Cost + Aid

At Sage, we reward merit.

You've worked hard. You've studied hard. You've earned your way to Sage. We understand your dream is a college education and we will strive to help you afford it.

More than 90 percent of Sage students receive some form of financial aid. Sage participates in and administers all federal and state need-based loan, grant, and scholarship programs. Additionally, we offer institutional financial aid opportunities in the forms of scholarship and need-based grant monies.

You’ll find many resources and links here, but nothing replaces personal contact. Please call Student Services or e-mail us at student_services@sage.edu.

Remember...financial aid is a process with a beginning...a middle...and yes...an end!

Frequently Used Forms:

Parent PLUS Loan Information & Request Form

Verification form (Dependent Student)

Verification form (Independent Student)

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources

www.FinAid.org
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.com
www.collegeboard.com

Mapping Your Future

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Scholarship Resources

Get your application going

Apply online to Russell Sage College
Apply online to Sage College of Albany
Apply online to Sage After Work
Apply online to Sage Graduate School


Major Sources of Financial Aid

Federal Programs click here.
State Programs click here.

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarship and grant monies are available for full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters and applicable only to the college in which the student was admitted. Scholarships and grants are awarded by semester and students must be actively enrolled to receive them.

First Year Student Awards for Russell Sage College:

The following scholarships and awards are available to incoming first year students who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement. Only one of these scholarships or awards is offered per student. These scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing with a cuumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and maintains full-time status. Grade point averages are recalculated by the Admission Committee and determination of scholarship qualification is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. No separate application is required for any of these scholarships or awards. All applicants are considered for nomination when reviewed for admission to the College. The first-time freshmen nominees will be required to participate in RSC's Scholars' Program.

Trustee Scholarship: To be considered for this award, students must be validictorian or salutatorian of their graduating high school class or a National Merit Scholar Finalist. ($16,000 per year - $64,000 total award).

Presidential Scholarship: To be considered for this award, students must have an "A" high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program, achieve a minimum SAT I score of 1250 or a minimum ACT composite score of 28, and rank in the top 10% of their class. ($13,000- $14,000 per year:$56,000 total possible award)

Dean's Excellence Award: To be considered for this award, students must have at least a "B+" high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program, achieve a minimum SAT I score of 1100 or a minimum ACT composite score of 24, and rank in the top 20% of their class. ($10,000 - $12,000 per year: $48,000 total possible award)

Dean's Award: To be considered for this award, students must have at least a "B" high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program, achieve a minimum SAT I score of 1000 or a minimum ACT composite score of 21, and rank in the top 30% of their class. ($7,000 -$9,000 per year: $36,000 total possible award)

International Student Award The International Student Award is given on an annual basis to accepted, full-time, first-year or transfer students whose country of origin/citizenship is not the United States and plans to study at The Sage Colleges. This award can not be combined with any other awards. Students must have at least a “B+" high school GPA and rank in the top 30% of their class. International Transfer students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Note: Applicants to the College must complete the Russell Sage College International Financial Statement to verify that the applicant has access to sufficient financial resources to attend the College. ($5,000 per year - $20,000 total possible award)

Allies Award: Consideration is given to full-time, first year students who possess strong leadership qualities and a commitment to encouraging communication and understanding among culturally diverse groups. Students must have at least a "B" high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program, achieve SAT I score of 1000 or a minimum ACT composite score of 21 and rank in the top 30% of their class. ($2,000 per year - $8,000 total award)

First Generation Award: Consideration is given to full-time students (first year or transfer) who are the first of their immediate family to attend college. Students must ahve at least a "B" high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program,achieve a minimum SAT I score of 1000 or a minimum ACT composite score of 21 and rank in the top 30% of their class. ($2000 per year - $8,000 total award).

Girl Scout Award- Consideration is given to full-time first year students who successfully completed their Silver or Gold Award with the Girl Scouts of America. Students must have at least a "B” high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program, achieve a minimum SAT I score of 1000 or a minimum ACT composite score of 21, and rank in the top 30% of their class. a minimum. ($2,000 per year - $8,000 total award)

No separate application is required for any of these scholarship awards. All student applicants are considered when reviewed for admission to the college.

