The choice to pursue a graduate education is an investment in your professional future that never loses its value. At Hofstra University, we work to make your graduate studies as affordable as possible. Our Student Financial Services team is here to assist you with everything from filing your FAFSA, to navigating the financial aid resources available to you.
Student Financial Services Suite
206 Memorial Hall
Phone: 516-463-8000
SFS Fax: 516-463-4936
Email: SFS@hofstra.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm*
*4pm on Fridays in the summer
The first step to applying for financial aid for your graduate education is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. The toll-free telephone number for FAFSA is 1-800-4-FEDAID. Hofstra’s federal school code is 002732. We encourage continuing students to file the FAFSA every year by November 15 to be considered for federal aid.
At the graduate level, tuition is billed per credit. Rates vary by school and in some cases by special program. Payment plans are available and in many cases, part-time study options can be arranged by your advisor. Visit hofstra.edu/tuition for up to date tuition and fee information.
The U.S. Department of Education offers a variety of federal grants. Grants are often called “gift aid” because they do not have to be repaid. Grants are often need-based.
For example, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides grants of up to $3,752 per year to undergraduate and graduate students in eligible education programs who intend to teach in high-need fields in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families (for awards received October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019). A service (work) obligation is required, or the grant converts to an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Students apply for this grant by filing the FAFSA and completing TEACH Grant Counseling and an Agreement to Serve.
Loans are available to assist students in meeting the cost of their education. To allow adequate processing time for bill payment and avoid late fees, students beginning classes in fall 2019 should apply for loans by June 1, 2019 ; students beginning classes in spring 2020 should apply by December 1, 2019 . Please note: If you are attending in both fall and spring and you are applying for loans, please apply for the amount you need for the full academic year, not just one semester.
The federal government guarantees low-cost Unsubsidized Stafford and Graduate PLUS Loans to qualified students through the Direct Loan Program. The loans are originated by Hofstra to the federal government. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine their DL eligibility. Direct Loans must be certified prior to the end of the student's enrollment period.
requires 2017 tax information).
Please note that Hofstra University is required to submit loan information to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This information is accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system as well as borrowers.
Alternative student loans are private loans offered by lenders to help meet educational costs. These loans usually have variable interest rates, which, unlike loans from the Direct Loan (DL) Program, are not set by the federal government. Most lenders require students with limited credit history to have a cosigner. Some alternative loans can be borrowed retroactively to cover outstanding bills. For help in choosing a lender and evaluating loan benefits, visit hofstra.edu/learnaboutloans .
For a list of alternative student loan lenders, please visit http://www.finaid.org/ .
Links are provided as a general information resource for the use of visitors to the website. The links provided are maintained by their respective organizations and they are solely responsible for their content. Hofstra does not favor one link over the other, nor does Hofstra endorse or profit, in whole or in part, from any products or services offered or promoted by any of the websites whose links appear.
The Office of Student Employment offers on-campus employment options for graduate students while enrolled at the University. The office, located in the Human Resources Center on North Campus, provides services on a walk-in basis.
Graduate student positions include graduate assistants, resident directors, and tutors. Federal Work-Study positions may also be available for eligible students who have completed a FAFSA. For all on-campus graduate student positions, applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree and be enrolled in graduate-level classes at Hofstra University. For a list of current employment opportunities, please visit hofstra.edu/jobs and click on "Student Jobs." Job listings are also posted on bulletin boards located on the second floor of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus. For more information, please call the Office of Student Employment at 516-463-6782.
Graduate assistantships are part-time positions within a campus administrative office or student services area. Some assistantships offer a compensation package that includes a tuition waiver, while others offer a stipend or hourly wage. For all graduate assistantship positions, the applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree and be accepted as a matriculated student in a graduate or professional degree program at Hofstra University.
Scholarships are generally awarded by Hofstra and other organizations for academic or other merit. When you apply for admission, your academic credentials are evaluated for scholarships. As you continue through your program with the University, scholarships may be possible based on academic excellence. Students can also contact their major department chairperson or Dean's Office to inquire about scholarship opportunities. Please refer to the Scholarship Award letter for the renewal conditions for each award. If you receive a scholarship from an outside source such as a community group, business or other organization, please forward a copy of the award notice you received to Student Financial Services. The award must be accounted as part of your financial aid package. Obtaining scholarships from outside sources can require a bit of research, but there are tools to help you with that research. Certain scholarship and grant funds that you have received may be deemed taxable. Learn more about payments to students and their taxability.
Funds for educational purposes may be available to individuals who have physical or mental disabilities or visual impairments that are handicaps to employment. Please contact an office near your home for further information. Contact information may be found in your telephone directory under "State Agencies."
Private agencies such as religious organizations, unions, foundations, and social, civic, and cultural groups may offer scholarships to students. Please contact any organizations in which you participate to see if they offer scholarships. Please also visit fastweb.com or finaid.org for additional outside scholarship information.
Funds for educational purposes are available to veterans of the armed forces. Please call the veterans representative at Hofstra at 516-463-8000 for information.
