Frequently Asked questions

You can order an IRS Tax Return Transcript or Verification of Non-Filing Letter online at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript or by phone at 1(800) 908-9946. You will need your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (TIN), date of birth, and the exact address used on your latest tax return.

The City College of New York Scholarship Coordinator is located in the Admissions - Scholarship Information

For a free scholarship search, visit www.fastweb.com

Students who receive federal financial aid cannot exceed their Cost of Attendance (COA).
Scholarships must be included as part of a student’s eligibility calculation. When a scholarship causes an overaward, certain types of federal aid may need to be reduced.

Federal Work-Study awards, loans, and/or FSEOG grants may have to be reduced or returned. If the funds have already been disbursed, they may need to be repaid. In such cases, the student will owe the College for any outstanding balance.

However, Federal Pell Grants and TAP Grants will never be reduced due to an overaward.

Federal Pell Grant Information

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 may be used to purchase books, supplies and other school - related expenses. You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. You must be enrolled in a degree seeking program.

TAP Information (New York state residents)

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) - is a New York State education grant which assists full-time (12 or more credits), undergraduate 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. Students and/or their parent(s) must also meet certain income criteria and must not have exhausted their TAP eligibility, which for most students is eight (8) semesters.  If you receive a TAP award, the money goes directly to the college for payment of your tuition.

APTS Information (New York state residents)

AID for PART-TIME STUDY (APTS) - is a New York State tuition grant for undergraduate students who are New York State residents pursuing a degree on a part-time basis. (If you are considered to be a dependent student your parent(s) must also be New York State residents. You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Students must enroll for at least 6 but fewer than 12 credits (including a minimum of 3 degree credits). Students and/or their parent(s) must also meet certain income criteria and must not have exhausted their undergraduate TAP eligibility. Award amounts vary based on the availability of NY state funds. If you receive an APTS award, the money goes directly to the college for payment of your tuition.

To be considered for APTS you must complete a TAP application and the CUNY Supplement form in your "To Do List" on CUNYfirst.

Accelerate, Complete, Engage (ACE) Information

ACE at The City College of New York is a comprehensive program designed to help students complete their bachelor’s degree on time. Modeled on CUNY’s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP), ACE provides financial, academic, and personal support, including intensive academic advisement, career development, as well as tuition, textbook, and transportation assistance.

Think of the CCNY ACE team as trusted guides who help you stay on track and graduate on time.

ACCELERATE COMPLETE ENGAGE

SEEK Information

SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) is a higher educational opportunity program that provides academic and financial support to students who qualify based on specific income and academic criteria. City's SEEK program has the distinction of being the first such program in the City University of New York (CUNY), having been established in 1965 as the Pre-Baccalaureate Program. The program was expanded to the other CUNY senior colleges in 1966 when the New York State Assembly passed legislation creating SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge). SEEK faculty and staff are committed to helping students successfully meet the challenges of college and supporting both their academic and personal development.

The Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program

Campus-Based Programs (Federal Work-Study and Federal FSEOG)

Campus-based aid is awarded in late March by the City University Office of Student Financial Assistance through a process called "packaging."

Students must have a completed and "accepted" FAFSA by March 15 of each year to be considered for these awards. ("Accepted" means all required documents have been submitted and the student’s financial aid status is "Completed.")

Federal Work-Study

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY- is a program that provides part-time jobs to students who have financial need.  The yearly award amounts are determined by CUNY. Jobs are available both on and off-campus. You must indicate on your FAFSA that you are interested in receiving a work-study award. Funds are limited, so it is important to complete a FAFSA as early as possible, preferably by March 15.

Federal FSEOG

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to students when CUNY distributes its campus-based aid funds in early March. Students must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant to receive FSEOG. The yearly award amounts are determined by CUNY. Since funds are limited, it is important to complete the FAFSA as early as possible, preferably by March 15.

Federal Direct Loan Information (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS Loans)

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). Federal loan funds are disbursed directly to the student or parent through the college.

Student loan repayment begins six (6) months after:

1. the student graduates,

2. the student is no longer enrolled, or

3. the student drops below half-time enrollment.

Feel free to view information regarding:

• How to repay and manage your federal loans

• How to consolidate your federal loans

• View a detailed history of federal loan debt via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

Please visit Federal Direct Loans for more details.

Academic requirements must be met to qualify for and 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 each semester. Failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements will result in the suspension of a student’s Federal and/or New York State aid.

Please review the charts below:

Go to: Academic Requirements page.

https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency

Tuition Payment Options include:

• In-Person

• By Mail

• One-time Online Payment

Payment Agreement (for Prior Year Semesters only)

Please see the Online In-house Bursar Payment Agreement Guide for more information.

For semesters not listed online, please contact:
Ms. Diane Watford at dwatford@ccny.cuny.edu
Ms. Hua Hoo at hhoo@ccny.cuny.edu

Please visit Bursars Office

1. Graduate Student Financial Aid

2. Teach Grant Program Information (For certain Education majors)

No Financial Aid for International Students (F-1 Visa)
International students may apply for private student loans, but most banks and education lenders in the United States require a U.S. citizen as a co-signer.

CCNY International Student Information

Yes. The program must be an approved CUNY or City College of New York Study Abroad Program.

Federal financial aid may be used for study abroad programs. Direct Loans and Pell Grants are the most commonly used types of aid.

To qualify for a Direct Loan, students must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
To qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, students must be enrolled in at least one (1) credit; however, the award amount will be prorated based on the number of credits.

Students must meet federal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements, as well as all other eligibility criteria.

Students who enroll in a non-CUNY study abroad program must submit a Consortium Agreement form as part of the study abroad approval process.

Study Abroad Programs

• If a student receives an "F":
  a) Does the class count toward the total number of credits attempted that semester? Yes
  b) Does the class count toward the total number of credits completed that semester? Yes (completed but not earned)

• If a student receives an "NC":
  a) Does the class count toward the total number of credits attempted that semester? Yes, except for Spring 2020 (COVID-19 impacted students)
  b) Does the class count toward the total number of credits completed that semester? Yes

• If a student receives a "W":
  a) Does the class count toward the total number of credits attempted that semester? Yes
  b) Does the class count toward the total number of credits completed that semester? No

• Under the guidelines for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program), what is the total number of credits students need to:
  a) Attempt: At least 12 contributory credits toward their program of study (degree) per semester
  b) Complete: It depends on the TAP payment number

  Example: For Payment #4, students must have completed a minimum of 9 credits in the prior semester and accumulated at least 27 credits. After the 5th payment, students must complete at least 12 contributory credits each semester.

• Under the guidelines for Excelsior, what is the total number of credits students need to:
  a) Attempt: At least 12 contributory credits per semester
  b) Complete: A minimum of 30 contributory credits within 365 days (one academic year)

• Are there other financial aid programs with guidelines for the total number of credits students need to:
  a) Attempt: For federal aid, students cannot attempt more than 150% of the credits normally required to complete their degree. For example, if the degree requires 120 credits, students may attempt no more than 180 credits and still receive aid.
  b) Complete: The required pace of progression depends on the total number of attempted credits.