Financial Aid FAQs

Financial aid includes any funds provided to students and their families to help cover the cost of higher education. These funds may come from a variety of sources, including federal, state, institutional, and private programs.

All students seeking help with college costs should apply for financial aid.
Not all federal aid is based on financial need, so we strongly encourage every student—regardless of family income—to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you’re a New York State resident, be sure to also apply for state-specific aid.

Apply for financial aid as early as possible. To maximize your chances of receiving the best financial aid package, submit your application by February 1.

Remember, you must reapply for financial aid each year to remain eligible.

Financial Need is a calculation the government uses to determine how much assistance you may require paying for college. In simple terms, it’s the difference between your total college costs and the amount you and your family are expected to contribute.

To calculate it, we begin by adding up your total cost of attendance—this includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Then we subtract the amount you and your family are expected to contribute, known as the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated from the information you provide on the FAFSA form. The remaining amount is your financial need.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, a student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. Additionally, the student must not be in default on any previous student loans, owe a repayment to the U.S. Department of Education, or have a drug conviction.

International students applying for admission may be considered for Hilbert scholarships, but they are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Each student will be offered financial aid. Financial aid can include a mix of different types of assistance to help cover college costs:

• Scholarships: Merit-based awards that do not need to be repaid.
• Grants: Need-based funds that also do not require repayment.
• Student Loans: Borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest.
• Work-Study: Part-time employment opportunities to help pay for college expenses.

These combined forms of aid can help make higher education more affordable.

• You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• New York State residents should apply for New York State aid.
• We encourage international students to complete a CSS Profile.

Yes, you must apply for admission before the Office of Student Finance can consider your eligibility for financial aid, including scholarships. You can apply online or contact the Office of Admissions at (716) 926-8780.

Hilbert has a staff of financial aid counselors who can help you fill out the necessary forms. But you should keep the following tips in mind when completing the form.

1. Because much of the information supplied on the FAFSA is taken from you and/or your parents’ (for dependent students) federal income tax forms, you should make every effort to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA to complete accurately and completely.
2. Complete the entire form; don’t leave any questions blank.
3. Be especially careful when entering numbers such as your Social Security number.
4. Double-check your answers before submitting the FAFSA.

For financial aid consideration for the 2025-2026 academic year, a student can be considered an independent student if they meet at least one of the criteria the federal government has established. Below are some of the conditions they have established:

• Born before January 1, 2001
• Active Duty or Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Enrolled in a graduate or professional program
• Married
• Orphan, in Foster Care or a Ward of the Court
• Have legal dependents other than a spouse
• If you are estranged from your parents and this can be documented by an independent, professional third party (member of the clergy, social worker, counselor, etc.), please see a Hilbert financial aid counselor for assistance.

New Students will receive their financial aid award offers through the mail and sent to the email provided to us on their FAFSA. Returning students will be sent their financial aid award offers to their Hilbert emails.

Accept Your Financial Aid 

Pell and/or student loans may be available, depending on the amount you utilized during the prior Fall and Spring semesters and the number of credit hours you are enrolled in during the summer.  Please see a Hilbert financial aid counselor if you are considering taking summer classes to determine your financial aid eligibility for the summer.

Students who withdraw from school may be expected to repay a portion of their financial aid. Any refundable amount used to pay tuition and fees or for college housing is returned to the appropriate financial aid sources.

If you or your parents (for dependent students) experienced a change in financial situation, you can request the Student Finance Office reevaluate your aid eligibility and complete a FAFSA special circumstance review.

FAFSA special circumstances refer to situations where a student’s or family’s financial information may not accurately reflect their current situation. These can lead to a review and potential adjustment of financial aid eligibility. Examples include:

• Loss of Income: Job termination, reduced hours, divorce, or death of a parent/spouse.
• Reduced or Lost Untaxed Income/Benefits: Decrease in unemployment benefits or other support.
• Unusual Medical/Dental Expenses: High medical/dental bills not covered by insurance.
• Dependent Care Expenses: Significant childcare or dependent care costs.
• Natural Disasters or Disabilities: Financial hardship due to natural disasters or disabilities.

Please contact our office if you have any questions or think you may qualify for a special circumstance review.

Any balance remaining after grants, scholarships and loans can be paid with cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover. The college also offers a monthly payment plan, which divides the semester’s balance into four manageable monthly payments. In addition, many employers offer a tuition reimbursement benefit to qualified employees. Students who are sponsored under this benefit may defer tuition payment until two weeks after the grade reports for the semester are mailed.

All financial aid will be credited to your Hilbert billing account. If the credited charges exceed what you owe Hilbert, then a refund check will be disbursed to you. Your refund check may be picked up at the Office of Student Finance located on the second floor of Franciscan Hall.

You will receive work-study wages as hours are worked during the pay period. Students receive paychecks every two weeks for the hours they worked.

Work-study is a form of financial aid. This program provides jobs for students who need to supplement their earnings to meet a portion of their educational expenses. Students are paid for work they perform at on-campus jobs. Students who are eligible for the program must be enrolled at least half-time. More information about the work-study program and job openings is available online via Handshake.  Students can work 20 hours maximum per week.