Review your FAFSA
Most student aid is based upon financial need, which is determined by the results of your FAFSA. The first step you should take is to ensure that the information you submitted on your FAFSA is correct. If your initial submission contained errors, you should correct your data on the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.gov. If your original data was correct when first submitted but your financial circumstances have changed since you filed the FAFSA, then, depending upon your situation, you may be eligible for review through a process called Professional Judgment. This process allows a financial aid administrator, under specific circumstances, to review your FAFSA eligibility based on new documentation, which will possibly change your eligibility for federal student aid. To determine if you are eligible, you should complete and submit the Professional Judgment Worksheet, available on our Applications and Forms menu. We will review your circumstances and notify you about opportunities for additional grants, federal loans, and alternative loans.
Change in Eligibility Increase
If you have enrolled for additional credit points and your tuition and/or fees have increased, if your housing status has changed (i.e. "off campus" vs. "on campus"), or if your grade level has changed, then your eligibility for federal loans (and possibly other types of student aid) may be reevaluated. Contact the Office of Financial Aid or send an e-mail message to explain your status change at NYU and to request that your aid be reviewed and/or your federal loan amount be increased if you are deemed eligible. If so, we will certify the additional amount(s) and send you a revised financial aid award notification. (Please note that annual and aggregate maximum borrowing limits apply to the Federal Stafford Loan.)
This change may also affect your eligibility for private student loans. Once you have maximized your federal loan eligibility then you may apply for additional private loan amounts to meet the cost of attendance. (See our information about Private Loans.) Once we have received approval from your lender, the Office of Financial Aid will certify the private loan and then notify you accordingly.
Individual Budget Appeal
If you find that your miscellaneous education-related expenses for the academic year (e.g. books and supplies, computer equipment, etc.) will exceed those projected in NYU's estimated budget for your total cost of attendance (see Tuition, Fees, and Expenses), please submit the Budget Appeal form, also available on our Applications and Forms menu.
General Scholarship Increase Request
Returning undergraduate students who have submitted their FAFSA and wish to increase or add scholarship funding to their financial aid package may do so via the annual appeal process. During appeal season, our online Appeal Form for Returning Undergraduates is available on the Applications and Forms menu. Students must meet the specified appeal deadline and include an explanation of why they are seeking additional funding. Appeal results are typically based on financial need and academic performance. The amount of appeal funds available varies each year, and individual NYU schools work closely with the Office of Financial Aid throughout the process to make the appeal determination.
NYU graduate students should consult with the admissions/financial aid representative in their school or program department (see "School Financial Aid Contacts" on our alphabetical list of References and Resources.
Conclusion
Regardless of your status, we strongly encourage all students to explore the many private scholarships available.
You also may find NYU Payment Plans to be helpful. Although they are not a form of financial aid, NYU Payment Plans provide a good way to budget and plan your payments for each semester.
