Frequently Asked Questions & Helpful Links

Helpful Links

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FAFSA

FAFSA Online Application

(school code: 002728)
FSA ID

Federal Student Aid ID
Federal Student Aid

Free information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school
Financial Aid Glossary

Terms related to Federal Student Aid

College Board / CSS Profile

CSS Profile

Online financial aid application (school code: 2286)
Pay for College

General information for financing college
Scholarship Search

College Board’s Scholarship Search
College Board Calculators

Parent loan debt, college costs and more

Student Loans

Federal Direct Student Loan

Apply, Master Promissory Note, Entrance Counseling
Federal Student Loan Borrowing History

U.S. Department of Education’s Student Loan Information
Tax Information for Students

IRS resources for students
One-Time Student Loan Debt Relief

Information about the Biden administration's Student Debt Relief Plan, announced in August of 2022.
Loan Repayment Calculator

Estimate your Federal Student Loan payments
Student Loan Debt Relief Initiatives

This fact sheet outline's President Biden's June 2023 plan to provide debt relief and support for student loan borrowers.

Parent Loans

Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS)

Apply, Promissory Note
Parent Loan Repayment Calculator

Repayment Calculator

FAQs

Yes. Hamilton is need-blind for first-year domestic applicants, meaning a U.S. student's financial need will not be a factor in the admission decision. In addition, Hamilton promises to meet the full demonstrated need for all students. For international and transfer candidates, our financial aid budget is not limitless and financial need may be a factor that is considered at the time of admission so that we can protect our ability to meet your full need.

Hamilton discontinued offering merit scholarships with the class that entered in the Fall of 2008. At that time, we decided that the primary focus and top priority of our financial aid program was to need-based aid. This decision allows us to continue honoring our long-standing commitment to meet the full demonstrated financial need of all students we admit as well as make Hamilton accessible to talented students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Most Hamilton students would qualify for merit scholarships at many other colleges. They choose Hamilton because they recognize that an education here is well worth the investment. As a result, you'll be learning and living with other strong students who also appreciate the value of a Hamilton education and are committed to joining this enduring community of scholars.

Hamilton includes loans that will not exceed $3,500 for first-year students. Sophomores will receive a maximum of $4,500, and Juniors and Seniors will be capped at $5,500. U.S. citizens are eligible for federal loans and international students, including Canadian citizens, may be awarded an institutional loan at the same levels. Depending on eligibility, additional loans may be borrowed to offset the expected family contribution.

In recent years, the average total student indebtedness for Hamilton graduates has ranged from $19,800 to $22,800, and Hamilton’s current default rate is 0%. According to Department of Education (DOE), the current average federal student loan debt is $37,850 and the FY20 National Cohort Default Rate is 0.00%.

Hamilton College does not offer pre-reads. It is highly recommended that families use our net price calculator tools for an estimate of their total family contribution (TFC). Please note that the actual TFC generated by the Hamilton College Financial Aid Office may be different than that provided via the net price calculator. If you have questions or would like to discuss your net price calculator results, please reach out for a financial aid consultation with a member of the financial aid team.

Since Hamilton meets full demonstrated financial need, a student who applies Early Decision will receive the same financial aid award that they would have received had they applied Regular Decision.

The decision to apply Early Decision may only be answered by each individual family. Our net price calculator may give you a broad assessment of what your financial aid package could look like and might be helpful to your family in determining whether or not you can make this commitment. Early Decision is designed for students and families who have done their research, know that Hamilton is their top choice and have been thoughtful in considering their college options (academically, socially, financially and otherwise).

While Early Decision at Hamilton is binding (meaning that, if admitted, all other admission applications will be withdrawn), we will release admitted students from this agreement if they determine Hamilton is not affordable for their families. In such cases, however, given that the financial aid package will not change at the point of Regular Decision, these students are withdrawn from Hamilton's admitted pool and do not have the option to consider Hamilton in the spring.

Fee waivers for the first-time filers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will be granted automatically for those who qualify based on the parents' reported income, assets and household size. The goal is to ensure that fee waivers are distributed equitably to students from families with the fewest financial resources and an inability to afford the fee. Orphans and wards of the court will be automatically eligible for fee waivers if they are first-year students who are filing for the first time. CSS grants up to six fee waivers per student who meet certain economic guidelines. Should you not automatically receive a fee waiver when completing the CSS Profile and paying the fee would be a hardship to your family, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

In the case of divorced, separated or parents whom never married, we expect the parents will share responsibility for financing their child's education. Required application materials for both households will be found on the student's personalized financial aid checklist.

A waiver of the non-custodial contribution may be granted if a letter from a guidance counselor, principal, member of the clergy, or attorney attests to the fact that the non-custodial parent has not been in the student's life for a number of years.

Community Advisors receive the "Community Advisor Benefit," which is equal to their room charge. The Community Advisor Benefit will be treated as a resource available to you to pay your Hamilton fees, and will impact each award differently based on your unique circumstances. We encourage you to be in touch with the Financial Aid office to understand how your award may change if this is a factor in your decision to apply or accept a position.

Yes, a student/family may request an “appeal” of the student’s eligibility for financial aid, after they have received and reviewed the initial financial aid award. The appeal process is for families who have extenuating circumstances, or who have recently experienced a financial hardship, and who do not feel that the student’s financial aid award provides sufficient support. For more information and instructions on the process of appealing a student’s award, please visit Hamilton’s Financial Aid Appeal page.

Application Codes

FAFSA: 002728
College Board CSS Profile: 2286
NYS Residents Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): 0270

Contact

Office of Financial Aid

Office Location

Siuda House

Phone

800-859-4413
315-859-4434

Fax

315-859-4962

finaid@hamilton.edu

Frequently Asked Questions & Helpful Links

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College Board / CSS Profile

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Frequently Asked Questions & Helpful Links

Helpful Links

FAFSA

College Board / CSS Profile

Student Loans

Parent Loans

Other Important Links

FAQs

Does Hamilton meet full need?

Is Hamilton "need-blind" in its admission decisions?

Does Hamilton offer merit-based scholarships?

Does Hamilton include student loans in financial aid awards?

My parents need to know whether or not Hamilton College is affordable before I apply. Can they request a financial aid pre-read?

Should I commit to Early Decision if financial aid is a factor for my family?

My family cannot afford the CSS Profile filing fee, can we get a waiver?

Is the process different if my parents are divorced, separated or never married?

How will becoming a Community Advisor affect my financial aid award?

Is there a process to request another review of my financial aid eligibility?

Can I study off campus if I receive financial aid?

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