Financial Aid FAQs

The first step is to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal, state, and university funded financial aid. The priority FAFSA filing date for all students is April 15.

The FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/. Historically, the FAFSA has been available beginning October 1 each year.

No student should rule out a college education based solely on cost. Most colleges, including Fairleigh Dickinson University, have created generous aid and payment programs that enable students to choose a school based on merit – not price. Your child should choose a school because it offers the educational experience and learning environment that’s best for him or her. Remember, few students pay the published “sticker” cost of an education. More than four out of every five students at Fairleigh Dickinson University receive generous financial aid and scholarship support.

Private colleges like Fairleigh Dickinson have aid programs designed to help families from a wide range of income brackets. Regardless of your family income, you are encouraged to apply for financial aid. There is no set income limit – each financial aid decision is based on individual family circumstances.

No. Fairleigh Dickinson University follows a “need blind” admissions policy, meaning that we admit students based on their ability to succeed here, not on their ability to pay. Your child’s admissions application is reviewed by the Office of University Admissions, while all financial aid reviews are made by the Office of Financial Aid.

Full-time undergraduate students must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Full-time graduate students must carry a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.

Yes. You must reapply for financial aid each year in order to reassess your financial need. Depending on your circumstances, your family contribution may increase, decrease, or stay the same.

Information about tuition and fees can be found at Tuition and Fees.

Most FDU-funded scholarships and grants are annually renewable as long as the student carries a full-credit load and maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Better than you might expect. In fact, 97 percent of our students receive generous financial aid and scholarship support. FDU awards $66+ million in need and scholarship aid.

Generally, the higher the price to attend a school, the greater the financial aid package. That’s because your financial need is determined by deducting your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Total Cost of Attendance (COA). Your SAI remains the same, regardless of the school chosen. The greater your educational expenses, the more financial aid you are likely to receive.

A financial aid offer is a list of the gift aid (such as scholarships and grants) and self-help aid (such as loans and work-study employment) available to you to help fund your education.

You will receive a financial aid offer listing separately each type of aid – such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study – and the amount of each.

Scholarships and grants are “gift” money and do not need to be repaid. Work study funds are “earned” dollars for campus-based employment and do not need to be repaid. Loans must be repaid once the student leaves school.

If there is anything you feel should be brought to our attention, contact our office in writing so we may have a record of these circumstances. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to use this information in determining financial need.

Yes, more information is available at payment terms.