For questions about Gate Y-Loans please see Gate Y-Loans FAQ.

1. How is financial aid distributed?
   All financial aid awards are given to students with demonstrated financial need.  Financial need is based on self-reported data such as income information and the current value of a student’s (and spouse’s) financial resources.  Students are then ranked, based on a number of qualifications, from this pool of students with demonstrated financial need.
   
   
2. Do I have to apply in order to receive financial aid?
   All students must apply for financial aid on an annual basis.
    
3. Do I have to reapply for financial aid in my second year?
   All students must apply for financial aid on an annual basis. 
   
   
4. What forms do I need to fill out to be eligible for financial aid?
   All students must apply for financial aid on an annual basis.  If you are a U.S Citizen or a Permanent Resident you must complete these forms:
   
   
   1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
   2. Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application
   3. Family Support Form (download PDF)  

   If you are an International student you must complete these forms:

   1. Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application
   2. Family Support Form (download PDF)  

   For more information refer to Financial Aid Procedures.

5. Are there important financial aid deadlines that I need to be aware of?

   All applications must be received by February 15, 2007 to be considered in the first round of financial aid awards.  Most scholarship aid is distributed in the first round of financial aid awards.

6. How can I get a jump-start on applying for outside scholarships?
   After you have applied to for admissions at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies you will have access to a password protected Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Outside Scholarship database.  All students and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for outside aid. Outside scholarships

7. What financial aid is available from the environment school for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents?
   The school offers financial aid through a combination of scholarships, employment and loans to students with demonstrated financial need.  The level of funding for each student is determined at the time of admission; therefore it is critical that all financial aid application deadlines are met.  Students must apply for aid each year; however the School aid will remain the same as long as there is demonstrated financial need and the student remains in good academic standing. NOTE: This means that a student is NOT, in most cases, awarded an increase in his/her financial aid package for the second year. 

8. What financial aid is available for international students?
   
   See Financial Aid for International Students.

9. Are there any opportunities for administrative, research or teaching assistantships?
   See Employment Opportunities.

10. How much aid is given annually to Yale students in the form of grants?
    In 2006 – 2007, we awarded US $2.8 million in scholarships to our master’s students.

11. What percent of Yale Students receive financial assistance?
    In 2006 – 2007, we awarded US $2.8 million in scholarships to our master’s students. About 80% of our students receive grants and/or loans each year. Aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as measured by financial aid applications, and on academic merit as shown the Application for Admission. All students receive the same funding in the second year as long as their need and our resources remain the same.

12. Does FES offer scholarships to students from underrepresented communities?
    The following scholarships are designated for students from underrepresented communities: Philip Laurance Buttrick Fund – Preference given to students of Native American heritage. GE Fund Environmental Scholars Program – Preference given to students from traditionally underrepresented communities. Fletcher Scholarship – Preference given to students from historically underrepresented communities. John M. Musser Fellowship – Preference given to women or students from historically underrepresented communities.
    
    Students who apply for financial aid will automatically be considered for these scholarships.

13. Do I get a new financial aid award my second year?
    Students are awarded a financial aid package for their incoming year and can expect the same award their second year as long as they reapply and still qualify as having financial need.  For example, if an incoming student receives a financial aid award with a grant for $3,000, a subsidized Stafford loan for $8,500 and an unsubsidized Stafford loan for $10,000, then they will receive the same package as long as their financial need remains the same.  This also holds true if you receive a financial aid award that only includes loans, as well as if you receive a financial aid package with only grants.

14. Where can doctoral students get financial aid information?
    The doctoral program Web site.

15. When should I apply for financial aid if I am applying as a joint degree student? Financial aid decisions for joint degree students will be made at the time of admission to the environment school, which is not necessarily the year in which you matriculate in our school. It is therefore essential that joint degree applicants apply for financial aid at the same time that they are applying for admissions to the environment school. This includes students who do not plan to start their schooling at the environment school.