Transfer Scholarships
The following awards are available to incoming transfer students who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement. Only one of these scholarships or awards is offered per student. They are renewable for two additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing and maintains full-time status. All college coursework will be used to determine scholarship eligibility. Determination of qualification is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Phi Theta Kappa Award: The Phi Theta Kappa Award is awarded on an annual basis to accepted full-time Phi Theta Kappa members. A recommendation from the Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisor is required. ($10,000-$12,000 per year: $48,000 total possible award)

Transfer Excellence Award: The Transfer Excellence Award is an academic merit scholarship awarded to full-time transfer students who have been selected by the Russell Sage College Scholarship Committee. Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 are eligible for this award. ($8,000-$9,000 per year: $27,000 total possible award)

International Student Award The International Student

Award is given on an annual basis to accepted, full-time, first-year or transfer students whose country of origin/citizenship is not the United States and plans to study at The Sage Colleges. This award can not be combined with any other awards. Students must have at least a “B+" high school GPA and rank in the top 30% of their class. International Transfer students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Note: Applicants to the College must complete the Russell Sage College International Financial Statement to verify that the applicant has access to sufficient financial resources to attend the College. ($5,000 per year - $20,000 total possible award)

First Generation Award: Consideration is given to full-time students (first year or transfer) who are the first of their immediate family to attend college. Students must ahve at least a "B" high school GPA in a challenging college preparatory program,achieve a minimum SAT I score of 1000 or a minimum ACT composite score of 21 and rank in the top 30% of their class. ($2000 per year - $8,000 total award).

No separate application is required for any of these scholarship awards. All student applicants are considered when reviewed for admission to the college.

Other Scholarships

Opalka Family Scholarship: For graduates of Averill Park who are majoring in Education at RSC. Ask for application at your guidance office or at RSC Office of Admission.

Edith Robinson Memorial Scholarship: For worthy and needy students who are residents of the state of New Jersey working towards their bachelors degree in Education at RSC. Contact Financial Aid office for information.

The Sage Colleges Alumna/Alumnus Award: The Sage Colleges Alumna/Alumnus Award is awarded on an annual basis to enrolled, full-time students whose parents or grandparents graduated from one of The Sage Colleges. This award is renewable for three additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing and maintains full-time status. This award is in addition to any other merit scholarships for which the student may qualify. ($2,000 per year: $8,000 total possible award)

First Year Scholarships for Sage College of Albany:

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The following scholarships and awards are available to incoming first year students who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement. Only one of these scholarships or awards is offered per student. These scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing with a cuumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and maintains full-time status. Grade point averages are recalculated by the Admission Committee and determination of scholarship qualification is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. No separate application is required for any of these scholarships or awards. All applicants are considered for nomination when reviewed for admission to the College. The first-time freshmen nominees will be required to participate in SCA's Scholars' Program.

Trustee Scholarship - To be considered for this award, students must be Valedictorian or Salutatorian of their graduating high school class, or a National Merit Finalist. ($11,000 - $44,000 total award)

Presidential Honors Scholarship – Consideration is given to applicants who complete a college preparatory program with a combined SAT score of 1200 or above or ACT composite score of 26 and above rank in the top 20% of their class maintaining a GPA of "A" or higher. This scholarship is renewable for three additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing and maintains full-time status. Recipients of this scholarship would also be invited to participate in our Honors Program, which offers stimulating experiences in high-level thinking and creativity. (Up to $9,000 per year - $36,000 total possible award.)

Dean's Excellence Award - Consideration is given to applicants who have completed a college prepatory program, whose minimum combined SAT score is 1100, or ACT composite score of 24, and who ranked in the top 30% of their class with a GPA of "B+" or higher. (Up to $7,000 per year - $28,000 total possible award).

Dean's Award – Consideration is given to applicants who have completed a college preparatory program, whose combined SAT is a minimum of 1000 or ACT composite is 21 or higher, and who ranks in the top 40% of their class with a GPA of "B" or higher. (Up to $5,000 per year - $20,000 total possible award.)

Art Talent Award - This is an annual award given to accepted, full-time, first-year students who have been designated by Sage faculty as having an outstanding portfolio. This award cannot be combined with any other academic merit awards. This award is renewable for three additional years provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA and full-time status. ($3,000 per year - $12,000 total possible award.)

Allies Awards – Consideration is given to full-time, first-year students who posses strong leadership qualities, and a commitment to encouraging communication and understanding among culturally diverse groups. Students must have a combined SAT minimum of 1000 or ACT composite is 21 or higher, and who ranks in the top 40% of their class with a GPA of B or higher. must consistently demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. An interview is required. ($1,000 per year - $4,000 total possible award.)

