Undergraduate Financial Aid
Your first step in being considered for a financial aid package is to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and a state financial aid application (TAP).
For application instructions, visit our Filing a FAFSA for Undergraduate Students page.
Federal financial aid is divided into three basic categories: grants, federal work study and loans, which can be used individually or in combination to help finance your Brooklyn College education. Grants are outright financial awards that you are not required to repay. Work-study assistance will allow you to earn money to help pay for part of your educational expenses by working part-time on and off campus. Federal student loans require that you first participate in entrance and exit interviews with the Office of Financial Aid, and agree to repay the principal and interest on such loans upon completion of your studies. You should also be aware that federal and state financial aid programs change frequently, so the types and amounts of awards may vary annually, based on available funds and changes in the status of your financial need.
Important Brooklyn College code numbers you will need:
- Title IV or Federal Code Number: 002687
- TAP Code for Undergraduate Students: 1410
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) represents the estimated total cost of attending the college. Federal law requires that the college provide you an estimate for the expense categories outlined in the charts below.
To determine your financial need, you need the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number generated when you filed your FAFSA. Then you can subtract your EFC from your COA to figure out your financial need (COA – EFC = Financial Need).
Your COA can change based on the semester (summer, fall, winter, spring), enrollment status, loan fees, and other expenses, including, but not limited to, child care, study abroad, and disability-related expenses.
If you have costs that exceed the estimated amounts indicated below or an expense that is not listed below, you may be eligible for a Special Circumstance Cost of Attendance Expense Adjustment.
COA for Students Enrolled in Six or More Credits
Fall/Spring COA
These estimates represent the approximate costs to attend Brooklyn College for a nine-month period (the fall and spring semesters combined), assuming you attend at least half-time (six credits). To determine the single-semester amount for fall or spring, simply divide the numbers below in two.
If you live with your parents:If you live with your parents:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,364 |
| Transportation (MetroCard) | $1,122 |
| Lunch | $1,700 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,928 |
| Housing | $5,080 |
| Basic Cost | $11,194 |
Basic Cost + Tuition and Fees = Cost of Attendance
If you live away from your parents:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,364 |
| Transportation (MetroCard) | $1,122 |
| Lunch | $1,700 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,646 |
| Medical Expenses | $2,381 |
| Housing | $17,604 |
| Food (at home) | $2,484 |
| Basic Cost | $29,301 |
Basic Cost + Tuition and Fees = Cost of Attendance
Summer COA
The summer is considered a nonstandard three-month term. Because the summer term is shorter than the fall and spring terms, the summer has prorated expense amounts
If you live with your parents:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $455 |
| Transportation (MetroCard) | $396 |
| Lunch | $567 |
| Personal Expenses | $643 |
| Housing | $1,693 |
| Basic Cost | $3,754 |
Basic Cost + Tuition and Fees = Cost of Attendance
If you live away from your parents:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $455 |
| Transportation (MetroCard) | $396 |
| Lunch | $567 |
| Personal Expenses | $882 |
| Medical Expenses | $794 |
| Housing | $5,868 |
| Food (at home) | $828 |
| Basic Cost | $9,789 |
Basic Cost + Tuition and Fees = Cost of Attendance
COA for Students Enrolled in Fewer Than Six Credits
Fall/Spring COA
According to the federal COA guidelines, if you enroll in fewer than six credits you will have a lower cost of attendance due to exclusions of certain expense categories. This lower COA includes allowances for books, supplies, and transportation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Part-time COA for nine months | $1,150 |
Summer COA
The summer is considered a nonstandard three-month term. Because the summer term is shorter than the fall and spring terms, the summer has prorated expense amounts.
According to the federal COA guidelines, if you are enrolled part-time (fewer than six credits) you will have a lower cost of attendance. This lower COA includes allowances for books, supplies, and transportation. The amount for summer is $383 (books, supplies, and transportation) + child care ($1,020 if applicable) + Tuition and Fees.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Part-time COA for three months | $383 |
You can view more detailed COA information by logging into CUNYfirst to review your financial aid package.
You may also review the CUNYfirst Student Financial Aid Guide.Financial Aid Grants
The various student financial aid grants available to you, and which do not require repayment, are listed below. To be considered for federal financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen admitted as at least a half-time student to a degree program and must maintain satisfactory academic progress to preserve your continuing aid eligibility. (Students not yet admitted into a degree program do not qualify for federal or state aid.)
Financial Aid Loans
Unlike grants or work-study, loans are a form of financial aid that you must pay back at interest rates that are typically lower than consumer rates, usually not until after your studies have been completed. The size of the loan you seek and commit to should be determined only after all available gift-aid has been applied for. You should also determine whether the loan you choose has an interest-free grace period before repayment begins and if all or some of the loan may be deferred or repaid after graduation.
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service and work related to the recipient's course of study.
Student's Rights and Responsibilities
You, the student, must partner with the Financial Aid Office to insure that you receive the assistance you need to attend college. In order for the Financial Aid Office to do its part, you have to do your part.
You have the responsibility to:
- Keep all your contact information (postal address, e-mail and telephone) current by updating your CUNYfirst account as soon as any changes occur.
- Check your Brooklyn College e-mail and your CUNYfirst account frequently for messages regarding your financial aid status and your student account.
- Complete your applications accurately and provide correct information at all times. Reporting false information is a violation of the law and may be considered a criminal offense.
- Be aware of and meet all deadlines for applying or reapplying for financial aid. You must complete your applications sufficiently in advance so that processing may be completed by the stated deadline.
- Submit any additional information or documents required by the Financial Aid Office before the stated deadline.
- Keep your parents informed of all financial aid requirements and deadlines if you are a dependent student.
- Read and understand all forms you are asked to sign and keep a copy of each.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office if the information reported on your financial aid application has changed.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office if at any time during the year you receive any type of financial assistance that is not listed on your award notice.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office if you are receiving financial aid for attendance at another institution while attending Brooklyn College.
- Know and comply with all terms, conditions and policies associated with the awards you receive.
- Begin attendance in your classes to qualify for any financial aid payments. Financial aid is awarded with the expectation that you will attend school for the entire period for which your aid was intended.
- Continue to make satisfactory academic progress in your program of study according to college and CUNY standards.
You have the right to:
- Know what financial aid programs are available, including information on all federal and state grants, loans and institutional financial aid programs.
- Know the application procedures and deadlines for each of the available financial aid programs. Learn more about how to apply.
- Know how your financial aid eligibility is determined. Learn more.
- Know how financial aid is awarded and the basis for these decisions. Learn more.
- Know how and when financial aid is disbursed. Learn more.
- Know how Brooklyn College determines whether or not you are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if you are not. Learn more.
- Ask a financial aid counselor to review your financial situation and, if warranted, redetermine your eligibility for assistance if something has changed in your family circumstances such as loss of job or other drastic changes in your family's financial situation. Learn more. Applicable forms: Income Adjustment, Dependency Override, Expense Adjustment Worksheet and other general financial aid forms can be found on our Resources and Forms page.
- Confidentiality of your personal information. All records and information submitted with your application for financial aid are confidential, and subject to legal requirements concerning disclosure of such information. Learn more.
- Know about the college's tuition refund policies if you have to withdraw from school after the semester begins. Learn more.
- Know what effect withdrawals will have on your eligibility for financial aid payments. Learn more.
- You have additional rights and responsibilities if you receive a Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loan or Federal Work-Study.
