FAFSA Code: 002837 | TAP Code: 1010
Apply for Aid
Whether you're a new, transfer, or graduate student, this guide walks you through the steps to apply for financial aid at the University at Buffalo.
Financial Aid Application Steps
Step 1: Apply to UB
You must be admitted to UB before receiving a financial aid offer.
- Be sure to include your Social Security Number (SSN) on your admissions application. If you chose to omit your SSN on the application, submit a W-9S form (PDF) to avoid delays.
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1 each year. Submit it early to maximize your eligibility for:
- Federal grants and loans
- Work-study
- UB campus-based aid (e.g., SEOG, Health Professions Loans)
- New York State aid (e.g., TAP)
New York State residents can complete the TAP application via the FAFSA confirmation page.
UB Codes:
Federal School Code: 002837
NYS TAP Code: 1010
Transfer Students
If you're transferring to UB:
- Update your FAFSA to include UB’s school codes.
- Confirm your TAP application reflects UB.
- Contact outside scholarship providers to see if awards are transferable.
- Review your financial aid history to understand lifetime limits.
Graduate and Professional Students
Graduate students follow a similar process but have different aid options:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Graduate PLUS Loans
- Health Professions & Nursing Loans
- TEACH Grant
- NYS Graduate Programs (e.g., EDPS, VTA, GOP)
Use the FAFSA and TAP applications to apply. Explore fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships through The Graduate School.
Step 3: Explore Scholarships
UB offers a wide range of scholarships for incoming and current students. All first-year students are automatically considered for merit scholarships—no separate application is required. Some scholarships, including Presidential, athletic and other UB awards, may require a separate application.
Students can apply for donor-funded scholarships through the UB Scholarship Portal. The application opens March 1 for recruitment scholarships and July 15 for all other awards.
Step 4: Check Your HUB To-Do List
After you submit your FAFSA, UB will receive your information in about three days. If additional documents are needed, they’ll appear in your HUB Student Center To-Do List. You’ll also receive a Missing Information Notification by email. Check HUB regularly to avoid delays in processing your aid.
Step 5: Review & Accept Your Aid
Once your financial aid package is ready:
- New undergraduate students will have their aid package mailed.
- New graduate and all returning students will receive a notification via UB email.
- View and accept your aid in HUB Student Center.
- Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted.
- Loans and work-study must be accepted or declined.
- Your aid is based on an assumed budget and then adjusted after registration.
- You can adjust loan amounts or request changes later using the Financial Aid Revision Request Form.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to stay eligible.
- Dual degree students must update their FAFSA when transitioning from undergraduate to graduate status.
Step 6: Submit Your Tuition Deposit
Submit your deposit to confirm your enrollment. After this, UB will begin using your UB email for all official communications.
Step 7: Maintain Your Info
Keep your contact details up to date—especially your address, phone number and email—to avoid missing important updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have completed an MPN and entrance counseling within the last 10 years, you will probably not be required to complete them again. If we determine that your previous MPN or entrance counseling has expired, we will add the requirement to your HUB To-Do list, and notify you by email that they are required. Check your HUB To-Do list regularly to make sure your financial aid is processed quickly.
Most lenders and loan servicing organizations that participate in the National Student Clearinghouse also participate in our paperless deferment process. With this process, no paper forms need to be completed by either students or schools. Students must simply call their servicer to request deferment. The servicer then posts a deferment to the student’s account after the student’s verbal order is confirmed with the National Student Clearinghouse.
UB does not issue book vouchers; however Campus Cash is available to purchase your books.
Academic progress is reviewed for many financial aid awards. To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, which includes a pace rate component. Students must demonstrate progress by accumulating academic credits at a rate that indicates graduation in a timely manner. If you are a NYS TAP grant recipient, you must be matriculated into an approved major (not undecided, intended or applied) by the time you reach junior status.
Meet with your academic advisor if you are concerned about your transfer credits affecting your status.
Financial aid disbursement dates will vary depending on several factors. Your career, the specific award process and factors like outstanding HUB To-Do items will determine when your aid will disburse. When your financial aid does disburse, the funds will be sent directly to your student account. If the amount of your aid exceeds the amount you owe, the Office of Student Accounts will issue you a refund. The fastest way to receive your refund is to enroll in direct deposit; otherwise a check will be issued and mailed to you.
Attend a First Year or Transfer Student Orientation and talk with your academic department to see if you are eligible for awards offered through UB. We also encourage students to talk with outside organizations like employers or social groups to find out if they offer educational assistance to members attending school.
Quick Tips:
- Items listed in your HUB To Do list are hyperlinked to provide an explanation and instructions to complete the requirements. Click “more” to see what action is needed, where to send missing documents, and how your aid may be affected.
- Visit the online support site for HUB to access dozens of web-based tutorials and PDF how-to guides to assist you with performing specific activities within HUB.
- Attend a First Year or Transfer Student Orientation session to meet with representatives from different UB departments.
- Check the Need To Know box on MyUB regularly to find important alerts that may affect you!