Financial aid is a crucial part of college life, helping students manage the cost of their education. Understanding how financial aid works can increase your chances of earning larger awards. To help you feel more supported, we created this guide to walk you through the different financial aid options at Alfred University, important deadlines to remember, external scholarship resources, and tips on how to maintain your awards while in college.
Aid at Alfred University
Alfred University is committed to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds, strengths, and talents. Our goal is to make education affordable by offering a variety of awards based on academic achievement, financial need, creativity, and personal background.
- Academic scholarships, including the Presidential, Dean, and Jonathan Allen Scholarships, are awarded for strong academic performance and leadership potential.
- Endowed grants and scholarships are funded by generous donors and typically awarded to students who meet specific criteria or demonstrate financial need.
- For creative students, the Art Portfolio Scholarship recognizes artistic talent demonstrated through an submitted portfolio.
- Alfred also offers several high school–based awards, such as the Alfred University Scholar Award and the CANY Award. These recognize outstanding high school juniors who are nominated by their guidance counselors.
- Honors, Legacy, and Close to Home awards are based on individual and family background.
- Competition-based awards are given through on-campus contests in areas such as mathematics, writing, and engineering.
Many of these awards can be combined, allowing students to receive the best possible support. We encourage you to explore the Financial Aid section of our website to learn more about each option and determine your eligibility.
Scholarships Beyond Alfred
When funding your education, Alfred University isn’t your only option. Exploring external scholarships is a great way to further reduce your cost of attendance. Many students underestimate the impact of outside awards, even though they can significantly lower tuition expenses.
To make your search easier, here are a few trusted scholarship platforms:
Staying Eligible
Maintaining your financial aid is an important part of your college experience. While it might sound stressful, staying eligible is very manageable. Alfred University follows the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy, which includes three main requirements:
- Maintain a strong cumulative GPA, reviewed after each semester.
- Successfully complete at least 67% of the credits you attempt.
- Finish your degree within 150% of the required credit total.
Meeting these requirements ensures that you stay on track and continue receiving your financial aid.
Mistakes to Watch Out For
Applying for financial aid can be stressful, and it’s easy to make simple mistakes. Being aware of these common errors can help you avoid unnecessary setbacks, such as:
- Not submitting the FAFSA: Even if you think you won’t qualify, applying can open additional opportunities.
- Applying too late: Many awards are first-come, first-served.
- Submitting incorrect information: Small errors can impact your aid—always double-check before submitting.
- Relying only on FAFSA or university aid: External scholarships can greatly reduce costs.
- Not saving application materials: Keeping records makes reapplying and correcting mistakes easier.
- Using the wrong FAFSA code: Incorrect codes can delay or prevent your aid from reaching Alfred.
