Financial Aid Next Steps for New Students

To help you prepare for the start of your first year at Geneseo, here are the next steps for receiving your financial aid.

1. Accept (or decline) your financial aid awards

Log into MyGeneseo, our campus portal, and select Financial Aid to check the status of your financial aid.

• Complete/submit your unsatisfied requirements under Student Requirements. Check your mailbox and your Geneseo email for additional notices.
• View, accept, modify and/or decline your federal student loans and/or federal work-study award, if awarded. (If you accept federal work-study, more information on applying for a job will be sent in mid-July.)

2. Complete your loan requirements (if you accept your Federal Direct Student Loans)

New student loan borrowers must complete the master promissory note AND online entrance counseling on the student aid website.

• Go to Loans and Grants, under Get a Loan click on Loan Entrance Counseling. Log in using your FSA ID to submit your entrance counseling. Once completed, submit your Master Promissory Note (MPN). (Note: This must be done using the student's FSA ID, not the parent's.)

3. Update your New Your State TAP application (NY state residents only)

• Complete or review your TAP application on the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) website by clicking Review my NYS Financial Aid Information. 
• You will receive an email with your TAP award information from NYSHESC once your application is processed by New York State.
• If you have already submitted your TAP application, check to verify that your award will be going to SUNY Geneseo. Our school code is 0920.

4. Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship (NY state residents only)

Even if you have an estimated Excelsior Scholarship included in your financial aid award letter, you must complete a separate Excelsior Scholarship application with NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to receive the award. The Excelsior application is open from May 23, 2024 to August 31, 2024. 

5. Fill out the financial planning worksheet to determine your net cost

Print and fill out the financial planning worksheet to determine your total annual out-of-pocket expenses by deducting your accepted financial aid from your direct costs (tuition, fees, room and board).

Keep in mind that your annual expenses will be divided between two semesters (fall and spring). Your fall bill will be available in July (and due in August) and your spring bill will be available in December (and due in January).

6. Apply for a Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) or private education loan

If you have a shortfall between the cost of attendance and financial aid, you may want to consider applying for a Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loan or a private education loan.

Both are credit-worthy loans with distinct differences that can be used to help cover remaining expenses. For more information on each and how to apply, please visit the student loan page.