Financial Aid Programs

All Federal financial aid programs are described in THE STUDENT GUIDE, FINANCIAL AID 2009-10, and at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

New York State financial aid programs are described at www.hesc.org.

GRANTS:

Federal Pell Grant:
A federal grant to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. To determine if you are eligible, apply on the FAFSA. The maximum Pell Grant for 2009-10 is $5350 (for full-time students). Part-time students receive a lesser amount. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the student's enrollment status determine the amount of the award. Students must meet all eligibility criteria to be eligible.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG):
A federal grant for undergraduates with exceptional financial need - students with the lowest EFC's who demonstrate financial need and who receive Federal Pell Grants. Funds are limited, so students should apply by the priority deadline (May 1 for Fall and November 1 for Spring).

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP):
A New York State grant for full-time students who are residents of NYS and meet all eligibility criteria (www.hesc.org). Students must complete and send the Express TAP Application (ETA) either online or by mail. Awards for 2009-10* may range from $500 - $5000 per year based on 2008 NYS income tax information.

* Depends on the NYS budget.

New York State Aid for Part-time Study (APTS):
A New York State grant for part-time matriculated students taking at least 3 college credits. APTS applications are available by clicking here, or at the Financial Aid Office. Fall 2009 application deadline is August 28, 2009 and the Spring 2010 application deadline is, January 15, 2010. Award amounts are determined by enrollment and funds available. Students must meet all eligibility.

New York State Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP):
SUNY Ulster's Educational Opportunity Program provides academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for mastering college-level work. Offered primarily to full-time students who are New York State residents, EOP accepts students who qualify academically and financially for the program.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for admission to EOP, a student must be:

A New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment
Ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program

In need of financial assistance within established income guidelines.

In selecting students for the program, priority is given to full-time applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. If in the year prior to enrollment a family's income falls within EOP guidelines due to unemployment, separation, divorce or death of a parent, etc. a student may not qualify for EOP.

Required Records:
As part of the EOP admission process, a student's high school record and test scores will be reviewed, as well as other information about any other experiences that made an impact on a student's education. This information will help the EOP counselors evaluate a student's potential for success in a college program.

Support Services:
When you enroll as an EOP student, you receive special counseling regarding special tutoring, academic, career, and personal counseling. In addition, you receive financial aid (based on NYS budget) to help with the cost of room, board, books/supplies, transportation and personal expenses.

Transfers:
A student may be eligible for EOP as a transfer student provided that the student was enrolled in EOP, HEOP, College Discovery, SEEK, or a similar program at a previous college. A student must have the prior college(s) complete the EOP Transfer Form.

Income Guidelines:
The table below lists financial eligibility requirements for EOP admission during the 2009-10 academic year. To be economically disadvantaged, a student must belong to a household that is defined in Category A, B, or C, or the exceptions noted below.

EOP FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY
HOUSEHOLD SIZE (including head of household)	TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME IN PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR*
HOUSEHOLD SIZE (including head of household)	Category A	Category B	Category C
1	$15,590	$21,000	$23,710
2	$21,000	$26,410	$29,120
3	$26,420	$31,830	$34,540
4	$31,830	$37,240	$39,950
5	$37,240	$42,650	$45,360
6	$42,650	$48,060	$50,770
7	$48,060*	$53,470*	$56,180*
*Plus $5,410 for each additional family member

Household Categories:

A. ~ Supported by one or more individuals whose combined income is from Social Security or sources other than employment and which does not exceed the applicable amount under "Category A" above.
B. ~ Supported by more than one or more worker(s) whose combined total annual income does not exceed the applicable amount under "Category B" above.
C. ~ For households supported by one worker with two or more employers, which does not exceed the applicable amount under "Category C" above.
The income guidelines do not apply if:
The student's family is the recipient of Family Assistance or Safety Net payments through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance or through a county Department of Social Services; or of Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance or a county Department of Social Services;
The student lives with foster parents who do not provide support for college and the student's natural parents provide no such support;
You are a ward of the state or county.

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LOANS:

Borrow Sensibly:
A student loan requires a serious, long-term commitment. You are expected to pay back your loan in full, even if you do not complete your education. Consider your current debt and future borrowing when requesting a loan application. Borrow only what you can afford to repay. Make sure that you have applied for all grants and scholarships first to keep loan borrowing to a minimum.

Federal Family Education Loan Program:

~ Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Starting with the 2009-2010 FAFSA if you are a dependent student you can borrow up to:

$5500 if you are a first year-student (with less than 30 college credits) enrolled in a program of study that is at least one full academic year (greater than 24 credits);
$6500 if you have completed your first year of study (30 or more college credits) and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year (at least 24 college credits).

If you are an independent student (or a dependent student whose parents are unable to get a PLUS Loan), you may be able borrow up to an additional $4000 unsubsidized Stafford loan.

The loan repayment process must begin 6 months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status.

~ Subsidized Stafford Loan:
A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. Interest is not charged as the federal government "subsidizes" the interest during the period of enrollment on at least a half-time basis.

~ Unsubsidized Stafford Loan:
An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need, but it cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance, including other financial aid and other resources. Interest is charged from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. A student can "capitalize" the interest which means that the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, which will increase the loan amount to be repaid.

