Financial Aid Application Procedures

We understand that financial aid options can be complicated and that no two families’ financial situations are the same. Our Financial Aid Office is available to provide guidance and support for all families interested in the financial aid process.

Application Tips

Incomplete applications will delay your application processing and the payment of aid awards. Please note the following to avoid the most common reasons for an incomplete application:

  • Zero is a Valid Number for Financial Aid Forms
    Enter zero for all dollar value application questions which do not apply to you.
  • Signatures are Important
    Generally, a signature is required by each person for whom information is reported on an application.
  • Respond Promptly
    Any requests for additional info or clarification of application data need to be taken care of promptly. The federal processor, state agencies, and the Office of Student Financial Aid STOP application processing until the requested information is received.
  • Student's Info is Clearly Marked on Items Sent to Our Office
    Make sure the student's Name & Social Security Number are clearly marked on any correspondence or document sent to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Undergraduate First Year Students

This section applies to students who have never attended college and are considered first year undergraduates. When applying for admission, simultaneous completion of your FAFSA is highly recommended

Application Priority Deadlines

For fall semester enrollment, Alfred University's priority application deadline is March 15 for first year students. However, applications should be filed as soon as possible after October 1. The priority application deadlines apply to both the FAFSA and Alfred University Financial Aid Application. Early decision students refer to the "special students" section below. Financial aid is awarded to accepted students with complete aid applications on a rolling basis as long as funding permits. It is to the student's advantage to apply early. Estimated financial data may initially be reported on the FAFSA and subsequently updated. Alfred University will verify the actual income figures for enrolled students.

To be considered for all financial aid administered and awarded by Alfred University, all students are required to complete the Application for Admission, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and their home state's scholarship/grant application. Refer to Filing Forms.

Undergraduate Students Returning to Alfred University

A student's eligibility for all University, federal and state need-based financial aid is evaluated on an annual basis. Students wishing to apply for funding must complete the financial aid application process for each academic year they are requesting aid. To apply for University need-based aid and University-awarded federal need-based aid, returning undergraduate students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 15 for the following academic year. Federal, state and University need-based aid is not automatically renewed. All current recipients of these types of need-based aid, or students interested in these aid programs, must apply every year. Refer to Filing Forms. Applications are available at the Office of Student Financial Aid in December.

Alfred University Academic Scholarship recipients, who do not wish to be considered for any other form of aid do not need to submit any financial aid applications.

Only if you did not borrow a Federal Direct Loan (FDL) at Alfred University during a previous academic year and wish to do so for the current academic year, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. Identify yourself as a returning AU student who has not previously borrowed FDL at AU and request an FDL Master Promissory Note Application Packet.

Alfred University provides substantial financial support for graduate study. Most of the university-funded assistance is provided in the form of assistantships and fellowships which are awarded by the academic departments and Alfred University faculty advisors.

On the assignment of assistantships, factors such as academic record, purpose in graduate study, professional accomplishments, personal character, and experience may be considered. The university also provides a limited amount of need-based hardship funding.

In addition to its own resources, the university participates in the federal and state aid programs which are applicable to its degree programs. The majority of this funding is in the form of low-interest student loans.

Graduate students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be evaluated for their Direct Loan and Graduate Plus Loan eligibility. Refer to Filing Forms.

If you did not borrow a Federal Direct Loan (FDL) at Alfred University during a previous academic year and wish to do so for the current academic year, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. Identify yourself as a returning AU graduate student who has not previously borrowed FDL at AU and request an FDL Master Promissory Note Application Packet.

Co-op Students

Returning undergraduate students anticipating a co-op for a semester during the upcoming academic year must still complete the aid application process and meet deadlines as noted. Students on co-op assignment for a semester are considered engaged in a full-time educational learning experience. However, since student credits and tuition charges are less than half-time, aid eligibility is limited and not available under most aid programs.

Early Admission

Generally, to receive any type of federal or state financial aid, a student must have a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and be enrolled in a degree program. Students admitted to Alfred University as Special Students or under the Early Admission Program may not be eligible for federal and state aid programs.

Early Decision Students - Early decision financial aid application process information is provided to each early decision admission applicant. If the financial aid application process is completed by the January 15 deadline, the early decision accepted student will receive an early decision estimated financial aid award package. Financial aid awards are estimated prior to being finalized by completion of the verification process.

International Students

Financial aid and contact information.

Part-time Students

Part-time students should contact the Alfred University Office of Student Financial Aid directly to discuss what financial aid options are available for their particular circumstances. Students are considered part-time if enrolled for less than 12 credit hours per semester.

Summer School Students

Financial assistance for the summer term is generally limited to the New York State TAP Grant, the Federal Pell Grant, and the Federal Direct Loan. University awarded aid is expended during the academic year and not available for attendance during the summer. For the determination of your summer term financial aid eligibility, an appointment with a financial aid counselor during the preceding spring semester is necessary.

Study Abroad and Away Students

Students considering a study abroad/away experience should meet with a financial aid counselor, at least 60 days prior to making any enrollment commitment, to review financial aid options and procedures. This is extremely important because the student's current financial aid may not always apply to the intended study abroad/away program. Students planning to study abroad must first meet with the Alfred University International Programs Office prior to scheduling an appointment to review study abroad aid options with the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students will need information from the International Programs Office for their financial aid appointment

Transfer Students

Alfred University's Financial Aid Application Packet is automatically mailed to transfer students upon receipt of their Application for Admission.

For transfer students enrolling in the fall semester, the fall transfer regular decision priority application deadline is March 15. However, applications should be filed as soon as possible after January 1.

Midyear transfer students have an application priority date of December 1 before entering the spring semester. Transfer students should have their FAFSA and state grant records released to Alfred University. Students may contact their current Financial Aid Office or Alfred's Office of Student Financial Aid for information on how to complete these procedures.