SU- Financial Aid Office

HOW TO APPLY

ENTERING STUDENTS

Syracuse University offers financial aid in the form of merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, student employment, as well as student and parent educational loans. Syracuse University will award students financial aid to the extent that funds are available. However, we can not guarantee that full need of all students will be met.

To apply for financial aid and receive a Financial Aid Award from SU, you must complete two forms:

College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile (CSS PROFILE)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Eligibility for need-based financial aid is established from the information that you provide on these two forms.

Assistance in filing these forms is available at:

your high school Guidance Office
U.S. Department of Education- toll free 1-800-4-FED-AID
your college's financial aid office

To receive a Financial Aid Award from SU, entering students must:

1. Be Admitted
2. Have the CSS PROFILE on file
3. Have the FAFSA on file

APPLICATION DEADLINES

CSS PROFILE CODE - 2823

FAFSA CODE - 002882

Financial Aid Deadlines for 2008 - 2009

	Application Deadlines	Award Notification Dates
Early Decision Freshmen	CSS PROFILE - 2008-09* November 30, 2007 FAFSA - 2008-09 February 1, 2008	Mid-January 2008
Regular Decision Freshmen & Transfers	CSS PROFILE - 2008-09* February 1, 2008 FAFSA - 2008-09 February 1, 2008	Late March 2008
Spring Semester Applicants	CSS PROFILE- 2008-09 November 15, 2008 FAFSA- 2008-09 November 15, 2008	End of December 2008

*Students whose parents own a business must complete the
2008-09 CSS Business/Farm Supplement. You will be notified if this form is required.

FAQs

Q1: Does applying for financial aid affect the admissions decision?

No. Your application for financial aid does not affect the admissions decision in any way.

Q2: What need-based financial aid is available?

Syracuse University participates in most Federal need-based programs (i.e. Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Federal Stafford Loan, New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), etc.) and also offers a Syracuse University need-based grant (up to $20,000 per year) to eligible students.

Q3: How do I apply for need-based financial aid?

In order to apply for the federal programs listed above, two (2) forms are required:

1. The College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile (CSS PROFILE)- due to CSS by February 1st.

2. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)- due to the Federal Processor by February 1st. The FAFSA cannot be filed prior to January 1st, but it must be filed by February 1st.

The CSS PROFILE and FAFSA may be completed online. We encourage you to use the online process for both applications.

Q4: What if my parents or I have not filed our tax returns before the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA are due?

We recommend that you use the information from your completed tax returns when filing these forms. However, if you are unable to file your taxes by February 1st, do not wait to complete the PROFILE and the FAFSA. Use estimated income figures and adhere to the February 1st deadline.

Q5: What if I miss the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA deadlines?

The Financial Aid Office will continue to award financial aid on a funds available basis. You should file the forms as soon as possible.

Q6: What if there is a change in my family situation or I have special circumstances?

Special circumstances should be brought to the attention of the Financial Aid Office after you receive your Financial Aid Award. In writing, outline your special circumstance and send it to our office.

Q7: I just received my financial aid award. Is this the actual amount of financial aid that I will receive?

Your financial aid award is an estimate until your income and asset information is verified by our office.

Q8: What documents do you need to verify my information?

If verification information is required, the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) will e-mail you information regarding income documentation that must be submitted in order to complete the verification of your application. They will e-mail you the information using the e-mail address on file with Syracuse University.

As a recipient of financial aid you must send to the College Board all requested tax/income documentation to verify the information you reported on the CSS/Financial Aid Profile that you filed.

Q9: What types of financial aid must be paid back and what types do not have to be paid back?

Scholarships and Grants (Federal, State and SU) do not have to be paid back. All Federal Stafford, Perkins, PLUS Loans must be paid back.

Q10: I received a Federal Work-Study Award (FWS). How does that work?

The FWS award allows you to obtain a Federal Work-Study job and earn up to the amount of your award. The FWS award is not credited to your student financial account. You are paid weekly for the hours that you work. The Office of Student Employment lists all of the available positions, both FWS and non-FWS, on their JOBNET web site.

Q11: How do I apply for the Federal Stafford Loan?

You apply for a Federal Stafford Loan automatically by filing the FAFSA. The Federal Stafford Loan will be part of your financial aid award. After completing the FAFSA, you will also need to complete a Federal Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Q12: My award lists a Federal Perkins Loan. What paperwork do I need to file to receive this loan?

You will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the loan. You will be sent instructions to complete the MPN beginning in late May.

Q13: How much will it cost to attend Syracuse University for the 2008-2009 academic year? (The listed cost of attendance is an estimate. The Board of Trustees will release the final COA for 2008-2009 in late February 2008.)

Billable Costs		Other Expenses (average)
Tuition	$32,180	Books & Supplies	$1,268
Housing & Meals (average)	11,656	Transportation	576
Miscellaneous Fees	1,260	Personal Expenses	880
Total	$45,096	Total	$2,724

Total Cost of Attendance

$47,820*

*International students will incur additional cost of approximately $2,545 to cover health insurance and other personal expenses.

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For comments on this web site, please contact sbluke@syr.edu

1. Be Admitted 2. Have the CSS PROFILE on file 3. Have the FAFSA on file

1. Be Admitted
2. Have the CSS PROFILE on file
3. Have the FAFSA on file