Lenders

Any participating lender may be chosen for the Federal Stafford loan. For a copy of the Stafford Loan Cover Sheet please go to the Forms & Applications page. The electronic promissory note is completed at www.hesc.org . When choosing a lender, the most frequently selected lenders for Ulster County Community College will be listed initially. To select additional lenders please select “for more lenders” at the HESC website. We are required to process a Stafford loan for any participating lender of your choosing.
The SUNY Ulster County Community College Student Loan Code of Conduct can be found here.

~ Federal Perkins Loan:
The Federal Perkins Loan is a low 5% interest loan for students with financial need. The school is the lender and the loan is made with federal funds with a share contributed by the college. Federal Perkins funds are limited.

This loan requires that the student sign a promissory note, do Entrance and Exit Interviews, and pay the loan back to the college.

The loan repayment process must begin 9 months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status.

~ Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS):
PLUS Loans enable parents to borrow to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Parents will be required to pass a credit check.
The yearly limit on a PLUS Loan is equal to the student's Cost of Attendance (minus any financial aid or other resources received). Your parents must also meet citizenship requirements and may not be in default or owe a refund to any Student Financial Aid program. If the parent is denied the PLUS Loan, the student may be eligible for an additional $4,000 Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Documentation is required.

~ Alternative Loans:
Alternative loans exist as an additional means to pay for your college education. These loans are often used as a supplement to a student's existing financial aid package, or for students who are ineligible for federal and/or state financial aid.

An alternative loan is a loan from a bank or lender that is a personal loan used for education expenses. You can apply for an alternative loan through any bank of your choice. The application can be completed on paper or online. When applying for an alternative loan, it is important that you are applying for an alternative loan that is an educational loan and not a personal loan.

A student can borrow any amount up to the difference between other financial aid that you have and the cost of attendance that is established by the Financial Aid Office. If you are considering borrowing an alternative loan and you are unsure about the amount to borrow, contact the Financial Aid Office. It usually takes two to three weeks for an alternative loan to actually pay to your student account.

Our alternative loan certifications are done online. A Financial Aid counselor will certify the alternative loan at the request of a lender. A student should notify the office when the application has been initiated. When available, it is recommended all students use the lender’s pre-approval process. Students can contact the lender directly and apply by phone or via the Internet for credit approval.

The Financial Aid Office recommends the use of alternative financing options after all other types of financing options, including federal loans, are considered. Your ability to obtain alternative loans is largely based on your creditworthiness and current aggregate indebtedness. Having a creditworthy co-signer may decrease the fees and/or interest rate.

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EMPLOYMENT:
Income from working part-time can provide a student with a source of money while in school. Students can earn $1000 or more working part-time during the academic year. Working can also provide long-term benefits that will help your career and influence you later in life.

Working

Working is an excellent way to meet people and make new friends. Supervisors and coworkers can provide contacts for jobs after graduation. Future employers credit attributes such as organizational skills, responsibility, ambition, and maturity to student students who have worked in a part-time job.
While the benefits are many, working has disadvantages as well. While in school, working too many hours can cause you to overextend yourself. Too much time spent away from studies can hurt your grades, and education is your major goal. Most students with part-time jobs work up to 15 hours per week.
Student jobs are available both on and off-campus. Job opportunities are posted in Career Services located in the Student Development Center, VAN 119. All student employees are paid biweekly based on timesheets submitted. Student payroll checks are available on scheduled pay dates in the Financial Aid Office, VAN 105. Students must be paid at least federal minimum wage.

Federal College Work-Study:

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for students with financial need. This allows them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to a student's course of study. The amount of funds that students can earn is based on the FWS award amount.

Student Aide:

Students who are not eligible for Federal Work-Study funding may work as student aides in various positions on campus. The amount of funds available that students can earn is based on the college departmental budget.

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SCHOLARSHIPS:

Exploring Scholarship Opportunities
To view, or download and print, a copy of this 9 page booklet which contains helpful information and lists of scholarships, click here for a PDF version.

(Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to download the PDF versions. If you do not have it installed on your computer, click here to download a free copy.)

Ulster Community College Foundation:
SUNY Ulster offers scholarship opportunities through the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. For complete information about the scholarships offered and how to apply, click here.

Outside scholarships:
Private scholarships (also known as outside awards) are monies provided by donors outside the college. Such awards may range from a few hundred dollars given by a local service club, to several thousand dollars awarded by a corporation. Numerous scholarships are also available to full and part-time students.

BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS!

Do not waste your money on fee-based scholarship matching services. You will not get any better information than you can get from the free services available on the Web. Scholarships that sound too good to be true usually are. Learn how to recognize and protect yourself from the most common scholarship scams.
The Number One Tip: If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam.

If you receive a scholarship from a group or individual, inform them of your gratitude and your progress. A letter of thanks goes a long way toward encouraging renewal of these awards. You can find out more about the availability of private scholarships by doing a little research. The SUNY Ulster Mcdonald DeWitt Library maintains a list of library sources for scholarships. Click here to view the selected resources and links on Financial Aid.

Online resources include:

www.mapping-your-future.org

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Financial Aid Office
Vanderlyn Hall Room 105
SUNY Ulster County Community College
Stone Ridge, New York 12484
(845) 687-5058 FAX (845) 687-5083
financialaid@sunyulster.edu