How do we pay for this?
How do we pay for this?
Embedded Files
Financial Aid is funding that is intended to help students cover the cost of education.
Includes:
Scholarships
Loans
Grants
Work Study
Where does the aid come from?
Where does the aid come from?
Federal Government
Pell Grant
Work Study
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
PLUS Loans
State (hesc.ny.gov)
TAP Grant
Excelsior Scholarship
Enhanced Tuition Awards
NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence
NYS STEM Incentive Program
NYS Math & Science
Teaching Incentive Scholarship etc.
(Always read the find print and conditions!
These programs can vary from year to year depending on NYS funding availability.
Institutional Aid
Merit Scholarships
Be sure to check college websites to learn more about college specific scholarships related to your major! Also be sure to read your mail and email from colleges. Many institutional scholarships require separate applications.
Private Sources
Outside Scholarships
Private Loans
How do we apply for Aid?
How do we apply for Aid?
File a FASFA every year- Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can find the FASFA website HERE
*Everyone wanting any aid, even loans, needs to file the FASFA
The FASFA can be completed for the Class of 2026 starting in October. For the class of 2027, the FAFSA start date has yet to be announced. Historically, October 1st is the opening date of the FAFSA application. Apply early!!
Student and all Parent/Guardian contributors (each person who submits information on the FAFSA) must be sure to create an FSA ID to allow you to electronically sign off on your FAFSA. Do this early to avoid delays. Request your FSA ID on studentaid.gov Expect a three day turnaround time after you request it. Students won't be able to submit the FAFSA until every contributor has their FSA ID.
Make sure that student college applications are submitted on time. Students are considered for Financial Aid only after BOTH their college application and Financial Aid application are received and they have been accepted to the college.
College Financial Aid Counselors provide financial aid programs - check them out on college visits. Also sign up to received text messages about Financial Aid Information programs at HESC (Higher Education Services Corporation)
FAFSA uses income for both parents and the student
Looks at assets of the student and parents
List the schools that you are applying to (students can list up to 20 colleges)
Comes up with a Student Aid Index (SAI) (formerly known as the EFC - Expected Family Contribution)
*Don't forget about the NYS TAP Application if applying to New York State schools. The TAP application can be accessed here: NYS Tap Application
A third major financial aid form is the CSS Profile. It is required by some of the bigger private schools. Check to see if any of the colleges your are applying to also require the CSS Profile. Click this link to access the list of colleges/universities requiring the CSS Profile
How much will I get?
How much will I get?
Based on something called a Cost of Attendance and Student Aid Index
COA (Cost of Attendance) - includes direct college expenses and anticipated indirect college expenses, this number varies from college to college
Student Aid Index (SAI) - Determined by the FASFA and stays the same regardless of what college you apply to
COA minus SAI equals NEED!
Additional Financial Aid Resources:
Additional Financial Aid Resources:
SUNY Financial Aid Night Session Link
SUNY Financial Aid Day Session Link
Sign up for text messages at HESC
Check out Financial Aid Help Events through HESC: Virtual Financial Aid Help and Events
Page updated
Report abuse