Direct Costs include tuition and fees, housing and meals and those charges billed to you by the University Student Accounts Office.  

Indirect Costs include books and supplies, transportation, personal and miscellaneous. These are not direct charges from Sacred Heart University and may vary from student to student. However, in estimating your overall family share, a student will want to take these into consideration. We estimate that the average first-year student will spend $750 on books for the academic year. Many students majoring in the sciences or business may find their books to be greater than average ~ approximately $1,000 to $1,200 per academic year. Costs for transportation and other miscellaneous items should also be within your plan. Items like trips to and from home, clothing, toiletries, entertainment, etc. tend to vary according to individual needs. We recommend you budget for $1,000 to $1,500 per academic year.

Secondly, a student will want to subtract the amount of financial assistance from the direct costs to determine what the family share will be. Financial Assistance (scholarship, grant, and loans) applied to the student's bill, half in the fall semester, and half in the spring semester. Work-Study is not credited directly to the student's account. Federal Stafford Loans are an estimated credit to the student's account once a completed loan application and loan certification form are received by the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

The University does offer a payment plan for the final cost of attendance.

If the remaining balance or monthly billing amount still seems a bit too high, there are other long-term options. Families have the option of financing their share through federal and private education loan programs. Many consider educational loan options in addition or in lieu of the University payment plan. For instance, we encourage families to visit our educational loan website to learn about some of the more competitive programs. Our staff understands the importance of efficient borrowing for our students. It remains a top priority that we research and provide up-to-date information so our students have the opportunity to participate in the best educational financing programs available.

Use our Estimated Costs Worksheet to help determine approximate cost of education.