Financial Aid

Letter From The Director To New Students

Dear Student and Parents,

Congratulations for including Butler University among your college choices. While the dollars for paying for college are important - students and parents should first consider paying for college as a partnership - financial aid is the means to the end. While we understand how financing your education is essential in the decision making process, it should not be more important than choosing a school that provides you with the academic program, extracurricular activities, support services and post graduate placement that are right for you. There is no better feeling for both the student, and the parents, than having a sense of belonging and knowing this is the place where you belong.

An education is an investment - one that extends over a period of years but lasts a lifetime and we are proud of our students' successes, the traditions they have created, the story they have written and the legacy they have left for future students.

I challenge you to write your own successful story. Your investment in a Butler education has value and we are here to help you see how affording a Butler Education is possible. Today there is always someone to offer advice to tell their story of how it worked or did not work or the struggles to get though the system. Each family is unique and has their own set of concerns, wants and needs that will affect their willingness to pay for a college education.

As partners in the financial aid process, the Butler University Office of Financial Aid, the student and parents will successfully navigate the financial aid process in order for you to receive maximum consideration of all financial aid programs. However, your responsibility is to carefully consider the resources you have readily available for college expenses (monthly income and savings), meet all application dates, complete the process in full, give all aid programs and financing options equal consideration and don't be afraid to set a realistic goal for the student. Determine how much the student will be responsible for each year from summer savings, academic year earnings and federal student loans. Most often students are able to afford their books and academic year living expenses.

With the information in these web pages you will find a comprehensive overview of the aid programs we offer along with information about the financing options designed to help you maximize your resources and meet college expenses. You will also find information on the cost and value of a Butler education, what to expect throughout the year and financial aid tips and strategies.

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to working with you, as a family, in exploring all options. Please feel free to contact a member of our staff any time you have questions. We are here to help you!

Sincerely,

Melissa Smurdon
Interim Director of Financial Aid