Meet ACPHS Director of Financial Aid, Steven Dwire. This is a very busy time of year for Dwire, as he prepares all of the aid offers for our incoming class. Dwire has spent nearly 30 years in financial aid roles at the College of Saint Rose and Hartwick College before joining ACPHS. His mission is to help students succeed in college by focusing on the distribution of institutional, state and federal financial aid. From presenting to high school students and families to participating in graduate student forums, he strives to make an impact at every level. Come meet and talk with Steven at Accepted Student Days on March 21 and April 18.
Tell us a little about yourself. I am originally from a small town outside Burlington, Vermont and currently reside in Colonie with my wife and two daughters. I enjoy outdoor activities and watching sports live. For the past 28 years, I have worked in a financial aid office. I enjoy working at smaller private colleges where I can get to know the students and watch them reach their educational goals.
What’s the most important advice you can give families about college financial aid? Do not be intimidated. Even if it your first time or your fifth, ask for help and ask all of your questions. The federal government has made changes made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application and some of the federal financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Office is here to guide you through the process and explain all the different types of federal/state/college aid programs and the options to cover the bill.
What might families be most surprised by learning about the FA process? The financial aid process can feel overwhelming, however if you take it one step at a time it can simply the process. There are three easy steps at ACPHS to apply for financial aid.
- Apply and get admitted
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
- For New York State undergraduate students apply for NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Our office is here to assist students & their families through this process. Even if a family feels they may not qualify for aid, they still should file. You do not know what you might qualify for until you complete the process.
What are you doing now to get prospective students ready to make their decision about attending ACPHS? We are currently sending out 2026-27 financial aid offer letters to our new undergraduate and graduate students. The Financial Aid Office is available for in-person, virtual, or phone meetings to review the letters. We encourage students/families to make these appointments to review the offer letter and talk about the cost of their program. Through these interactions, we can assist them to realize that they can obtain an education at ACPHS.
If you weren’t in financial aid, what career might you have? If I was not in financial aid, I most likely would be working in the financial sector. Maybe a Certified Financial Planner. I enjoy working with people and building relationships. This career would allow me to not only work with people but also with numbers. It would be satisfying to work with individuals and assist them in securing their future financial goals.
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