Financial Aid:  FAQ's

What is…?

Alamo College Transfer Scholarship
Transfer students from the Alamo College System are eligible for a Schreiner Transfer scholarship of $1000 per year and you can qualify for up to 4 years consecutively.

All the Benefits you receive with tuition at Schreiner
Block tuition is the biggest benefit – all credit hours between 12 – 18 are the same tuition cost! There are many more free benefits so check the link above for the list.

Ambassador Scholarship
$500 per year. Any student that has attended Schreiner University for at least one full-time semester is eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25, must be a full-time student, and must exhibit a positive attitude toward Schreiner University, other students, the community and self. Duties include escorting prospective students on campus tours, attending all meetings, assisting on/off campus special events.

Art Scholarship
Amount varies. Each semester portfolio reviews are scheduled for all Graphic Design majors. Art Scholarships are awarded to Graphic Design majors who exhibit outstanding creativity and passion for their major. Evaluations are made by observing creative concepts, formal composition, use of materials, technical ability, quality of presentation and professionalism.

Choir Scholarship
Amount varies, up to $1,000. Qualified candidates (new freshman or transfer students or current students) who are dedicated, interested, and talented are urged to apply. The Choir is composed of capable students who exhibit at least the following characteristics: willingness to participate fully in a choral music program at Schreiner University; commitment to singing under the supervision and direction of the Choir Director; willingness to abide by the judgment of the Choir Director with regard to eligibility for continuing participation in the Choir; and evidence of success in singing, preferably with an organized choir, or other ensemble or chorus.

Application process: All applications received before the end of April each year will be considered. If resources are available after April 30, applications will be given on a first come, first served basis until available financial resources have been exhausted. Michael Kahl is the Choir Director. Questions should be addressed to Mgkahl@schreiner.edu or (830) 792-7417. Visit the Schreiner Choir website here.

College Access Loan (through the state of Texas)
Student loan through the state of Texas for educational costs. Requires a credit check and, usually, a co-signer. Low interest rates.

Community Internship Program
Students who wish to participate in the Community Internship Program (CIP) may earn scholarships valued at up to $1,000 per semester during the academic year. Students interested in this program should contact the Director of Career Services. There is a summer CIP program which gives the student free room during the summer and they receive $1200 in the following fall semester. Watch your email for notification.

Cost of Attending – a federal term for the total cost at a particular school for tuition, fees, books, room, board (meals), transportation, miscellaneous expenses (like laundry), and loan fees.

Cost Worksheet – Worksheets allow you to use your financial aid offer to determine a reliable estimate of your costs to attend Schreiner.

Deans Scholarship
Schreiner Freshman merit award for $8,000 per year. It is a 4 year agreement between Schreiner University and the student. The student must maintain a minimum Schreiner GPA of 2.0 or better after the sophomore year.

Facebook – Admissions & Financial Aid page
Join us! We send out lots of good information (including notifications on outside scholarships)!

Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans
- this is the only federal loan for parents to help pay for their child’s educational costs.

Federal Direct Student Loans
– loans through the federal government for a student’s educational costs.

Federal Pell Grant
– Federal need-based funds up to $5550 per year.

Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal need-based funds up to $4000 per year.

Federal Teach Grant
- Federal funds of $4000 per year for the junior and senior year for education students in specific majors (high need subject or school); recipients must complete service agreement after graduating or this reverts to a loan. Read about the federal requirements.

Freshmen Merit aid
- Schreiner merit aid is set when the student enters Schreiner and they have the ability to maintain that aid for 4 years. We expect our students to graduate in 4 years.

Freshman Merit Calculator
- Freshman merit calculator allows you to input your information to determine where you might fall in our merit awards.

Hill Country College Fund
– Schreiner need-based fund varies (average $500 - $5000) for students in Kerr County and those counties that touch Kerr County.