First Generation Award- Consideration is given to those applicants (first-year or transfer) who are first in their immediate family to attend college. Students must have at least a B high school GPA and a minimum SAT score of 1000 or a minimum ACT composite score of 21, and rank in the top 30% of their class. Transfer student must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0. ($1,000 - $4,000 total possible award).

The Sage Colleges Alumnae/Alumni Award – Awarded on an annual basis to accepted, full-time, first-year students whose parent or grandparent graduated from one of the Sage Colleges. This award can be coupled with the any of the awards. ($1,000 per year - $4,000 total possible award.)

Transfer Scholarships

The following awards are available to incoming transfer students who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement. Only one of these scholarships or awards is offered per student. They are renewable for two additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing and maintains full-time status. All college coursework will be used to determine scholarship eligibility. Determination of qualification is at the discretion of t

Transfer Excellence Scholarship – Consideration is given to applicants who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0. This scholarship is renewable for up to two additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing and maintains full-time status in Sage College of Albany. Students who matriculate into Sage After Work programs are not eligible for this scholarship. (Up to $5,000 per year - $20,000 total possible award.)

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship- An academic merit scholarship awarded to full-time transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa. Consideration is given to applicants who have maintained a cumulativie GPA of 3.0. This scholarship is renewable for up to two additional years provided the student remains in good academic standing and maintains full-time status. Students who matriculated into Sage After Work are not eligible for this scholarship. (up to $7,000 per year- $28,000 total possible award).

Other Scholarships

Opalka Family Scholarship: For graduates of Averill Park who are majoring in Fine Arts at SCA. Ask for application at your guidance office or at RSC Office of Admission.

Daniel A. Cowan Endowed Scholarship- For students who are entrepreneurs, who own their own business and are paying for their own education.

Helen R. Staley Scholarship in the Humanities- To a well rounded Albany High School graduate who shows promise, has demonstrated involvement in community service and/or extra curricular activites.

Josephine H. Seber Endowed Scholarship- To graduates of Troy High School.

Roberta Robinson Endowed Scholarship- This scholarship is given to Sage College of Albany Graphic Design majors.

Solon E. Summerfield Foundation Endowed Scholarship- To a student who demonstrates financial need and a strong academic record with first preference to be given to a blind or visually impaired student.

Verizon Endowed Scholarship for Communications- To students who are working adults, disabled, disadvantaged, or part of a special needs group who are studying communication


Frequently Asked Questions:

After I have been accepted to Sage, how will I know what courses will transfer in?
Once you have been accepted, the admissions office then forwards all of your transcripts to the Office of Student Services for application to your record. In many instances research for course descriptions and information on course content needs to be done and approved by faculty prior to a course being transferred into Sage. After all courses have been reviewed and applied to your record, a Transfer Equivalency Report listing all courses transferred in from your previous institution(s) with their respective Sage equivalent is then sent on to you for your records.

Can you send proof of my enrollment to my insurance company?
Yes. We have enrollment verification request forms in the office and on our website to download. The form can be faxed, mailed, or dropped off and needs the student’s signature for us to release enrollment information. We can fax or mail the verification form to whomever the student would like. We can also keep it in our office if the student prefers to pick it up. This process normally takes 3 – 5 business days.

My GPA has fallen below 3.0. Will I lose my grants and scholarship?
Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to retain scholarship awards. All undergraduate students of The Sage Colleges are required to meet the academic standards published in their college handbook. Grant monies are subject to review based upon academic performance. Also, a challenging semester could impact TAP eligibility, so please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Can I register for classes or add/drop classes over the phone?
No. Registration and add/drop forms can be faxed, mailed, or dropped off but cannot be processed over the phone. Forms are available in our office and can be downloaded from our website.

Where can I check the status of my TAP Grant?
Visit www.hesc.com and follow instructions.

Where can I check the of my Federal Stafford loan?
Visit www.hesc.com and follow instructions.

When can I anticipate the refund from my Federal Stafford loan?
Within ten business days of receipt of the loan.

What are the minimum registration requirements to maintain my Federal Stafford loan?
4.5 credit hours graduate students and 6 credit hours for undergraduate students.

Can I cross-register for a class during the summer?
No. Cross-registration through the Hudson Mohawk Association is only available during the fall and spring semesters.

