FAQs
Financial Aid
My financial aid offer includes a Federal Direct Loan. What do I have to do next?
In order to receive the loan funds, you will need to complete two requirements online at studentaid.gov:
- Loan Entrance Counseling
- Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Once these items are complete, the funds should automatically be applied to your student account by the first week of classes. If you choose to decline the loan, email finaid@vassar.edu.
Please note: Your loans will not appear under “anticipated aid” on your bill if your loan requirements are incomplete.
Are there loans to help cover the portion of my bill not covered by financial aid?
Yes. Students are eligible for an additional $2,000 Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan. To access this loan, please send an email to finaid@vassar.edu. There is also a federal loan option for parents (Parent PLUS Loan) and many alternative loans available. Please review our loan options.
Do I need to verify my sibling’s enrollment?
Yes. If your financial aid offer is based on one or more siblings enrolled in college, you will be asked to confirm their enrollment. In September, we will send you a form for your sibling’s institution to complete. If there is a change in their enrollment, your aid will be adjusted. View the sibling enrollment policy.
How does an outside scholarship impact my financial aid?
We allow students to replace the “self-help” portions of their aid offer with outside awards. Self-help aid includes the federal direct student loan, the work-study allowance, and the standard student contribution from summer earnings. If the total amount of your outside awards exceeds the self-help options, then the overage will reduce your Vassar Scholarship. Report all outside awards via the Outside Scholarship Survey Form.
Student Accounts
How do I waive health or tuition insurance?
Vassar automatically enrolls all students in the Gallagher health insurance and Dewar tuition insurance policies. If you have comparable coverage and wish to decline these policies, the student can complete the waivers manually online.
- Health Insurance Waiver Deadline: August 12th.
Please note: International students are required to maintain this coverage and cannot waive it. - Tuition Insurance Waiver Deadline: August 30th.
How can I pay my bill?
All billing is handled electronically through TouchNet, Vassar’s online platform for your Student Account. You may make an electronic bank transfer (ACH), credit card payment and/or enroll in a payment plan. To request a withdrawal from your 529 College Savings Plan, please contact your account plan manager to see if a Digital distribution option is available or to request a paper check. Cash or Check payments may be submitted in person or mailed to:
Vassar College Cashier’s Office
124 Raymond Avenue Box 612
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
To make an international payment, go to Flywire.
Can I give my parent/guardian access to my bill?
If your parent, guardian, of a third party will be paying your educational expenses, you will need to give them permission to access your account. To do so, log into your Student Account Portal and follow the instructions under “Authorize Users.”
Will my outside scholarship appear on my bill?
Outside awards will not appear as “anticipated aid.” If Vassar has received the funds from the organization, it will be listed under “Payments/Credits.” If we have not yet received payment, you may subtract the amount you expect to receive from your total balance and pay the remaining amount. Unless otherwise noted by the organization, outside awards are split evenly between fall and spring semesters.
How do I receive a refund?
Once all financial aid disburses, you may end up with a credit balance on your student account. This reflects the funds that are available to use to cover indirect educational expenses (books, supplies, transportation, etc.) To access these funds, you must complete the Refund Request Form and create a “Refund Profile” on your Student Account.
Student Employment
What do I need to do before coming to campus?
In order to work on campus, you will need to complete an I-9 form once you are offered a job. This form requires you to provide specific, original documentation to verify your identity. Unfortunately, photocopies or cell phone pictures are not acceptable so please be sure to pack the actual documents with you. A list of acceptable documents can be found on the student employment website.
How do I apply for jobs?
If you received work study in your financial aid offer, you may begin applying for jobs around August 15th. Student Employment will email all eligible students in early August and provide them with instructions on how to use JobX (Vassar’s online student job application board) and tips for navigating the application process. It is recommended that you apply for 10 jobs initially, but continue to check JobX for new openings and apply regularly until you are hired.
Can I still work even if I don’t have work study?
Yes, but students without work study must wait until October 1st to begin applying for on campus jobs.
What is a typical work schedule?
Students typically work an average of seven hours per week and coordinate their work schedules directly with their supervisor. Shifts are based around the student’s academic classes and the department’s needs.
How will I be paid?
Students are paid New York State minimum wage and receive a paycheck for the hours that they work every two weeks. Work study funds are not applied to your student account like your other financial aid. We encourage students to enroll in direct deposit to receive their pay.
Personal Finance
How do I open a bank account?
Students will need a bank account in order to cash their paychecks and/or receive a direct deposit. Most local banks and financial institutions offer free student accounts that you can open with no minimum balance requirement. The College has an ATM located in the College Center that is managed by Chase Bank. There are no transaction fees for customers with a Chase Bank account. Other institutions such as Bank of America and TD Bank are within walking distance of campus.
How can I pay for books and supplies?
Students may add up to $600 of V-Cash on their ID card at the start of each semester (within the first two weeks) to purchase books at the Juliet college store. If needed, students may email card@vassar.edu to request up to $600 as a “charge home,” where the funds are treated as a “cash advance” and charged to your student account. It is expected that the student will use their work study earnings or other financial assistance to pay off the charge before the end of the semester.
For more resources and strategies on obtaining affordable books and other course materials, please visit our Movement for Affordable Textbooks website.
What if I need help budgeting?
We want to ensure that students have the financial literacy and necessary support to make responsible financial decisions. Vassar has partnered with CashCourse to provide free financial budgeting tools, online courses, and other student related resources. Make sure to sign up with your Vassar email at cashcourse.org.
Are there loans to finance computer purchases?
You may be eligible to borrow a student loan in order to purchase a computer. This option is only available one time during your Vassar career. Contact Student Financial Services for more information and to see if you are eligible.