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Saint Mary's Christian University
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Home/Accreditation and Status

Accreditation and Institutional Status

This page states the University's standing in full. Applicants should read it before enrolling and should raise any question arising from it with the Admissions Office.

State authorization
Saint Mary's operates as a nonpublic religious postsecondary educational institution under Florida Statute §1005.06(1)(f), which exempts such institutions from licensure by the Florida Commission for Independent Education. The exemption is neither automatic nor self-declared: it must be established anew each year. The University's current annual verification was accepted by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE) at its hearing of May 28, 2026, and the approval issued by the Commission on June 16, 2026 confirms that the University met the requirements of state law to operate the advertised courses for the period May 28, 2026 through May 31, 2027.
Transfer of credit
Credit earned at Saint Mary's may not be accepted by other institutions. Acceptance is at the discretion of the receiving institution in every case. Applicants who may wish to transfer credit elsewhere should confirm acceptance with that institution before enrolling here, rather than afterwards.
Florida teacher certification
Certification as a Florida public-school teacher requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution under §1012.56, F.S., so applicants intending to teach in Florida public schools should consult the FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification before enrolling.
Accreditation
Saint Mary's Christian University is not accredited by an accrediting agency, the University does not describe itself as accredited, and applicants should not understand any statement on this site to that effect.
Financial aid

Funding Your Study

Federal financial aid The University does not participate in Title IV. No federal grants or loans are available for study here.
Veterans benefits The University is not approved by the Florida State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training.
Employer-funded

When Your Employer Pays

Where an employer sponsors a student, the University contracts with the employer and invoices it directly each term. The student is not a party to that agreement and takes on no obligation under it: no payment, no installment plan, no payment method on file and no finance charges.

If the employer fails to pay, the University's recourse is against the employer alone. It will not bill the student, refer any amount to collection, or bring proceedings against the student for money the employer owes.

Scholarships

Awards From the University

Scholarships are funded by the University itself rather than by any federal or state program, which is why they remain available where Title IV is not. Awards are offered to applicants in service professions and to international applicants from countries where access to higher education is constrained.

Consideration is part of the ordinary application. There is no separate form, need-based awards require a brief financial statement, and decisions are normally issued within two weeks of review.

Tuition, scholarships and payment plans in full

Questions About Your Own Position

If you are uncertain whether a program here will serve the purpose you have in mind, ask before you apply. We would rather lose an enrollment than mislead an applicant.

Contact the Admissions Office Common Questions