Frequently Asked Questions

1. HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for Federal financial aid. The FAFSA will help determine whether you have "financial need" for grants and/or loans.

To qualify for Federal student aid a student must:

The "Guide to Federal Student Aid" can provide additional information. This booklet is available in the Financial Aid Office, or can be downloaded (in PDF format): The Guide to Federal Student Aid.

2. WHAT ARE THE TUITION AND FEE EXPENSES AT CITY COLLEGE?

PER SEMESTER TUITION & FEE SCHEDULES

The City University of New York (CUNY) calculates "average living expenses". Living expenses are added to tuition and fee expenses, to equal the "cost of attendance". Items included in the calculation are room and board, transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses.

For example:

* Estimated amounts (actual amounts can vary).

** "The Towers" at the City College of New York is a brand new residence hall located on The City College of New York campus. For more information go to: The Towers at CCNY

4.  WHEN DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Students must apply for financial aid each academic year. Applications are available in early January for the upcoming Fall semester. Students should apply as early as possible using their most accurate tax filing information. For example: For Fall 2007, the 2007 - 2008 FAFSA applications were available as of January 2007.

For the 2007- 2008 academic year a student must use family income information for calendar year 2006. See financial aid filing instructions: How To Apply. Financial aid priority will be given to students who file the FAFSA and complete the application process by April 1, 2007.

5.  HOW MUCH FINANCIAL AID CAN I RECEIVE?

The amount of financial aid that a student receives is determined by the availability of funds as well as "financial need". Financial need is determined by the following formula:

Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

The "Cost of Attendance" is the standard budget amount that includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation and other average living expenses.

The "Expected Family Contribution"(EFC), is determined by the information reported on the FAFSA. It is calculated using a formula established by the U.S. Congress.

The resulting "Financial Need" determines your eligibility for various state and federal aid programs..

6.  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL AID AWARDS I CAN RECEIVE?

THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID ARE:

1.	TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) - is a New York State education grant which assists full-time students with their tuition costs. You must be a legal resident of New York State. (If you are considered to be a dependent student your parents must also be New York State residents.) You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. If you receive a TAP award, the money goes directly to the college for payment of your tuition. TAP Information
2.	FEDERAL PELL GRANT - is a federal grant that can be used to pay your tuition and fees. If your tuition and fees are paid by other means your Pell award can be used to purchase books and supplies, and for other school expenses. You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. You must be enrolled in a degree or certicicate program and meet income criteria to qualify. PELL Grant Information
3.	FEDERAL ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANTS (ACG) - Starting with the 2006-07 academic year, this is a new federal grant for Freshman (1st year) and Sophomore (2nd year) students. Students must be eligible for a federal Pell grant to qualify. ACG Information
4.	FEDERAL NATIONAL SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS ACCESS TO RETAIN TALENT (SMART) GRANTS - Starting with the 2006-07 academic year, this is a new federal grant for Junior (3rd year) and Senior (fourth year) students. SMART grant Information
5.	AID FOR PART TIME STUDENT (APTS) - is a New York State tuition grant for students who are New York State residents pursuing a degree on a part time basis. Students must enroll for at least 6 but fewer than 12 credits (including a minimum of 3 degree credits). Students must also meet certain income criteria and must not have exhausted their undergraduate TAP eligibility. Award amounts vary based on the availability of program funds. APTS Information
6.	FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)- is a grant awarded by the college. It assists exceptionally needy students and is intended to supplement other forms of financial aid.
7.	SEARCH for EDUCATION, ELEVATION and KNOWLEDGE (SEEK) - along with tutoring and other support services this New York State program may award a grant for books and fees along with a small stipend. A student can only be accepted into the SEEK program as incoming freshman.
8.	FEDERAL WORK-STUDY- is a program that provides part-time jobs to students who have financial need. Awards amounts are determined by the college. Jobs are available both on and off-campus.
9.	FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN - is a low interest loan awarded by the college to students who demonstrate financial need. It can be used for tuition or other educationally related expenses. Students must begin to repay this loan to the college nine (9) months after they: 1) graduate, 2) drop below half-time or 3) are no longer enrolled for classes. (Not available to freshmen.)
10.	WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM - provides federally insured, low interest, long term loans to students or parents to help cover the costs of attending college. The federal government is the lender (not a bank or other financial institution). The federal loan funds are disbursed directly to the student or the parent through the college. Student loan repayment begins six (6) months after: 1) a student graduates, 2) a student is no longer enrolled or 3) a student has been less than half-time. Direct Loan Information

7. WHAT ARE THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

There are academic requirements that must be met in order to qualify for and to remain eligible for federal and New York State financial aid. Students must maintain the required GPA, (Grade point Average), and complete the required number of credits per semester. Please review the charts below:

Federal Academic Requirements - Pdf format or Word format

8. AM I AN "INDEPENDENT" STUDENT?

For 2007 -2008 federal financial aid a student is considered independent if he or she can answer "Yes" to any one of these questions: (Students may be required to provide supportive documentation.)

Were you born before January 1, 1984?
At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, Ph.D., Ed.D., graduate certificate, etc.)?
As of today are you married? (Answer "Yes" if seperated but not divorced.)
Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now through June 30, 2008?
Are: a) both or your parents deceased, or b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces for purposes othaer than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

If you answer "No" to all eight questions you are not considered to be an independent student for purposes of receiving federal financial aid .

Dependent students with unusual family circumstances may request to be declared independent. An "Independence Appeal" request form is available in the financial aid office. (Note: The federal government does not consider a student who is "self-supporting" and not living with parents to be an unusual circumstance.)

9. IS THERE A PAYMENT PLAN?

Yes. As a convenience, City College offers the option of making tuition payments on a monthly basis through the "TuitionPay Plan" which is administered by Sallie Mae. The TuitionPay Plan is an interest-free alternative to lump-sum payments at bill time. To enroll in the plan or to obtain more information go to: TuitionPay.com/CUNY

UNDERGRADUATE - New York State Resident
Student Status	Tuition	Activity Fee	Technology Fee
Full-time (12-18 credits)	$2,000.00	$64.35	$75.00
Part-time (per credit)	$ 170.00	$48.35	$37.50

UNDERGRADUATE - Out-of-state/International
Student Status	Tuition	Activity Fee	Technology Fee
Full-time (12-18 credits)	$360.00/credit	$64.35	$75.00
Part-time (per credit)	$360.00/credit	$48.35	$37.50

GRADUATE - New York State Resident
Student Status	Tuition	Activity Fee	Technology Fee
Full-time (12-18 credits)	$3,200.00	$30.35	$75.00
Full-time (12-18 credits) (Engr./Arch. Majors)	$3,750.00	$30.35	$75.00
Part-time	$ 315.00/credit	$30.35	$37.50

GRADUATE - Out-of-state/International
Student Status	Tuition	Activity Fee	Technology Fee
Engr./Arch. Majors	$555.00/credit	$35.35	$75.00
All other majors	$425.00/credit	$35.35	$37.50

Fall/Spring 2007-2008 Expenses*	Room & Board	Transportation	Books & Supplies	Personal	Total
Student living with parent	$2,520.00	$816.00	$938.00	$1,697.00	$ 5,971.00
Student living away from parent**	$7,958.00	$816.00	$938.00	$3,616.00	$13,328.00