Financial Aid
FAQs — College of Health Professions & Nursing
Paying for school might be something you plan to worry about later, after you've been admitted. However, even though the SUNY Upstate Medical University and relatively low cost, your education will still cost quite a bit. If you will need help paying for your education, financial aid is available. But now, not later, is the time to be thinking about it. Here's some information to help you plan:
How much will school cost?
There are several factors you will want to take into consideration when you think about the cost of attending Upstate. Most students will consider tuition, fees, and book/supply costs. But don't forget living expenses, health insurance, and travel to clinical training sites.Costs will vary from one program to another, and from year to year within programs.See the costs for the program you are interested in
What types of financial aid are available?
There are three basic types of student aid. Grants and scholarships, which are free money that doesn't have to be repaid; loans that are repaid after you leave school; and part time work.
How is financial aid awarded?
Your eligibility for need based financial aid is based on the difference between the cost of attending school and the resources expected to be available to you and your family. The formulas used to determine costs and resources are established by law for federal and state programs, or by the donors of private funds.
Different financial aid programs look at resources differently. Some will based the award just on income; others will look at income, assets and other details of your situation.
Will my parents have to complete the financial aid form?
For most federal student aid programs, if you meet one of the following conditions, you will be considered as an independent student. In these situations, your eligibility for aid will be based on your income, or your and your spouse, if married,
The conditions are that you were born before January 1 of the academic year for which you are requesting aid; are a Veteran; are an orphan or ward of the court; have legal dependents of your own; or are married before you apply for aid.
Eligibility for programs from New York State or other sponsors may require that you meet different conditions.
If you have questions about financial independence, you should contact the Financial Aid Office. Back to topWill I have to borrow?
If you need help paying for your education, you probably will have to borrow some money. Few students receive enough help from other sources to avoid loans. The average amount borrowed by Bachelor degree students at Upstate who graduated in the Class of 2000 was $19,790. Students graduating from Masters Degree programs had an average student loan debt of $28,710. These amounts include debt from prior colleges.
Can I work while I attend school?
Many students at Upstate have part time jobs. Some of these are administered through the Federal College work Study program, a financial aid program administered by the school. Other students have found jobs on their own.
Under Federal Work Study, students work an average of 8 to 10 hours per week. Pay rates start at per hour, depending on the skills required for particular jobs. Many students are able to find employment in their academic area of interest.
If you plan to work, remember that the academic programs here are rigorous. Unless you have transfer credit for several courses, you shouldn't plan to work more than 10-15 hours per week, especially during your first semester. You should plan to work this coming summer, and in the summers between academic years if you don?;t have summer school requirements.
What about aid from scholarships?
About one third of the students enrolled in the two colleges received some kind of grant or scholarship aid last year. The average amount received was $3150. Most of this comes from the Federal Pell Grant Program and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Scholarship aid directly from the Upstate Medical University is limited. Students are encouraged to seek scholarship support from outside sources whenever possible.
- SCHOLARSHIP Search Links
What are my chances of receiving aid?
Without specific information about your family's situation, its difficult to tell what your exact eligibility will be. Most students can qualify for some type of aid, often from more than one source. Grant aid is usually the hardest to qualify for, but some loans are available regardless of family income.
If you or your family have recently experienced problems such as unemployment, serious illness, death or divorce, please be sure to notify us of this. These types of hardships can be taken into account when determining eligibility for many financial aid programs.
Am I eligible for aid as a part-time student?
Yes. Most financial aid programs will help students who are enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester. If you plan to enroll part-time, please be sure to note this on your financial aid application.
There are a lot of Federal and State aid programs. How will I know which ones I qualify for?
When the Financial aid Office staff reviews your application, we will consider you for all of the programs that the Upstate Medical University administers. You'll receive a letter from us that explains which aid programs are available to you for the academic year, and how much you qualify for.
Programs administered outside of the Financial Aid Office will require separate applications.
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Where can I get more information about financial aid?
Contact the Financial Aid Office at (315) 464-4329 or by writing to us at the address shown on the back cover. If you wish, an appointment can usually be arranged for the day of your admissions interview by contacting either the Admissions or Financial Aid Office.
What if I have a Bachelor's degree?
Most student aid programs place a limit on the total amount of help you can receive. As a result, many programs are not available if you already earned a Bachelor's degree. At present, students who have a prior Bachelor's degree are eligible to participate in the Federal Stafford, Supplemental and Perkins loan programs, the Federal College Work Study program, the New York State tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and private programs of aid at the SUNY Upstate Medical University.
If you already have your degree, you should consult with the Financial Aid Office about your particular situation.
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