Hatton W. Sumners Leadership Grant
- Amount is $7,000 per year for both the junior and senior year. Selection is competitive and determined by the strength of the application, resume, essay and personal interviews with Trustees of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation. Preference is given to students who are majoring in political science, pre-law, history, government, business, economics, English and those who plan to teach. All majors are accepted. Students from other program areas who have high academic achievement, are involved in campus activities, exhibit leadership and a strong sense of community responsibility are also considered. Sophomores in Schreiner’s undergraduate programs or sophomores transferring to Schreiner apply to become Hatton W. Sumners Scholars in February of the sophomore year.
Eligible Applicants: Will have completed 60 academic hours (including hours in progress) and be classified as a Junior in the fall with at least 4 semesters left to complete their degree plan at Schreiner; will have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better, are in good standing with the University, and are citizens of the United States. For more information visit the latest SU Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship publication For more information about the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation you may visit their web site at www.hattonsumners.org. Questions should be addressed to bgbourland@schreiner.edu or (830) 792-7213.

Journalism Grant
– Schreiner award for current students involved in the school newspaper publication, The Mountaineer, for editors and reporters. Students involved in the publication of the Muse are also eligible. Current students can contact Dr. Hudson, who is the faculty advisor for these publications.

Liberal Arts Dean's Scholarship
The Dean of the School of Liberal Arts will give away a total of $10,000 each year for their outstanding students with signed degree plans in that area. Not all $10,000 will be given to one student, but each year the Dean will determine the type of competition for the awards and the amounts offered.

LSS Notetakers
- Academically motivated students may apply for the LSS Notetakers award. Amounts vary depending upon class schedule and need. Students are required to take detailed notes to share with students participating in the Learning Support Services Program. Current compensation is $60 per credit hour. Applicants must be enrolled and have class schedule before applying.

Mountaineer Scholarship
– Schreiner Freshman merit award for $5,500 per year. It is a 4 year agreement between Schreiner University and the student. The student must maintain a minimum Schreiner GPA of 2.0 or better after the sophomore year.

Net Price Calculator
– Allows you to calculate your estimated net price cost at Schreiner University.

Orchestra Grant
– Amount varies. Qualified candidates (new freshman or transfer students) who are dedicated, interested, and talented and wish to participate in the Symphony of the Hills are urged to apply. The Symphony of the Hills is comprised of Schreiner University students and instrumentalists from surrounding communities. Students selected to participate in the Orchestra exhibit the following characteristics: willingness to participate fully in the Orchestra program at Schreiner University, including participation in all rehearsals and scheduled performances; commitment to playing under the supervision and direction of the Orchestra Director; willingness to abide by the judgment of the Orchestra Director with regard to eligibility for continuing participation in the group; and evidence of success in instrumental performance, preferably with an organized orchestra, band or other ensemble.  Contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at (800) 343-4919 to have an Admission Counselor arrange an audition time. You may send a tape or CD in addition to the completed application to Dr. Jay Dunnahoo at the above address.

Outside Scholarship Program
– Program offered by the Financial Aid office to help students earn more free money from outside scholarships.

Payment Plans
– There are several options for making payments through The Financial Services Office.

Peer Advisor Scholarship
- Students who participate in the Peer Advisor Program are eligible to receive up to $200 in this scholarship. To be eligible to apply for this program, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.25, be classified as at least a sophomore, be in good disciplinary standing and have the ability to work with a diverse population of people. Interviews are required. Applications can be obtained from the Dean of Student Affairs.

Peer Ministers
- This grant is available to a student who gives evidence of a potential to assist the Campus Minister. Application is made to and selections are made by the Campus Minister.

Peer Tutors
- Students are paid to be tutors to other students on campus. Watch your email for notification.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarships
- An additional Transfer scholarship of $1000 offered by Schreiner and awarded to students who are active members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honors society in community colleges.

Phone-a-thon workers
– the Advancement office hires students to make phone calls during fund-raising drives. Watch your email for notification. These funds are paid directly to the student and are not considered financial aid.

President Scholarship
– Schreiner’s highest Freshman merit award for $12,000 per year. It is a 4 year agreement between Schreiner University and the student. The student must maintain a minimum Schreiner GPA of 3.0 or better. If the student doesn’t do this, they will receive the Trustee Scholarship of $10,000 until such a time as they bring their GPA back to 3.0 or better. The student is required to notify of Financial Aid of this happening.

Private (alternative) Student Loans – student loan for their educational costs. Requires a credit check and, usually, a co-signer. Students are urged to contact their bank or credit union for advice but only after they have considered federal and state loans first.

Professional Studies Dean’s Scholarship
- The Dean of the School of Professional Studies will give away a total of $10,000 each year for their outstanding students with signed degree plans in that area. Not all $10,000 will be given to one student, but each year the Dean will determine the type of competition for the awards and the amounts offered.

