Terms & Conditions of Financial Aid Awards

All scholarships and grants administered directly by Hartwick College are credited to the student’s account at the beginning of the term. Scholarship, grant, and loan funds awarded by outside sources – such as the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), loans, foundation scholarships, etc. – are credited to the student’s account when the money is received by Hartwick. Earnings from work opportunities are paid to the student every two weeks. If a student’s account shows a credit balance, the student may request a reimbursement check.

The amount owed to Hartwick is due and payable upon the issuance of semester billing statements unless satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Office of Student Accounts. The College offers an extended payment plan through an outside provider.

Hartwick Scholarships: Hartwick awards merit scholarships up to $10,000 per year. These awards do not have to be repaid. Full-time attendance is required.

Need-based Grants: Grants are based upon financial need and may be offered in addition to scholarships. Full-time attendance and annual submission of the FAFSA are required.

Federal Grants: The federal government provides Pell Grants to students with limited ability to pay for college. Many students who qualify for the Pell Grant also receive the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). Hartwick determines the SEOG amount, which depends on availability of funds. SEOG funds are not disbursed earlier than the timeframe allowed by federal regulations (no more than 10 days prior to the first date of classes for a payment period).

State Grants: New York and Vermont offer need-based student grants. For information on other states, contact your state grant agency.

Outside Scholarships: Many scholarships are offered by private sources, such as fraternal and religious organizations, labor unions, professional associations, and other civic organizations.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: Student borrowers are not responsible for interest while enrolled in college. Maximum of $3,500 your first year, $4,500 sophomore year, and $5,500 junior and senior years.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Student borrowers are responsible for interest that accrues while enrolled in college. All students are eligible to receive an Unsubsidized Direct Loan of $2,000 each year. If your parent is denied the PLUS Loan, you may borrow an additional $4,000 in your first and second year and $5,000 in your third and fourth years.

Federal Nursing Loan: All nursing students are considered for this subsidized, low-interest loan that is typically awarded to students with the greatest financial need.

Alternative Loan: Alternative loans are another option for students who have a cosigner.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan: The PLUS Loan enables your parents to borrow the difference between the total cost of attendance and any other financial aid you receive. The borrower pays the interest on the PLUS Loan. Credit approval is required for this loan.

Federal Work-Study: Federal Work-Study is a need-based program that encourages students to work on campus to help pay their college expenses. Students are paid bi-weekly for hours worked.

Tuition Payment Plan: The payment plan allows you to pay all or part of your educational expenses in 10 monthly installments. This plan is ideal for families who choose to make payments throughout the year.

If students who receive financial aid through College scholarships and/or grants withdraw because of illness or other unavoidable reasons, the scholarship or grant credits are recomputed to the date of withdrawal. A student whose financial aid is based on full-time status, but who drops to less than full-time status, will have the aid prorated according to the number of credit hours of actual enrollment. Hartwick scholarships and grants are canceled if a student does not maintain full-time status. In no case will a student receive any College funds in cash. Federal and state grant and loan programs have their own policies pertaining to part-time students and withdrawal from school and take precedence over this policy in those instances

Students are required to immediately report any scholarships, loans, or other awards received or expected from other sources for educational use. It is necessary to make them a part of the financial aid package. If a student brings outside gift assistance, Hartwick will first lower Work-Study and/or loans; if the cost of attendance is still exceeded by the receipt of outside awards, Hartwick will reduce some gift assistance. Hartwick will also reduce its scholarship assistance if outside awards stipulate that they may be applied only to tuition and cause tuition to be overfunded by a combination of Hartwick merit scholarships, New York State TAP, and the outside award.

It is assumed that a family’s financial situation will continue as indicated on the application. However, it is possible to have the aid award revised upon presenting, in writing, information that was not available at the time the aid application was completed. A favorable review of this new information could result in an increase in the aid package. This increase is contingent upon the availability of institutional funds and loan program eligibility at the time of review.

Families seeking financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. If a family’s financial situation improves, a greater contribution will be expected from the family. Conversely, if a family’s financial situation should become less favorable, less may be expected. Students must contribute from prior earnings. For continuing students, May 1 is the priority deadline for receipt by Hartwick of FAFSA results.

Students must make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree to continue receiving financial aid funds. Students not making satisfactory academic progress as defined in the College catalog will have their financial aid withdrawn until such time as they demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. SAP is evaluated annually, at the end of spring term.

The amount of an award reflects a family’s financial circumstances, and it is therefore suggested that it be considered a private matter between the student and parents and the College. Hartwick does not release this information to others. We consider it inappropriate for the amounts of awards to be publicly disclosed by recipients or their schools.

Students whose aid applications are selected by the federal government for verification will be notified by the Financial Aid Office of the documents necessary for this process. This process must be completed to comply with applicable federal regulations governing all federal student aid programs. The federal government prohibits the disbursement of federal aid, including student loans, to the student’s account until the verification process is completed. If the information supplied with the verification documents is different from the information provided on the financial aid application, an evaluation of need will be made based on the verified information. In addition, Hartwick may select a student’s application for the verification process.