Does Vassar offer any merit-based financial aid?

At Vassar all financial aid is awarded entirely on the basis of financial need as determined by the institution’s own calculation. The College does not have merit/academic scholarships or special achievement awards to offer to students nor do we match financial aid offers from other schools.

How does Vassar determine financial need?

For a complete description of the aid process, please visit How Aid Works.

Is my aid guaranteed for all four years of attending Vassar?

Since all of the financial aid awarded by Vassar is need-based, students must reapply for aid each academic year. If your family’s circumstances change and/or there is a change in income, this will likely impact your eligibility. For this reason, financial aid amounts are never guaranteed for future years. Additionally, the self-help portions of the financial aid offer (i.e. loan and student contribution) will change as the amounts are dependent on the student’s year in college.

I have been awarded an outside scholarship. How does this impact my financial aid?

If you receive a scholarship, tuition benefit, and/or veterans benefit from a source other than Vassar, your financial aid will be adjusted to accommodate the amount of outside aid received.

We allow students to replace the “self-help” portions of their financial aid offer with outside scholarships/tuition benefits. Self-help aid includes the federal direct student loan, the work-study allowance, and the standard student contribution from summer earnings. If the total amount of your outside award(s) exceeds the self-help options, then the overage will reduce your Vassar Scholarship.

I received work-study in my financial aid offer. What does this mean?

A work-study allocation allows you to obtain a part-time job on campus to help pay for your educational expenses. Work-study funds are not applied to your student account with your other financial aid. Instead, the funds are earned in the form of a biweekly paycheck according to the hours that you work. Learn more about work study at Vassar.

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized federal direct student loan?

The subsidized loan is a need-based loan. It does not accrue interest while the student is enrolled in school. The unsubsidized loan is a non-need-based loan and does accrue interest, beginning from the time the loan is disbursed. Find more information on Federal Direct Student Loans.

Why did I receive an unsubsidized federal direct loan in my financial aid offer?

The FAFSA serves as the application for federal direct subsidized and unsubsidized student loans. However, in order to determine which type a student is eligible for, we use both financial aid applications—the FAFSA and CSS profile—in our assessment. When Vassar determines that your family should pay less than what the federal government (FAFSA SAI) thinks you can pay, we award more scholarship funds to meet your financial need. If the additional scholarship exceeds your federal financial need, then you do not qualify for or may only be eligible for partial subsidized loan funds.

Can I appeal my financial aid offer?

If your family’s circumstances have changed since you completed your financial aid application, or there are additional considerations not captured on your CSS Profile, you may request an appeal. Factors that Vassar may consider upon appeal are job loss, income fluctuations, high medical expenses not covered by insurance, atypical dependent care costs, expenses related to natural disasters, etc. Appeals must be initiated via submission of the Request for Financial Aid Reconsideration form and include supporting documentation (i.e. recent tax returns, paid medical invoices, itemized insurance claim or denial letter, etc.).

Are there options for additional financing?

There are numerous financing methods parents and students can utilize to cover their family contribution. These include monthly payment plans, federal student and parent loans, alternative loans, etc. It is up to each family to decide the best way to fund their contribution. Find more information on loan options.

What are the next steps for financial aid?

If you choose to enroll at Vassar College, you will receive an email from Student Financial Services in June regarding financial aid next steps. Additional information regarding billing and payment options will be sent in early July. Be sure to check your email regularly and read all communications from Student Financial Services.