Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students
Understanding & Applying for Financial Aid
Only after you are accepted into the college can Hilbert offer you financial assistance. Hilbert admits students on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time. It is crucial to apply as soon as possible to give yourself enough time to get ready, finish your financial aid paperwork, and register.
We understand that filing for financial aid can be confusing at times. If you have any questions, stop by the Office of Student Finance on the second floor of Franciscan Hall or contact us at: (716) 649-7900 or studentfinance@hilbert.edu.
Students are encouraged to apply for aid by January 1 to qualify for priority packaging.
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Hilbert College federal student code is 002735
- Hilbert College New York state "TAP" code is 2083
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For student aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). List the Hilbert College, federal code 002735, on the form. You must file the FAFSA to be eligible for federal and state grants and loans, Hilbert scholarships, or work-study employment.
For more tips on filling out your FAFSA, see one of our financial aid counselors or visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.
FAFSA Application Details
What Information Do I Need to Submit a FAFSA?
Gather the following information before you fill out your FAFSA:
- Your driver’s license and Social Security card.
- Your federal income tax returns and those of your parents (for dependent students). Also, the required W-2 forms.
- Records of untaxed income, such as Social Security or AFDC benefits.
- Current bank statements.
- Records of stocks, bonds, and other investments.
- Business records.
- Your alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen.
If your tax forms are not complete, you can estimate your tax information and then forward a copy of both your taxes and your parents’ (for dependent students) to the Office of Student Finance once they are completed.
When Should I Submit the 2025-26 FAFSA?
New students who plan to begin classes at Hilbert in the fall of 2025 should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available in December. Returning Hilbert students should complete the FAFSA by the March 15th to meet priority deadline. More information about the application process for undergraduate and graduate students is available on our website.
What's changing with the FAFSA?
There are several benefits of the FAFSA simplification act, including a more streamlined application process and a better user experience for the FAFSA, expanded eligibility for federal student aid, and reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless, and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds).
Some fundamental changes include, but are not limited to:
The FAFSA will be shorter and more user-friendly.
The FAFSA will reduce the maximum number of questions from 108 to 46. And because the FAFSA on the Web is dynamic, some students won't even be presented with all 46 questions. This streamlined format will simplify the application process and make it less daunting for students and their families.
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application must be completed separately.
The API, which allows students who have submitted a FAFSA online to electronically transfer data they provided on their application to their New York State TAP application, will not be available for the entirety of the 2025–2026 academic year. Students will need to apply for TAP directly at https://www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw/
Goodbye IRS data retrieval; Hello Direct Data Exchange
Previously, users had the option to enter their tax information manually or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. In 2025-26, all persons on the FAFSA must provide consent for the Department of Education to receive tax information or confirmation of non-filing status directly from the IRS. In a very small number of cases, students and families will have to enter their tax data manually, but for most, that data will be automatically transferred into the application. This change makes it easier to complete the FAFSA and reduces the number of questions to be answered.
Students will now invite “Contributors” to do their part of the FAFSA separately.
A contributor refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student's form (such as a parent/stepparent or spouse). A student's or parent's answers on the FAFSA will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.
Contributors will receive an email informing them that they've been identified as such and will need to log in using their own FSA ID (if they don't already have one) to provide the required information on the student's FAFSA.
Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student's education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the FAFSA or the application will be incomplete, and the student will not be eligible for federal student aid. Learn who is a contributor on the FAFSA form.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
A notable terminology update within the new FAFSA is the replacement of the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI). This name more accurately describes the number used to determine aid eligibility and, unlike the EFC, the SAI may be a negative number down to -1500.
The number in college will not be used to calculate SAI.
Previously, the FAFSA calculated the number of household members attending college into the EFC, dividing it proportionately to determine federal aid eligibility. Beginning with the 2025-26 FAFSA, the application will still ask how many household members are in college, but your answer will not be calculated into the SAI. As such, undergraduate DU students with siblings in college may see a change in their federal aid eligibility.
The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA in cases of divorce or separation has changed.
For dependent students, financial information was previously needed from the parent(s) the student had lived with the most in the last 12 months. With the new FAFSA, financial information will be required from the parent(s) who provided the most financial support to the student.
Financial Aid Notification
An email will be sent to the address listed on the FAFSA when your financial aid package is ready. This email will direct you to your personal financial aid account. It will describe your financial aid package, including information on how much the government determines what you should be able to pay. This is called your EFC (estimated family contribution). The offer letter will likely include loans, grants, and maybe even scholarships. After you review and understand the financial aid, you must accept or decline each award.
*Federal and State financial aid can only be applied toward courses that count toward your degree.*
Scholarships & Grants
Our scholarships are based on holistic review of your admissions application and high school averages for incoming first time in college and transfer students. We offer scholarships for every admitted on-ground incoming student.
Learn About Our Scholarships
Online Payments and e-billing
All billing will be done electronically via Nelnet, ensuring a convenient, secure, cost-effective, and paperless process. Students can add parents or a third party as authorized users and will receive automatic email notifications. Payments can be done via bank account or credit cards.
To access Nelnet, log into your Self-service account. On the Finance tab, select Payment Options.
Go to Self-Service