Students interested in pursuing bachelor’s degrees in nursing also have the ability to receive free housing, renewable for up to four years.

Local Promise Award

The Local Promise Award is part of the university’s growing efforts to make private higher education affordable and support learners in its local community. The Tampa Bay area is a hot job market with a need for highly skilled employees, and job growth is expected to continue. For example, the Pasco County Economic Development Council predicts job growth to be 10,500-plus in the next 10 years.

By providing housing assistance for area students, Saint Leo University hopes to bolster the area with a “home-grown workforce.” 

“Saint Leo University has focused on providing a close-knit and supportive learning community in the Tampa Bay area for 135 years,” said Stacy Gato, vice president of Strategic Enrollment Management. “The Local Promise Award is a continuation of this mission. By providing students with housing financial aid, we are able to offer more students the opportunity to enjoy an engaging university experience that prepares them for success. We know that students who live on campus excel in completing their degrees on time and in finding rewarding careers.”

The housing-specific award of $7,040 will be granted for the 2024-2025 academic year to students who meet the Local Promise Award criteria, and students have the option to renew for a second academic year. The amount will cover the cost of housing in the university’s Marmion -Snyder Residence Halls, and students are required to purchase a university meal plan. The award will be granted as space is available.

Another benefit to living on campus is the sense of connection that students will feel, said Dr. Edward Dadez, university president. “Students who live in the residence halls also have the opportunity to better connect with student success resources, their faculty, and fellow students, and they can more easily participate in campus activities,” he added. 

Nursing Housing Award

To help support students in its new bachelor’s degree program in nursing, Saint Leo University also is offering free housing for all four years for students pursing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The nursing field is in need of skilled and experienced professionals to help care for our aging population. Many hospitals throughout Florida,and the nation, are facing critical shortages for nurses.

The Nursing Housing Award will help support students who want to pursue degrees in this field with an annual financial aid award of $7,680. To qualify, students must meet all eligibility criteria, the pre-nursing admissions requirements for the first two years, and the nursing school admission requirements for the last two years of the program. 

For More Information

More details about the Local Promise Award and the Nursing Housing Award, including eligibility criteria, are available at saintleo.edu/local-promise-award and saintleo.edu/nursing-housing-award. Students interested in applying for the awardsshould first complete their application at saintleo.edu/apply-online. An admission deposit and housing application must be completed by June 1 to be eligible. 

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a Catholic Benedictine university dedicated to helping learners of all backgrounds and ages gain the competence and courage to be more. Offering more than 60 degree programs to more than 14,190 students each year, the nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education in the liberal arts tradition and a community of belonging for those who seek a greater purpose in life. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a campus in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, regional education centers, and several online programs. The university is home to more than 104,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.