The US Government and New York State are the major sources of financial aid to students offered directly through the Office of Financial Aid Services. We have provided links immediately below to general information about some of the programs. Be sure to read our information under those links below for details about these programs at Queens College.
US Government Publications About Federal Financial Aid
Student Guides - print version: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Audio Guides: http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/0305ResforBlindVisuallyImp.html
[Grants] [Work] [Loans]
$ GRANTS $
Federal Pell Grants / Undergraduates only
Who is Eligible?
Students matriculated in a program leading to a first Bachelor's Degree and enrolled for 1 or more credits per semester; must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; must have an Effective Family Contribution which qualifies the student for an award as determined by a system approved by Congress. Students who do not meet the Title IV / Federal Satisfactory Progress Standard should see our information about appeals of the Title IV standard.
How Much
Awards range from $ 200 to $ 4050 per year depending on the family contribution and the number of credits for which the student registers.
How to Apply
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - filed annually.
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Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) / Undergraduates only
An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study. To be eligible for each academic year, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
- Be enrolled full-time in a degree program
- Be enrolled in the first or second year of your program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution (such as CUNY)
- Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and graduated after January 1, 2005
- Have at least a cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year
In New York State, a Regents Diploma with Honors or Advance Designation will serve as evidence of a rigorous secondary school program. A student may also qualify through completion of a prescribed set of courses taken: two Advance Placement (AP) courses with a minimum score of three (3) on the AP exams; or two International Baccalaureate (IB) courses with a score of four (4) on the IB exams.
The prescribed set of courses must include four years of English, three years of Math (including Algebra I and higher level courses such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics), three years of science (including at least two courses from biology, chemistry, or physics) three years of social studies, and one year of a foreign language.
Potential recipients who filed the FAFSA online will have self-identified as part of the online application process. Students who filed on paper will be given a website link on their Student Aid Report that will help them determine whether they have completed a “qualifying rigorous secondary school program.” A student’s college will then be notified and will verify eligibility. If you are not notified and you think you may be eligible, contact your college financial aid office to determine your eligibility.
If you feel that you are eligible for the ACG and the award does not appear on your CUNY financial aid award letter, it may be that we have not yet been able to verify your eligibility. Once your eligibility is verified, the award will be offered and will become part of your financial aid package.
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National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants /Undergraduates only
An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
- Be enrolled full-time in a degree program
- Be enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution
- Major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language (defined as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew and Semitic, and Russian)
- Have at least a cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale in the coursework required for the student’s major
Under the National SMART Grant Program, CUNY will identify Pell-eligible federal student aid recipients who are majoring in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign
language. Your college will be able to tell you which of their academic programs are designated by the U.S.
Department of Education as eligible for SMART Grants.
For both the ACG and National SMART Grant programs, the amount of your grant, in combination with your
Federal Pell Grant, other resources and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed your financial need (cost of attendance minus EFC equals financial need). A student may not receive more than one ACG or National SMART Grant award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.
All annual award amounts for an academic year may be reduced if sufficient funds are not available for all eligible students nationally in an award year.
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TAP - New York State Tuition Assistance Program / Undergraduates and Graduates
Who is Eligible?
Students matriculated in a degree program - New York State resident - U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen - enrolled for 12 or more credits per semester, all of which must be creditable toward the degree. NOTE: REPEATED courses may not count toward full time enrollment unless required by student’s curriculum. Must meet regulations for good standing for NYS aid purposes, based on TAP chart. Students who do not meet the NY State Aid good standing - progress and pursuit regulations should see our NY State Aid progress / pursuit appeal information. Students who have 60 credits or more must formally declare a major in accordance with deadlines. Please see our NY State Aid Advisement Alert.
How Much
Undergraduates: Awards range from $ 250 up to $ 2000 per semester. The maximum TAP award cannot exceed the student's tuition. Graduates: Awards range from $ 37.50 up to $ 275 per semester.
How to Apply
The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY Supplement (TACS) filed annually.
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APTS - Aid for Part-Time Study - New York State Program / Undergraduates only
Who is Eligible?
Students matriculated in a program leading to a bachelor's degree - must be enrolled for and complete 6 to 11 credits per semester and a gpa of 2.0 or better must be maintained - must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and a New York State resident - must not have exhausted TAP. Students with 60 credits or more must formally declare a major in accordance with deadlines. See TAP requirements related to repeat courses and courses creditable toward the degree.
How Much
Awards vary each semester, on a per credit basis, based on availability of funds and family income.
How to Apply
The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY Supplement (TACS) - filed annually. Deadline: The third week of the semester.
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PART-TIME TAP / Undergraduates only
*** THIS PROGRAM IS NOT FUNDED FOR CUNY BY NEW YORK STATE FOR 2006-2007 ***
Who is Eligible?
Student must meet all criteria for TAP award listed above EXCEPT full-time status. In addition, they must be registered for 6-11 credits, must be first time college student in CUNY Fall 1998 or later, must have accumulated at least 24 credits toward graduation, and must have a 2.0 G.P.A. or higher. See TAP requirements related to repeat courses and courses creditable toward the degree.
How much:
Portion of TAP award based on number of credits registered for per semester.
How to apply: The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY Supplement (TACS) form - filed annually.
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SEEK Program - New York State Program / Undergraduates only
Who is Eligible?
Students who meet the economic and educational criteria for admission to the SEEK program as first year students - must be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and New York State resident - must enroll as a full-time student - must apply for TAP and Pell grant.
How Much
SEEK Book Money awards are based on financial need and available funding.
