Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell grant can be used to pay your tuition or, if your tuition is covered by other means, can help you pay for books, supplies, transportation, housing, and other education related expenses. The Federal Pell grant is available only to students who have not previously earned a Bachelor’s Degree or Professional Certificate.
The Federal Pell grant amounts may vary from year to year according to the total amount of money budgeted by Congress to the program. Your expected family contribution (EFC), the number of semesters you attend each academic year, your enrollment status each semester, and Queens College’s cost of attendance also affect how much Pell you receive each term.
If you are attending more than one college or business school in the same semester, you may not receive the Federal Pell grant at both schools. If you do receive a Pell grant payment from more than one school in the same semester, you will have to return one of the payments to the federal government.
Federal Pell Grant Eligibility
To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and most other types of federal student aid, you must:
- Complete a FAFSA application
- Demonstrate financial need
- Have a high school diploma, a GED, or have been home-schooled
- Be matriculated in a degree-seeking program
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or other eligible classification of non-citizen
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Federal Student Aid Programs
You may find out how much Pell you might receive for the semester by clicking below for the Pell Grant chart:
Summer Pell (Year Round Pell)
Students taking less than 6 credits during the summer, may be eligible for a Pell Grant awards if they have filed the upcoming year’s FAFSA, are Pell eligible and have remaining Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU) left.
You may visit our Summer Aid page for additional information.
LifeTime Pell Eligibility (LEU)
If a Pell Grant is disbursed in a semester:
Credits Attempted | LifeTime Eligibility Used |
Full-time enrollment (12 credits or more) | 50.0% |
Three Quarters time enrollment (9-11 credits) | 37.5% |
Half-time enrollment (6-8 credits) | 25.0% |
Quarter-time enrollment (3-5 credits) | 12.5% |
Check the Federal Student Aid website for additional information on how to view your Pell LEU usage.
Federal Supplement Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a campus-based program for which CUNY uses federal funds to award undergraduate students. If you demonstrate exceptional financial need, CUNY may award you a FSEOG grant from the limited funds available. FSEOG is available only to students who have not earned a first Bachelor’s Degree or Professional Certificate.
FSEOG Eligibility
- The FAFSA is the application that is used for federal government grants
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or other eligible classification of non-citizen
- Be registered for at least six credits
- Must be Pell eligible
- Be matriculated in a degree-seeking program
- Available to students who have not completed a Bachelor’s Degree
- Make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Federal Student Aid Programs
- Must be willing to verify the information you provide on the FAFSA
- May not possess or sell illegal drugs while receiving financial aid
- May not be in default on a previous federal student loan or owe the federal government a refund of financial aid previously received
Teach Grant
Queens College is one of several CUNY campuses participating in the Federal TEACH Grant Program. At all of these campuses, only those students matriculated in specific master’s degree programs in the Division of Education will be eligible to apply for the TEACH Grant. The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching.
TEACH Grant Eligibility
To be eligible for a TEACH Grant, you must do the following:
- Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs
- Complete the FAFSA form
- Enrolled as a graduate student in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) on undergraduate coursework; OR Score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (e.g. SAT, ACT, or GRE). You will be required to provide documentation of your test scores in accordance with Graduate Admissions Office procedures.
- Receive TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation. You must complete counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant.
- As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach:
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- In a high-need field;
- At an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families; and
- For at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.
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As a continuing graduate student, you must have met the academic criteria for undergraduate coursework or test scores mentioned above. Continuing graduate students must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on graduate degree coursework to receive an initial award. TEACH funds will not be disbursed if your GPA falls below a 3.25 during any subsequent semesters.
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To be considered, potential candidates must apply specifically for the TEACH Grant, for the purpose of this grant, eligible master’s degree programs at Queens College fall into seven categories–defined by the federal government as “high-need fields”:
- Mathematics education
- Science education
- Foreign language education
- Bilingual education
- Reading specialist/literacy teacher
- TESOL
- Special education
Schools that participate in the TEACH Grant Program determine which of the programs they offer are TEACH-Grant-eligible. A program that is TEACH-Grant-eligible at one school might not be TEACH-Grant-eligible at another school. Additionally, even if a program meets the eligibility requirements to be a TEACH-Grant-eligible program, it may not be designated as TEACH-Grant-eligible by the school. Contact the financial aid office at the school you are attending (or that you plan to attend) to find out which programs at that school are eligible.
