Applying for Financial Aid at NYU

Hey everyone, I'm beginning to plan out my college applications and NYU has always been a dream school for me. Heard that it has a reputation of being pretty expensive though. Anyone here familiar with the financial aid process for NYU? Would appreciate any tips on how to maximize aid from this school.

Hello!

Certainly, approaching college affordability is vital, especially at schools like NYU where the cost can be high.

First things first, considering your financial need, you'll want to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form typically becomes available on October 1 each year, but the 2024-2025 FAFSA became available in December 2023, so make sure to check the official site for accurate information. It's best to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. NYU's priority deadline for FAFSA is typically February 20.

The FAFSA is what the federal government, states, and colleges use to determine your eligibility for scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. The FAFSA is also used by NYU to help determine your eligibility for need-based aid. As of 2023, FAFSA uses the Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), so your SAI will play a big role in determining your aid.

Next, you'll want to complete the CSS Profile. This is required by some private colleges, including NYU, to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the school's own grants or scholarships.

Remember, in addition to need-based aid, merit scholarships could also be an option. Although the application process for NYU does not require a separate application for most of their merit scholarships, it does value both academics and talent. Doing well in college rigor and standardized tests may place you in a better position for these grants.

Achieving at least the middle 50% for admitted NYU students in terms of GPA and test scores can place you in a competitive footing. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, NYU is test-optional, so the decision to submit your standardized test scores should depend on whether they strengthen your application.

Finally, applying Early Decision could be a strategy in terms of maximizing aid. Schools like NYU, which practice binding Early Decision, tend to provide better financial aid packages to students who apply through this method, as they are trying to ensure that financial barriers don't prevent admitted students from enrolling. However, bear in mind that if admitted through Early Decision, you are obligated to attend NYU if the provided financial aid package is feasible for you and your family. Therefore, you must use the net price calculator provided by the school to see if attending NYU is going to be financially feasible.

I hope these tips are helpful as you start navigating the financial aid process at NYU!