How long do I have to elect a class Pass/Fail?
Students have until the tenth week of the semester to elect a class Pass/Fail. Students can specify, at the time they elect Pass/Fail, that they would like to keep their final letter grade if it is at or above a grade of their choosing. Faculty members are not informed of the student’s decision to elect a class Pass/Fail.

What do I need my ID for?
To access a degree audit, paycheck, unofficial transcript, grades, any information requiring you to identify yourself.

If my award letter has an estimated. TAP award, do I still need to file the application I received?
Yes, the estimate is provided by the financial aid office to assist your family in anticipating their contribution toward your tuition/fees/room & board. In order to receive a TAP grant, New York State requires an application every year

I filed the FAFSA form last year when I was applying to colleges. Am I required to file another one this year?
Yes, eligibility for federal grants and loans is based on the previous year's federal income tax return. The FAFSA is required for every year that you wish to participate in these programs.

I just received my award letter; and I do not wish to borrow the student loan(s) and/or participate in College Work Study. Do I still have to sign the award letter?
Yes, in the acceptance signature box on the reverse of your award letter there are check off statements that will allow you to decline or reduce your student loan(s) and work study.

I was selected for verification. What is it and what do I have to send in?
The Federal Department of Education requires that all colleges participating in federal grant and loan programs review a percentage of their applicants for accuracy. This process is random and requires the Financial Aid Office to collect the following documents:

a. Verification worksheet
b. A signed copy of the student/spouse federal tax return and all schedules
c. If dependent, a signed copy of parent/stepparent federal tax return and all schedules
d. All student/spouse/parent/stepparent W2s
e. Copies of all documentation regarding untaxed income (Public Assistance/Social Security/etc.)


How do I go about obtaining approval for taking a summer course at another institution?
You should complete a "Request for Approval of Transfer Credit" form and obtain all required signatures (Advisor, Program Coordinator/Chair, Dean in extenuating circumstances). This form is available in the Office of Student Services and should be returned there after it has been completely filled out. This form is then kept on file until you have your official transcript sent from the institution you attended. Once this official transcript is received, we then transfer in the course and send you a revised degree audit and transfer equivalency report for your records.

I got that course waived, why didn't I receive 3 credits for it?
If you get a course waived, it only means that you don't have to take that course. A waiver doesn't mean that you will receive any credit for it as you must meet minmal credit hours completed for your degree.

My degree audit states that I have “XX” number of credits, My advisor and I counted and I have 2 times that many. Which is correct?
The top box on the degree audit is correct. Courses on the audit can double count, i.e. once in your major and once in liberal arts. If you are going to try to count credits yourself, please be sure to only count the course and credits once.

How do I get a course that I transferred in to substitute for a requirement?
A substitution form can be picked up in the Student Service Office or be downloaded from the website. The policy indicates that you need approval from your advisor and the department chair/program coordinator for the catalog requirement, i.e. if you are trying to substitute a math course, you will need the math department chair's signature regardless of what your major is. Please be aware that the form will not be processed unless you get these signatures. Email approval is permitted; you can attach it to the form.

How do I request my official transcript?
Such a request needs to be in writing either in person, by mail or fax. The cost is $5.00 per copy. The form for requesting a transcript can be download from this site under "Forms". If writing a letter, the request must include:

  • Name (please note if different when attending SAGE)
  • Social Security Number
  • Approximate dates of attendance
  • Address to which transcript is to be forwarded
  • Signature
  • Payment by check, VISA or Master Card credit card number and expiration Date

How long does it take to receive an official transcript?
The process is about 5 business days from receipt of request.

What is the federal identification code for The Sage Colleges for financial aid purposes?
002810

Does Sage require any other financial aid applications than the FAFSA?
New York State residents should also complete the NYS application for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program). This application can be completed electronically at the same time the FAFSA is being filed.

How can I pay for my books if I receive financial aid?
Authorization to charge your textbooks in the college bookstore against your financial aid, by using your college photo ID card, can be possible through the Office of Student Services. Authorization is given if your financial aid exceeds the balance due on your student account and all required financial aid paperwork is in order.

Is the EFC amount on my financial aid Student Aid Report the amount I will owe the College?
The EFC is the “Expected Family Contribution” calculated by the Department of Education as a result of the FAFSA filing. In general, it is NOT the actual amount you will owe on your student account. Rather, it is the index by which your financial aid package is developed in combination with your student budget.