If you’re considering Southern New Hampshire University, understanding how SNHU financial aid works can transform an intimidating price tag into a realistic path forward.
Whether you’re planning to study online from home or live on the Manchester campus, financial assistance can cover a significant portion of your costs through grants, scholarships, loans, and other programs.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about SNHU financial aid for the 2026–2027 academic year.
You’ll learn exactly how to apply, what types of aid are available, when funds are disbursed, and how to make wise decisions that reduce your total debt. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for funding your education at SNHU.
Table of Contents
Understanding How Financial Aid Works at SNHU
At its core, financial aid is money that helps you pay for college without covering everything out of pocket. At Southern New Hampshire University, the Student Financial Services team manages this entire process, pulling together funding from federal programs, state grants, SNHU’s own scholarships, and, when applicable, external sources.
Most students receive a combination of aid types. Some of this money is free and doesn’t need to be repaid—this is grants and scholarships. Other portions are loans that you’ll pay back with interest after graduation. A smaller number of students also qualify for work-study programs, where you earn money through an approved campus job.
To access most forms of aid at SNHU, you’ll need to meet specific basic requirements. You must be admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program and meet citizenship requirements (U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen). Most aid types also require you to enroll at least half-time and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress each term, meaning you’re passing your classes and moving steadily toward graduation.
The financial aid office evaluates your situation based primarily on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly called the FAFSA. This form uses your family’s income and assets to calculate how much you can reasonably afford to contribute. SNHU then builds a package designed to help fill the gap between what you can pay and what college actually costs.
One important thing to understand: your aid package isn’t set in stone forever. If your income changes significantly, you switch programs, or you fall behind academically, your aid amounts can be adjusted. That’s why it’s essential to check your financial aid portal regularly and stay in touch with the Student Financial Services team.
What College Actually Costs at SNHU in 2026–2027
Before you can evaluate whether your aid package is good, you need to understand the full cost of attendance. This isn’t just tuition—it includes everything you’ll need to spend during the year to attend school and live your life.
SNHU calculates cost of attendance (COA) differently depending on whether you’re studying online or on campus. The COA includes:
- Tuition and mandatory fees
- Housing and meals (either on-campus residence halls and dining plans, or estimated rent and groceries if you live off-campus)
- Books, course materials, and supplies
- Transportation costs
- Personal expenses and miscellaneous costs
Online Students
For online undergraduate programs, SNHU charges $342 per credit hour. A typical full-time student taking 30 credits per year would pay $10,260 in tuition alone. Graduate online programs cost $659 per credit, so a 30-credit master’s degree would total $19,770 in tuition.
Online students don’t pay for campus housing through SNHU, but the university includes an allowance in your COA for wherever you currently live. This is important because it affects how much aid you can receive. The total COA for online students typically ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on your living situation and enrollment level.
Campus Students
On-campus undergraduate tuition for 2025–2026 (the most recent published rate) is $567 per credit, totaling $17,010 for a full-time student taking 30 credits annually. Room and board add another $13,200 to $15,200, depending on your housing and meal plan choices. With fees, health insurance, and other costs, the total COA for campus undergraduates typically falls between $34,000 and $40,000.
Graduate programs on campus charge $793 per credit for most master’s degrees, totaling about $11,895 per year for a typical 15-credit load.
Why Cost of Attendance Matters
The COA isn’t just an estimate—it’s the legal maximum amount of financial aid you can receive in a year. This cap includes everything: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. If your aid package doesn’t cover the full COA, you’ll need to pay the difference through savings, income, payment plans, or additional private loans.
Many students are surprised when their refund check (the excess money left over after tuition is paid) is smaller than expected. This usually happens because the housing and personal expense allowances in the COA are standardized estimates, not payments SNHU actually makes on your behalf. If your real living costs are higher than the allowance, financial aid won’t automatically cover that difference.
