• Admissions
• BIRD
• Calendars
• Catalog
• Class Schedules
• DARS
• e-Pay
• Forms
• Glossary
• MyUB
• Search

Click here to review the Step by Step Guide to Your Financial Aid Award Letter

The Financial Aid Process

Applying for Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks for basic information to determine your eligibility for all the financial aid programs sponsored by the Federal Government.

The FAFSA is also needed for New York State and University at Buffalo financial aid, scholarships, and loans.

Remember to apply for a U.S. Department of Education PIN for your online applications.

Complete and submit the FAFSA after January 1. You will be able to link to the online TAP application after completing the FAFSA on-the-Web.

Please note: You must submit the FAFSA by March 1 to be considered for campus-based funds, such as Federal Work Study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Perkins, and Health Profession Loans.

Important: Don't wait until you find out if you're accepted to UB - file early! Don't wait until your tax return is completed. You may use estimated tax information and then make corrections using the Student Aid Report (SAR) once the actual tax form is available.

The federal (Title IV) school code for the University at Buffalo is 002837.

Financial Aid Eligibility

You must meet all of the following criteria to receive federal financial aid:

• You must be in Good Academic Standing.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• You must be registered for selective service. (males only)
• You must be matriculated. (officially enrolled in a degree program)
• You must be registered for at least six credits. (only Pell is prorated for less than 6 credits)
• You must not be in default on a previous educational loan.
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate.

Review the Financial Aid Sources

The Student Aid Report (SAR)

Once the FAFSA is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in approximately 3 weeks. Any corrections can be made online to your Student Aid Report (SAR). Remember to have your PIN number available to make corrections. You will receive a second SAR to confirm the changes.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The TAP school codes for the University at Buffalo are:

• 1010 Undergraduate
• 5132 Law
• 5133 Medicine & Dental Medicine
• 5130 all other Graduate

Note: You will be able to link to the online TAP application after completing the FAFSA on-the-Web.

• Complete and submit the FAFSA
• New York State TAP Application

Or, you will receive the Express TAP Application in the mail if you are a NYS resident. Information gathered from your FAFSA and your family's calculated New York State net taxable income will be preprinted on the form.

Review this information using your family's New York State tax return and change any incorrect items. Complete any missing items and sign the form (NOTE: Parents must sign for dependent students), and mail it using the return envelope.

Final review

When UB receives your FAFSA information, we will review it and contact you for any needed additional information. Please respond promptly to any request from UB for additional documentation. Call BIRD to review the status of your application.

How UB determines your financial need

UB determines your need by subtracting your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on the information you provided on the FAFSA from the total educational costs associated with your attendance at UB (tuition and fees, room, meal plan, books & supplies, transportation, and personal expenses).

The remainder is student need which is the basis for your UB financial aid package, including federal and state financial aid entitlements (for example, Pell and TAP grants), campus-based aid (for example, Federal Work Study), and student loans (for example, Federal Direct Stafford Loan).

The Award Letter

UB will send you an award letter detailing the aid you are eligible to receive. You must accept or decline the financial aid by the deadline. Failure to accept aid by the stated deadline may result in the loss of some types of financial aid.

Click here to review the Step by Step Guide to Your Financial Aid Award Letter

Accepting or declining the awards listed in the Award Letter

Please accept or decline your financial aid award through BIRD.

Award types that require additional processing after acceptance

• Federal Parent Loan - If you wish to receive a Federal Direct Parent Loan, please complete and return the Parent Data Form to Student Academic Records & Financial Services. The parent listed on the Parent Data Form should fill out an Electronic Master Promissory Note or eMPN.
• Direct Stafford Loan Borrowers - If you have not previously received a Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Federal Stafford, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford, or Federal SLS while attending UB, you are required to receive Entrance Counseling information before any loan funds can be disbursed.
• Perkins Loan, Health Professions Loan, or Nursing Loan - If you accept a Perkins Loan, Health Professions Loan, or Nursing Loan, you must complete and return the promissory note you will receive. You must also complete and return the Statement of Rights & Responsibilities/Interview Questionnaire for each loan you accept.
• Federal Work-Study - You will receive an Appointment Form by mail approximately 10 days prior to the beginning of classes. Give this form to your University employer after you review the federal work study job openings, and then apply and secure an available position.

Financial Aid Grants

All financial aid grants such as EOP, PELL, SEOG, and institutional scholarships have been accepted on your behalf. You do not have to access these awards on BIRD.

Click here to review the Step by Step Guide to Your Financial Aid Award Letter