.
Their family contribution is calculated at $19,800
($2,300 from Daniel and $17,500 from his
parents). His financial aid award is calculated
as follows:
Need-based Aid Award:
Federal Pell Grant
$1,800
St. Olaf Grant/Scholarship
$36,350
Student Employment
$2,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$3,500
Federal Perkins Loan
$2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$45,650
Need-based Aid Award:
St. Olaf Grant/Scholarship
$11,750
Student Employment
$2,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$19,250
Need-based Aid Award:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$5,500
———————————————————————
Total Award
$5,500
Need-based Aid Award:
St. Olaf Grant
$4,950
Buntrock Academic Scholarship
$18,000
Student Employment
$ 2,300
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$ 3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$ 2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$30,750
During Daniel’s sophomore year at St. Olaf, his
younger sister will also be enrolled in college.
When the family has two students in college,
their demonstrated financial need will increase.
If the family’s financial circumstances remain
essentially the same, Daniel’s St. Olaf grant
would increase to $12,250.
If he continues in good academic standing,
Daniel would retain his Merit Scholarship each
year he is enrolled at St. Olaf.
Need-based Financial Aid
Student Employment
Your eligibility for need-based financial aid is determined by calculating the difference between the
Cost of Attendance (see chart) and your family contribution as calculated by St. Olaf using information from the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA applications. St. Olaf’s expectation is that you will be able to
contribute a minimum of $2,300 per year from summer earnings or other resources.
St. Olaf offers the opportunity to work on campus to students with demonstrated need. Award amounts
range from $1,200 to $2,300, representing approximately 6 to 10 hours of work per week. The average
award recipient earns approximately $1,150 during the academic year.
Need-based financial aid awards may include a combination of the following:
> Scholarships — St. Olaf College funds or other funds awarded in recognition of a student’s
academic record and demonstrated abilities. These funds do not need to be repaid.
> Grants — St. Olaf College, federal, and state funds awarded on the basis of financial need.
These funds do not need to be repaid.
> Student Employment — The opportunity to work on campus.
> Loans — Subsidized and unsubsidized loans that must be repaid.
Students with demonstrated financial need
Need-based grants only
Number of first-year
students receiving awards
Percentage of first-year
students receiving awards
169
20%
Academic Scholarships
Student Loans
Almost every need-based financial aid award includes student loans. We believe that a college education is an investment in the future and every student should be willing to take on a reasonable amount
of debt to help pay the expenses.
Approximately 65% of the graduating class of 2011 used student loans to pay a portion of their college
expenses. The average student indebtedness — including federal, state, and private sources — was
$25,854, which is approximately the national average.
We strongly encourage every student and his or her family to think carefully about the impact of
student loans. For an estimate of the repayment requirements after college, there are a variety of online
tools. A good one may be found at finaid.org.
Need-based grants and merit scholarships awarded
First-year students, Fall 2012
Students with no
demonstrated need or
who did not apply for aid
Need-based grants and merit scholarships
Merit scholarships
360
197
43%
23%
Median award amount
$27,740
$24,748
$12,000
Award range
$5,000-$39,070
$2,000-$39,326
$2,000-$24,325
The following information reflects merit scholarships awarded to first-year students entering in Fall 2012.
Applicants who check the Merit Scholarship box on the Common Application are automatically considered
for St. Olaf’s academic and service leadership scholarships.
Merit Scholarships
St. Olaf merit scholarships are awarded to students without regard to financial need. These awards
recognize student achievement in academics, service leadership, and the fine arts. Students are considered for academic and service leadership scholarships based on information included in the application
for admission, plus additional optional information students may submit to support their eligibility.
Students are considered for fine arts scholarships on the basis of auditions or portfolio reviews by
faculty in the fine arts departments.
