Applying to St. Bonaventure

A Bona's student can make the most of a journey into true self-confidence and deeper self-discovery.

If you are a high school senior, or high school graduate who has not attempted any college-level coursework since graduating from high school, you should apply as a freshman.

Apply online using the free Common Application (freshmen only)

Apply online using St. Bonaventure's free application (freshmen only)

We have a rolling admission policy, which means that we review college applications throughout the year. Once your application file is complete, you’ll be notified approximately two to three weeks of the admissions decision.

If you qualify for a St. Bonaventure scholarship or grant, you will be notified within two weeks of receiving your letter of acceptance. In order to be considered for financial aid-based need, you must first complete the application for admission, then complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit Affordability for more information.

Completed application
250-word minimum untimed writing sample or personal essay
High School transcript
Test Optional: Submit if preferred, but not required - ACT or SAT score reports (if they do not appear on your official transcript)*
Test Required: Franciscan Health Care Program (FHCP)
Optional: Letter(s) of Recommendation (from school counselor or teacher)

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that all required documents are sent to:

Office of Admissions
St. Bonaventure University
PO Box D
St. Bonaventure, NY 14778
Send an email

*St. Bonaventure has adopted a test optional policy for undergraduate applicants. Given circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and difficulties prospective students have faced with regards to access to standardized testing, we have joined a growing number of competitive and well-respected institutions by giving students the choice to submit their application without standardized test scores for admission. If a student is able, we still encourage submitting test scores.

Students choosing to apply as test-optional will have their financial aid considerations reviewed individually, based on high school GPA and rigor of courses. If you've already taken either the ACT or SAT and intend to submit those score reports to SBU, please reach out to arrange to do so (if they do not appear on your official transcripts).

The University believes in a holistic review process for all applicants with or without test scores.

Resources For

St. Bonaventure University offers majors, academic advising, and extracurricular opportunities that will prepare you for a career in health care. Our emphasis on the value of others, compassionate & ethical service, and academic excellence transforms good students into great health care professionals.

Learn more about the wide variety of health-related major options and facilities at St. Bonaventure >> PRE-MEDICINE

A Home Away From Home

The St. Bonaventure University community is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. As a student coming from overseas, spending four years away from friends and family can be daunting.

But St. Bonaventure is committed to creating a comfortable environment you can call your home away from home. As soon as you step on campus, you will be surrounded by faculty, students, and friars ready to help you on the path to success.

Yellow Ribbon program fills tuition gap of Post-9/11 GI Bill

St. Bonaventure is a Yellow Ribbon school, helping post-9/11 veterans, or their children, attend SBU tuition free through the GI Education Enhancement Programs.

The VA program is designed to help students pay for education programs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit. Under the program, the difference between the GI Bill tuition benefit and the tuition cost at a private university is split between the college and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans can transfer benefits to their children.

Follow in Your Family's Footsteps: R.O.T.C. at St. Bonaventure

The University offers the opportunity to pursue a degree in any major you choose while training to be commissioned as an officer in the United States Military.

St. Bonaventure R.O.T.C. offers scholarships for students interested in a military career after graduation.

If you have completed high school and wish to take St. Bonaventure University undergraduate courses for credit, but you are not seeking a degree, you must apply as a non-degree seeking student. Non-degree seeking students do not normally qualify for any university, New York state or federal financial aid.

In order to be considered for admission as either a full-time or part-time non-degree seeking student, you must submit a final high school transcript showing graduation from secondary school. If you are seeking to enroll in courses for which a prerequisite has been determined, you must submit appropriate college transcript(s) showing that you have met the prerequisite(s).

Please fill out the non-degree seeking application if you qualify within the following categories:

Non-Degree Seeking
Hilbert MBA Student
Cross Registration
Transfer of Credit
Audit

Applicants must submit an application with the Office of Admissions. Start your application today and apply now! If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions by e-mail, by phone at (716) 375-2400 or toll-free at (800) 462-5050.

If you have been previously enrolled as a degree seeking undergraduate student (not a Giant Step or Non-Degree Seeking Student) and you seek to re-enroll, you must complete a Re-Enrollment Application. This application is only for students who have formally withdrawn from the University and have been absent one full semester or more.

Before you submit your application, please review the Guidelines for Re-Enrollment at the top of the Re-Enrollment form below.

There is no application fee for students who apply for re-enrollment.

RE-ENROLLMENT FORM

If you have questions regarding the re-enrollment process, please contact the Registrar's office at (716) 375-2020 or by email.

Giant Step is a unique category of non-degree seeking students. Qualified secondary school students who live within commuting distance of St. Bonaventure University and who receive permission from their guidance counselor may apply for admission as Giant Step students. Giant Step students take regular St. Bonaventure classes and receive transcripts for their work.

An opportunity to enroll in college-level courses, Giant Step is available to high school students who have completed their junior year of high school. Admitted students are allowed to take up to six hours per semester.

Requirements for the application are:

Applicants must submit an application with the Office of Admissions. Apply online. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions by e-mail, by phone at (716) 375-2400, or toll-free at (800) 462-5050.
Applicants must be at least a first-semester senior to participate.
Applicants must be enrolled in a high school program in which they have achieved, or are achieving, the normal requirements for admission to the university.
Applicants must be recommended by their high school counselor or principal.
Applicants must submit official high school transcript and ACT, SAT or PSAT scores.

St. Bonaventure University encourages local senior citizens to take advantage of its academic offerings. Accordingly, senior citizens are invited to enroll in undergraduate and graduate courses with the permission of the instructor and as space allows. The privilege is extended to those 60 years old or older.

Cost to Attend

Audit

(no grade or credit received)
Senior citizens may audit courses, with the permission of the instructor, for $130 per course.

Credit-bearing Course

For any course taken for credit, senior citizens will be required to pay $330 per credit hour.
These fees are subject to change.

Limited to on-campus graduate programs with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

If you do not already have a bachelor's degree, please apply online for this program.

If you have a bachelor's degree, please apply online or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for additional information.

Completed applications should be sent to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 2520
St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. 14778

716-375-2021
800-462-5050 option 2
Email the School of Graduate Studies
Fax: 716-375-4015

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Life at SBU

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

P.O. Box D, St. Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure, NY 14778

(716) 375-2400

(800) 462-5050

(716) 375-4005

Send an Email

Office of Graduate Admissions

(716) 375-2021

(800) 462-5050

(716) 375-4015

Send an Email

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