Exceptional effort deserves recognition: if your admission application shows promise, and you are accepted, you will automatically receive a financial aid package made up of awards totaling at least $30,000.

Applying for financial aid is easier than you might think. The first step is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  When submitting the FAFSA, please use Clarkson Federal School Code: 002699.  The FAFSA will allow us to check your eligibility for need-based federal, state and institutional funding. These awards are based on financial need and a strong potential for success.  Please note, if you would rather be considered only for Clarkson merit scholarships and awards, you do not need to submit the FAFSA. 

 Contact Clarkson School Admissions Contact Clarkson School Student Financial Assistance

 

Clarkson Costs for 2021-2022

 

*Housing costs are based on a weighted average. Freshman housing charges are usually slightly less than the weighted average. For exact housing figures, please see our current housing rates webpage.

Sources of Financial Aid

Special Clarkson School Awards

These scholarships require your action. If you think you qualify for one of these awards, make sure to read through the requirements for applying.

Alumni Connection Awards
  • Holcroft Alumni Recognition Awards: Awards are based on strong potential for success and the recommendation from a Clarkson alumnus/alumna. Awards are $500 per year; students can only receive one award, regardless of the number of recommendations. We suggest students contact alumni who know enough about them to provide a meaningful reference.
  • Alumni Family Award: If you indicate on your application for admission that you have a brother, sister, aunt, uncle or cousin that attended Clarkson, you may qualify for a $500 scholarship. Only one scholarship will be granted, no matter how many alumni family members you have.
  • Alumni Legacy Award: If you indicate on your application for admission that you have a mother, father, grandfather, or grandmother who attended Clarkson, you may qualify for a $1000 scholarship. You can only receive one Alumni Legacy Award, no matter how many alumni family connections you have.
Financing Options & Resources

For an overview of financing options, please refer to the Clarkson University Financing Plan Packet, which contains information about

  • Clarkson University’s payment plan
  • Federal student loans
  • Federal parent loans
  • Alternative student loans
Other Scholarship Sources

We encourage you to apply for additional scholarships. We will not reduce our scholarship/grant offer if you receive outside scholarships, unless the total amount of your scholarship money from all sources exceeds Clarkson's cost. Please note, ROTC scholarships are not designated as outside scholarships, and your Clarkson School awards may be adjusted to accommodate room and board incentives.

Sources for scholarships include

  • Your high school guidance office
  • Student and parent employers
  • CollegeBoard.org
  • hesc.ny.gov — New York State Higher Education Services Corp (Tuition Assistance Program)
Work Study

If you have financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, you are eligible to work under the Federal Work Study Program. You will have the opportunity to seek jobs at various sites on and off campus. Federal Work Study money is allocated to the University by the federal government, and jobs are contingent upon funding. Once you find a job, you will be added to the University payroll and paid bi-weekly by check.

If you do not qualify for Federal Work Study, you may be considered for the University Work Program to work on campus.

Learn more about student employment and see job listings on Handshake.

Clarkson School Merit and Need Based Awards
  • The Clarkson School Ignite Presidential Fellowship: The Clarkson School Ignite Presidential Fellowship program is a merit-based scholarship covering all tuition costs for one first-time student entering The Clarkson School in fall 2023. The student will continue to receive the scholarship if they chose to remain at Clarkson. The award can be received for a total of four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study.
    To apply for this award, you must:
    • First, apply to The Clarkson School.
    • Second, on your Clarkson School Application Status Page apply for The Clarkson School Ignite Presidential Fellows program by April 15, 2023.  We welcome you to submit a 2- to 3-minute video OR a 250-300 word statement on the following topic: Clarkson School students seek to pursue their passions by starting college early. What passion(s) and interests will you bring to The Clarkson School? How will you positively  impact the Clarkson School community?
    • Five (5) finalists will be selected and invited to interview before final decisions are made.
  • The Clarkson School Scholars Award: This award is given by a participating high school guidance counselor to a student during his/her junior year. This award provides $15,000 yearly and can be used for up to four years while attending The Clarkson School and Clarkson University. Eligible students must be in an accelerated high school program and have maintained a GPA of 93 or higher or are ranked in the top 15% of their class. Submission due by April 15.**
  • The Clarkson School Merit Award: This award is available based solely on prior academic success and promise of future achievement. The student must have a 2.0 cumulative average at the end of the spring semester to continue receiving the award for the following years.**
  • The Clarkson School Grant: This grant is based primarily on financial need and academic achievement. This award is renewed each year based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The student must remain in good academic standing at Clarkson to continue receiving the award for the following years.
Federal and State Funding

The federal government provides grants for students attending college or career school. Most types of grants, unlike loans, are sources of free money that generally do not have to be repaid. If you are interested grants, or in any federal student aid, start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.

Grants can come from the federal government, your state government, your college or career school, or a private or nonprofit organization.  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers a variety of federal grants to students. Check out the grant programs for more details and to learn how to apply:

New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and scholarships are available for students that meet residence, income, academic or other requirements, as established by state law.  If you are from New York State, once you complete the FAFSA, your information will be forwarded to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC). If you have never received a state award before, or if NYSHESC needs more information, you will be sent an Express TAP Application to complete.

An estimated New York State TAP award may be included as part of your financial aid awards; however, the state’s notification is your official approved award. 

Important Admission Dates

Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year as long as space remains available, so early application is encouraged. Applicants will be notified of the admission decision within 5 to 7 business days once the application is complete. Financial Aid will follow within five to seven days, provided the FAFSA results have been sent to Clarkson University.* 

Tuition Exchange

Admission applicants applying for Tuition Exchange at Clarkson University should see the Tuition Exchange Liaison at the exporting school for direction on how to apply. Tuition Exchange is not guaranteed and is very competitive at Clarkson. We typically receive approximately 75 applications but are only able to offer 8-10 TE Grants to incoming students. Preference is given to Early Decision applicants. Clarkson University offers the TE set rate of $38,000 (2020-21) to Tuition Exchange recipients. In additions, we now offer Tuition Exchange Merit Awards in the amounts of $2,000- $10,000 in addition to the Set Rate It is a tuition only scholarship. These recipients are not eligible for any other Clarkson University funded scholarships or grants. Recipients may file the FAFSA in order to be considered for additional Federal and State need-based assistance. When selecting students for Tuition Exchange, Clarkson looks at a number of factors including the admission application, GPA, SAT or ACT scores, extra-curricular activities, and demonstrated interest in the University. Interviews are not required however they are strongly recommended. For questions or concerns, please contact Kara Pitts at kpitts@clarkson.edu.  

Contact Us: The Clarkson School

Clarkson University Price Hall | 8 Clarkson Ave. Box 5650 | Phone: 315-268-4425 | tcs@clarkson.edu

Please note the following:
*If you choose to remain enrolled in a high school while you are enrolled in The Clarkson School, you will not be eligible for federal aid. By definition, the term "enrolled in high school” includes, but is not limited to, “the concurrent pursuit of a high school diploma while enrolled in The Clarkson School.” It also includes (i) a student who has completed the requirements for his/her high school diploma but not yet received it and is taking coursework for which his/her high school will give the student credit or (ii) a student who has not received a high school diploma and is considered by his/her high school to be enrolled, for example, as a requirement for participation on an interscholastic sports team or in any other curricular or extracurricular activity for which enrollment in high school is a prerequisite.
**A student can only receive one Clarkson merit-based award. If a student has already received a merit award and is then nominated for another, the student will be eligible to receive the award with the higher value.