A list of Queens College TEACH grant eligible programs can be found on the Queens College School of Education TEACH Grant website
Note: If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.
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To apply for the TEACH grant:
- Be sure to first review the above requirements in addition to confirming you are in an eligible TEACH grant program at Queens College
- Complete the FAFSA application
- Complete both the TEACH Grant counseling AND sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve
- Submit the TEACH Grant application located on the Queens College School of Education TEACH Grant website
TEACH Grant Application Deadlines
For students graduating at the end of the Fall 2024 semester, the application must be submitted by Friday, December 6, 2024.
If students are attending both Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, the application must be submitted by May 2, 2025.
For more information or questions, you may contact Ms. Nandy Sukhai at Nandy.Sukhai@qc.cuny.edu.
New York State Grants & Scholarship
Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)
APTS is a grant from New York State for students pursuing a degree as a part-time undergraduate student. The amount of the grant is determined by CUNY and is based upon the availability of funds from New York State.
APTS Eligibility
To be eligible for APTS, you must:
- Enroll part-time (3-11 credits) as matriculated students in approved undergraduate degree programs or registered certificate programs at degree-granting institutions in New York State
- Meet the program income limits
- Be New York State residents and either United States citizens or qualifying non-citizens
- Not have used up Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility
- Maintain good academic standing
- Not be in default on any Federal or State student loan or on any repayment of state awards
- You must maintain a “C” average after having received the equivalent of two full years of payment of State-sponsored student financial aid
- Have graduated from high school in the United States, or earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), formally known as GED, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
Note: To apply for APTS, students must complete the TAP application, and the CUNY Supplement form located in the Student Center on CUNYfirst. All applications must be completed by the established deadline to be considered for the APTS award. You can complete the Supplement form by doing the following:
- Log into your CUNYfirst account
- Click on Student Center tile
- Click on Financial Aid tile
- On the left hand side, scroll down and click on the Supplement form link
- Complete the form and submit
Income Limit
- If students were eligible to be claimed as tax dependents by their parents, family New York State NET taxable income can be as much as $50,550 to qualify for an award. Family income includes student AND parents’ income.
- If students were not eligible to be claimed by their parents as tax dependents, their New York State NET taxable income (including spouse’s income) can be as much as $34,250 to qualify for an award. Spouse’s income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.
- If students were not eligible to be claimed by their parents but were eligible to claim tax dependents other than self and/or spouse, New York State NET taxable income (including spouse’s income) can be as much as $50,550 to qualify for an award. Spouse’s income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.
Excelsior Scholarship
The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. A recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship may receive up to $5,500 for the academic year.
Excelsior Eligibility
Same as the TAP eligibility requirements excluding Good Academic Standing; in addition to meeting the additional requirements below:
- Pursue an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college
- Earn 30 or more credits per year towards their program(s) of study*
- Declaration of major when reaching 60 accumulated credits – a student must declare or change their major/minor no later than the last day of the add/drop period in the first term of your junior year
- Be on track to graduate on time with an Associate’s Degree in two years or a Bachelor’s Degree in four years
*Excelsior Scholarship requires that a student must register for the minimum of 12 credits and must earn at least 30 credits each academic year, including winter and summer credits.
You may check the HESC website for more information on the Excelsior Scholarship and when the application will be available.
Income Limit
Credits Earned Schedule
Term(s) Completed | 2-,4-, and 5- Year Programs | Opportunity Programs |
1 | 15 credits | 12 credits |
2 | 30 credits | 24 credits |
3 | 45 credits | 36 credits |
4 | 60 credits | 48 credits |
5 | 75 credits | 60 credits |
6 | 90 credits | 72 credits |
7 | 105 credits | 84 credits |
8 | 120 credits | 96 credits |
9 | 135 credits* | 108 credits |
10 | 150 credits* | 120 credits |
*5 Year programs of study
Part – Time Tuition Assistance Program
New York State has expanded the Tuition Assistant Program (TAP) to students who attend New York State colleges taking at least 6-11 credits. The Part – Time TAP program is administered by the NY State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The first step in the Part – Time TAP application process is the completion of the FAFSA. When you get to the FAFSA on the Web Confirmation Page, there will be a link for New York State residents to complete an application for TAP.
