Grants
Grants are a form of financial aid that does not require repayment. Grants are awarded based on demonstrated financial need and/or academic achievement. Students must maintain good academic standing to remain eligible for grants awarded by New York State and by the federal government.
Grants Provided by the Federal Government
Federal Pell Grant
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled for at least 3 credit hours and demonstrate eligibility according to federal guidelines. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree are ineligible.
Amount per year: From $659 to $5550 depending upon federal legislation and appropriations.
Where/how to apply: Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. File electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
Eligibility: First year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and who successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program, and eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.
Amount per year: Freshman year: $750. Sophomore year: $1,300 with a Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of at least 3.0.
Where/how to apply: Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis and have the lowest expected family contribution. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree are ineligible.
Amount per year: From $100 to $4,000 depending upon need and availability of funds.
Where/how to apply: Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. File electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
United States Bureau of Indian Affairs Aid to Native Americans
Higher Education Assistance Program
Eligibility: Applicant must be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut; be enrolled in an approved institution and approved program of study; and have financial need.
Amount per year: Awards are contingent upon funds available and are based on financial need.
Where/how to apply: Applications, which must be filed for each semester of study, may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Must also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. File electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Grants Provided by New York State
All New York state grants are dependent upon state legislation and appropriations. Students must meet the following regulations:
- Maintain good academic standing
- Meet one of the United States citizenship requirements
- Meet New York state residency requirements
- Enroll in and remain in an approved program of study (be matriculated)
- May not be in default on any student loan guaranteed by NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
- May not exceed the income limitations established for the program
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Eligibility: New York state residents who are full-time students at any accredited college in New York state. Must maintain good academic standing.
Amount per year: $100 to full tuition charge, depending on income and New York state funding.
Where/how to apply: Complete the online TAP application after filing the FAFSA, either by direct link from the FAFSA Web site or by going to the TAP Web site at www.tapweb.org.
Requirements for New York State TAP Award
Eligibility: There are a number of different academic criteria that students must meet in order to qualify for a TAP award. Please read the following guidelines and keep them in mind as you register for your classes. By using these guidelines, you will help to make sure that the academic requirements to receive a TAP award will be met.
a. Full Time Status. A student must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester in order to qualify for a TAP award. Of these 12 credits, at least 6 must be credit bearing. The remaining 6 credits can be non-credit remedial.
b. Ineligible Courses. The following courses cannot be counted toward the 12 credit hour requirement: MUS 100A, B, C, or D, ELT 298, PEH 195.
c. Repeated Coursework. As mandated by New York State student aid regulations, courses in which a student has already received a passing grade of D- or higher cannot be counted toward full-time enrollment for TAP purposes.
d. Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must meet the requirements for satisfactory academic progress as outlined on the progress chart.
e. Degree Requirements. Students who register for a course not specifically required for the degree program in which they are matriculated will not be able to count the course toward their 12 credit hour requirement for full-time enrollment. Every degree program the College offers is on file with New York state, along with a listing of the courses required to complete that program. Even if a course is considered to be of great value to the student, it cannot be counted toward the 12 credit hour requirement for TAP.
If you are uncertain how a particular situation will affect your eligibility to receive a TAP award, please contact the Financial Aid office for assistance.
Aid for Part-Time Study
Eligibility: New York state residents who are enrolled for 6 to 11.5 credit hours at participating institutions. Students enrolled with less than 6 credits may be considered if funds permit. Information about additional criteria may be obtained from the Financial Aid office.
Amount per year: Varies depending upon enrollment status and other aid. Award may not exceed cost of tuition.
Where/how to apply: Applicants must complete the FASFA and apply for New York state TAP.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Eligibility: Any disabled person with a substantial employment handicap, who can become employable within a reasonable period of time, may be eligible.
Amount per year: Clients are asked to share the expense, based upon state standards, of some college expenses and other services.
Where/how to apply: Disabled persons may obtain information locally from: New York State Office of Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), State Office Building, Washington Street, Syracuse, NY 13201; phone: (315) 428-4179. Persons with visual disabilities should contact the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, State Office Building, Washington Street, Syracuse, NY 13201; phone: (315) 473-8417.
New York State Aid to Native Americans
Eligibility: Applicant must be on an official tribal roll of a New York state tribe, or the child of an enrolled member of a New York state tribe; be a resident of New York state; and be enrolled in an approved program. Must maintain good academic standing.
Amount per year: $1,350 per year for a maximum of four years of full-time study.
Where/how to apply: Applications may be obtained from the Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, NY 12230.
Worker Adjustment Act (WAA) Individual Tuition Assistance Program
Eligibility: Be certified and enrolled as a dislocated worker and be accepted in an educational program offered by a provider approved by the State Education Department.
Amount per year: Generally, the cost of tuition.
Where/how to apply: County offices of employment and training services, or the New York State Department of Labor’s Grant Management Bureau, State Campus, Building 12, Albany, NY 12240.
Persian Gulf, Vietnam and Afghanistan (including Iraq) Veterans Tuition Awards
Eligibility: State residents matriculated in a degree program and taking at least six credit hours at any New York state accredited college. Applicants must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf hostilities between 8/2/90 and 11/30/95 as evidenced by receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, OR on or after 3/19/03 as evidenced by eligibility for or receipt of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Amount per year: For part-time study (3 – 11 credit hours/semester), $500 or tuition, whichever is less. For full-time study (12 or more credits/ semester), $1,000 or tuition, whichever is less. If a TAP award is also received, the combined award cannot exceed tuition.
Where/how to apply: Applications available through the College’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs or NYS Higher Education Services Corporation. Documentation must be submitted with application. Must establish eligibility by applying to HESC on or before 9/1/08. Must also file the FAFSA and TAP application.
Additional Grants Provided by New York State
Specific program and application information is available at www.hesc.org
- AmeriCorps Education Award
- Child of Veteran Memorial Scholarship
- Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS)
- NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence
- New York Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship
- NYS Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship
- Regents Health Care Opportunity Scholarship
- Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarship
- Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
- Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards
- World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship
Contact
Student Central
Gordon Student Center, Atrium campus map
Hours: Check hours
Telephone: 315 498-2291
e-mail: StudentCentral@sunyocc.edu
