Sarasota School of Massage Therapy is nationally accredited and is approved by the US Department of Education to administer federal student aid. Qualifying students may be able to secure grants and/or loans. Qualifying students may also receive SSMT need-based scholarship funds, or any of several other forms of financial assistance. SSMT uses a single free online application (the FAFSA) to determine eligibility for many types of aid, both federal and institutional.
The following are some of the common sources of aid that may be available to those who qualify:
SSMT offers partial tuition scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need. This SSMT NBS is gift aid that does not have to be repaid. Interested students may contact the Director of Financial Aid.
A Pell Grant is money the U.S. federal government provides for students who need it to help pay for school. A Pell grant is gift aid offered to students with financial need, who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, and does not need to be repaid.
A federal supplemental educational opportunity grant (FSEOG) is also gift aid for students with financial need. The federal government provides 75% of these funds; the rest is provided by SSMT.
If your financial situation has changed, you can request a financial aid review.
Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. With Direct Loans, you borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education and have a single contact, your loan servicer, for everything related to repayment, even if you receive Direct Loans at different schools. You can choose from several repayment plans, and you can switch repayment plans if your needs change.
The cost of school (or any amount not covered by other aid) may be divided into monthly payments, without interest, during the period of enrollment at SSMT. Payment options can be discussed with the admissions office.
If the cost of school is not covered by other forms of aid, SSMT has an arrangement with TFC Tuition Finance Company to offer low interest loans for the balance. Interest rates are substantially lower than the usual private education loans from banks.
There are two tax credits that students (or their parents) may be eligible to claim. A tax credit reduces the amount of income tax you have to pay. Unlike a deduction, which reduces the amount of income subject to tax, a credit directly reduces the tax itself. Eligible SSMT students may receive up to the maximum credit of $2,500 as a refund (or a reduction in tax liability). Students with low income who are not required to pay any income tax may be eligible for a refundable credit of up to $1,000.
The American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits are detailed in IRS Publication 970. Both credits have income limits and other conditions. Consult your accountant for details.
Sarasota School of Massage Therapy is approved by the State Approving Agency for financial assistance for eligible veterans. SSMT is approved for Chapters 1606, 30, 31, 33, and 35. Students eligible for VA benefits should contact the Admissions office.
The enrollment certification process consists of the same enrollment procedures required by students not using VA benefits, as well as self-certification as required by the VA. The SCO certifies enrollment for the first trimester once the student has actually started the program. Prior training is evaluated prior to the start of the program, and could affect program cost. Withdrawal procedures and timelines are also the same for both VA and non-VA students, except that in some cases SSMT may have to wait for a VA invoice before finalizing the paperwork.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/
When there are unusual situations or special circumstances that impact your federal student aid eligibility (such as but not limited to reduction in income or change in household size or number of family members in college), federal regulations give a financial aid administrator (FAA) discretion, or professional judgment, on a case-by-case basis, to adjust your FAFSA data. With adequate documentation, this allows the FAA to make adjustments to the data elements on the FAFSA form that impact your Student Aid Index (SAI) to gain a more accurate assessment of your / your family’s ability to contribute to your cost of education.
SSMT’s Net Price Calculator can be found here.
The non-refundable application fee, unless the class has been canceled, is $25, and is submitted with the application.
Tuition cost is $16,075. Federal financial aid is available for those who qualify. There are a variety of alternatives for covering the tuition. We have a flat-rate tuition for the entire program, but for DoD purposes, we break down the tuition into a “per clock hour” cost at a rate of $21.43 per hour.
The required books are $400, including sales tax. The breakdown is below. Students must provide linens, but most massage lubricants (creams, lotions, and oils) are included in tuition.
| Author | Title | ISBN | MSRP | SSMT Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giroud | Ethics and Professionalism for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers | N/A | $21.00 | $14.95 |
| Kuntzman & Tortora | A&P for the Manual Therapist | 978-0470044964 | $201.95 | $160.75 |
| Andrew Biel | Trail Guide to the Body – 6th edition | 978-0998785066 | $74.95 | $47.66 |
| Andrew Biel | Trail Guide to the Body Student Workbook | 978-0991466672 | $29.95 | $22.43 |
| Werner | Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology – 7th Edition | 978-0998266343 | $81.95 | $55.14 |
| Sandy Fritz | Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage – 8th Edition | 978-0443121715 | $102.59 | $72.90 |
The purchase of a massage therapy table is encouraged, but not required.
Florida law requires a massage therapy license of anyone who practices touch therapies for compensation.
The Florida Board of Massage Therapy requires applicants to submit fingerprints and a background check, as well as proof of passing the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) as a requirement for licensure.
The cost of the MBLEx, the fingerprints, background check, as well as the cost of the Florida license, are all included in the tuition. Students must apply for the exam within 30 days of completing the program, and they must apply for licensure and background check within 90 days of completing the program. All graduates who do not apply for these items within these time frames, or who do not complete the program within 150% of the scheduled graduation date, will be liable for the costs.
It is natural to have questions about the many ways you may receive assistance in paying for school. We are available to assist you with the process of applying for federal and other aid, and in creating a personalized plan to help you afford school.
Autumn Lopez, the caring and knowledgeable SSMT Admissions Guide, will be happy to help you explore your career goals and options.