Types of Financial Aid Available to SNHU Students
Your financial aid package will typically include several different types of funding. Understanding the differences between the types helps you make informed decisions about what to accept.
Grants: Free Money You Don’t Repay
Grants are the most valuable part of any aid package because they reduce what you owe without creating future debt.
Federal Pell Grants are the foundation of undergraduate aid for students with financial need. For the 2026–2027 year, Pell Grants can provide up to $7,395 annually, though most students receive less depending on their family income and enrollment status. You can only receive Pell Grants for twelve full-time semesters across your entire lifetime, so it’s essential to stay on track toward graduation.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) offer an additional $100 to $1,000 per year for students with exceptional need, typically those who also receive Pell Grants. These are campus-based programs with limited funding, so applying early gives you the best chance.
State Grants vary widely depending on where you live. Some states offer generous need-based grants that can be used at SNHU, while others provide little or no funding for students attending out-of-state private universities. Check with your home state’s higher education agency to see what you might qualify for.
SNHU Institutional Grants are need-based awards funded by the university. Campus undergraduate students often receive substantial SNHU grants ranging from $400 to $14,400 annually. Online students typically receive smaller amounts, though some do qualify for SNHU grants based on their financial situation.
Scholarships: Merit and Special Category Awards
Scholarships are another form of free money, but they’re usually based on academic achievement, special talents, or membership in certain groups rather than purely on financial need.
SNHU offers dozens of scholarships. Some are automatically awarded based on your high school GPA (like Dean Scholarships and Presidential Scholarships for campus students). Others require applications and are targeted to specific majors, veteran status, first-generation college students, or students involved in particular activities.
For campus undergraduates, merit scholarships can be substantial. Dean Scholarships go to students with a 3.5 high school GPA or higher, while Presidential Scholarships recognize top academic performers. Both are renewable each year as long as you maintain a minimum 2.5 college GPA.
Outside scholarships from community organizations, employers, or national foundations can also help. Many students overlook these opportunities, but even small $500 or $1,000 awards add up quickly when you’re trying to minimize loan debt.
Loans: Borrowed Money You Must Repay
Unlike grants and scholarships, loans create an obligation you’ll carry after graduation. SNHU packages typically include federal student loans because they offer better terms than private loans—but they’re still debt.
Direct Subsidized Loans are the best federal loan option for undergraduates with financial need. The government pays the interest while you’re in school, so your loan balance doesn’t grow during college. Annual limits range from $3,500 for first-year students to $5,500 for juniors and seniors.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to most students regardless of need, but interest accrues from the day the loan is disbursed. If you don’t pay the interest while in school, it capitalizes (gets added to your principal balance), increasing what you’ll owe later. Annual limits are $5,500 to $12,500, depending on your year in school and dependency status.
PLUS Loans are higher-limit loans available to graduate students and parents of undergraduates. These require a credit check and have higher interest rates than subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Graduate students can borrow up to the full cost of attendance through Grad PLUS loans. Parents can do the same through Parent PLUS loans if their credit is approved.
Private Loans from banks and credit unions are a last resort. They typically have variable interest rates, require credit checks or cosigners, and offer fewer protections than federal loans. Exhaust all federal options before considering private loans.
One critical point: you’re never required to accept the full loan amount offered in your package. If your aid letter shows $5,500 in unsubsidized loans but you only need $3,000 to cover your costs, accept just the $3,000. Every dollar you decline today is debt you won’t carry tomorrow.
Work-Study: Earned Money During School
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need. If you’re awarded work-study, you’ll find an approved position on campus or with a community partner and earn an hourly wage. This money comes to you as a paycheck throughout the term—it doesn’t pay your tuition bill directly.
Work-study is valuable because it provides income without creating debt, but it does require your time and effort. Not all students qualify, and the jobs can fill up quickly at the start of each term.
Who Qualifies for Aid at SNHU?
Nearly every degree-seeking student can access some form of financial assistance, though the types and amounts vary significantly based on several factors.
