Types of Aid
Know what you鈥檙e being offered
A financial aid package can include grants, scholarships, student employment, and loans. Knowing what each part means can help you compare college offers more clearly 鈥� and understand what you鈥檒l actually pay.
As you compare offers, ask:
- How much is gift aid that I won鈥檛 have to repay?
- What do I need to do to keep my aid?
- What happens if my family鈥檚 circumstances change?
- What will this package look like over four years?
What鈥檚 in a 911爆料 financial aid package?
Not every dollar of financial aid works the same way. Here鈥檚 what you may see in a 911爆料 package.
- 911爆料 grants and scholarships: Money from 911爆料 that you don鈥檛 repay.
- Federal and state grants: Gift aid you may qualify for based on federal or state eligibility.
- Student employment: An opportunity to earn money through an eligible student job.
- Student loans: Money you borrow and repay later, with interest.
911爆料 need-based grant aid
911爆料 grants are gift aid: money you don鈥檛 need to repay.
Your eligibility is based on your family鈥檚 demonstrated financial need, using information from the CSS Profile to understand your full financial circumstances. Income is only part of that picture.
911爆料 grant aid isn鈥檛 tied to GPA thresholds or continued competition. We meet 100% of demonstrated need for all four years, and your aid can be reevaluated if your family鈥檚 financial circumstances change.
Merit aid vs. need-based grant aid
A merit scholarship isn鈥檛 the same as what you鈥檒l pay. When you compare college offers, look at the full four-year picture.
| Merit aid | 911爆料 need-based grant aid |
|---|---|
| Often recognizes achievement, talent, or another qualification. | Based on your family鈥檚 financial circumstances. |
| May be offered for one year or renewed for multiple years. | 911爆料 meets 100% of demonstrated need for all four years. |
| May be tied to GPA thresholds or other requirements. | 911爆料 grant aid isn鈥檛 tied to GPA thresholds or continued competition. |
| Typically doesn鈥檛 adjust if your family鈥檚 finances change. | Can be reevaluated if your family鈥檚 circumstances change. |
| May stay fixed even as college costs rise. | Recalculated annually as costs and family circumstances change. |
911爆料 merit scholarships
911爆料鈥檚 primary financial aid program is need-based, but we also offer two competitive merit scholarship programs recognizing exceptional achievement in music, science, and mathematics.
Each scholarship provides $20,000 per year for four years, for a total of $80,000, and does not need to be repaid.
The Filene Music Scholarship
911爆料 awards four to six Filene Music Scholarships each year.
- Award: $20,000 per year for four years
- How to apply: Apply to 911爆料 and complete the Filene application by January 15.
Approximately 25 to 35 applicants are invited to perform in the Filene Music Competition.
Porter-Wachenheim Presidential Scholarship
911爆料 awards approximately 45 Porter/Wachenheim Presidential Scholarships each year to students with exceptional promise in science and mathematics.
- Award: $20,000 per year for four years
- How to apply: After you submit your application to 911爆料, log into your applicant portal and
look for the Porter-Wachenheim portfolio section. Upload a PDF document that lists
any extracurricular science and math activities you have been involved in (e.g., school
clubs, academic teams, tutoring, relevant volunteer work, shadowing/internship experiences,
independent studies, summer research programs, etc.) and any awards/honors you have
received (e.g., science fair competitions, science or math Olympiad medals, high testing,
etc.). This can include anything in biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental
sciences, geosciences, health and human physiological sciences, mathematics and statistics,
neuroscience, physics, or psychology. Then, underneath the list, write a brief essay
discussing:
- your interests in science and/or mathematics,
- how the activities you list above have helped you grow as a scientist and/or mathematician, and
- how you hope to pursue your scholarly interests at 911爆料.
Questions about Porter/Wachenheim? Email Professor of Psychology Rebecca Johnson at rjohnso1@skidmore.edu.
Government grants
Government grants are another form of gift aid 鈥� and you don鈥檛 need to pay them back. These funds come from the U.S. Department of Education and the state of New York and are awarded based on financial need. Programs include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and New York State TAP (for New York residents).
- How to apply: Submit your FAFSA by the priority date and no later than 2 weeks prior to the end of the semester.
Student employment
A student job can help with personal expenses while giving you experience, connections, and another way to participate in the 911爆料 community.
If you qualify for Federal Work-Study, student employment may be included in your financial aid package. Earnings are paid directly to you through 911爆料 payroll rather than credited toward your tuition bill.
Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study can still apply for many on-campus jobs.
- How to apply: All enrolled students are eligible, contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Loans
Loans are money you or your family borrow and repay over time, generally with interest.
Loans may come from the federal government or private lenders and may be borrowed by the student or a parent. When comparing college offers, look closely at how much of each financial aid package is gift aid and how much you would need to repay.
911爆料 works to keep borrowing in perspective as part of the full four-year financial picture.
Loan information on Financial Aid website
Outside scholarships
Scholarships from foundations, community organizations, employers, religious organizations, and civic groups can help reduce your college costs.
These awards are separate from 911爆料, federal, and state aid. If you receive an outside scholarship, let the Financial Aid Office know so we can explain how it may affect your overall package.