The Value of a Siena Education:

Siena College is committed to providing access to our undergraduate liberal arts education. Siena’s tuition, on average, is $7,000 less per year than our top 10 private college competitors. In addition, at Siena, 91% of students receive financial aid.

Keeping it Simple:

Applying for aid is the first step. At Siena, we try to keep it simple – you only need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). I recommend that you complete this application on-line for two reasons:

1. Timing – electronic applications are processed faster and your information will be sent to the colleges sooner

2. Edit Checks – there are built in edits that review your application for illogical responses, which dramatically reduce the number of errors on applications.

You can complete the FAFSA after January 1 of your senior year in high school. You should try to file as close to February 15 as you can. This will allow us to put together your aid package and send it to you by the first week in April.

Find the FAFSA here: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Considering the Bottom Line:

Once we receive your FAFSA, we will determine your eligibility for federal and state aid as well as aid from Siena College. These sources in combination will make up your financial aid package. A few things to keep in mind when reviewing your aid offers – pay careful attention to what you are going to have to pay – after your aid – to attend your college. This is often called the “net cost”. It is also important to be aware of what each of the sources of aid in the package are – grants and scholarships vs. loans and work options.

Staying in Contact:

If you have circumstances that cannot be reflected on the FAFSA, make sure you let us know. We will take into account changes in your family’s financial circumstances that may impact your ability to attend Siena. It’s best to notify us in writing; an e-mail or letter to the financial aid office describing the circumstances is the best place to start.

Keep up the good work:

As your approach the next academic year – keep up the good work! The classes you take and the grades you receive in those classes can increase the options available to you.

Other Resources for Financial Aid:

· Use your guidance office as a resource for local scholarship
opportunities.
· Use the Internet to search for private scholarships to apply for.
Try the links below:

http://www.finaid.org/
http://www.fastweb.com/
http://www.hesc.com/ (for New York State residents)

Finally, stay in touch with us – we are here to help throughout the process!

To contact Financial Aid at Siena:
Call 1-888-AT-SIENA
or email aid@siena.edu

For another look at Financial Aid at Siena, meet our Associate Director, Priscilla Armsby, and learn just how easy the financial aid process can be.