Undergraduate Students
Traditional campus undergraduates often receive the strongest aid packages, combining federal Pell Grants, SNHU institutional grants, scholarships, and federal loans. Many full-time campus students see 60% to 80% of their costs covered through grants and scholarships before any loans.
Online undergraduate students typically rely more heavily on federal aid—Pell Grants and Direct Loans—than on institutional grants from SNHU. This doesn’t mean online students get less total aid, but the mix skews more toward loans rather than free money. Part-time online students receive proportionally less aid because their cost of attendance is lower.
Graduate Students
Graduate programs generally offer far less free money. Most master’s students at SNHU fund their education primarily through Direct Unsubsidized Loans ($20,500 per year) and, if needed, Grad PLUS Loans. Some graduate programs offer small scholarships or assistantships, but you should expect loans to be the centerpiece of your funding plan.
The key question for grad students isn’t whether SNHU offers financial aid—it’s whether the degree’s career benefits justify the debt load. Research typical salaries in your field and calculate whether your monthly loan payments will be manageable after graduation.
Military-Connected Students
Active duty service members, veterans, and their family members can layer military education benefits with SNHU financial aid. Tuition Assistance for active-duty personnel often covers most or all of tuition costs, and veterans using GI Bill benefits may receive substantial housing allowances alongside their education benefits.
You should still file the FAFSA even if military benefits cover your tuition, because you might qualify for grants or loans that can help with books, fees, and other expenses not covered by your military funding.
International Students
Students on F-1 or J-1 visas cannot receive federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal loans. SNHU offers limited institutional scholarships for international students, such as the Diane Sciscioli Dugan Scholarship, but they are highly competitive.
Most international students fund their education through family resources, home country loans, or private U.S. loans that may require a U.S. cosigner. If you’re an international student, plan carefully and understand that your aid options are much more limited than for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
How to Apply for SNHU Financial Aid at SNHU
The application process is straightforward, but timing matters. Starting early gives you the best chance at limited funding sources like FSEOG and work-study.
Step 1: Create Your FSA ID
Before you can file the FAFSA, you need a Federal Student Aid ID. This username and password combination serves as your electronic signature. Visit studentaid.gov and create your FSA ID. If you’re a dependent student, your parent will also need their own FSA ID.
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA
The FAFSA for 2026–2027 opens on October 1, 2025. You can file it any time after that date, but SNHU recommends submitting at least 60 days before your intended start date to ensure your aid is processed and ready when classes begin.
When completing the FAFSA, you’ll need:
- Your and your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you’re a dependent student)
- Federal tax returns from 2024 (the FAFSA uses “prior-prior year” tax information)
- Records of untaxed income and assets
- SNHU’s federal school code: 002580
The FAFSA uses your tax information to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which determines your eligibility for need-based aid. You’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary after submitting, which shows your EFC and lists the schools that will receive your information.
Step 3: Monitor Your SNHU Financial Aid Portal
SNHU receives your FAFSA data from the federal government within 3 to 5 business days of processing. Log in to mySNHU (the student portal) and navigate to the financial aid section. This is where you’ll track the status of your application and see if SNHU needs any additional documents from you.
Some students are selected for verification, a federal requirement that requires SNHU to confirm the accuracy of the information you reported on your FAFSA. If you’re chosen, you’ll see this in your portal and may need to upload tax transcripts, identity documents, or complete a verification worksheet. Respond to these requests quickly—your aid cannot be finalized until verification is complete.
Step 4: Review Your Financial Aid Offer
Once your file is complete, Student Financial Services will build your aid package and send you a financial aid offer. This might arrive as an email to your SNHU email address and will definitely be visible in your financial aid portal.
Your offer letter shows:
- Your total cost of attendance
- Grants and scholarships (listed first, since these are most valuable)
- Work-study eligibility, if applicable
- Federal loans you’re eligible to borrow
Read this carefully. The COA minus your grants and scholarships equals your unmet need—the gap you’ll need to fill through loans, payment plans, or out-of-pocket payments.
