How to pay for College?

Maybe, by the time you’ve arrived, you’re already able to see your path clearly. Maybe you'll need our help finding or refining it along the way. Either way, we at Barry University know that your path needs to be affordable, too.

That is why we have a fantastic merit-based scholarship program, with awards up to $17,000 based upon your cumulative GPA and standardized test scores, available if you are a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student.

At Barry, merit-based scholarships are determined by GPAs and test scores. These scholarships are available for freshmen (including test optional), transfers, international, DACA, and Dreamer applicants.

You don't even need a separate application to find out if you are eligible for our merit-based scholarships! When you submit your admissions application, we will automatically determine your eligibility for and award your Barry merit-based scholarship upon acceptance.

We also participate in the full array of federal and state financial aid programs. In order to determine your eligibility for these programs, you need submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since funds may be limited, we encourage you to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure maximum financial aid eligibility.

Over 90% of our student body receives some form of financial assistance. Our office manages approximately $150 million in student financial aid for eligible students, from a variety of sources. You can afford the benefits of a private college education. We will work with you to determine exactly what you are eligible for.

Barry University is committed to supporting undocumented and DACA/DREAMer students. As an institution of higher learner with a deep commitment to fostering a diverse and equitable community, we strive to serve all of our students and their families, including those who are undocumented and those who have been directly impacted by the phase-out of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).

At Barry, DREAMers are currently considered for the following scholarship and grant programs:  Merit-based scholarships, Barry University Stamps Scholars Program, The Founders’ Scholarship
Catholic High School Grant, Honors Program Scholarship, Pep Band Grant, Cheerleading Scholarship, and Barry University Athletic Award

Florida residents who are active duty or honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces who served on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are degree-seeking and have unmet need (as determined by the results of the FAFSA) may be eligible to receive funding from the Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program (HDGAP).

Funds are intended to assist with living expenses during holiday and semester breaks. This program was created by the 2014 Florida Legislature and must be funded every year.

Funding is not guaranteed and is determined by the Florida Legislature and the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance. The per student amount is based on many factors, including the number of eligible students, the amount the state provides the university and other factors. The amount in the past has varied between $100 and $1000 per student.

Barry University is a member of the Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE), a national scholarship exchange program for dependent children of full-time faculty and staff, with members from approximately 600 U.S. colleges and universities.

Colleges and universities participating in this program have agreed to waive some or all tuition for participants from other member institutions.

The receiving (Importing) institution sets the number and criteria for award decisions. Satisfying admissions criteria does not make awards automatic.

Each institution affiliated with TE sets its own standards for admission, determines the number of TE scholarships to be offered and oversees the process by which eligible dependents are selected for participation.

Barry University offers scholarships that you can apply for every year. Barry University Scholarship System is an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly process that makes finding and applying for scholarships online easier. 

The scholarships are funded through contributions from private donors, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, campus organizations, and corporations.

With the Barry University Scholarship System, you can:

• Answer as many questions as you like—the more questions answered, the more scholarships you’re matched to
• Be automatically considered for many of the scholarships available at Barry University
• Do a keyword search for scholarships and review the criteria to see if your qualifications are a match

Your Barry education is a valuable investment in your future. When considering a private education, costs may be a factor, but they need not be the determining factor. Your Barry education can be quite affordable. 

We invite you to review our tuition and fee schedule. You should also check with staff in Barry's Offices of Financial Aid and the Cashier/Business Office. They are here to help you and your family by providing guidance in financial planning and financial assistance.

Your Financial Aid award letter lists the names of the financial aid awards for which you are eligible, along with the amounts. Your award letter generally consists of awards from different sources: institutional, federal, state, or outside. 

This guide describes some of the most common awards you may receive, and isn't meant to be a complete listing.

If you have questions about any of your awards, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Verification is a quality control measure used to check the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA. Each year, the Department of Education randomly selects approximately 30% of all FAFSA applicants for verification. If you are selected, you will receive notification from our office.

Schools are required to collect certain documents to confirm the information reported on the FAFSA. Documentation may vary from student to student. 

To maintain financial aid eligibility, a student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward a degree. Barry University, in compliance with federal regulations, has established certain standards that must be met to receive federal financial aid.

Satisfactory academic progress is determined by both qualitative and quantitative measurements.

Federal regulations require colleges to consider all educational financial assistance to be calculated in determining student eligibility. Financial assistance includes grants, loans, scholarships, waivers, fellowships/assistantships, work study, specific Veteran educational benefits, and similar programs used to cover postsecondary educational expenses. When a student receives more aid than his/her financial need or our cost of attendance, the result may be an overaward.

Overawards must be resolved and may result in funds being returned to an aid program and a student owing the university money.

When the total of all aid received by the student exceeds the student’s cost of attendance budget, awards in the package will be adjusted (cancelled or reduced) in order to eliminate the overaward. Loans will be reduced before any reduction is made to any other awards.

Occasionally, unique circumstances influence income for students and/or families. These circumstances have an impact on the ability to pay for college. Students and/or families may need to indicate special circumstances that may not be evident on the FAFSA, or circumstances may have changed.

When these situations arise, we may re-evaluate a student’s aid eligibility based on current circumstances using the Professional Judgment (PJ) process. Students should describe the circumstance in detail and must submit supporting documentation along with their request. A processed FAFSA and completed verification, if selected, must be on file before a PJ can be considered.

The following are reasons for which a student may request Professional Judgment:

• Expected Family Contribution (EFC) changes
• Cost of Attendance (COA) increases
• Dependency override requests