Part - Time TAP Eligibility
To be eligible for Part – Time TAP, you must:
- Be an undergraduate student
- Be a legal resident of New York State (that is, you must have lived in the state for at least one year prior to the first term for which you are seeking payment)
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen
- Be matriculated (enrolled in a program leading to a degree)
- Be enrolled part time, that is, enrolled for at least 6 – 11 credits
- Remain in good academic standing for New York State financial aid programs by meeting academic progress standards and demonstrating program pursuit each semester you receive TAP
- Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher
- Be charged at least $200 tuition per year
- Meet income eligibility limitations
- Must not be in default on any state or federal student loan
- Be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award
To learn more, please visit the HESC website
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides grants to students to assist them in paying tuition. The TAP program is administered by the NY State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The first step in the TAP application process is the completion of the FAFSA. When you get to the FAFSA on the Web Confirmation Page, there will be a link for New York State residents to complete an application for TAP.
TAP Eligibility
To be eligible for TAP, you must:
- Be an undergraduate student
- Be a legal resident of New York State (that is, you must have lived in the state for at least one year prior to the first term for which you are seeking payment)
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen
- Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State
- Be matriculated (enrolled in a program leading to a degree)
- Be enrolled full-time, that is, enrolled for at least 12 credits* or equated credits that meet the requirements of your curriculum/major
- Have declared a major no later than the last day of the add/drop period in the first term of your junior year (60 credits or more) in an approved 4-year program
- Remain in good academic standing for New York State financial aid programs by meeting academic progress standards and demonstrating program pursuit each semester you receive TAP
- Have at least a cumulative “C” average after receipt of two annual payments
- Be charged at least $200 tuition per year
- Meet income eligibility limitations
- Have a high school diploma from a U.S. high school, a recognized GED certificate, or receive a passing score on an approved ability-to-benefit test as defined by the commissioner of the State Education Department
- Must not be in default on any state or federal student loan
- Be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award
*Up to the equivalent of six semester hours in remedial, noncredit study can be included as part of the minimum semester full-time course load, except that in the first semester of postsecondary study, a student’s minimum full-time course load need include only three semester hours of credit-bearing coursework.
Income Limit
Families with New York State Net Taxable Income (gross income less deductions and allowances for exemptions) of $80,000* or less qualify to receive a TAP grant.
*Does not apply to independent students who have no dependents listed on their tax return
Undocumented Students
The José Peralta New York State DREAM Act allows undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered grants and scholarships that support their higher education costs.
Eligibility
If you attended or graduated from an NYS high school, attended an approved NYS high school equivalency program, or received an NYS equivalency diploma, you may be eligible for state financial aid.
The DREAM Act opens the doors of higher education and provides access to the Excelsior Scholarship, the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other state‐administered scholarships.
To review your eligibility and to learn more, please visit the HESC website
Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program
SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) is a New York State program at CUNY’s senior and comprehensive colleges designed to assist students who are both academically and financially disadvantaged. CD (College Discovery) is the companion program funded by the City of New York at the community colleges.
SEEK Eligibility
To receive SEEK funding, students must complete both the FAFSA and TAP applications and must register as a full-time student. Students who are ineligible to complete a FAFSA must complete the NYS Dream Act application. Admission into the SEEK program is part of the CUNY admissions process.
To be eligible for SEEK, you must:
- Be a legal resident of New York State for at least one year prior to entering college
- Be a high school graduate or recipient of a state-approved equivalency diploma
- Be inadmissible according to the admissions criteria established for the CUNY four-year college you want to attend
- Be a first-time freshman or previously enrolled in College Discovery (CD) Program, an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), or Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP); and
- Have a gross family income that meets the New York State guidelines