Step 5: Accept, Reduce, or Decline Each Aid Component
You have three options for each loan offered:
- Accept the full amount listed
- Reduce it to a smaller amount that better matches your actual needs
- Decline it entirely if you don’t need to borrow
To make changes, follow the instructions in your offer letter or use the financial aid portal. Many students assume they must take every dollar offered, but this isn’t true. Savvy borrowers take only what they genuinely need.
Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted—you don’t need to do anything special to keep them as long as you maintain eligibility requirements.
Step 6: Complete Loan Requirements
If you’re borrowing federal loans for the first time, you must complete two additional steps before SNHU can disburse your loan:
Entrance Counseling is an online session that explains how federal loans work, your responsibilities, and how to manage debt wisely. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Visit studentaid.gov, log in with your FSA ID, and complete the entrance counseling module.
A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is the legal contract where you promise to repay your loans. SNHU uses a multi-year MPN, so once you sign it, you’re set for up to ten years of borrowing (you don’t need to sign a new one each year unless your loan type changes). Complete this at studentaid.gov as well.
Without both of these, your loans cannot be released to your student account.
Step 7: Reapply Every Year
Financial aid is not automatic. You must file a new FAFSA every year you attend SNHU. Set a reminder to file as soon as the application opens each October to ensure your aid continues without interruption.
Important Deadlines and When Aid Is Actually Paid
Missing deadlines can delay your aid for weeks or even months, creating serious problems if you’re counting on that money to pay for tuition or living expenses.
FAFSA Priority Deadlines
SNHU sets priority deadlines based on when you plan to start classes. While you can file the FAFSA later, doing so risks missing out on limited funding, such as FSEOG and institutional grants, which are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the money runs out.
For students starting in fall 2026, aim to submit your FAFSA by March 1, 2026. Spring 2027 starters should file by November 1, 2026. These aren’t hard cutoffs—late filers still receive aid—but they give you the best chance at the maximum amount you’re eligible for.
Some states also have their own deadlines for state grants that can be much earlier than SNHU’s. Check the table below for your state’s deadline.
State Financial Aid Deadlines for 2026–2027: When Aid Is Actually Disbursed
Many students focus intensely on one question: when does the money actually show up?
SNHU typically disburses financial aid around the third week of each term after confirming you’re actively attending classes. This timing applies to most undergraduate and graduate programs, both online and on campus, though exact dates can vary slightly by program and start date.
The disbursement process works like this:
- Week 1-2: Classes begin. SNHU monitors attendance and enrollment to verify you’re actually participating in your courses.
- Week 3: Financial aid is posted to your student account. Tuition and fees are automatically paid first. If your aid (plus any payments you’ve made) exceeds your charges, the remaining balance is credited.
- Week 3-5: Credits are processed and sent to you as a refund through BankMobile or your chosen refund method. Most students receive refunds within one to two weeks after aid is disbursed, though it can take up to 14 days.
This means if you’re expecting a refund to buy books or pay rent, you should plan for it to arrive around week four or five of your term, not on day one of classes. Build this timing into your budget.
Checking Your Disbursement Status
Log in to mySNHU and check your student account. You’ll see:
- Anticipated Aid: What’s expected to disburse based on your financial aid offer
- Posted Aid: What’s actually been applied to your account
- Account Balance: Whether you owe money or have a credit
If week three passes and nothing has been posted, check these common issues:
- Did you complete entrance counseling and sign your MPN?
- Is your enrollment confirmed at the correct level (full-time vs part-time)?
- Are you attending all your classes? (Schools can’t disburse aid if you’re not participating.)
- Is there a hold on your account for missing documents?
If everything looks correct on your end, but aid hasn’t been disbursed, contact Student Financial Services immediately at 877-455-7648 or studentfinance@snhu.edu for online students.
