Invest in Your Future

invest in your future

A college education is the most important investment you will make.

By any definition, a college degree has always been the surest way to success. A university education enables you to follow your dreams, build a career, make connections with faculty and alumni, establish lifelong friendships, and gain an understanding of art, culture, politics, business, history and countless other disciplines. Studies have shown that the investment you make in a college education is a sound one. Over a lifetime, college graduates enjoy almost double the earning power of those with a high school diploma alone.

At Hofstra University, you’ll learn from faculty who are experts in their fields, and you’ll receive an education designed for real-world application. You’ll have opportunities to lead, experiment and meet students and alumni from around the world. You’ll gain valuable experience through internships, extracurricular activities and advanced scholarship.

You can see from the success of our alumni – in fields such as business, the arts, sciences, public service, education and the media – that a Hofstra education is invaluable preparation for many endeavors. At Hofstra University, you’ll find and focus your true strengths, and gain the tools to build the future of your dreams.

To help you achieve your goal of earning a Hofstra degree, the University offers several financial aid options.

Hofstra awarded more than $65 million in financial assistance in 2009-2010, and 85 percent of Hofstra full-time undergraduate students, including more than 90 percent of first-year students, were awarded some type of financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or federal work-study. We encourage you to investigate your options thoroughly. You may be surprised how affordable a Hofstra education can be.

Invest in yourself.

The value of a Hofstra degree lasts a lifetime.

Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance: Tuition and Fees (2009-2010): $29,980 Average Housing and Dining Plan: $12,396 Books and Supplies: $1,000 Personal Expenses and Transportation: $2,822

scholarships and grants Hofstra awards scholarships and grants based on academic merit, financial need, and creative and athletic talent.

federal and state grants For families with exceptionally high financial need, there are four federal grant programs. Eligibility for all these programs, and the Teacher Education Assistance for College Grant (TEACH), is determined by the information entered on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)* • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) • National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant* • Pell Grant Additionally, New York state residents may be eligible for tuition assistance through the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). * Also based on academic criteria.

merit-based aid Merit-based aid is composed of scholarships and grants awarded to students for academic merit or athletic or creative talent.

These merit-based funds are awarded without regard to a family’s financial ability to pay for college.

• Academic merit awards are determined upon review of a student’s application for admission.

• Creative talent awards are available for students majoring in drama, dance, fine arts and music. An audition and/or portfolio is required.

• Athletic talent awards are limited to students competing in NCAA Division I athletics.

need-based aid Need-based aid is given to students after assessing a family’s financial position. These financial aid awards require a student to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at fafsa.ed.gov or may be obtained from high schools in late December. Your FAFSA may be submitted after January 1 and no later than February 15. Be sure to include Hofstra’s school code of 002732 on your application.

loans The federal government offers the following low-interest loan programs: • Stafford • Perkins • PLUS (parent loans for dependent undergraduate students) Eligibility is determined by the information entered on your FAFSA. In addition to the federal programs, many alternative student and parent loans are available.

federal work-study program Part-time jobs both on and off campus are available through the Federal Work-Study Program. Students work up to 20 hours per week and are paid semimonthly. Eligibility for participation in this program is determined by the information entered on your FAFSA.

hofstra.edu/FinancialAid 2

When should I file my FAFSA? Apply early. Hofstra strongly encourages you to apply no later than February 15.

What if I have not completed my taxes by February?

Even if your income tax return is not completed, you can still file your FAFSA by February 15. The FAFSA allows you to estimate figures and then update them later in the process.

Online or paper: Which is preferred?

We do not prefer one application over another.

However, we do know that applications filed online typically move faster through the application process and have fewer errors.

When will I hear back?

The U.S. Department of Education sends a personalized Student Aid Report (SAR) once your FAFSA has been processed. As long as Hofstra is listed on your SAR, the University receives your FAFSA information electronically. Hofstra begins mailing financial aid award notices in early March.

Merit- or need-based aid: What is the difference?

Merit-based aid is composed of scholarships and grants awarded to students in view of specific talents or accomplishments. Need-based aid is given to students after assessing a family’s financial position and expected contribution.

Can I work on campus?

On-campus employment opportunities include the Federal Work-Study Program, summer employment, and temporary employment, as well as positions such as undergraduate assistants, resident assistants, resident safety representatives (RSRs), student patrol officers, and lifeguards. For further information, visit hofstra.edu/studentemployment.

Are there payment plans?

Hofstra offers a monthly payment plan and a deferred payment option.

monthly payment plan The University offers a monthly payment plan.

Please visit hofstra.edu/tuition for tuition and fee information.

Note: Tuition and fee information posted on the Hofstra Web site is for one term and should be doubled to determine the annual amount. Monthly payment plan participants are not entitled to defer any balances beyond their financial aid and plan amounts.

deferred payment option Students may defer a portion of the amount due after financial aid. This amount cannot be greater than 50 percent of the amount due after financial aid, and cannot exceed $3,500. The amount deferred for fall is due by October 15 and the amount deferred for spring is due by March 17.

Are there other ways to pay for college if I don’t qualify for merit- or need-based aid?

Students can apply for outside sources of aid through their high school, church or other community organizations. Parents should check to see if their employers offer scholarships to children of employees. Local libraries are an excellent resource for possible scholarship sources. Free scholarship search databases such as fastweb.com are available online.

where to learn more about financing your education Hofstra University Office of Student Financial Services Phone: (516) 463-8000 hofstra.edu/FinancialAid

Hofstra at a Glance A Look at the Class of 2013

Average HS GPA: 3.4 Students with GPA of 3.0 or Higher: 75% Average SAT: 1186 Students From Outside New York State: 47% Students Who Live on Campus: 74%

Costs and Financial Aid (2009-2010) Tuition and Fees: $29,980 Average Housing and Dining Plan: $12,396 Average Financial Aid Package: $15,176 Students Awarded Financial Aid: 85%

Geographic Profile

U.S. States and Territories: 51 Foreign Countries: 73

Academic Profile

Undergraduate Areas of Study: More than 145 Full-time Faculty Holding Advanced Degree: 90 percent Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1 Average Undergraduate Class Size: 22

Facilities and Resources

Library Holdings: 1.2 million print volumes Residence Halls: 37 Student Clubs and Organizations: 170

Varsity Athletics NCAA Division I Baseball (M) Basketball (M/W) Cross Country (M/W) Field Hockey (W) Football (M) Golf (M/W) Lacrosse (M/W) Soccer (M/W) Softball (W) Tennis (M/W) Volleyball (W) Wrestling (M)

21536:10/09