Costs and Financial Aid

Financial assistance for college

A University at Buffalo education is an excellent value. As a public university, our tuition is only a fraction of the cost of attending a private college or university of comparable quality and opportunity.

If you feel you need help financing your education, you can apply for financial aid by filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online. The FAFSA is an application that collects the basic information needed to determine your eligibility for all of the financial aid programs sponsored by the federal government. These include Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), College Work-Study Program Grants, Perkins Loans, and Federal Direct Student Loans.

There are many options to choose from when considering both government-funded and private sources of financial assistance. The basic kinds of financial assistance are:

• Grants - These don't need to be paid back.
• Loans - These do need to be paid back.
• Scholarships - These are usually based on scholastic merit and don't need to be paid back. This year, UB awarded more than $4 million in merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen.
• Part-time employment - Earn money by participating in college work-study programs or pursuing other part-time job opportunities both on- and off-campus.

Filling out the FAFSA

You can fill out the FAFSA online. Be sure to file the FAFSA as soon as possible. UB's priority due date is March 1; however, you should file by February 1 to be considered for the best possible financial aid package. The federal title IV school code for the University at Buffalo is 002837.

You will receive a federal Student Aid Report (SAR) four to six weeks after filing the FAFSA. Your SAR will indicate your expected family contribution for federal student aid programs as calculated by the federal processor. UB's financial aid office receives this information electronically when you file, so it is not necessary to send us your SAR. Financial aid awards will be mailed beginning in March.

If you are a New York State resident, you will initiate the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application process by completing the FAFSA. A separate application is required for TAP. This can be filed electronically while you are filing your FAFSA. Once you reach the "Confirmation page," click on "New York Residents Only" to file for TAP. If you miss this, a paper application will be sent to you automatically. Remember the TAP code is 1010.

For more information about financing your education, contact the UB financial aid office at 1-866-838-7257 (toll free) or visit http://src.buffalo.edu/financialaid.

Related Links:

• FAFSA On the Web
• Estimated Cost of Attendance
• UB Financial Aid