16. What is my student account?
    Student Financial Services creates a "student account" for each student. This account is used both for charges (like tuition, bursar bills, meal plans, etc.) and for financial aid awards. One-half of your financial aid award (loans and/or grants) is disbursed to your account on the first day of each semester. This money is first applied to any charges, like your term bill. If there is money left over (for example, if you took out loans to cover living expenses), you will be entitled to a “refund.”

17. How do I request a refund?
    You can request a refund after the start of classes (check academic calendar), by going to www.yale.edu/sis and clicking on the "financial aid menu" and then on "request a refund" or by sending an email to refund@yale.edu. You can also visit Student Financial Services, located at 246 Church Street, New Haven, CT. The fastest way to receive a refund is by signing up for Direct Deposit with Student Financial Services.

    Please remember: It may take Student Financial Services several days to process refunds, particularly during busy periods at the beginning of the semester. Be sure to bring sufficient funds to cover your expenses during summer mods and the first week of the semester.
    
    One-half of financial aid awards are disbursed each semester, even though the fall semester covers five months (September through January) and spring semester only covers four months (February through May). Please plan accordingly.
    
    
18. What is my Student Budget/Cost of Attendance?
    Your financial aid budget is composed of tuition and fees plus allowances for living expenses, books, health insurance, etc. This budget reflects an estimate of the cost of a moderate style of living in New Haven for the nine-month academic year. Expenses that are not considered part of the student budget in determining eligibility for financial aid awards are moving expenses, prior debt, credit card debt, and costs associated with automobiles.
    
    The 2007-08 Student Budget (also known as Cost of Attendance) for an incoming student:
    
    Tuition: $27,300
    Living Expenses: $12,485*
    Books & Supplies: $1,168
    Hospitalization: $1,615
    
    Total Estimated Budget: $42,565 *Estimated cost for a single student living for a nine-month period in New Haven.
    Travel expenses are not averaged into the cost of attendance.
    
    
19. Can I borrow money to cover my living expenses, books and health insurance costs?
    Yes, use the calculation below to determine eligibility.
20. How do I find information about student loans?
    Stafford and Other Lenders: Academic Year 2007-2008
    
    Yale provides a list of lenders that may be of assistance to you when choosing a lender to help cover the cost of education. To create the list, Yale requested a brief proposal from lenders describing their fees, borrower benefits, ease of processing and customer service. The proposals were reviewed and a final selection was made. The resulting list of lenders provided here have a range of benefits including other products and services. You have the right to select a lender of your choice and are not obligated to choose one from the list. We ask that you notify us of your choice to ensure timely processing.
    
    
    Yale does not receive any form of payment or remuneration from the lenders in exchange for inclusion on our Lender List. Yale will continue to review our lenders yearly to ensure that our students and their families receive excellent rates and the best customer service available.
    
    Students borrowing through the Federal Stafford loan program can view possible lenders here.
    
    Students interested in a Federal Graduate PLUS loan can view possible lenders here.
    
    
21. I received a financial aid but I would like to borrow an additional amount to cover my living expenses. How do I determine how much additional money I can borrow?
    To determine your eligibility use the following formula:
    
    Cost of Attendance - Financial Aid Received = Eligibility
    
    Example:
    An incoming student has the following award package:
    
    Stafford Subsidized Loan $8,500
    Stafford Unsubsidized Loan $12,000
    Total Financial Aid: $20,500
    
    Use formula: $42,565 (Cost of Attendance) - $20,500 (Financial Aid Received) = $22,065 (Eligibility)
    
    Therefore, this incoming student can receive an additional $22,065 in private or PLUS loans or other aid.
    
    
22. What happens if I don't pay my student account balance by August 1st?
    Any student who has an account balance after August 1st, will be charged a monthly $110 late fee until the remaining balance has been paid in full.
    
    
23. Who should I contact if I have remaining questions?
    Financial Aid Office
    Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
    205 Prospect Street
    New Haven, CT 06511-2189
    fesfinancialaid@yale.edu
    
    Linda Jacobs,
    Senior Administrative Assistant
    Email: Linda.Jacobs@yale.edu
    Phone: (203) 432-6100
    FAX: (203) 432-7297