Financial Aid | Springfield College

Financial Aid

ATTENTION: Are you applying to Springfield College for Fall 2024? There is a change coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information check below.

Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, or transfer student who's learning more about us, you’ve already applied, or you’ve been accepted, this is an exciting time. Within this excitement, you’re likely learning to navigate the financial aid process. This can be the part that feels most overwhelming–but we’re here to help.

We want you to know that you’re not alone in this. We are here to answer your questions and help you determine financing options in order to attend Springfield College. It's important to us because we know how important it is to you.

Let’s get started.

The Springfield College Seal on a building side

Important Information The Return to Repayment

The repayment pause has ended, this booklet will help you prepare for repayment.

 

Lakeside Living at Springfield College
Undergraduate Aid

Undergraduate first-year, transfer, and online students - Do you have questions about financial aid, tuition and fees, or our net price calculator? Look no further. We are here to help.

Judd Gymnasia on Springfield College Campus
Graduate Aid

Graduate school is a smart investment and we want you to make informed decisions. Explore your financial aid options and tuition and fees.

Students at International Festival
International Aid

International undergraduate students should complete a CSS profile to apply for additional need-based financial aid. We also offer scholarships and assistance to international undergraduate and graduate students.

2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Q&A

What is FAFSA Simplification?

FAFSA Simplification is a process that the U.S. Department of Education has undertaken to simplify the FAFSA experience for students and families. This is the most significant overhaul of the FAFSA in 40 years. 

When will I receive my financial aid offer?

For those students who have submitted a valid 2024-25 FAFSA, we plan to start notifying prospective students of their financial aid offer approximately late February. Returning main campus undergraduates should be notified by mid-June.

Who is the “family” on the FAFSA?

The term “family” replaces the term “household” (formerly used on the FAFSA) starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA. The family reported on the FAFSA is the parent that provided the student with the most financial support (for dependent students). If that parent is married or remarried, the current spouse’s information is also included.

This may not be the parent(s) with whom the student lives.

Parental information is not reported for independent students who meet the definition of independent.

Who is a parent on the FAFSA?

The parent(s) on the 2024-25 FAFSA are married biological or adoptive parents, or unmarried biological or adoptive parents living together, who provided the most financial support. This may not be the parent(s) with whom the student lives.

Who is a contributor on the FAFSA?

The 2024-25 FAFSA introduces a new concept of contributor on the FAFSA. The student applying for financial aid is always a contributor, and the parent(s) who provided the most support is also a contributor. If the parent who provides the most support is remarried, the current spouse/stepparent is considered a contributor. If tax filing status is “married filing separately,” the spouse will also need to provide consent to transfer their tax information on to the FAFSA. Add the following sentence: If a required contributor fails to sign with their FSA ID and submit their consent the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

What is a Student Aid Index (SAI)?

Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is being replaced by the SAI. The index will be used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and Springfield College financial aid, and in some cases a federal Pell Grant.

How do I report Child support received?

On the 2024-25 FAFSA, child support received by the parent(s) reported on the FAFSA will be reported as an asset.

How is a federal Pell Grant calculated?

There are three paths to a federal Pell Grant. Two paths look at the parent(s) income and family size as a factor of federal poverty levels. These paths consider a student for a maximum or minimum federal Pell Grant. The third path, called in-between, is a calculation subtracting the Student Aid Index from the maximum federal Pell Grant.

Our preliminary calculations estimate a few more Springfield College students will qualify for a federal Pell Grant with the new calculation.

The federal Pell Grant is also now calculated using an enrollment intensity. In other words, if you are less than full time (less than 12 credits), the federal Pell Grant will be calculated using the actual number of credits registered in the term; a full-time student (12 or more credits), who is Pell eligible, is eligible regardless of the number of credits registered in the term.

What is the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FADDX)?

Prior to 2024-25, students and families had the option to link their FAFSA application with the IRS and transfer their tax information on to the FAFSA. Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the FADDX is no longer optional. When completing a 2024-25 FAFSA, the student and parent(s), if applicable, must provide consent to have their tax information transferred from the IRS on to the FAFSA.  

In cases where the parent on the FAFSA is remarried and using a filing status of “married filing separately,” the stepparent will also need to provide consent. This would require the stepparent to create an account and acquire a Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) at student.gov 

What should I list as Family Size?

The family size (formerly the number in the household) will be transferred from the IRS 1040 as the number of dependents listed on the parent’s 2022 tax return. This number may not be correct. Always review this question for accuracy and update as necessary. 

What should I list as Business and/or farm value?

Prior to the 2024-25 FAFSA, business and/or farm value was only reported if that business or farm employed more than 100 people. Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, all business and/or farm value is reported.  A negative value is reported as zero.