Understanding Financial Aid Refunds
A financial aid refund isn’t “extra” money the school gives you—it’s your own aid money left over after tuition and fees are paid. Many students misunderstand this and are disappointed when refund amounts are smaller than expected.
How Refunds Are Calculated
Here’s the math:
Total Financial Aid + Payments − Tuition and Fees = Refund amount
For example, imagine you’re an online student taking six credits in a term:
- Tuition: 6 credits × $342 = $2,052
- Your aid for the term: $3,000 Pell Grant + $2,500 in loans = $5,500 total
- Calculation: $5,500 − $2,052 = $3,448 refund
That $3,448 is meant to cover your books, housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses for the term.
Why Your Refund Might Be Lower Than Expected
Students frequently post on Reddit asking why their refund was only $1,000 or $1,500 when they expected much more. Here are the most common reasons:
Part-Time Enrollment: If you’re taking fewer than 12 credits, your Pell Grant and loan amounts are prorated. Taking six credits instead of 12 halves your Pell Grant, which means a much smaller refund.
Housing Allowance Confusion: The cost of attendance includes a housing allowance, but that’s just a number used to calculate your maximum aid eligibility. SNHU doesn’t pay your rent. If housing costs $800/month but your refund is only $1,200 for an eight-week term, you’ll need to cover the difference from other sources.
Loans You Declined: If you reduced or declined loans in your package, your refund will be smaller because less total aid is coming in.
Outstanding Charges: If you have unpaid balances from previous terms or owe fees that aren’t covered by aid, those are deducted before you get a refund.
Getting Your Refund
SNHU partners with BankMobile to handle refund distribution. When your refund is ready, you’ll be notified through your SNHU email. You can choose to:
- Have funds deposited directly to your bank account (fastest)
- Receive a paper check by mail (slowest, can take 7-10 additional days)
- Open a BankMobile Vibe checking account
Most students opt for direct deposit to their existing bank account. Set this up early in your first term to avoid delays.
Differences Between Online, Campus, and Graduate Aid
Not all SNHU students experience financial aid the same way. Your program format and degree level significantly impact what aid you receive and how it’s structured.
Online Undergraduate Students
Online programs follow an eight-week term structure with six terms per year. Your financial aid is split across these terms based on the number of credits you take in each term.
Online undergrads typically receive:
- Pell Grants (if eligible based on need)
- Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans
- Smaller SNHU institutional grants compared to campus students
- Occasional outside scholarships or employer tuition assistance
The average online undergraduate receives about $8,000 to $12,000 in grants and scholarships per year, with the remaining costs covered through loans or out-of-pocket payments. Part-time students receive proportionally less.
Campus Undergraduate Students
Traditional campus students operate on a fall/spring/summer semester schedule and often receive stronger institutional support from SNHU’s own funds.
Campus undergrads typically receive:
- Pell Grants (if eligible)
- Larger SNHU institutional grants (often $5,000-$14,000 annually)
- Merit scholarships based on high school GPA
- Direct federal loans
- Sometimes work-study eligibility
According to SNHU’s data, campus undergraduates receive an average of approximately $21,000 in grants and scholarships per year, covering a significant portion of the $34,000-$40,000 total cost. The stronger grant packages mean campus students often graduate with less loan debt than online students, assuming both complete their degrees on time.
Graduate Students
Master’s programs—whether online or on campus—rely heavily on loans. Free money is scarce at the graduate level because federal Pell Grants are only available to undergraduates.
Graduate students typically receive:
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500 per year)
- Grad PLUS Loans if additional funding is needed
- Occasional small institutional scholarships or graduate assistantships
- Employer tuition reimbursement if they work full-time while studying
Because grants are minimal, most graduate students finance their education almost entirely through loans. Before enrolling in a graduate program, please calculate your total expected borrowing and compare it to realistic salary expectations in your field. A $50,000 master’s degree makes sense if it leads to a $75,000+ career; it’s much riskier if job prospects top out at $45,000.