Students may apply for and receive more than one merit scholarship, but the total value of all merit
scholarships may not exceed one-half of St. Olaf’s comprehensive fee. For a complete overview of
St. Olaf’s merit scholarship programs, the application and audition process, application deadlines, and
the criteria by which applications are evaluated, please visit stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf offers three academic scholarships: the Buntrock Academic Scholarship (total award of up to
$72,000), the Presidential Academic Scholarship (total award of up to $48,000), and the St. Olaf Academic
Scholarship (total award of up to $34,000). Eligibility is based primarily on the academic performance
demonstrated in the application for admission and on our assessment of the candidate’s ability to make
a significant contribution to the St. Olaf community.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Buntrock Academic Scholarship
2,377
199
$18,000
33.1
1459
4.0
98.1
Presidential Academic Scholarship
2,377
563
$12,000
31.6
1396
3.9
95.0
St. Olaf Academic Scholarship
2,377
596
$8,500
29.3
1311
3.8
90.2
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Scholarships
National Merit Finalists who designate St. Olaf College as their first choice school with the National
Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) are eligible for St. Olaf National Merit, National Achievement
Scholar, or National Hispanic Scholar scholarships (each offers a total award of up to $30,000). Students
receiving these scholarships are also eligible to compete for other St. Olaf merit scholarships.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
National Merit, National Hispanic,
and National Achievement
Scholarships (combined)
N/A
50
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
$7,500
33.9
1485
3.9
95.9
Leadership and Access Scholarships
St. Olaf values the contributions our students make to others, both on and off campus. The St. Olaf
Service Leadership Scholarship (total award of up to $32,000) recognizes leadership in students’
home communities or churches. The St. Olaf Access Scholarship (total award of up to $32,000) is
awarded to students meeting at least two of the three federal TRiO eligibility requirements and our
assessment of the candidate’s ability to make a significant contribution to the St. Olaf community.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Service Leadership Scholarship
2,377
322
$8,000
29.2
1287
3.7
88.1
St. Olaf Access Scholarship
259
32
$8,000
26.4
1184
3.7
88.0
Fine Arts Scholarships
Scholarships recognizing creative achievement are available in four fine arts disciplines. Art and Art
History, Dance, and Theater scholarships (total awards of up to $32,000) are based on auditions or
portfolio reviews. Music offers two scholarships, the Christiansen Scholarship (total award of up to
$46,000) and the Cassler Scholarship (total award of up to $30,000). All St. Olaf Fine Arts scholarships
are available to both majors and non-majors in the respective disciplines. Please review application
requirements and deadlines on our website.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Art and Art History, Dance and
134
69
Theater Scholarship (combined)
$4,000-
28.0
1332
3.7
$8,000
88.7
Christiansen and Cassler Music
501
131
Scholarships (combined)
$7,500-
$11,500
29.7
1338
3.7
88.9
St. Olaf Music Recognition
Scholarship
$2,000
29.7
1338
3.7
88.9
501
39
To be considered for any St. Olaf merit scholarship, you must check the merit scholarship
box on the Common Application when you apply for admission.
Cost of Attendance (2012-13)
Tuition
$39,560
Room and Board
$9,090
—————————————————————
Comprehensive Fee:
$48,650
The following scenarios are examples of
Books and Supplies (est.)
$1,000
Personal Expenses (est.)
$900
—————————————————————
Total Cost
$50,550
2012-13 first-year students from families
financial aid packages received by incoming
of varying financial situations. These
examples may help provide a sense of the
need-based financial aid award you and your
family might expect. Because there are many
variables that go into need-based aid eligibility determinations, St. Olaf cannot guarantee
that every student whose family feels they
resemble one of these scenarios will receive a
similar aid package.
Sophia
Zoe
Luke
Daniel
Sophia is from Texas. Her parents are married
and she has one younger sibling. Her father
is a bookkeeper and her mother is a nursing
assistant. Their total family income is $60,000.
They have less than $40,000 in home equity
and investments.
Zoe is from Illinois. Her parents are divorced. Zoe
and her younger brother live with their mother
who is a physical therapist earning $70,000 a year.
