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 a portion of tuition for every undergraduate student.
• 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 been committed to increasing endowment funds. Our endowment, like many other endowments in the country, has been impacted by the current economy. It decreased from its June 2008 level of $57 million to $39 million at the end of December 2008. While this impact is significant, St. Edward’s is committed to building a strong endowment. The majority of endowment funds directly support student aid and faculty development, while less than one percent supports university operating costs.

Keep Tuition Costs Affordable. Endowment earnings help keep tuition costs affordable and provide scholarships to qualified students. Currently, more than 87% 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.