The endowment ensures that the St. Edward's experience remains accessible to all students from all walks of life. Endowment earnings help:

• Keep tuition costs affordable by covering 18% of tuition for every student — about five points higher than comparable institutions.
• Provide scholarships to qualified students, which helps sustain the socioeconomic and cultural mix of students that makes St. Edward's a vibrant community of learners.
• Ensure the university's ongoing commitment to its educational mission.
• Support the university's distinctive academic programs and fund faculty research and development, academic chairs and new centers of excellence.

Since 1999, St. Edward's has proven its commitment to increase endowment funds. The university's endowment has nearly doubled from $33.1 million to more than $62 million, with over half of the funds dedicated to scholarships. While this is significant progress, St. Edward's is committed to building an even a stronger endowment.

Keep Tuition Costs Affordable. Endowment earnings help keep tuition costs affordable and provide scholarships to qualified students. Currently, more than 85% of freshmen (an increase from 75%) receive merit- or need-based financial aid. More than $23 million is awarded in the form of grants or scholarships each year.

Support Distinctive Academic Programs. The endowment makes St. Edward's more attractive to accomplished professors by funding research and attendance at professional meetings, lectures and conferences. In turn, this aids faculty recruitment and retention efforts. As enrollment increases, the addition of new faculty will ensure that the university delivers on its promise of small, personalized learning environments with a 14-to-1 student faculty ratio.

In all, gifts to the endowment provide stability and assurance that St. Edward's will continue to fulfill its educational mission.

If you have specific questions about giving opportunities, please contact the University Advancement staff. Or make a gift right now.