Making A “Freeing” Education Affordable

Written by Rich Moeggenberg

Hillsdale remains one of the only institutions of higher learning in the United States to operate without one penny of government aid. This is something that most potential students may have not thought about, but it’s an important consideration in your college decision. Allow me to explain why.

Hillsdale’s refusal of all federal and state government aid allows the College to operate independently of burdensome government regulations. That means Hillsdale is free to focus on its mission of providing an outstanding liberal arts education to students without interference from Washington bureaucrats regarding curriculum, admissions standards, and more.

This refusal of government aid also means that Hillsdale does not use the FAFSA (the federal form for student aid that most other colleges utilize), which has come under scrutiny recently due to technical problems and significant delays. Rather, we have our own version of the FAFSA that works in a similar way but is administered by Hillsdale’s Financial Aid Office. Admitted students are invited to complete a need-based assessment called the Confidential Family Financial Statement (CFFS) to receive need-based grants and loans. Like the FAFSA, the CFFS assesses a family’s financial situation and gives the Financial Aid Office an indication of how much additional assistance a student may need. Unlike FAFSA, the CFFS continues to factor in how many children are enrolled in college from one family. Additionally, the net worth of a small business or family farm is not automatically reported as an asset (another recent change to FAFSA). In this way, Hillsdale’s Financial Aid Office strives to consider a family’s financial story even more than their tax returns, including unique family circumstances or financial challenges that might affect your financial aid offer or college decision. Furthermore, families find that the CFFS is much less invasive and easier to complete than the FAFSA, and they hear back from Hillsdale’s Financial Aid Office in a timely manner.

To sustain this commitment, Hillsdale gratefully receives the support and generosity of thousands of citizens who help provide privately funded scholarships, grants, and loans to its students. These funds are awarded to 99 percent of incoming students based on academic and extracurricular achievement, athletic and artistic excellence, and demonstrated financial need. In total, Hillsdale’s average gift aid covers a little over half of the total billed costs of attendance, making it one of the most affordable private liberal arts colleges in the country.

The largest source of student financial aid comes through merit and leadership awards. All students who apply by November 15 are automatically considered for both, while those who apply by December 15 are prioritized for merit scholarships only. Competitive students for these awards have demonstrated rigorous academic achievement, excellent writing skills, good character (as detailed by their letters of recommendation), and have performed well in their Admissions interviews. For leadership awards, students should ensure their resume is up to date and includes details about leadership positions, awards, and the impact made through each involvement.

Additional scholarship opportunities may be available for students who compete in one of Hillsdale’s varsity sports or participate in art, music, theatre, or dance. Families should be in direct communication with the coach or professor responsible for these awards:

• Contact Hillsdale Athletics coaches for more information about our Division II varsity athletic scholarships by using the recruit questionnaire found on each team’s sub-page.
• Music scholarship information is available here.
• Art scholarship information is available here.
• Contact Dr. Chris Matsos, chairman and associate professor of theatre, for information about theatre and dance scholarships.

In considering these scholarship sources, students should also note the availability of on-campus employment and the potential for admission to programs and fellowships that may include additional scholarship opportunities. Students should also seek scholarships in their hometowns through community foundations, non-profits, churches, and even their favorite businesses. Those awards can benefit students no matter where they matriculate and provide them with a support network beyond Hillsdale’s halls.

While Hillsdale’s liberal arts education is “freeing,” it is not free. It remains possible only because of the sacrifice of families and the generosity of thousands of people who have shared their resources with the College. In return, Hillsdale men and women are responsible for working diligently out of gratitude and respect for the sacrifices made on their behalf. It is an honor to work, live, and learn together at Hillsdale, and we look forward to meeting and providing for the next generation of Hillsdale students and families.

Rich Moeggenberg is the director of Student Financial Aid at Hillsdale College.

Published in July 2024