Feel free to contact us if you have further questions after reading this FAQ.

Why do I need to bring photo ID?
One of the important reasons is that your confidentiality is important to us.  Please bring your photo id with you whenever you come to the Financial Aid Office.   Other offices on campus will also request it. 

Why isn't my financial aid on my bill?
This could be for several reasons. 1) You may not have resolved problems on your application; check the status links on this web site to see some information about the status of your aid applications.   2) You might not be registered at an eligible status for your aid award; the bill you receive in the mail may have a message next to an aid award (bottom left of the bill).  3) You may have filed late. 4) It may be too early in the semester's registration process for any aid to be posted for the semester.  4) You might have paid your bill yourself; if there is no balance due after your payment, no aid will be applied to the bill.

Why is only part of my aid on my bill?
Your bill shows only aid needed to pay your bill.  For many of our students, that is only a portion of their aid.

Do I lose my aid by paying the bill myself?
Not if you are otherwise eligible for the aid.  But you will have to wait until the aid payment is received by the college before a refund will be issued. 

File early for financial aid, and resolve any problems early, in order to have your aid vouchered toward the bill before the billing deadlines.

I was told I need to go to Social Security Office to document my status as a naturalized citizen.  What is this all about?
In the Federal aid application process, a match is performed between the Social Security database and the information you reported related to your citizenship.  It is not unusual that there are discrepancies for students who have been naturalized.  Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 for more information and the address of the office where you should go with your citizenship documentation.  Be sure to bring us a copy of the form you get from Social Security that you have done the status update, so we may continue to process your aid.

I've been told my application was selected for VERIFICATION by the federal processor, and we've been told we need a copy of the tax return. We did not keep copies of our tax returns. What do we do?
Call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-8815 or 1-800-829-1040 and request a copy.  You can no longer walk into an IRS office and get the information the same day.  We understand it takes 10-15 days to receive the transcript of your tax returns.  When you receive the documentation from IRS, bring a copy we can keep when you come to see a counselor, along with all other forms and documents requested as part of the verification process.  Part of the verification process, for those selected, includes completing a verification form, available on our forms page on this website; print it out, complete it, and get all the signatures you need before coming in to the office.
 
What's Direct Deposit?
Direct Deposit is an option that many of our students prefer, because they don't have to wait for the mails in order to receive any balance in their aid (most but not all aid programs).  If you select Direct Deposit, aid remaining after your olbigations to the college are paid is deposited directly into a bank account you identify on the Direct Deposit Authorization Form.

I'm planning to pay an accountant to prepare my aid application, and now I get to a website that asks me to pay to file the FAFSA.  What gives?
Instead of paying the accountant, complete as much of the application as you can, bring it  with the documentation to a Financial Aid Counselor, and we'll help you complete the questions you aren't sure about.  IN NO CASE PAY TO FILE THE APPLICATION ITSELF ON THE WEB --- filing on the FAFSA web site is FREE.  If you get to a website that asks you for money, back out of it and recheck the site name.

I filed my applications too late to be offered a book voucher.  Have I lost that money?
Book vouchers at Queens are NOT additional money.  Students who receive a book voucher - to use at the QC Bookstore during the very early part of fall and spring semesters - have the amount deducted from their aid check when it comes in.

I'm receiving aid at QC and am graduating soon. I'm floored by the costs of applying to graduate schools.   Any suggestions?
Read carefully all application information FOR EACH school, application service, and each graduate test application.  Not everyone offers fee waivers.  If they do, there will usually be a section related to how to request an application fee waiver --- follow those instructions and deadlines carefully.  In some cases, they may want you to include something from your undergraduate financial aid office;  if so, and if you are currently receiving aid through us, bring us all the information for review.

I am just applying for admission to QC.  I'm not a US citizen or green card holder. Will I be eligible for any aid?
As far as New York State and US government aid is concerned, the answer to that question depends on your actual immigration status, as well as the length of time you have been a NY State resident.  We need to know that before we can answer your question.  

Details on eligibility requirements related to your citizenship status for aid from the US government are on the web at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2004_2005/english/important-terms.htm#elegible_noncitizen:

While New York State aid requirements are similar, there are some variations, including specific requirements for New York State residency.

There is no citizenship requirement for the Peter Vallone / NY City Council Merit Scholarships.

Our web page on Finding Other Sources of Aid might be of some assistance to students who are not eligibile for Federal and NY State aid.

Please note that there is a separate set of requirements for being billed tuition and fees by the College as a NY State resident.  Contact the Admissions Office to discuss what you may need to present as documentation to them in order to be considered for resident tuition.

Students and prospective students on visas should contact the International Student Services office on campus as early as possible for assistance with a variety of important issues.