CAMP Students posing on a stge

CAMP Students

Join a Community That Inspires and Supports You

Each year, we welcome 35 CAMP students who bring their passions and talents to the hilltop. 

If you’re from a migrant farmworker family, you have an opportunity to achieve your dream of a college education at St. Edward’s through our College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

Students accepted to CAMP will have all costs for the freshman year covered except for $3,500. While the basic mission of CAMP is to provide support to complete the first two semesters of college, St. Edward's is committed to you through graduation. We guarantee three additional years of university grants if you maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree. 

Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward's has provided access to affordable, quality private education for more than 130 years. We recognize the unique challenges you and your family face in making the decision to attend college. Often the first generation in their family to attend college, CAMP students are welcomed to St. Edward’s University with a supportive team dedicated to helping them succeed from the very beginning. For many, the CAMP office at the university becomes their “segunda casa.” Whether you’re a student or a parent, we have a dedicated CAMP Admission Counselor who can answer your questions — about what it’s like to attend college and the College Assistance Migrant Program at St. Edward's.

 

Priority Application Deadline: Feb 1

CAMP Eligibility

To be eligible for the College Assistance Migrant Program at St. Edward's, you must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, perform migrant or seasonal farm work due to economic necessity and meet the university's admission requirements.

You, your parents or your guardians must have engaged in migrant or seasonal farm work for at least 75 days in the 24 months before you apply for admission. Because CAMP is funded by both the U.S. Department of Education and St. Edward's, we follow federal definitions for migrant and seasonal farm work:

  • Migrant Work – Migrant farm workers migrate from their hometowns to other states or towns within the state for farm-work-related employment. Examples of farm work include soil preparation, planting, harvesting fruit and vegetables, and plowing. Some ranch work, such as feeding livestock and shearing sheep, and some fishing activity may also be used for eligibility purposes.
  • Seasonal Farm Work – Seasonal farm workers are families who perform the same type of work as described under migrant work but on a temporary basis. 

You may also be eligible for CAMP if you meet one of these criteria:

  • Have participated or been eligible to participate in the Title 1C Migrant Education Program 
  • Have qualified for the Workforce Investment Act 167 Program (WIA 167), formerly the JTPA 402 Program High School Equivalency Program (HEP) 

CAMP Eligibility Form (PDF)

Cost and Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees 

Students accepted to CAMP will have all costs for the freshman year covered except for $3,500. These expenses include tuition, fees, books, living expenses, transportation, health insurance and a modest stipend to offset lost wages. They are covered through a combination of university, federal and state funds, as well as from scholarships you may earn from other organizations. These outside scholarships can also be applied to your $3,500 expense.

Based on the costs for the 2024–2025 academic year, you can find the tuition and other fees that St. Edward's pays for you as part of the CAMP students' financial aid package (with the exception of your contribution), here. Timing of fees is dependent upon the term in which you enroll.

Financial Aid

When you apply to St. Edward's and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will automatically be considered for financial aid. For CAMP students, financial aid covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, living expenses, transportation, health insurance and a modest stipend to offset lost wages. To help you get started, we've distilled it down to three main steps to help remove some of the mystery.

Once you've been accepted for admission, you’ll be paired with a St. Edward’s financial services advisor who will work with you and your parents throughout your college career — answering questions and informing you about payment options.

Please note, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually and be Pell eligible. Awards can vary if a significant change occurs on FAFSA application.

Grants & Loans

Your financial aid package may include federal, state, and institutional grants and will usually cover almost all expenses for your first year except $3,500. You may choose to pay the $3,500 by accepting a student loan given to you by St. Edward’s. Instead of loans, many students secure outside scholarships to pay the remaining $3,500.

Application Deadlines and Checklist

Dates and Deadlines

Early Application Deadline: Dec. 1

Early Application Deadline II: Jan. 1

Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 1

Final Application and CAMP Confirmation* Deadline: June 1

*Or two weeks after notification of admission if you were admitted after June 1.

Application Checklist

Your complete application will include:

  • Online application (We will waive the $50 application fee.)
  • High school transcript
  • Essay
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Academic recommendation form
  • If applicable, a copy of permanent resident card
  • If applicable, Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

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