Syracuse University

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Financial Aid FAQ

Financing an education is an important issue for families. Financial aid is administered through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services. Counselors advise students and parents on policies, procedures, and financial aid.

Is financial aid available for international students?
At this time, students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are not eligible for merit awards or need-based financial aid.

How do I apply for need-based financial aid?

To apply for need-based financial aid, two forms are required:

  • The College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile (CSS PROFILE)
  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

We encourage you to file both of these forms online. You may access the online forms by clicking on the links above. Please review the financial aid deadlines as well.


What if I miss the application deadline?

To be guaranteed consideration for all types of financial assistance, the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE must be submitted on time. See financial aid deadlines. However, the Financial Aid Office will continue to award financial aid after the deadline on a funds-available basis. Therefore, if you miss the deadline, you should file the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE as soon as possible.


What if my parents or I haven't filed the requested tax returns before the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA deadline?

We recommend that you complete your tax returns before filing these forms. However, if you are unable to do so, do not wait to complete the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA. Estimate your income from last year's figures and adhere to the financial aid deadline.


Should I wait to be admitted to Syracuse University before I apply for financial aid?

Most students will not receive notification of their admissions decision until after the financial aid deadlines have passed. You should submit the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA by the financial aid deadline to be guaranteed full consideration for all types of financial assistance.


How is eligibility for financial aid determined?

Using a formula called Federal Methodology, your family's financial information from the FAFSA is analyzed by the federal government. This process is called 'needs analysis' and considers such factors as parent and student income, assets, and the number of family members in college. The needs analysis process calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your financial aid eligibility (need) is the difference between the cost of attending the University minus your EFC.


Will my financial aid award meet my full financial need?

Due to limited availability of funds, Syracuse University is not able to meet the full financial need of all students. Financial aid policies are designed to maximize the total amount of financial assistance to all eligible students. However, after financial aid awards are taken into consideration, all remaining costs are the responsibility of the family.


How many students receive financial aid and what is the average financial aid award?

Approximately two-thirds of our student body receives SU-funded financial aid.  SU provides $160 million annually in institutional scholarships.  The average financial aid award is almost $17,000 - on top of any federal/state aid.  Our students also bring in several million dollars each year from outside scholarships.


Do you award financial aid to students who apply for the spring semester?

Merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid are awarded on a funds available basis to spring applicants. To be considered for need-based financial aid, spring applicants should submit the CSS PROFILE and FAFSA by November 15. No forms are required for the merit-based scholarships.


How do I get more information?

For more information on Financial Aid, visit the financial aid web site.