Zoe’s father is a freelance writer and earns $46,000
a year. Each of her parents has $250,000 in home
equity and investments.
Luke is from Minnesota. His parents are married
and he has two younger siblings. His father is
an engineer and his mother is a CPA earning
a combined income of $210,000. They have
$350,000 in home equity and investments.
Daniel is from Colorado. His parents are married
and he has two younger siblings. His father is a
pastor and his mother is a guidance counselor.
Their total family income is $110,000. They have
$220,000 in home equity and investments.
Their family contribution is calculated at $4,900
($2,300 from Sophia and $2,600 from her parents).
Her financial aid award is calculated as follows:
Their family contribution is calculated at $31,300
($2,300 from Zoe and $29,000 from her parents).
Her financial aid award is calculated as follows:
Their family contribution is calculated at an
amount higher than the Cost of Attendance
at St. Olaf. Luke does not qualify for any
need-based financial aid, but his family was
offered access to an unsubsidized federal loan.
Their family contribution is calculated at $19,800
($2,300 from Daniel and $17,500 from his
parents). His financial aid award is calculated
as follows:
Need-based Aid Award:
Federal Pell Grant
$1,800
St. Olaf Grant/Scholarship
$36,350
Student Employment
$2,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$3,500
Federal Perkins Loan
$2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$45,650
Need-based Aid Award:
St. Olaf Grant/Scholarship
$11,750
Student Employment
$2,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$19,250
Need-based Aid Award:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$5,500
———————————————————————
Total Award
$5,500
Need-based Aid Award:
St. Olaf Grant
$4,950
Buntrock Academic Scholarship
$18,000
Student Employment
$ 2,300
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$ 3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$ 2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$30,750
During Daniel’s sophomore year at St. Olaf, his
younger sister will also be enrolled in college.
When the family has two students in college,
their demonstrated financial need will increase.
If the family’s financial circumstances remain
essentially the same, Daniel’s St. Olaf grant
would increase to $12,250.
If he continues in good academic standing,
Daniel would retain his Merit Scholarship each
year he is enrolled at St. Olaf.
*T
h
ea
mo
u
n
t
s
o
f
t
h
eP
r
e
s
i
d
e
n
t
i
a
l
a
n
dS
t
.
O
l
a
f
A
c
a
d
e
mi
c
S
c
h
o
l
a
r
s
h
i
p
s
wi
l
l
b
ei
n
c
r
e
a
s
e
di
n2
0
1
3
1
4
,
t
oa
n
n
u
a
l
a
wa
r
d
s
o
f
$
1
3
,
0
0
0a
n
d$
1
0
,
0
0
0
,
r
e
s
p
e
c
t
i
v
e
l
y
.
Need-based Financial Aid
Student Employment
Your eligibility for need-based financial aid is determined by calculating the difference between the
Cost of Attendance (see chart) and your family contribution as calculated by St. Olaf using information from the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA applications. St. Olaf’s expectation is that you will be able to
contribute a minimum of $2,300 per year from summer earnings or other resources.
St. Olaf offers the opportunity to work on campus to students with demonstrated need. Award amounts
range from $1,200 to $2,300, representing approximately 6 to 10 hours of work per week. The average
award recipient earns approximately $1,150 during the academic year.
Need-based financial aid awards may include a combination of the following:
> Scholarships — St. Olaf College funds or other funds awarded in recognition of a student’s
academic record and demonstrated abilities. These funds do not need to be repaid.
> Grants — St. Olaf College, federal, and state funds awarded on the basis of financial need.
These funds do not need to be repaid.
> Student Employment — The opportunity to work on campus.
> Loans — Subsidized and unsubsidized loans that must be repaid.