Real cost (value) of Schreiner
Every year we do a cost comparison of Schreiner’s tuition versus the average of a large Texas state school. We take the average institutional “free money” for the current freshman class and give you a bottom-line cost comparison.

Resident Advisor Room and Board Scholarship
- Students may apply to the Director of Residence Life after completing at least one full time semester at Schreiner or if they have significant community living experience. The student must be registered full time and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. These scholarships are awarded for the amount of room and board and vary with the resident assistant assignment.

Rollins (H. Moak & Emmy) Leadership Grant
– Schreiner performance-based award for student involved in leadership positions on campus; elections are held in the fall of each year.

San Antonio Regional Scholarship

$2,000 renewable scholarship for first-time, full-time freshmen (beginning in the 2013-2014 academic year), residing in the following counties:  Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Dewitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Karnes, Live Oak, McMullen, Medina, Uvalde, and Wilson.

Schreiner Grant
– Schreiner need-based funds varies, usually $500 - $5000.

Science & Math Dean’s Scholarship
-The Dean of the School of Science & Math will give away a total of $10,000 each year for their outstanding students with signed degree plans in that area. Not all $10,000 will be given to one student, but each year the Dean will determine the type of competition for the awards and the amounts offered.

Teach Grant
This federal program was created to assist students that are seeking degrees in high-need fields and anticipate teaching in those fields at the secondary or elementary level. Students may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 per year, but must meet the following conditions:

  -- Be in a first master's degree program, apply through the FAFSA, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, enroll in coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework, score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25, and complete a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve

  -- Students that choose to participate in this program must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. If a student fails to meet the requirements of the service obligation, the TEACH Grant will convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The student will then be required to repay the loan to the U.S. Department of Education. The student will also be charged interest from the date the grant was disbursed. Students may review more information about the obligations at www.teachgrant.ed.gov.

Tele-counselors
– the Admissions office hires students to make phone calls to potential students during the year. Applications are available in spring of each year. Watch your email for notification. These funds are paid directly to the student and are not considered financial aid.

Theatre Scholarship
- Amount varies up to $1,500. Applicants should be dedicated, interested, talented students who wish to participate in the Schreiner University Theatre Program. Students should exhibit the following characteristics: willingness to participate fully in the Theatre program including participation in all rehearsals and scheduled performances; commitment to perform under the supervision and direction of the Theatre Director; and evidence of success in theatre. Recipients of the Schreiner University Theatre Scholarship will be expected to: enroll in a Theatre class each semester (exceptions to this requirement must be approved by Theatre Director); maintain satisfactory academic progress (as outlined in the University Catalog) and remain in good academic standing; remain continuously enrolled at Schreiner University (for renewal); actively participate in the Theatre program (including technical and/or performance work) in one major production each semester and two First Monday productions each semester under the supervision and direction of the Theatre Director; declare a Theatre major or minor and have a signed degree plan on file with the academic advisor and University Registrar. Dr. Claudia Sullivan is the Director of Theatre.

Transfer Scholarship
- is Schreiner merit aid set when the student transfers into Schreiner. The amount they are eligible for is determined by their incoming GPA and they have the ability to maintain that aid for 4 years; varies from $4000 - $8000 per year.

Tuition Equalization Grant (Texas TEG)
– Texas need-based funds up to $5277 per year for exceptional need. These funds are renewable. Students receiving TEG are required to maintain a 2.5 or better GPA.

Trustee Scholarship
– Schreiner Freshman merit award for $10,000 per year. It is a 4 year agreement between Schreiner University and the student. The student must maintain a minimum Schreiner GPA of 2.0 or better after the sophomore year.

Work Study
– Work study is a job just like any other. You are expected to work and receive pay for it. Every student at Schreiner who has a social security number is eligible to earn some form of work study funds.

Schreiner University reserves the right to utilize endowment funds, campus based funds, direct gifts, and other aid available to the university to fund eligible recipients of institutional aid programs.


The Office of Financial Aid at Schreiner University is committed to assisting students in obtaining the best financial aid award possible. However, it is the student’s responsibility to comply with all requirements necessary to complete the financial aid process. In addition, the Office of Financial Aid is not responsible for the student's financial obligations to Schreiner University. Each student must verify their account balance and make arrangements for any amounts not covered by financial aid.