How to Apply for Financial Aid

This section has been divided into two parts:

• New First Year and Transfer Admission and Financial Aid Applicants
• Currently Enrolled Students

Each of these sections is further divided into U.S. citizens and international students and provides instructions and deadlines to apply for financial aid.

• U.S. citizens includes permanent resident aliens who have an alien registration card ("green card") in their possession.
• International students are those who are not U.S. citizens and do not possess an alien registration card.

Applying for Financial Aid at Hampshire

Hampshire College uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine federal, state, and institutional aid for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students need to complete the CSS profile to apply for financial assistance from the College.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now available at studentaid.gov. The Department of Education has recently informed us that colleges and universities will start receiving completed FAFSA applications near mid-March. Since this is a significant delay, we encourage applicants for fall 2024 to complete the CSS profile. We will try to make an estimated financial aid offer as soon as possible. The FAFSA application will still be needed to finalize any estimated offer.

IMPORTANT: When you are applying for admission you should apply for financial aid at the same time. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to do these applications.

Financial Aid Application Process

U.S. citizens and permanent residents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), available online at www.fafsa.gov. This information is sent to Hampshire College when our school code is added to the FAFSA®.

• The FAFSA® school code for Hampshire College is 004661.
• Students and their parents must each obtain a federal student aid user ID (FSA ID) and password. This is used to electronically sign the FAFSA®.

International students complete the CSS Profile, available online. The CSS Profile is sent to Hampshire College when our school code is added.

• The CSS Profile school code for Hampshire College is 3447
• A Non-custodial Profile might be required for students if your parents are divorced, separated, or never married and not living together.
• Download an overview presentation of the CSS Profile
• View tips on completing the CSS Profile

Making a Hampshire Education Affordable

Hampshire students and their families have a number of options and opportunities when it comes to paying for college.

Merit Aid

Hampshire offers several merit-based and matching scholarships. For the fall 2023 term, these renewable annual merit scholarships range up to $35,000/year for four years. All merit-based scholarships are awarded by the admissions committee with no separate application required.

Need-Based Aid

Once the FAFSA® application or CSS Profile is completed, the Financial Aid Office will review these forms to consider a student’s financial need in offering additional aid.

Financial Need is the Cost of Attendance minus the Student Aid Index (SAI). To estimate your family's contribution and your actual cost, use the Net Price Calculator.

Types of Need-Based Aid

Federal Financial Aid

Includes grants and loans sponsored by the U.S. government, such as the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized, and PLUS loans.

Students who have served in the military may be eligible for benefits under the G.I. Bill. Benefits may also be available to dependents of a veteran. Students can obtain more information from their local or regional veterans administration office. Students 100% eligible for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill will also be considered for the Yellow Ribbon matching scholarship.

State Grants

Massachusetts and Vermont provide need-based grant funds that can be used at Hampshire College. If you live in another state check your local state financial assistance office for opportunities.

Hampshire Grant

Awarded by the College to students based on financial need. The Hampshire Grant is award after federal, state, and other aid is considered.

Student Employment

Hampshire College offers federal and institutional work-study funding. There are a variety of positions available throughout the campus. Positions are available in offices, the library, dining commons, the farm, children's center, etc. There are positions off-campus as well, at our many non-profit sites in the surrounding area. In addition, we participate in the America Reads Tutoring Program, in which students work in pre-school, elementary, and after-school programs. An effort is made to help students obtain positions that suit their interests, skills, and academic schedules, but it is each student's responsibility to secure a job.

Here to Help

We understand that navigating the financial aid process can be tricky. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Please visit our financial aid page for more details regarding financial aid at Hampshire College.