Students with demonstrated financial need
Need-based grants only
Number of first-year
students receiving awards
Percentage of first-year
students receiving awards
169
20%
Academic Scholarships
Student Loans
Almost every need-based financial aid award includes student loans. We believe that a college education is an investment in the future and every student should be willing to take on a reasonable amount
of debt to help pay the expenses.
Approximately 65% of the graduating class of 2011 used student loans to pay a portion of their college
expenses. The average student indebtedness — including federal, state, and private sources — was
$25,854, which is approximately the national average.
We strongly encourage every student and his or her family to think carefully about the impact of
student loans. For an estimate of the repayment requirements after college, there are a variety of online
tools. A good one may be found at finaid.org.
Need-based grants and merit scholarships awarded
First-year students, Fall 2012
Students with no
demonstrated need or
who did not apply for aid
Need-based grants and merit scholarships
Merit scholarships
360
197
43%
23%
Median award amount
$27,740
$24,748
$12,000
Award range
$5,000-$39,070
$2,000-$39,326
$2,000-$24,325
The following information reflects merit scholarships awarded to first-year students entering in Fall 2012.
Applicants who check the Merit Scholarship box on the Common Application are automatically considered
for St. Olaf’s academic and service leadership scholarships.
Merit Scholarships
St. Olaf merit scholarships are awarded to students without regard to financial need. These awards
recognize student achievement in academics, service leadership, and the fine arts. Students are considered for academic and service leadership scholarships based on information included in the application
for admission, plus additional optional information students may submit to support their eligibility.
Students are considered for fine arts scholarships on the basis of auditions or portfolio reviews by
faculty in the fine arts departments.
Students may apply for and receive more than one merit scholarship, but the total value of all merit
scholarships may not exceed one-half of St. Olaf’s comprehensive fee. For a complete overview of
St. Olaf’s merit scholarship programs, the application and audition process, application deadlines, and
the criteria by which applications are evaluated, please visit stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf offers three academic scholarships: the Buntrock Academic Scholarship (total award of up to
$72,000), the Presidential Academic Scholarship (total award of up to $48,000), and the St. Olaf Academic
Scholarship (total award of up to $34,000). Eligibility is based primarily on the academic performance
demonstrated in the application for admission and on our assessment of the candidate’s ability to make
a significant contribution to the St. Olaf community.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Buntrock Academic Scholarship
2,377
199
$18,000
33.1
1459
4.0
98.1
Presidential Academic Scholarship
2,377
563
$12,000
31.6
1396
3.9
95.0
St. Olaf Academic Scholarship
2,377
596
$8,500
29.3
1311
3.8
90.2
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Scholarships
National Merit Finalists who designate St. Olaf College as their first choice school with the National
Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) are eligible for St. Olaf National Merit, National Achievement
Scholar, or National Hispanic Scholar scholarships (each offers a total award of up to $30,000). Students
receiving these scholarships are also eligible to compete for other St. Olaf merit scholarships.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
National Merit, National Hispanic,
and National Achievement
Scholarships (combined)
N/A
50
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
$7,500
33.9
1485
3.9
95.9
Leadership and Access Scholarships
St. Olaf values the contributions our students make to others, both on and off campus. The St. Olaf
Service Leadership Scholarship (total award of up to $32,000) recognizes leadership in students’
home communities or churches. The St. Olaf Access Scholarship (total award of up to $32,000) is
awarded to students meeting at least two of the three federal TRiO eligibility requirements and our
assessment of the candidate’s ability to make a significant contribution to the St. Olaf community.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Service Leadership Scholarship
2,377
322
$8,000
29.2
1287
3.7
88.1
St. Olaf Access Scholarship
259
32
$8,000
26.4
1184
3.7
88.0
Fine Arts Scholarships
Scholarships recognizing creative achievement are available in four fine arts disciplines. Art and Art
History, Dance, and Theater scholarships (total awards of up to $32,000) are based on auditions or
portfolio reviews. Music offers two scholarships, the Christiansen Scholarship (total award of up to
$46,000) and the Cassler Scholarship (total award of up to $30,000). All St. Olaf Fine Arts scholarships
are available to both majors and non-majors in the respective disciplines. Please review application
requirements and deadlines on our website.
