Application Process & Deadlines

Determining need

Union aid is based upon a family's financial need, as demonstrated by the PROFILE Form, FAFSA, and verified by the parents' and student's federal tax returns. Differences between application estimates and actual figures on the tax returns and verification questionnaire may result in adjustments to a student's award. Financial need is the difference between total cost and the expected family contribution*. At Union, we use the data on your PROFILE and FAFSA as a guide in determining your expected family contribution and may change the actual expected contribution, either up or down, using the professional judgment of our financial aid staff. The family contribution is composed of both parent and student expectations. Parent contribution is derived from income and asset information given on the PROFILE, FAFSA, and tax return. Adjustments are made for taxes paid, siblings in college, age of parents (for purposes of estimating retirement needs), an income protection allowance dependent upon family size. The student portion of the family contribution comprises a minimum income expectation of $2,000 as well as a portion of the student's savings. The expectation from income may be higher for those students whose income exceeds the minimum.

*The EFC Calculator is available through the College Board's website for your convenience to estimate what your family will be expected to contribute.

Receiving Aid

If the Admissions Committee offers you a place in the class, your financial aid decision will arrive with your letter of admission by late March. Once need is determined, the Financial Aid Office constructs an aid 'package' to meet that need. The package typically consists of a combination of various scholarships, grants, work awards, and loans. When determining the proportion of scholarship to loans and jobs, the Financial Aid Office takes into account financial need, scholastic potential and accomplishment, character, leadership, and extracurricular potential. Students will initially be reviewed for Federal Pell Grant and state grant eligibility. Eligible students will be offered 'self-help' in the form of a job opportunity and loan(s). For most entering first-year students, the typical self-help component of a package includes $1,800 in either a Federal Work-Study or Union College job as well as a $5,500 loan. The rest of the aid package may consist of grants, local awards, and Union College scholarship assistance. It is the obligation of the student and the family to meet expenses beyond the aid awarded. Late applicants run the risk of receiving an aid package that does not meet 100 percent of their need.

Verification

Because aid resources are limited, Union attempts to allocate those resources as equitably as possible. Accordingly, all aid awards are verified for accuracy. Parents and students are required to submit copies of federal tax returns and other information as requested (business supplement, trust agreement, divorce agreement, verification of other siblings in college). We reserve the right to modify any award based on verified information.

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Admissions Home Visit Campus Apply to Union Cost & Financial Aid Costs Aid Programs Application Process & Deadlines New Students Returning Students Loan Process Tools and Resources Contact Us Forms Union at a Glance FAQs Contact Us	Application Process & Deadlines Determining need Union aid is based upon a family's financial need, as demonstrated by the PROFILE Form, FAFSA, and verified by the parents' and student's federal tax returns. Differences between application estimates and actual figures on the tax returns and verification questionnaire may result in adjustments to a student's award. Financial need is the difference between total cost and the expected family contribution. At Union, we use the data on your PROFILE and FAFSA as a guide in determining your expected family contribution and may change the actual expected contribution, either up or down, using the professional judgment of our financial aid staff. The family contribution is composed of both parent and student expectations. Parent contribution is derived from income and asset information given on the PROFILE, FAFSA, and tax return. Adjustments are made for taxes paid, siblings in college, age of parents (for purposes of estimating retirement needs), an income protection allowance dependent upon family size. The student portion of the family contribution comprises a minimum income expectation of $2,000 as well as a portion of the student's savings. The expectation from income may be higher for those students whose income exceeds the minimum. The EFC Calculator is available through the College Board's website for your convenience to estimate what your family will be expected to contribute. Receiving Aid If the Admissions Committee offers you a place in the class, your financial aid decision will arrive with your letter of admission by late March. Once need is determined, the Financial Aid Office constructs an aid 'package' to meet that need. The package typically consists of a combination of various scholarships, grants, work awards, and loans. When determining the proportion of scholarship to loans and jobs, the Financial Aid Office takes into account financial need, scholastic potential and accomplishment, character, leadership, and extracurricular potential. Students will initially be reviewed for Federal Pell Grant and state grant eligibility. Eligible students will be offered 'self-help' in the form of a job opportunity and loan(s). For most entering first-year students, the typical self-help component of a package includes $1,800 in either a Federal Work-Study or Union College job as well as a $5,500 loan. The rest of the aid package may consist of grants, local awards, and Union College scholarship assistance. It is the obligation of the student and the family to meet expenses beyond the aid awarded. Late applicants run the risk of receiving an aid package that does not meet 100 percent of their need. Verification Because aid resources are limited, Union attempts to allocate those resources as equitably as possible. Accordingly, all aid awards are verified for accuracy. Parents and students are required to submit copies of federal tax returns and other information as requested (business supplement, trust agreement, divorce agreement, verification of other siblings in college). We reserve the right to modify any award based on verified information.
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