1. Go to the Library and Career Services Office to research potential grad schools you may want to attend. Peterson's Guides to Graduate Study are extremely helpful in locating a particular program area. Read the individual catalogs' section on financial aid. Make sure your applications are filed on time!

2. Be sure to research the Grants Register (located in the Scribner Library and Dean of Studies Office). These are private scholarships, fellowships, and grants for which you may apply.

3. All grad school aid is not alike. Most are based on need or merit/academics or both, while undergraduate aid is based on need as determined by the college.

4. Graduating from Skidmore does make you "financially independent" of your parents for federal aid consideration. However, some grad schools will still require parent financial information regardless of your age or dependency status.

5. Grad school aid is usually in the form of tuition remission waivers, assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, loans, payment programs, work-study, employment, etc.

6. You can apply for graduate school financial assistance even if you were ineligible for aid during your attendance at Skidmore. 

7. There are ways to save money in applying to grad school.  If you are a dependent senior with a parent contribution of no more than $1400 or are considered a self-supporting senior (per federal guidelines) with a contribution of no more than $1800, you may be eligible to receive a GRE Fee Reduction Certificate which can be applied toward the test fees for one General Test and/or one subject test.  Contact Skidmore's Student Aid Office if you think you may be eligible.

8. To apply for graduate school federal aid you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Also, some schools require graduate school aid applicants to complete the PROFILE application (of the College Scholarship Service) as well as one application to either the graduate school office, graduate financial aid office, or the specific academic department. PROFILE registration forms are available from the undergraduate aid office after September 1.

Note: Skidmore's Office of Student Aid and Family Finance will be glad to help if you have difficulty completing the PROFILE application!

9. If you find you are ineligible for graduate school financial aid, what can you do to pay for your continued education? There are loan programs available which will lend you up to the total cost of your graduate education. Contact the graduate school for further details. Careful with this one--it's an expensive option!

10. Last, but not least, there are companies out there which will pay for your grad school tuition as an employee benefit. Keep an eye open for these...where there's a will, there's a way!

Good luck!
Bob Shorb, Director of Student Aid and Family Finance
Skidmore College 10/01