Most CUNY students receive some form of financial assistance, whether in the form of grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, or work-study employment. Last year more than 110,000 CUNY students received approximately $500 million in financial aid. For about half of these students, financial aid covered all tuition costs. The information below can help you learn how to understand and meet college costs.

Undocumented students living in New York State may be entitled to the resident tuition rate. Contact the Office of Admission at the individual college for eligibility information.

Related Costs
Tuition is only one of the costs of higher education. Whether you are planning to attend CUNY as a full-time or part-time student, you can approximate your expenses for the academic year (nine months) by considering the following items

Books and Supplies. The average cost is $798 per year for full-time students.

Transportation. The average cost is $715 per year.

Personal. Approximately $1,653 per academic year.

Room and Board. Estimate $2,520 for the academic year for students living at home with their parents.

Housing. CUNY does not offer residence halls, except for a limited number of places at Hunter College. Students interested in information about off-campus apartments can contact the Office of the Dean of Students at the college they will be attending.

Technology Fee. Paid by each student to improve computer service at the colleges. Full-time students pay $75 per semester and part-time students pay $37.50.

Activity Fees. Funds paid by each student to support student clubs, student government, various campus services, and various student activities. These range from $48.85 to $103.55 per semester for full-time students. Part-time students pay less.

CUNY Senior Citizen Program
Residents of New York State who are at least 60 years old may enroll in undergraduate courses tuition-free on a space-available basis at any CUNY community college. At the senior colleges, senior citizens may enroll in undergraduate courses tuition-free on a space-available basis provided they do so as auditors. Those who wish to enroll for credit pay the same as other degree-seeking students. Senior citizens wishing to take courses for credit must matriculate by filing a regular application and meeting the same admission requirements as regular students.


Meeting College Costs

If you think you will need assistance to pay for educational expenses, we recommend that you apply for financial aid, regardless of your financial situation. You, the student, are primarily responsible for your college education. This means you should be prepared to make a financial contribution toward educational costs, through a summer job and/or a part-time employment during the year. Your family is also responsible for contributing to your educational expenses. The amount of money you and your family are expected to contribute is determined during the financial aid application process. For further information, download our PDF at this web address: www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/2003/solutions.pdf (acrobat required).

Applying for Financial Assistance
To receive financial aid at CUNY, you must complete two forms: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, if you and (if applicable) your parents are New York State residents, the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application. Both forms can be completed on-line. The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will be directed to the TAP application after completing the on-line FAFSA.

Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after you and (if applicable) your parents have completed your current income tax return, since you will be using information from your tax returns to answer the questions. When completing the FAFSA, it is important that you list a CUNY college in step six as one of the schools that will receive the information. You cannot submit the FAFSA until after January 1 of the calendar year you plan to begin school. But if you want to get an early start on the FAFSA process, you can request a personal identification number (PIN) now. You can obtain a PIN by visiting www.pin.ed.gov. This allows you and your parents (if applicable) to sign the FAFSA and the TAP applications electronically. Your PIN will be valid throughout your entire college education. Your parents' PIN will be valid for you and for any siblings who may also attend college.

The FAFSA and TAP applications are used to determine the amount and type(s) of financial aid for which you may be eligible. It is possible that you will be granted more than one type of assistance. Funds from the different major aid programs can be combined to create your individual financial aid package. The final package is based on your eligibility for particular kinds of aid and the funds available.

To receive Title IV aid (Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, FWS, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loan, Federal Direct PLUS), students must provide information regarding citizenship status and their compliance with other federal laws and regulations, such as Selective Service registration. Candidates cannot have defaulted on other federal loans.

Once you begin receiving federal and/or state assistance, you must remain in good academic standing and continue making satisfactory progress toward a degree in order to continue receiving aid. At the end of each spring semester, you will be measured against a satisfactory progress standard to determine your continuing eligibility. If you fail to meet standards and lose eligibility, you have the right to appeal. Below are four major types of financial aid available to CUNY students: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities.

Grants
Grants are funds given to students by the federal, state, or city government. They may be used to pay for all or some of the costs of tuition, as well as related costs such as books, supplies, and transportation. Grants do not have to be repaid and previous academic accomplishment usually has no bearing on eligibility. To receive any grant, you must be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

Below are the major grants available to CUNY students. You must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for any of these grants.