How to Read and Accept Your Financial Aid Offer
When your offer arrives, it contains critical information that determines your costs and debt load for the year. Understanding each section helps you make informed choices.
Section 1: Cost of Attendance
At the top, you’ll see an estimate of what SNHU expects your total costs to be for the year. This includes direct costs (tuition and fees paid to SNHU) and indirect costs (books, housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses).
Remember: this is an estimate, not a bill. Your actual costs might be higher or lower depending on your living situation and spending habits.
Section 2: Grants and Scholarships
These are listed first because they’re the most valuable—they reduce your cost without creating debt.
Common entries include:
- Federal Pell Grant: $______
- SNHU Need-Based Grant: $______
- Dean Scholarship: $______
- Outside Scholarship (if reported): $______
Add these up. This is the amount of “free money” you’re receiving.
Section 3: Federal Work-Study (if applicable)
If you qualified for work-study, you’ll see something like “Federal Work-Study Eligibility: $2,500.” This doesn’t mean you’re getting $2,500—it means you’re allowed to earn up to $2,500 through an approved job. You actually have to work to receive this money.
Section 4: Federal Loans
Your offer will list the loans you’re eligible to borrow:
- Direct Subsidized Loan: $______
- Direct Unsubsidized Loan: $______
- Parent PLUS Loan (if undergraduate): $______ or Grad PLUS Loan (if graduate): $______
These are offers, not requirements. You can accept all, some, or none of the loans listed.
Calculating Your Out-of-Pocket Costs
To see what you’ll actually need to pay or borrow beyond your free aid:
Cost of Attendance − Grants and Scholarships = Net Cost
If your net cost is $15,000 and you’re offered $10,000 in loans, accepting those loans means you’ll still need to find $5,000 through savings, income, payment plans, or additional private loans.
If your net cost is $10,000 and you’re offered $12,000 in loans, you can accept only the $10,000 you actually need, reducing your future debt by $2,000.
Making Your Choices
Log in to the financial aid portal and follow the instructions to accept, reduce, or decline each component. Most schools use a simple interface that lets you adjust loan amounts using a slider or by entering a specific dollar amount.
A smart strategy: Accept all grants and scholarships (you have no reason not to), consider work-study if you can manage a part-time job, and be very deliberate about loans. Calculate what you actually need for the term based on your real budget, not just what you’re offered.
Strategies to Reduce Your Net Cost
Even with financial aid, college is expensive. These practical steps can significantly reduce what you pay and the amount you borrow.
File the FAFSA Every Single Year
This seems obvious, but thousands of students forget or file late. The FAFSA opens October 1 for the following academic year. Set a calendar reminder and file as early as possible. Early filers get first access to limited funds, such as FSEOG and work-study.
Apply for Every Scholarship You’re Eligible For
SNHU offers dozens of institutional scholarships in addition to the automatic merit awards. Many require separate applications and essays, but are worth the effort—winning even one $1,000 scholarship means $1,000 less in loans.
Use SNHU’s Scholarship Universe tool (ask Student Financial Services for access) to find scholarships matched to your profile. Also search for outside scholarships through:
- Your employer or your parents’ employers
- Community organizations and local businesses
- Professional associations in your field
- National databases like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the College Board
Apply for 10-20 scholarships a year. Even if you only win 10% of them, you’re ahead.
Maximize Transfer Credits
SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits for bachelor’s degrees and up to 12 for master’s degrees. Every credit that transfers is a credit you don’t have to pay for.
If you have:
- Prior college coursework from another school
- AP or CLEP test scores
- Military training or professional certifications
Submit your transcripts and documentation. SNHU will evaluate them for free and apply as many credits as possible. Transferring 30 credits at the undergraduate level saves you $10,260 in tuition at current rates.
Stay on Track to Graduate on Time
Extra semesters cost extra money—both in tuition and in lost income from delaying your career start. Work with your academic advisor every term to ensure you’re taking the right courses in the correct sequence.
