New Students - Freshman and Transfer
Applying for Financial Aid
Nine out of ten Clarkson students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study jobs. We automatically consider all students for merit scholarships based on your admission application. To qualify for need-based aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Clarkson Federal School Code – 002699
The FAFSA application will ask for information from you and your parents’ (dependent students) prior year IRS tax information. We recommend you file your FAFSA after you have filed your taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If this is not possible, you may file your FAFSA with estimated figures and update your information after you have filed your taxes. You may be eligible to file or update your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Once your FAFSA is processed, you will receive a summary of your FAFSA information, called a Student Aid Report (SAR), via email if you entered an email address on your FAFSA. If you did not enter an email address, you will receive your SAR in approximately 10 days via US Postal Service. Please review your SAR carefully for accuracy and for any messages describing issues affecting your eligibility for federal financial aid.
If you need to make changes to your FAFSA or update the financial information you originally submitted, you may do so on-line at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. You will need your FSA ID and your parent's FSA ID to submit changes. If you are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool but did not use it when you originally filed your FAFSA, you may do so at any time.
Based on the information you submit on the FAFSA, the Department of Education may require you to verify certain information. Your SAR will contain a message if you have been selected. You will also receive an email from Student Achievement Services (SAS) indicating you have been selected and informing you of the next steps. Required forms and documentation will be listed on your "To Do" list in PeopleSoft.
As a result of submitting your FAFSA, the US Department of Education will calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). We will use your EFC to determine your financial aid eligibility and create your award package. Be sure to sign and return one copy of your Financial Aid Notification (FAN) to the Financial Aid Office.
New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) – New York State Residents may apply for TAP and other state scholarships by completing the FAFSA. On the FAFSA Submission Confirmation page there will be a link to the TAP application. If you do not apply for TAP at the time you filed the FAFSA you may also apply at www.hesc.ny.gov. Please note that certain scholarships awarded by New York State, such as the NYS Award for Academic Excellence, require you to submit a FAFSA annually.
Clarkson NYS TAP Code - 0120
Estimated Costs
Costs are based on full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours) for both Fall and Spring Semesters.
Fall and Spring Semesters
2023-2024 Freshman & Transfer Estimated Costs
| Resident Students | Commuter Student (living with parent) | Off Campus Apartment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $56,642 | $56,642 | $56,642 |
| Fees | $1,308 | $1,308 | $1,308 |
| Average Room Cost | $10,026 | N/A | $10,026 |
| Housing Allowance | N/A | $3,742 | N/A |
| Food Allowance | N/A | $2,436 | N/A |
| Board | $7,766 | N/A | $7,766 |
| Average Loan Fees | $68 | $68 | $68 |
| Books | $1,560 | $1,560 | $1,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $900 | $900 | $900 |
| Transportation Allowance | $1,596 | $2,570 | $1,596 |
| Total Costs | $79,866 | $69,266 | $79,866 |
2022-2023 Freshman & Transfer Estimated Costs
| Resident Students | Commuter Student (living with parent) | Off Campus Apartment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $54,960 | $54,960 | $54,960 |
| Fees | $1,298 | $1,298 | $1,298 |
| Average Room Cost | $9,240 | N/A | $9,240 |
| Housing Allowance | N/A | $3,632 | N/A |
| Food Allowance | N/A | $2,436 | N/A |
| Board | $7,766 | N/A | $7,766 |
| Average Loan Fees | $68 | $68 | $68 |
| Books | $1,560 | $1,560 | $1,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $900 | $900 | $900 |
| Transportation Allowance | $1,596 | $2,570 | $1,596 |
| Total Costs | $77,388 | $64966 | $77,388 |
*Total Direct Costs apply to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
**Housing rate is the typical cost of freshman housing. Some dorms have higher rates.
Application Deadlines
First-year Students
To be eligible for merit scholarships and grants, we need to receive your admission application by January 15th. If you are applying early decision, the deadline is December 1st. For need-based aid, we recommend that you file the FAFSA by February 1st.
Transfer Students
Transfer student financial aid is awarded on a rolling basis. For fall enrollment, priority is given to those who submit the FAFSA by April 15th, and we recommend that students complete the FAFSA by July 1st. For spring enrollment, FAFSA submission by December 1st is encouraged.
Special Circumstances Appeal
The Financial Aid Office has the authority to make professional judgments and adjustments to your eligibility within specific guidelines from US Department of Education rules and regulations.
We understand that some families may have changes or special circumstances that should be considered when calculating financial need. We are committed to considering all facts and assisting families however we can. If you feel you have a special circumstance or have had a family change since filing your FAFSA, please write a detailed letter explaining your situation so we can assess how we may be able to help. We are unable to consider consumer indebtedness as a special circumstance as families make different choices that result in various amounts of consumer debt.
Please note that we will begin officially processing Special Circumstances on March 1 as part of the process is determining a reasonable estimate of your current financial situation. You are welcome to submit the letter explaining the situation at any time and we will request appropriate documentation after reviewing it. If you have further questions, please email NewStudentFA@clarkson.edu.
Your appeal will be reviewed carefully, and if approved, adjustments will be made to your financial aid award package based on the availability of funds.