What should I list as Number in college?

Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, the number of students (from one family) in college at the same time will be asked for, but the answer is not used in the calculation that determines eligibility for financial aid. We expect Springfield College financial aid to remain approximately the same for most families.

What should I list for Federal work study?

Prior to the 2024-25 FAFSA, federal work-study and other need-based employment earnings were self-reported on the FAFSA. Starting with 2024-25, Springfield College will be reporting 2022 tax information for federal work study earnings to the U.S. Department of Education to be used in the SAI calculation.

Need an appointment to speak with a financial aid counselor?  
We’re here to help.

The Office of Financial Aid is now using an online appointment scheduling system.  To book an appointment please find your counselor and click on the link to book an appointment.

Student Population

Counselor

Link to book an appointment

Main Campus Students

Main campus undergraduate students with last names A-Fk, new Main campus Transfer, Veteran, International, and RA students

Cal Brown

https://calendly.com/cbrown-fa
Main campus undergraduate students with last names Fl-M, Main Campus undergraduate loan questions

Kinser Cancelmo

https://calendly.com/kcancelm
Main campus undergraduate students with last names N-Z, former students returning

Michelle DeRose

https://calendly.com/mderose
Main campus graduate students, general inquiriesApril Arcouettehttps://calendly.com/aarcouette

Online Students

Returning Online and Transfer undergraduate students

Lilly Rodriguez

https://calendly.com/lilrod
Entering Online undergraduate and graduate students

Walter Geter

https://calendly.com/wgeter

For general inquires:
Main Campus Students: (413) 748-3108
Online Students: (413) 748-3112
financialaid@springfield.edu

Financial Literacy

Looking to better understand your education-related finances?

We're here to help with our financial literacy tools.

Get your questions answered through a series of comprehensive financial aid videos. 

Student looking at their laptop on a bench.

My Financial Aid: Access your account

Access your My Financial Aid account. Log in credentials are sent to you shortly after your application for admission is received.  From My Financial Aid you will be able to do the following: 

  • Upload required documents
  • Accept your offers
  • Track your application materials
  • Follow links to complete online forms
  • Print forms and worksheets
  • View scholarship opportunities
  • View important messages about your financial aid
  • View your loan history and lifetime offers
  • Track disbursements to your bill

My Financial Aid Portal

Financial Aid Confidential Information Waiver

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law protecting the confidentiality of the student’s records.  In compliance with FERPA, the Office of Financial Aid must have the student’s written authorization to discuss information from their financial aid file to anyone other than a custodial parent(s) that is designated on the current academic year’s FAFSA.  Completing the waiver will allow whomever the student designates to communicate with the Office of Financial Aid.  This waiver will remain on file and in effect until graduation, withdrawal from the college or a written statement to change or eliminate designees.

Download the waiver

Tuition Insurance

Springfield College has partnered with GradGuard to provide our families with tuition insurance from Allianz Global Assistance featuring special plans and rates not available to the general public.

This coverage expands the scope of our refund policy by ensuring reimbursement for tuition, fees, room and board for covered withdrawals at any time during the semester.

For more information or to opt-in for this tuition insurance, visit GradGuard.com or call 877-794-6603. For claims, please call 888-427-5045. Learn more about Tuition Insurance from GradGuard. 

The deadline to apply for this tuition insurance is the day before the first day of classes each semester.

Students will not see a charge on their SC student eBill. Students and families who opt-in for this tuition insurance will work directly with GradGuard regarding payment.

 

Planning for Disbursement

Disbursement
Student aid for the summer, fall, and spring terms is disbursed after the add/drop period has ended for that term. Financial aid will only be credited to a student's account after all necessary requirements for the funds are completed and processed, and a student has accepted their aid for the applicable academic year on their My Financial Aid Portal. Students should budget and plan accordingly for immediate financial needs during this period. *Some disbursements may vary based on the start and end date of a student's courses.

Refunds
If there is a credit balance remaining on a student’s account as the result of aid disbursement, the account must first undergo a review/audit process before a refund can be produced. The review/audit process can take up to 5 business days to complete, but generally takes less time. The Office of Student Accounts works diligently to ensure that students receive their respective refunds as quickly as possible.

All students are required to set up an electronic refund (eRefund) account which will result in students receiving their refunds, (if applicable), via direct deposit into the bank account of their choice. Failure to enroll in eRefund may delay the receipt of student refunds. If you have not yet set up an eRefund account, please review the Credit Balance eRefund Policies” on the Office of Student Accounts Refunds page for instructions.

 

Springfield College Financial Aid How-To

 

FAFSA FSA ID Tips for Parents