FA program for Hamilton College??

[giugg1]

<p>I'm really interested in Hamilton College (in Clinton, NY), but I'm unsure about their FA program. I've heard conflicting messages about it from different people...so if anybody could help me out that would be great! thank you!!</p>

[sybbie719]

<p>Hamilton is pretty straight forward about financial aid and their process.</p>

<p>Link to financial aid website at Hamilton College</p>

<p>[Hamilton</a> College - Financial Aid - Home](<a href=“http://www.hamilton.edu/finaid]Hamilton”>Financial Aid - Tuition & Financial Aid - Hamilton College)</p>

<p>

With generous financial aid, the cost of a Hamilton education can be surprisingly affordable – sometimes more affordable than that offered by a fine public university. Here’s why:</p>

<p>We promise to meet the full demonstrated need, for all four years, of each student we accept who qualifies for aid based on their annual financial aid application.</p>

<p>Financial aid makes it possible for approximately half of our students to attend Hamilton each year.</p>

<p>The average financial aid package (scholarship, loan, work-study) for 2011-12 is $35,200.</p>

<p>The average Hamilton College scholarship for 2011-12 is $30,700 and does not have to be repaid.

</p>

<p>[Hamilton</a> College - Financial Aid - Financial Need](<a href=“http://www.hamilton.edu/finaid/need]Hamilton”>Policies - Determining Financial Need - Hamilton College)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Criteria Used To Determine Need-Based Aid:</p>

<p>Siblings attending an undergraduate institution full-time</p>

<p>Financial information from biological, adoptive, and non-custodial parents</p>

<p>Income (adjusted gross income plus any untaxed income)</p>

<p>A minimum student contribution of $1,500 is expected from most students</p>

<p>Business net worth, stock losses, depreciation, business losses, and the like</p>

<p>Student and parent assets (such as cash savings and investments)</p>

<p>Factors We Do NOT Consider:</p>

<p>Siblings attending a graduate institution</p>

<p>Siblings attending a private secondary school</p>

<p>Parents attending an undergraduate or graduate institution</p>

<p>Equity in the primary home of residence</p>

<p>A family’s individual debt levels</p>

<p>Retirement savings accounts</p>

<p>Policies:</p>

<p>The family is viewed as the primary source of funding for a Hamilton education.</p>

<p>To be eligible for Hamilton College Scholarship, students must meet deadlines for financial aid materials unless there are extraordinary circumstances.</p>

<p>Financial aid for study abroad is funded up to the cost of attendance at Hamilton.</p>

<p>Outside scholarships will first replace self-help (work-study and loan) before they affect Hamilton College Scholarship.</p>

<p>Students are eligible for four years of financial aid. Requests for funding for additional years of support would be considered on a case-by-case (appeal) basis.

</p>

[giugg1]

<p>how big of a part do loans play in typical FA packages? i am hoping to go somewhere where loans do not play a big factor.</p>

[Erin_s_Dad]

<p>Loans are a very typical part of FA packaging. Hamilton is not on the list of schools that have pledged to limit or not use loans. [Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php)</p>