Investing in Your Future
Welcome to the Financial Aid Office at Mongoose University! We are committed to making your educational journey affordable and accessible. Understanding that pursuing higher education is a significant investment, our dedicated team is here to guide you through the process of identifying and securing financial aid resources to support your studies and help you achieve your academic and career goals.
Types of Financial Aid at Mongoose University
Mongoose University is committed to making higher education accessible. Over 85% of our students receive some form of financial assistance. Our Financial Aid Office works with each student individually to build the best possible aid package combining scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Scholarships (Free Money — No Repayment)
Mongoose University awards over $12 million in institutional scholarships annually. Most merit scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions review — no separate application needed. For a full list of scholarship amounts and GPA/SAT requirements, visit our Tuition, Fees & Scholarships page.
Grants (Free Money — No Repayment)
- Mongoose University Grant: Up to $20,000/year based on demonstrated financial need. Renewable annually with continued need.
- Federal Pell Grant: Up to $7,395/year for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Determined by FAFSA.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): $100-$4,000/year for students with the greatest financial need. Limited funding — apply early.
- State Grants: Amounts vary by state of residency. New York residents may qualify for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) up to $5,665/year.
Federal Student Loans
Loans must be repaid with interest after you leave school. Mongoose University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program:
| Loan Type | Annual Limit | Interest Rate (2026-27) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized (need-based) | $3,500-$5,500 depending on year | 5.50% fixed | Government pays interest while enrolled at least half-time |
| Direct Unsubsidized | $2,000-$7,000 depending on year + dependency | 5.50% fixed (undergrad), 7.05% (graduate) | Interest accrues from disbursement |
| Direct PLUS Loan (Parents) | Up to cost of attendance minus other aid | 8.05% fixed | Credit check required; parent borrows on behalf of dependent student |
| Direct Grad PLUS Loan | Up to cost of attendance minus other aid | 8.05% fixed | For graduate students; credit check required |
Private Loans: Students who need additional funding beyond federal limits may consider private education loans from banks and credit unions. We recommend exhausting federal loan options first due to more favorable terms and borrower protections. The Financial Aid Office can help you compare options.
Aggregate Loan Limits: Dependent undergraduates: $31,000 | Independent undergraduates: $57,500 | Graduate students: $138,500 (including undergraduate borrowing).
Federal Work-Study Program
Mongoose University offers approximately 350 work-study positions each year across campus departments, the library, research labs, and community service organizations. Details:
- Eligibility: Based on financial need as determined by FAFSA
- Pay rate: $13.50-$16.00/hour depending on position and experience
- Hours: Up to 15 hours/week during the semester, up to 30 hours/week during breaks
- Popular positions: Library assistant, research aide, tutoring center, admissions office ambassador, IT help desk, recreation center attendant, dining services
- How to find jobs: Browse available positions on the MyMongoose Job Board after your financial aid package confirms work-study eligibility
Work-study earnings are paid bi-weekly via direct deposit and are not applied directly to your tuition bill, giving you flexibility to use the funds for books, personal expenses, or savings.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Step-by-Step Process
- Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov starting October 1 each year. Use Mongoose University School Code: MONG12. You’ll need your (and your parents’, if dependent) Social Security number, tax returns, W-2s, and bank statements.
- Submit the CSS Profile (optional) if you’re applying for institutional grants exceeding $10,000/year. Available at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.
- Review your Financial Aid Award Letter — sent within 2-3 weeks of your admissions acceptance via the MyMongoose student portal.
- Accept or Decline Awards through the MyMongoose portal. You can accept some awards and decline others (for example, accept grants but decline loans).
- Complete Entrance Counseling (required for first-time borrowers) at studentaid.gov.
- Sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov to authorize loan disbursement.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FAFSA opens | October 1 | File as early as possible for maximum aid |
| Priority Deadline | February 1 | Institutional grants and work-study are awarded on a first-come basis to priority filers |
| Final Deadline | June 1 | Federal aid still available; institutional aid may be limited |
| CSS Profile (if applicable) | February 15 | Required only for institutional grants over $10,000 |
| Scholarship applications | Varies | See Tuition, Fees & Scholarships for individual deadlines |
Financial Aid Disbursement
Financial aid is disbursed (applied to your student account) according to this schedule:
- Fall semester: Approximately 10 days before the first day of classes (mid-August)
- Spring semester: Approximately 10 days before the first day of classes (mid-January)
- Summer sessions: Within the first week of each session
If your total aid exceeds your charges (tuition, fees, housing, meal plan), the surplus is refunded to you via direct deposit within 14 days of disbursement. Set up direct deposit in MyMongoose to receive refunds faster.
Important: Aid will not disburse if you have incomplete requirements (missing documents, unsigned MPN, incomplete entrance counseling). Check MyMongoose regularly for any holds or action items.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
To maintain financial aid eligibility, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, reviewed at the end of each semester:
- GPA Requirement: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate)
- Pace Requirement: Complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours
- Maximum Timeframe: Complete your degree within 150% of the published program length (e.g., 180 attempted credits for a 120-credit bachelor’s degree)
If you lose SAP eligibility: You will receive a Financial Aid Warning for one semester. If you don’t meet standards after the warning semester, you may appeal. Appeals require a written statement explaining extenuating circumstances and an academic improvement plan approved by your advisor. Successful appeals result in a Financial Aid Probation semester. Visit Student Success for tutoring and academic support.
Financial Aid Appeals
If your financial circumstances have changed significantly (job loss, medical emergency, family change, natural disaster), you can request a Professional Judgment Review. Submit:
- A written explanation of your changed circumstances
- Supporting documentation (termination letter, medical bills, etc.)
- Updated income information
Appeals are reviewed within 2-3 weeks. The Financial Aid Office may adjust your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and revise your aid package accordingly.
Net Price Calculator
Get a personalized estimate of your costs and aid at Mongoose University using our Net Price Calculator available on the MyMongoose portal. You’ll need basic information about your family income, assets, and academic profile. The estimate takes about 10 minutes and gives you a realistic picture of what Mongoose University will cost your family after aid. For published tuition rates, see Tuition, Fees & Scholarships.
Veterans & Military Benefits
Mongoose University is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon Program participant and is committed to supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and military families.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): Up to 36 months of education benefits covering tuition, fees, housing allowance, and book stipend
- Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30): Monthly education benefit for eligible veterans
- Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31): For veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35): For dependents of disabled or deceased veterans
- Yellow Ribbon: Mongoose University covers up to $5,000 beyond Post-9/11 GI Bill maximums, with VA matching — potentially eliminating out-of-pocket tuition costs
Veterans Services Office: veterans@mongooseuniversity.edu | (555) 478-3205 | Administration Building, Room 105 | Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Contact the Financial Aid Office
Office of Financial Aid
Mongoose University
Administration Building, Room 150
100 Mongoose Drive, Orchard Park, NY 14127
Email: financialaid@mongooseuniversity.edu
Phone: (555) 478-3200
Fax: (555) 478-3201
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
Walk-in Advising: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Virtual Appointments: Available via MyMongoose scheduling
Have questions? Check the FAQ or Contact Us. View the Academic Calendar for important dates. Learn about Registration & Records for enrollment requirements.