Financial Aid / FAFSA

A private school education that remains affordable!
The Office of Financial Aid, located within Student Financial Services, works to eliminate unnecessary barriers to college access and completion. Our goal is to simplify the financial aid process as much as possible and to make sure students are always engaged and aware of the next steps that need to be taken.

Maria College is committed to providing guidance and resources to help you create a personalized financial plan that covers your educational expenses. Our website offers more information on tuition, applying for federal and state aid, scholarships, community funding resources, and loans. Contact our office if you have questions about applying for financial aid or your eligibility at sfs@mariacollege.edu.

Office Hours

Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm, Expanded hours and remote meetings available by appointment. Visit our bookings page to make an appointment.

By Appointment: Monday – Friday

8:30am – 6:00pm

Click here to make an appointment.

Maria College financial aid, FAFSA, scholarships, and grantsCareer Pathways Training (CPT) program provides full coverage for tuition and books to those new to or advancing their careers in any of 13 approved CPT health, behavioral health, and social care careers fields in New York State. Click here for more information on The Caring Gene®.

Financial Aid FAQs
If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid at (518) 861-2586 or sfs@mariacollege.edu.

  • How much does it cost to attend Maria College?

    A detailed breakdown of tuition and fees can be found at Tuition and Fees.  For an estimate of what it may cost to attend Maria College after financial aid, please use the Net Price Calculator.

  • How do I apply for financial aid?

    Maria College encourages all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Detailed instructions to applying for financial aid can be found at the Applying for Financial Aid section.

  • Does Maria College offer scholarships? How can I apply for one?

    Maria offers various scholarships based on financial need and/or academic achievement. To apply for any of these scholarships, please complete the scholarship application by June 25, 2026. You will be required to complete your FAFSA for the 2026-27 academic year.

    Learn more about scholarships

  • What state grants are available?

    New York State offers various grants and financial aid options. To be eligible a student must complete the FAFSA and NYS TAP applications. Detailed instructions for those applications are found at the Applying for Financial Aid webpage.  

    A listing of the various types of grants and financial aid programs are found at our Financial Aid Programs section.

  • What are the definitions of the various types of financial aid?

    A listing of the various types of grants and financial aid programs is found at our Financial Aid Programs section.

  • How many credits are considered full-time? How many for part-time?

    Undergraduate and Graduate students carrying 12 credit hours is considered a full-time student.

    Undergraduate and Graduate students carrying less than 12 credit hours in any semester is considered part-time.

    Students enrolling in less than 6 credits should contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss eligibility.

  • How does my academic progress affect my financial aid?

    In order to remain eligible for federal and state financial assistance, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Undergraduate and Graduate students. More information is found in the Maria College Catalog or by visiting the Financial Aid Office.

  • What happens to my financial aid if I withdraw from classes or fail my courses?

    Withdrawing from classes or failing all of your courses has a negative impact on your financial aid eligibility for the semester, including possible loss of all government aid for the semester. Please refer to our Return to Title IV page for more information. It is recommended that you contact your advisor and Student Financial Services prior to choosing to withdraw from classes to make sure you understand the full financial impact of the decision

  • Can I appeal my loss of financial aid?

    A student may appeal their loss of financial aid eligibility, this process is outlined in the Academic Catalog as well as on our page Appeals Process, Return of Title IV Funds.

  • What does it mean when I am selected for Verification?

    Verification is a quality assurance process used to ensure that the information on the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. If you are selected for verification, the Office of Financial Aid at Maria College is required to collect and review additional documents before your financial aid eligibility can be determined.  Selection of verification is a random process. Please contact the Maria College Financial Aid Office with any questions at (518) 861-2586 or at sfs@mariacollege.edu.

  • Rights and Responsibilities of Student Financial Aid Recipients

    Recipients of student financial aid have the right to know the following:

    • the correct procedures for applying for aid, cost of attendance, types of aid available, how financial need is determined, criteria for awarding aid, how academic progress is determined, and what must be done to continue receiving aid;
    • the type and amount of assistance the student will receive, and how and when the student will receive the aid;
    • the ability to view contents of the student’s financial aid file, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act;
    • the terms and conditions of any loan.

    In addition, it is the student’s responsibility to:

    • complete application materials correctly and submit them on time;
    • read all materials sent from the Office of Financial Aid and all agencies awarding aid; read, understand and keep copies of all forms the student signs;
    • know and comply with the rules governing the aid received;
    • provide additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or any new information the Office of Financial Aid requests;
    • comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements signed;
    • use financial aid only for expenses related to attending the College;
    • maintain satisfactory academic progress;
    • notify the Office of Financial Aid of any resources not considered during the original need analysis and aid not listed on the award letter, and;
    • keep local and permanent addresses current at the Registrar’s Office. 
  • You may qualify for a Professional Judgement due to special or unusual circumstances that affect your financial situation, or your dependency status as determined by the FAFSA.
    Special Circumstances: If you have had a change in financial situation (loss of a job etc.) that is not reflected on your current FAFSA application, it may make you eligible for an SAI adjustment that could potentially increase your aid. Please contact our Financial Aid Office at SFS@mariacollege.edu, for assistance with the Request for Special Conditions Application form.

    Unusual Circumstances: If you feel you have a unique situation (e.g., parental abandonment) that warrants an FA administrator’s adjustment of your dependency status, please contact our Financial Aid Office at SFS@mariacollege.edu, for assistance with the Unusual Circumstances form. Keep in mind that changing dependency status is generally reserved for extreme situations. Parents refusing to sign and submit financial information for the FAFSA does not alone warrant a dependency override. You will need to submit supporting documentation relating to your situation. Reviews will take approximately 30 days to complete.