Introduction to Financial Aid at Queens College

Many of our students need some sort of financial aid to help pay the costs of attending college or graduate school.

In determining what you will need during your attendance at Queens College, keep in mind that our tuition is significantly lower than that at most other institutions. Financial aid at Queens College can help pay more than just your tuition and fees bills. You will, of course, have many additional expenses related to your education, such as books and supplies, transportation, lunch, room and board at home, or housing and food on your own.

The Financial Aid Office at Queens College helps eligible students receive federal and New York State financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and part-time work. Aid is initially awarded for one academic year based on information on your annual FAFSA and TAP applications, which determine financial need, using standard formulas and standard expense budgets.

We hope this website will help you understand how the aid programs work and how to explore your options. We want you to receive the aid you need and are eligible to receive in a timely fashion and without problems, so that you can plan your finances and focus on the many exciting opportunities available to you at Queens College.

APPLY EARLY!
If you feel you may need financial aid, APPLY EARLY. The priority filing deadline for 2012-2012 aid through us is mid-April 2012.

Although you can continue to file for aid after that, we want you to be able to have the best information about your eligibility as early as possible.

In addition, there is limited funding for SEOG grants, Perkins Loans, and Work-Study. Early filers have the best chance.

Register Early for All Your Classes
Applying and registering early will give you the best view of your aid eligibility. It will also make a difference for Fall and Spring if you need to use some of your Pell or SEOG early through our book advance program, or some of your Perkins Loan or Direct Loan through our book voucher program.

Summary List of Programs
For application details and some of the eligibility details on specific programs, see the GRANTS, WORK, LOANS menu items at the top of each page on our website. Additional details and other eligibility information is available on the CUNY Financial Aid website.

See other pages on our website to find scholarships and other resources that may be of assistance to you.

>Aid for Students in Undergraduate Degree Programs
Grants: TAP, APTS, Pell, SEOG, SEEK Book Money
Work: Federal Work-Study
Loans: Perkins Loan, Direct Loan (Subsidized), Direct Loan (Unsubsidized), PLUS Loan

>Aid for Students in Graduate Degree Programs
Grants: TAP
Work: Federal Work-Study
Loans: Perkins Loan, Direct Loan (Subsidized will NOT be available to graduate students after 2011-2012), Direct Loan (Unsubsidized)

IMPORTANT: Some programs that make awards based on academic merit may require students to file early and every year for need-based aid (via the FAFSA and/or the TAP application) in order to receive payment of the award. Among the programs that require filing of aid applications annually are Honors College funding, Teacher Academy funding, SEEK awards, and a variety of New York State Merit Scholarships. Follow all instructions related to your awards very carefully.

Do you need Financial Aid at Queens College?

Review the tuition and fees costs for your category, and based on the number of credits you are planning to take each term, on the Bursar's website. Be sure to see the QC class schedule each semester for detailed information on special additional fees for some courses. Note that out-of-state, part-time, and graduate students are charged different tuition and fees.

Review the sample list of other possible expenses shown on the CUNY Financial Aid website; these estimates will be useful to you as you begin to think about what your total costs might be.

To determine whether or not you need some sort of assistance to help you with your educational expenses, you should look at ALL of your basic expenses, not just tuition and fees, as well as ALL your financial resources.

Who is Eligible to Receive Financial Aid at Queens College?

Some of the common eligibility requirements for federal and New York State grants, loans, and work are listed below. More information is included on our program description page. Students must list a CUNY school on the FAFSA application, and QC on the TAP application, and resolve all application problems, documentation requirements, and register at any eligible status.

If you did not list a CUNY school on your application, we will not be able to evaluate you for aid or pay you here. Either adjust your college code yourself with the processor, or bring your SAR to the Financial Aid Office so we can make the change. You must also resolve any problems related to your application and submit any required/requested documentation. Be sure to check the status of your aid applications and resolve any edits or request for information as soon as possible.

Students must meet financial need and general eligibility requirements for the specific programs. Most of our aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. Aid programs that do not depend on financial need require the filing of financial aid applications. The student must also meet other requirements related to selective service registration and immigration/citizenship status, and must not be in default on a student loan.

An EFC (Estimated / Expected Family Contribution) is calculated by the FAFSA processor completely on the basis of economic eligibility and what you indicate on your application about your status and academic program. The Pell award chart uses that EFC to determine the Pell Grant award for otherwise eligible students. For other federal aid, a standard expense budget MINUS this EFC gives FINANCIAL NEED - the maximum we can consider for you in most aid.

More information about the EFC calculation itself is on the CUNY Financial Aid site.

Awards are then made and adjusted based on your eligibility and for some programs amount of funding available - and using actual enrollment criteria such as the following.

Admission, Enrollment and Registration Status: Students must be matriculated in a degree program; meet satisfactory academic standards specific to the Federal Title IV financial aid programs and the New York State grant programs; be registered and attending at an eligible status for the program for the semester. More information is on the program detail pages.

Some of the programs also have additional requirements related to: 1) payment after nonattendance, grades, or withdrawals (all, including WNs and WAs) have been posted; 2) Summer-only, Summer-and-Fall-only, and Fall-only payments; and 3) payments after the end of the semester.

Change in Status:
Variations in your program can affect your eligibility for financial aid.
Going on Study Abroad, taking classes at another school, making changes to your enrollment status, your attendance status, or any official or unofficial withdrawal from classes can alter the amount of the award, make you ineligible for a current or future award, or cause you to have to repay some of the money already received.

Contact a financial aid counselor before you take these actions; we want you to be aware of any implications and possible changes to your eligibility. In some cases you must take steps to assure your eligibility. Check with the Financial Aid Office for additional information and requirements.