Skip to Main Content

APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID

THE APPLICATION PROCESS


Applying for student financial assistance can be a complicated process. In order for the College to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid, certain application procedures must be followed and the student must submit follow-up forms in an accurate and timely manner. Students must be officially accepted by the Office of Admissions before notification of financial aid is given. The form used when applying for federal financial aid (including student loans) is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To assure being considered for all available funds, and to receive timely notification of funds being offered, students should submit the application form and all follow-up forms by April 1. You will be using income information from two years prior, i.e. 2024-2025 will be based on 2021 income. As the name suggests, there is no fee for using this form. The information that is provided on this form serves as the basis for determining the student’s eligibility for federal aid as a full-time or part-time student. To apply for Federal Aid and obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), please visit studentaid.gov.

Once you have completed your FAFSA electronically, you will be directed to the New York State Higher Education Services website to complete your New York State TAP Grant Application if you are a New York State resident. If you do not complete the TAP application at this time, you may receive an email, or you may complete the application on the HESC website (TAP is for New York State residents attending a New York State college only.)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid allows students to request application information to be sent to different institutions. To designate that information be sent to Hilbert College, please list its name and institution code (002735) on the application. It is important for students and their parents to understand that, when applying for financial aid, they accept certain responsibilities. These include providing correct, accurate, and timely information. Also, the applicant must review and understand the agreements contained in all forms that are signed, comply with application deadlines and requests for additional information and repay any funds received as a result of inaccurate information. Once the processing center analyzes the application data, the results are transmitted to several parties. The student will receive an acknowledgment document that summarizes the data information. It must be reviewed for accuracy.

Corrections may be made online at studentaid.gov. If all the information is accurate, the Student Finance Office will receive the same data via the electronic network and in conjunction with other documents submitted by the applicant, the eligibility for federal, institutional and state aid can be determined.

THE VERIFICATION PROCESS


Some student federal aid applications are selected by the processing center for verification. The student may need to provide documentation that the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is accurate. Documents such as the student’s and parent’s federal income tax forms or IRS tax transcripts, verification of untaxed income, household size, or the number in college may be required.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA


Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible to receive federal funding:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program at an eligible post- secondary institution

  • Not be simultaneously enrolled in elementary or secondary school

  • Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent

  • Provide a valid and verifiable social security number

  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in the program of study

  • Not be in default on a previous federal education loan, not owe a repayment on a previous federal educational grant or loan, and not have borrowed in excess of federal student loan limits

  • Meet additional program-specific criteria under specific program descriptions