Financial Aid Guarantee

After confirming the student's housing status and any corrections or adjustments to FAFSA data, we will set the institutional aid amounts. While some amounts are percentage-based, others are flat-rate based on full-time enrollment. In both cases, the finalized award will remain the same for the duration of the student's studies.

Students will be able to keep their institutional grants and scholarships for any enrollment status in their degree program (full-time, half-time, less than half-time, etc.); the funds will be prorated on the basis of attendance below full-time, in proportion to the enrollment.

For more information on prorated scholarships, visit our New School Scholarships webpage.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and are split evenly between fall and spring semesters. Merit-based scholarships will be continued through the summer term for students whose program requires summer enrollment.

Need-based grant aid awarded by The New School will be continued for summer enrollment for all students.

Awarded institutional grants and scholarships will remain the same even if a student's SAI (formerly EFC) score on the FAFSA increases. FAFSA filers should continue to file each year for aid renewal to ensure they receive any other federal or state aid they may qualify for.

The student’s specific financial aid awards may be replaced by different funds throughout the student’s enrollment as endowed or restricted funds become available, but the overall amounts are guaranteed.

This guarantee does not apply to changes in degree programs (internal transfers). However, the institution will try to maintain the amounts if a student transfers into programs with comparable cost structures.

While The New School will not reduce a student’s award as established at enrollment, we have a need-based appeal process and a special circumstances appeal process for students whose circumstances change on the FAFSA in subsequent years to provide additional aid.

If a student needs to withdraw in the middle of a semester, institutional grants and scholarships will be prorated, with the percentage corresponding to the university tuition refund schedule. Merit- and need-based scholarships and grants will remain the same for the duration of the degree program with no time limitation. If a student withdraws or takes a leave from the institution and will return, they may request a re-evaluation of their aid offer.