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Need-Based Aid
All need-based aid is administered centrally by the University's Financial Aid Office. Many graduate students who are U.S. citizens rely on one or more forms of need-based financial aid from the U.S. government to help cover the cost of their studies. Need-based aid at Syracuse University consists of loan programs and work-study allocations.
To apply for need-based aid, graduate applicants who are U.S. citizens must first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offered through the U.S. Department of Education. The FAFSA should be filed as soon as possible after January 1 for summer or fall applicants. Applicants should not wait for an admission decision before filing. Also, both the current year's FAFSA as well as the next year's FAFSA should be completed if you plan to begin your studies in the summer. Admitted and matriculated students whose FAFSA information has been received by the University's Financial Aid Office will be notified via email after the end of February. Usually the forms are not received from the U. S. Department of Education until early March.
Most graduate students are eligible for Federal Stafford Loans, for up to $10,250 per semester and $10,250 for the summer.
Many students are also eligible for Federal Work-Study, which awards a maximum earning limit based on a student's need and the student may earn any portion up to the limit. Wages are paid by the campus employer and are never lower than the federal minimum wage. These awards are also made based on the FAFSA.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a grant program funded by New York State. Only students who are legal residents of New York State and who can demonstrate financial need are eligible. Applicants must file the FAFSA to receive these grants.
There are also Graduate Plus loans for which there is no maximum loan limit (annually or lifetime). Eligibility is calculated by the Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid and a basic credit check must be passed.
Unfortunately, there are not specific need-based programs for non-U.S. citizens. Many of our international students negotiate loans in their home countries to help pay for their program costs. As noted in other sections, international students will be required to provide proof of adequate financial resources in order to obtain the necessary forms for a student visa.
To apply for need-based aid, graduate applicants who are U.S. citizens must first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offered through the U.S. Department of Education. The FAFSA should be filed as soon as possible after January 1 for summer or fall applicants. Applicants should not wait for an admission decision before filing. Also, both the current year's FAFSA as well as the next year's FAFSA should be completed if you plan to begin your studies in the summer. Admitted and matriculated students whose FAFSA information has been received by the University's Financial Aid Office will be notified via email after the end of February. Usually the forms are not received from the U. S. Department of Education until early March.
Most graduate students are eligible for Federal Stafford Loans, for up to $10,250 per semester and $10,250 for the summer.
Many students are also eligible for Federal Work-Study, which awards a maximum earning limit based on a student's need and the student may earn any portion up to the limit. Wages are paid by the campus employer and are never lower than the federal minimum wage. These awards are also made based on the FAFSA.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a grant program funded by New York State. Only students who are legal residents of New York State and who can demonstrate financial need are eligible. Applicants must file the FAFSA to receive these grants.
There are also Graduate Plus loans for which there is no maximum loan limit (annually or lifetime). Eligibility is calculated by the Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid and a basic credit check must be passed.
Unfortunately, there are not specific need-based programs for non-U.S. citizens. Many of our international students negotiate loans in their home countries to help pay for their program costs. As noted in other sections, international students will be required to provide proof of adequate financial resources in order to obtain the necessary forms for a student visa.
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