Scholarship
Applied Awards
Annual
Award
ACT
(avg)
SAT
(avg)
GPA
(avg)
Class
Percentile
Art and Art History, Dance and
134
69
Theater Scholarship (combined)
$4,000-
28.0
1332
3.7
$8,000
88.7
Christiansen and Cassler Music
501
131
Scholarships (combined)
$7,500-
$11,500
29.7
1338
3.7
88.9
St. Olaf Music Recognition
Scholarship
$2,000
29.7
1338
3.7
88.9
501
39
To be considered for any St. Olaf merit scholarship, you must check the merit scholarship
box on the Common Application when you apply for admission.
Cost of Attendance (2012-13)
Tuition
$39,560
Room and Board
$9,090
—————————————————————
Comprehensive Fee:
$48,650
The following scenarios are examples of
Books and Supplies (est.)
$1,000
Personal Expenses (est.)
$900
—————————————————————
Total Cost
$50,550
2012-13 first-year students from families
financial aid packages received by incoming
of varying financial situations. These
examples may help provide a sense of the
need-based financial aid award you and your
family might expect. Because there are many
variables that go into need-based aid eligibility determinations, St. Olaf cannot guarantee
that every student whose family feels they
resemble one of these scenarios will receive a
similar aid package.
Sophia
Zoe
Luke
Daniel
Sophia is from Texas. Her parents are married
and she has one younger sibling. Her father
is a bookkeeper and her mother is a nursing
assistant. Their total family income is $60,000.
They have less than $40,000 in home equity
and investments.
Zoe is from Illinois. Her parents are divorced. Zoe
and her younger brother live with their mother
who is a physical therapist earning $70,000 a year.
Zoe’s father is a freelance writer and earns $46,000
a year. Each of her parents has $250,000 in home
equity and investments.
Luke is from Minnesota. His parents are married
and he has two younger siblings. His father is
an engineer and his mother is a CPA earning
a combined income of $210,000. They have
$350,000 in home equity and investments.
Daniel is from Colorado. His parents are married
and he has two younger siblings. His father is a
pastor and his mother is a guidance counselor.
Their total family income is $110,000. They have
$220,000 in home equity and investments.
Their family contribution is calculated at $4,900
($2,300 from Sophia and $2,600 from her parents).
Her financial aid award is calculated as follows:
Their family contribution is calculated at $31,300
($2,300 from Zoe and $29,000 from her parents).
Her financial aid award is calculated as follows:
Their family contribution is calculated at an
amount higher than the Cost of Attendance
at St. Olaf. Luke does not qualify for any
need-based financial aid, but his family was
offered access to an unsubsidized federal loan.
Their family contribution is calculated at $19,800
($2,300 from Daniel and $17,500 from his
parents). His financial aid award is calculated
as follows:
Need-based Aid Award:
Federal Pell Grant
$1,800
St. Olaf Grant/Scholarship
$36,350
Student Employment
$2,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$3,500
Federal Perkins Loan
$2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$45,650
Need-based Aid Award:
St. Olaf Grant/Scholarship
$11,750
Student Employment
$2,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$19,250
Need-based Aid Award:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$5,500
———————————————————————
Total Award
$5,500
Need-based Aid Award:
St. Olaf Grant
$4,950
Buntrock Academic Scholarship
$18,000
Student Employment
$ 2,300
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
$ 3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$ 2,000
———————————————————————
Total Award
$30,750
During Daniel’s sophomore year at St. Olaf, his
younger sister will also be enrolled in college.
When the family has two students in college,
their demonstrated financial need will increase.
If the family’s financial circumstances remain
essentially the same, Daniel’s St. Olaf grant
would increase to $12,250.
