Union College Parent Guide
Admissions & Financial Aid at Union
Some 5,000 applicants seek first-year class positions; about half are in the top 10 percent of their secondary school class. Admissions counselors look at the prospective student’s grades, quality of courses, class rank, recommendations and extracurriculars.
Union is committed to admitting an economically diverse student body, to meeting the full, demonstrated need of all admitted students and to keeping students’ debt as low as possible. Those families who are unable to pay full tuition and fees are typically covered by a financial aid package consisting of a grant, loan and work opportunity. About half of all applicants apply for financial aid; more than 60 percent receive assistance.
Our comprehensive financial aid program includes more than $40 million in aid from Union’s own resources and from federal, state, institutional and other agencies. The College directly awards more than $34 million in scholarships each year. For students in the Class of 2014, the average need-based scholarship is $32,500 and the average merit award, $10,000. Merit awards are offered to top academic candidates; approximately 10 percent of students receive merit scholarships.