Dropping courses late in a term can also create financial aid problems. If you drop below half-time enrollment after aid has been disbursed, you may have to return some of it, and future aid could be reduced.
Borrow Minimally
The average SNHU student graduates with around $30,000 in federal loan debt. For some careers, that’s manageable. For others, it’s crushing.
Before accepting loans, calculate your projected monthly payment after graduation. A rough rule of thumb: your total student loan debt should not exceed your expected first-year salary. If you’re going into teaching ($40,000-$50,000 starting salary), borrowing $60,000 for your degree will create significant financial stress.
Use the federal loan simulator at studentaid.gov to estimate monthly payments under various repayment plans. If the numbers make you uncomfortable, look for ways to reduce borrowing—live at home longer, work part-time, take fewer credits per term to spread costs out.
Consider Your Timeline Strategically
Graduating early by taking extra courses each term can save you significant money, but only if you can handle the workload without sacrificing your GPA. On the flip side, slowing down and taking longer might be necessary if you need to work full-time while studying—the lost momentum can cost less than the debt of borrowing more to study full-time.
Run the numbers both ways before committing to a timeline.
How to Contact SNHU Student Financial Services
When you have questions or problems, getting help quickly makes all the difference.
Phone Support
The main Student Financial Services number is 877-455-7648. This line is answered during business hours (generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time, though hours may vary during peak periods).
Some students report long hold times, especially during the weeks just before a term starts or right after aid disburses. If you’re on hold for more than 15 minutes, try these alternatives:
Text Support: Several Reddit users have reported successfully texting SNHU at the same number (877-455-7648) and receiving faster responses than by calling. This isn’t officially advertised, but it appears to work for quick questions.
Best Times to Call: Early mornings (8:00-9:00 AM) or late afternoons (after 5:00 PM) typically have shorter wait times than mid-day.
Email Support
Email can be the most efficient option for non-urgent questions, especially if you need to send documents or have a complex situation that requires explanation.
- Online Students: studentfinance@snhu.edu
- Campus Students: sfscampus@snhu.edu
Include your full name, student ID number, and a clear description of your question or issue. Most emails receive responses within one to two business days, though response times slow during peak periods in August, January, and May.
In-Person Support (Campus Students)
If you attend classes on the Manchester campus, you can visit Student Financial Services in person. The office is located in the Enrollment Center. Check SNHU’s website for current office hours, which typically align with standard business hours but may extend during peak registration periods.
Bring your student ID and any relevant documents when you visit.
Using the Financial Aid Portal
Many questions can be answered by carefully reviewing your aid portal in mySNHU. You can see:
- Your current aid offer and what you’ve accepted
- Outstanding requirements (missing documents, unsigned MPN, incomplete entrance counseling)
- Disbursement dates and amounts posted to your account
- Your current eligibility status
Check here first before calling. If the portal shows a specific missing requirement, complete it immediately—calling to ask “what do I need to do” when the answer is already displayed in your portal wastes everyone’s time.
Frequently Asked Questions About SNHU Financial Aid
Does SNHU accept financial aid?
Yes. Southern New Hampshire University participates in all major federal financial aid programs, including Federal Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, PLUS Loans, and work-study. SNHU also awards its own institutional grants and scholarships and accepts most state grants and outside scholarships.
Is SNHU’s financial aid better than that of other schools?
This depends entirely on your individual situation. Some students receive generous packages from SNHU—mainly traditional campus undergraduates with substantial financial need—that cover 60% to 80% of costs through grants and scholarships. Others, particularly online students and graduate students, receive smaller grant amounts and rely more heavily on loans.
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, SNHU’s net price (sticker price minus average grant aid) for students with family incomes under $48,000 is approximately $13,000 per year for campus programs, which is competitive with similar private nonprofit universities.