Federal Pell Grant. This grant is for part-time and full-time students enrolled in degree programs. Part-time students must carry at least 1 credit per semester; full-time students must carry at least 12 credits. The Federal Pell Grant may be used for tuition and other college-related expenses.

Full-time CUNY students may be eligible for awards ranging from $400 to $4,050 per year. Part-time students taking 1 to 5 credit hours are eligible for up to one quarter of a full-time award. Those taking 6 to 8 hours may receive up to one half of the full-time award, and those taking 9 to 11 hours may be eligible for three quarters of the full-time award.

When your eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant has been determined, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal agency that reviewed your application. The college will receive the SAR information electronically. If there are no questions about the information on your SAR, and you are eligible for an award, your college's financial aid office will process your Federal Pell Grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). FSEOG is a federal grant program for students enrolled at least half time 6 credits per semester) in degree programs and who demonstrate great financial need. To receive this grant, you must be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. Awards at CUNY range from $400 to $600 per year.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The TAP grant is available to full-time students in degree programs who are New York State residents and are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. TAP can be used only to pay tuition costs. Eligibility is based on your family's New York State net taxable income.

Full-time undergraduates entering CUNY may be eligible for TAP grants ranging from $500 to $4,000. CUNY students apply for TAP by using the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY Supplement.

Regents Award for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans. This program provides financial assistance to children of veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces during designated periods of war or national emergency. To be eligible, students must meet specific requirements and submit a special application in addition to the TAP application. Aid generally covers four years of undergraduate study, but will cover up to five years for students enrolled in approved five-year baccalaureate programs.

For additional information and an application, call NYSHESC at (518) 474-5642. Applications must be received by May 1 to be considered for the following academic year.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS). Part-time, degree-seeking students (taking 6 to 11 credits per semester) may be eligible for this New York State grant. Eligible students must be New York State residents and must apply for the Federal Pell Grant. The award can be used only toward tuition.

Awards are based on the family's New York State net taxable income. The amount, which is determined by CUNY, is based on the number of credits taken. The award cannot exceed the cost of tuition.

Tuition Benefit for Active New York State National Guard Members. This is a tuition assistance program for active members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, and the New York Naval Militia. It provides tuition assistance for active members enrolled in a first-degree program of study at CUNY.

The award covers tuition after all other financial aid has been applied to the tuition charges. Students must apply for federal and state financial aid and file a DMNA 96-1 form, which can be obtained from their National Guard unit. To continue receiving this award, students must remain in good military standing and demonstrate progress toward earning a degree.

Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA) and Persian Gulf Veteran College Tuition Benefits. Vietnam and Persian Gulf War veterans who are undergraduates attending degree-granting institutions in New York State can receive up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study, and up to $500 per semester for part-time study, for a maximum total of $10,000. Recipients must meet specific state residency and service requirements to be eligible for this award.

Applications are available from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC), 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255. As part of the application process, full-time student veterans must also apply for TAP and the Federal Pell Grant; and part-time students, for the Federal Pell Grant.

For additional information, contact the individual college's financial aid office.

Scholarships
Scholarships are educational funds provided by government agencies, individual colleges, and other sources. They're usually awarded on the basis of academic merit or a special talent, and may be used for tuition and other related educational expenses.

CUNY Scholarships. Students with outstanding records of academic achievement in high school may be eligible for academic scholarships available at most CUNY colleges. In addition to requiring superior grades and/or test scores, most CUNY scholarship applicants must submit high school recommendations. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 per year. Information and eligibility requirements are available through the admissions offices at the individual colleges.

Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship. New York City high school graduates with at least a B average may be eligible for this scholarship. All CUNY applicants for freshman admission are reviewed for eligibility. Award is contingent upon annual funding.

World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship. This award is primarily for the children and spouses of victims who perished in the attacks of September 11, 2001. It provides tuition, fees, and living expenses for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study at CUNY. In addition to serving the children and spouses of September 11 victims, the award is also available to victims themselves who have been severely and permanently disabled as a result of the attacks. Applications are available from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) at www.hesc.com.

Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Firefighters. The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) administers this scholarship, which provides financial assistance to children and spouses of deceased police officers, peace officers, firefighters, and volunteer firefighters of New York State who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Memorial Scholarships provide funds to meet the costs of attending college. Awards are based on allowances for tuition and non-tuition costs, including room and board, books, supplies, and transportation. The Memorial Scholarship is available for four years of full-time undergraduate study (or for five years in an approved five-year baccalaureate program).

War on Terrorism Scholarship. The War on Terrorism Scholarship is available to students whose parent or spouse was killed while serving in the military and fighting the war on terrorism. The scholarship, along with the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant, provides full tuition at CUNY. The award is available for up to four years of undergraduate study (five years in certain five-year programs).

To qualify, students must provide the following documentation from the Department of Defense: (1) notification that the parent or spouse was killed in a combat zone that was part of the war on terrorism, or related action as part of Operation Enduring Freedom; (2) proof that the parent or spouse killed was a New York State resident at the time of military service.

Applicants must also submit either a birth certificate or a marriage certificate documenting their relationship to the deceased service member. All recipients of the scholarship are required to submit the FAFSA and must also apply for TAP.

Loans
Loans are funds that must be paid back within a specified period of time after the student graduates or leaves college for any reason. Loans provide students and their families with money that may be used for tuition and other education-related expenses. Student loans usually carry lower interest rates than standard commercial loans. To receive a loan, you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

Federal Perkins Loan. The Federal Perkins Loan program allows full-time and part-time (at least 6 credits per semester) students enrolled in degree programs to borrow money at 5 percent simple interest. This is a federal low-interest loan that students must begin repaying within nine months of graduation or leaving college. Students have up to 10 years to repay. Qualified students must show financial need and be citizens of the United States or eligible non-citizens.

Students may borrow up to $4,000 per year, for a maximum total of $20,000 during their entire undergraduate enrollment. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan. The Direct Stafford Loan program allows part-time (6-credit minimum per semester) and full-time students in degree programs to borrow money directly from the federal government through CUNY at a variable interest rate not to exceed 8.25 percent. The loans must be paid back beginning six months after graduation or when dropping below half-time attendance. Students have a maximum of 10 years to repay the loan. The FAFSA determines eligibility.

First-year students may borrow up to $2,625, and up to $23,000 total while pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. The provisions of this loan are similar to the Federal Direct Stafford Loan with two exceptions: (1) interest accrues while the student attends school, and (2) this program allows independent students to borrow additional money at a variable interest rate not to exceed 8.25 percent.

Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). PLUS enables parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow money for each of their children attending college at a variable interest rate not to exceed 9 percent. Repayment of the loan must begin within 60 days after funds are disbursed. Borrowers have 10 years to repay the loan. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus other aid for each child per academic year. There is no maximum aggregate. The FAFSA is used to apply for PLUS.

Work-Study
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). Work-study gives students an opportunity to earn money on a CUNY campus, or at a public or private non-profit organization. This money may be used to help pay for educational expenses and helps students gain valuable work experience.

To be eligible, the student must: (1) demonstrate financial need, (2) be attending college at least half time (6 credits per semester), (3) be enrolled in a degree program, and (4) be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

Wages range from minimum wage to $9 per hour. Students may earn from $800 to $2,000 per year. The FAFSA determines eligibility for the FWS program.

Other Sources of Financial Aid
Targeted Aid. Students pursuing certain career programs (such as accounting, medicine, or hotel and food services) may be eligible for special loans and scholarships offered by CUNY. Students should investigate these opportunities by contacting the financial aid offices at the individual colleges.

Federal, state, and local community organizations also offer various forms of financial assistance.

Additional sources of financial aid information. You can search for scholarships using the Internet. Websites that provide free information about private scholarships include FastWeb.com, CollegeNET.com, collegeboard.com, SRNexpress.com, ExPan.com, and WiredScholar.com.

These sites ask for personal information regarding your academic background and your interests. The search engine then finds scholarships for which you may be eligible.

If you prefer, scholarship information is also available in book form. Two examples are:

Reference information on financial aid for minorities, women, and veterans is also available. The following publications are excellent resources and can be ordered free from the publishers:

Many additional publications can be found at the New York public libraries. These libraries do not respond to mail inquiries. For more information please check out their website at http://www.nypl.org.