Determining Financial Need

Financial Need = Cost of Attendance minus Total Family Contribution.

The cost of attendance (COA) is the sum of direct and estimated costs (see our Tuition and Fees page for more information). The total family contribution (TFC) is comprised of the parental contribution (custodial and non-custodial in a divorced/separated/never married family situation) and the student contribution.

Hamilton College requires U.S. citizens and permanent residents to complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); international students are required to complete the CSS Profile application only. These applications, along with supporting documentation, will be used to analyze each family's income, assets, and household information to determine an appropriate family contribution. Demonstrated financial need is calculated by subtracting the Total Family Contribution from the Cost of Attendance. Hamilton College meets student's demonstrated need with a combination of scholarships/grants, work-study or campus employment, and federal student loan, as applicable.

To help your family estimate what your college costs might be at Hamilton, we have developed two unique tools: MyinTuition and Net Price Calculator. (Understand this is only an estimate and only as accurate as the information that is provided; Hamilton’s own analysis may differ from what is shown. This tool is intended for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are prospective students.)

Guidelines

• The family is viewed as the primary source of funding for a Hamilton education. Financial information from biological, adoptive, custodial, and non-custodial (including spouse if remarried) parents will be considered.

• A factor in your family contribution will be siblings who are enrolled in undergraduate study and the resources your family may need to divide between children’s education if they are enrolled simultaneously. (Please note: Hamilton College does not consider siblings enrolled beyond four years of undergraduate study, graduate study, a second undergraduate degree, less than full-time enrollment, military academy enrollment, or parents enrolled in college as factors in determining eligibility.)

• To be eligible for a Hamilton College Scholarship, students must meet deadlines for financial aid materials.
• Financial aid for off-campus study is funded up to the cost of attendance at Hamilton.
• Outside scholarships will first replace self-help (work-study and loan) before they affect Hamilton College Scholarship.
• Students are eligible for four years or eight semesters of financial aid. Requests for funding for additional semesters of support would be considered on a case-by-case (appeal) basis.