If he continues in good academic standing,
Daniel would retain his Merit Scholarship each
year he is enrolled at St. Olaf.
3.We encourage you to choose the college that offers you the best educational experience
you can afford, not the school that gives you the best “deal.” When you compare the
variety of experiences, the access to faculty and facilities, the four-year graduation rate,
and the post-college activities of recent graduates, the lowest price may not be the best
investment. We believe a St. Olaf education is an outstanding value.
4.Meeting deadlines is extremely important. To be eligible for all need-based financial aid
sources and merit scholarships, you must meet the stated application deadlines.
To be considered for need-based financial aid you must:
> Complete and submit the Common Application by one of our three application deadlines and check the appropriate box indicating your intent to apply for financial aid. The
Early Decision 1 deadline is November 15. The Early Decision 2 deadline is January 15.
The Regular Decision deadline is January 15.
> Complete and submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE by February 1.
> Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
If you do not meet the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA submission deadlines, we may not be
able to meet your demonstrated financial need.
For merit scholarship consideration you must follow the instructions and meet the deadlines
indicated in the Merit Scholarships section of our website.
Net Price Calculator
To assist you with your planning and provide an early estimate of what you may expect to pay
to attend St. Olaf College, please use our Net Price Calculator. It will provide an estimate of the
financial aid package you can expect. Please be aware that this estimate is based on the preliminary information you provide. We can’t make any commitment until you’ve applied, been
admitted, and have completed the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications provide the information needed to determine
scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment to meet your demonstrated need.
Afford
To use the Net Price Calculator, go to stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/estimator.html
Need-based financial aid application and award dates for students applying for Fall 2013 admission.
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 2
Regular Decision
Complete and submit the
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
November 15*
January 15*
February 1
March 1
March 1
March 1
On or before
December 22
On or before
February 22
On or before
March 22
Complete and submit the FAFSA
Financial Aid Award Notification**
Our financial aid program is carefully designed to consider each family’s individual circumstances and to treat all families as fairly and equitably as possible. Here are a few things you
should know about St. Olaf’s approach to financial aid:
1. St. Olaf is one of very few colleges still committed to meeting the demonstrated financial
need of all admitted students. An economically diverse student body is an important
expression of our mission.
2.Our financial aid program is based on a thorough and consistent review of the information
you and your family will be asked to provide. Family financial data will be evaluated using
a standardized analysis to determine your family’s ability to contribute to college expenses.
Based on this analysis, we’ll prepare the strongest need-based financial aid package we can.
* Use estimated figures for income and assets. Update with actual figures by February 1.
** Students also applying for merit scholarships may receive financial aid award notifications slightly later,
to accommodate the merit scholarship application process.
Financial Aid Quick Links
Financial Aid Office:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid
877-235-8386, [email protected]
Merit Scholarship Information:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/meritaid.html
FAFSA:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/fafsa.htm
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE:
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid/profile.htm
For more information about all St. Olaf College financial aid programs, please visit our website at
stolaf.edu/services/financialaid.
St. Olaf College • 1520 St. Olaf Avenue • Northfield, MN 55057
Every student’s and every family’s financial circumstances are different. So are their
attitudes and priorities when it comes to saving, investing, and spending. We believe the
primary responsibility for financing a college education lies with students and their parents,
up to the level of their ability to contribute. When there is a difference between a family’s
ability to contribute and the cost of a St. Olaf education, the college will award need-based
financial aid to meet that difference. We view this philosophy as a three-way partnership
between the student, his or her parents, and St. Olaf.
Family income is not the only factor in determining eligibility for need-based financial
aid. Consequently, there is no income ceiling above which aid is denied. Asset strength,
family size, number of students enrolled in college, standard family living costs, and
other financial circumstances all influence a family’s ability to contribute to the cost of
a St. Olaf education.
Financial Aid Timeline
Financial Aid Deadlines
The St. Olaf College Financial Aid Philosophy
St. Ol af Colle ge