Financial Aid, Billing, and Registrar
FINANCIAL AID, BILLING, AND REGISTRAR The Student Financial Services and Registrar Suite, located in Room 206 Memorial Hall, comprises the offices of Student Financial Services (SFS), Financial Aid Operations, Bursar/Student Accounts (billing and payments), and Registrar (class registration and transcripts), and is dedicated to assisting students in attaining a high-quality private education. Urge your student to manage financial matters themselves, along with your guidance.
Financial Aid Hofstra’s SFS professionals seek to maximize financial aid opportunities for students and their families by providing guidance and information about scholarships, grants, loan programs, student employment, and payment options. The information contained in this Family Handbook is limited; therefore, your student is encouraged to consult the Hofstra website and/or the Hofstra University Undergraduate Bulletin (bulletin.hofstra.edu) for details and up-to-date information. Hofstra University is selective and ranks among the finest institutions of higher learning in the country. While college costs are formidable, the value and benefits of a Hofstra education, coupled with the success of our graduates, render those costs a worthwhile investment in your student’s future. Funding it can seem daunting, but rest assured, there are many options available to help you and your student meet the costs of a Hofstra education. In fact, approximately 85% of Hofstra students qualify for some form of financial aid. That means it is likely that your student will qualify too. SFS is here to help you and your student make the most of the available options. To maximize financial aid opportunities, you and your student must: • Learn about eligibility for various funding programs that are available. • Follow instructions provided on all application forms and other materials. • Pay close attention to deadline dates. To learn about loan programs, visit hofstra.edu/learnaboutloans.
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Application Process
All students are automatically reviewed for academic scholarships via the admission application; no separate application is needed. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only required application for federal financial aid (i.e., grants, loans, work-study) at Hofstra University. The federal formula is used to determine eligibility for financial aid. Please remember that your student must reapply each year for which they are seeking assistance. The application may be filed at fafsa.gov. You and your student will need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID in order to sign the web version electronically. When you complete the FAFSA, please be sure to use Hofstra’s school code (002732). A FAFSA must be filed annually and can be completed on October 1 each year for the upcoming academic year. To best assist you, Hofstra must receive your FAFSA as soon as possible. To receive the Federal Direct Loan or Parent PLUS Loan funds, the loan must be certified by the University prior to the student’s last date of attendance. Although first-year and transfer students will receive an official Financial Aid Notification in the mail, all first-year and continuing students can view their awards on the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu. Students should check their Pride email for notification when the financial package is completed and ready to view. Timely submission of application forms and other required documentation enables the SFS staff to process requests accurately and without delay.
Federal Financial Aid
Federal grants, including PELL, SEOG, and TEACH, can be applied for by filing the FAFSA. The offer of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans will appear on the student’s Financial Aid Notification. Students need to accept or decline their awards on the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu. If the student is offered a Federal Direct Loan and it is the student’s first loan with Hofstra, an entrance interview explaining the aspects of the loan program is required before the funds can be released. The entrance interview can be completed at studentloans.gov. In addition, the student must complete an MPN (master promissory note). First-time borrowers are encouraged to complete these loan requirements no later than June 1 to ensure that credit for the loan appears on the student’s bill.
Federal Parent PLUS Loans
The Federal Parent PLUS Loan allows parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow money to assist with educational expenses. These loans do carry credit criteria, and the direct loan servicer has the final discretion on approval. Students must be enrolled at least part time (minimum of 6 credits per semester) and meet all other federal eligibility criteria. The annual limit is the student’s cost of attendance less any other type of financial aid, and no aggregate limit exists. To request a Parent PLUS Loan, you and your student must