The key is to compare your actual aid offer from SNHU against offers from other schools you’re considering. A “good” package is one in which your total debt at graduation is manageable given your expected career salary.
When does SNHU disburse financial aid?
Financial aid typically disburses around the third week of each term after SNHU confirms your enrollment and attendance. The exact date varies by program and start date, but most students see aid posted to their accounts between day 14 and day 21 of a term.
Refunds (excess aid after tuition is paid) usually arrive via BankMobile within 1 to 2 weeks of aid disbursement, typically around week 4 or 5 of the term.
How long does SNHU take to send financial aid refunds?
Once financial aid is disbursed to your student account and creates a credit balance, SNHU has up to 14 days to send that refund to BankMobile. In practice, most refunds are processed within 7-10 days if you’ve set up direct deposit. Paper checks take longer—add another 7-10 days for mail delivery.
From start to finish, expect to receive your refund about three to five weeks after classes begin, assuming you’ve completed all requirements and your aid has been disbursed on schedule.
Does financial aid cover all tuition at SNHU?
Sometimes, but not always. Whether your aid covers full tuition depends on your specific package and your costs.
For students with very low family incomes, a combination of Pell Grants, SNHU grants, and state grants can sometimes cover or nearly cover tuition for online programs. Campus students with strong needs also frequently see most or all of their tuition and room and board covered by grants and scholarships.
However, many students—especially those from middle-income families or attending part-time—receive aid that covers only a portion of costs. They fill the gap with loans, payment plans, or out-of-pocket payments.
The only way to know if your aid will cover your tuition is to file the FAFSA, receive your aid offer, and compare it to your actual costs.
How do I check my SNHU financial aid status?
Log in to mySNHU (the student portal) and navigate to the Financial Aid section. Here you’ll see:
- Your current aid offer
- Outstanding requirements or missing documents
- Disbursement history showing what aid has been posted to your account
- Messages from Student Financial Services if action is needed
If you can’t find the information you need in the portal, contact Student Financial Services directly.
How do I contact SNHU financial aid if I have a problem?
Call 877-455-7648 during business hours, email studentfinance@snhu.edu (online students) or sfscampus@snhu.edu (campus students), or visit the office in person if you’re on campus. Have your student ID ready when you call.
For urgent issues like aid not disbursing when it should or refunds not arriving, calling is usually the fastest option. For document questions or general inquiries, email works well.
Does SNHU financial aid cover online programs?
Yes. Eligible online students can receive Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and institutional aid from SNHU just like campus students. The same FAFSA process applies, and aid is disbursed on the same general timeline (around week three of each eight-week term for online programs).
The main difference is that online students often receive smaller SNHU institutional grants than campus students, meaning their packages may include a higher proportion of loans.
Making Your Financial Aid Work for You
Understanding SNHU financial aid transforms it from a confusing bureaucratic process into a practical tool for making college affordable. The system isn’t perfect—you’ll need to stay organized, meet deadlines, and make smart borrowing decisions—but it does provide genuine support for students who need help paying for school.
Here’s your action plan:
If you’re just starting, file your FAFSA as soon as it opens (October 1, 2025, for the 2026–2027 year). Add SNHU’s school code (002580) and submit all requested documents immediately when asked. This gives you the best shot at maximum aid.
If you’ve received your offer: Read it carefully, calculate your real net cost, and accept only the loans you genuinely need. Look for additional scholarships you can apply for to reduce borrowing.
If you’re in school: Check your aid portal regularly, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and file your FAFSA every year without fail. Track your total loan balance using the National Student Loan Data System, so you always know where you stand.
If you’re struggling: Contact Student Financial Services immediately at 877-455-7648 or via email. If your income has dropped, family circumstances have changed, or you’re facing unexpected costs, they may be able to adjust your aid or point you toward resources you didn’t know existed.
Financial aid makes college possible for millions of students who couldn’t otherwise afford it. Used wisely—with careful planning, minimal borrowing, and a clear path to graduation—it can open doors that change your life.