How to Apply
The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY supplement (TACS) form - filed annually. Documentation and an interview are required of all entering students. Deadline: New students must file before they will be allowed to register.
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FSEOG - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant / Undergraduates only
Who is Eligible?
Students matriculated in a program leading to a first bachelor's degree - enrolled for 6 or more credits per semester - must be a U. S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. Students who do not meet the Title IV / Federal Satisfactory Progress Standard should see our information about appeals of the Title IV standard.
How Much
Awards based on financial need and available funding - range from $ 200 to $ 1100 at Queens College.
How to Apply
The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY supplement (TACS) form - filed annually. Deadline: Limited funding / usually available only to early filers.
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Honors College Funding
Who is Eligible?
Students must be enrolled at a full-time status in the CUNY Honors College program at QC, and meet all program requirements.
How Much
Information available from the Honors College program and the Admissions Office.
How to Apply
One of the program requirements is the annual filing of the FAFSA and TAP applications. File in the Spring for the following academic year, in accordance with deadlines set by the Honors College program.
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Peter Vallone / NY City Council Merit Scholarships
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is determined at admission for students graduating from a NYC high school with a high GPA. Detailed requirements for eligibility and continued eligibility are sent to eligible students. Some of the requirements for receipt of the award are related to full-time registration status, cumulative GPA, and the filing every year of the FAFSA application. Eligible students must be enrolled each semester as full-time undergraduates, and meet all program requirements. Detailed information on continued eligibility is sent by the University to all students awarded the scholarship.
How Much
Award amounts and other information will be sent by the University to entering freshmen awarded the scholarship.
How to Apply
One of the program requirements is the annual filing of the FAFSA application. File in the Spring for the following academic year.
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$ WORK $
FWSP - Federal Work-Study Program / Undergraduates and Graduates
Who is Eligible?
Students matriculated in a degree program - enrolled for 6 or more credits per semester - must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Students who do not meet the Title IV / Federal Satisfactory Progress Standard should see our information about appeals of the Title IV standard.
How Much
Awards based on financial need and available funding. Undergraduate awards range from $ 500 to $ 1500 for the Academic Year. Graduate awards range from $ 700 to $ 4000 for the Academic Year. The hourly pay rate is higher for graduate students than for undergraduates. Students are placed in jobs on or off campus and may work part-time during the school year (full-time in the summer) until they have earned the amount of their award. In the past few years, due to budget constraints, there has been no summer FWS; the exception is for students willing to work off-campus in community service jobs.
How to Apply
CUNY TACS and the FAFSA filed annually - available in the Financial Aid Office. Deadline: Limited funding / usually available only to early filers.
$ LOANS $
Federal Perkins Loan (Formerly National Direct Student Loan) / Undergraduates and Graduates (5% interest loan from the College - payment is deferred while the student is enrolled at least 1/2 time)
Who is Eligible?
Students matriculated in a degree program - enrolled for 6 or more credits per semester - must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. and must have completed 28 credits. Students who do not meet the additional Title IV / Federal Satisfactory Progress Standard should see our information about appeals of the Title IV standard.
How Much
Awards based on financial need and available funding. Undergraduate awards usually range from $ 300 to $ 2000 per year, to a maximum cumulative undergraduate amount of $ 20,000. Graduate awards usually range from $ 300 to $ 2500 per year, to a maximum cumulative amount of $ 30,000.
How to Apply
The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY supplement (TACS) form - filed annually. Deadline: Limited funding /usually available only to early filers.
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Federal Subsidized Direct Loan / Undergraduates and Graduates - Payment is deferred while student is enrolled at least 1/2 time. Interest rate is variable, with a current maximum interest rate of 8.25 %; interest rate is adjusted annually.
Who is Eligible?
Students enrolled for 6 or more credits per semester in a degree program - must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Students must have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (graduate students need a 3.0). Students who do not meet the additional Title IV / Federal Satisfactory Progress Standard should see our information about appeals of the Title IV standard.
How Much
Loan amount based on financial need - maximum per year $ 2,625 for freshmen, $ 3,500 for sophomores - $ 5,500 for juniors and seniors; maximum per year for graduate students is $ 8,500.
How to Apply
The FAFSA plus the TAP/APTS Application and CUNY supplement (TACS) form - filed annually. The FAFSA is a preliminary step in determining eligibility for a Federal Direct Loan. Once the FAFSA and TAP have been processed and eligibility has been determined, a separate loan application and Direct Loan Electronic Master Promisory Note must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. More information in the HOW TO FILE section of this booklet. DEADLINE: See Financial Aid Office.
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Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan / Undergraduates and Graduates - This program is available to students who do not qualify for Subsidized Direct Loans, as well as to students who do. The same terms and conditions as Subsidized Loans apply, except that the borrower is responsible for the interest accrued while in school.
Who is Eligible?
Students enrolled for 6 or more credits per semester in a degree program - must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Students must have a cumulative G.P.A of at least 2.0 (graduate students need a 3.0). Students who do not meet the additional Title IV / Federal Satisfactory Progress Standard should see our information about appeals of the Title IV standard.
How Much:
Same annual limits as Subsidized Direct Loans for dependent students. Independent students - ask us.
How to Apply: See Federal Direct Loan instructions above.
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Federal Direct Parent's Loan for Students (PLUS) - Variable interest rate; current maximum is 10%.
Who is Eligible?
Parents of dependent students who are enrolled for 6 or more credits in degree program - must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
How Much:
Cost of education minus financial aid.
How to Apply:
The student and parent(s) must complete the FAFSA. The parent must also complete the Queens College Direct Plus Loan Application.
