Applications and other materials are available through financial aid offices at approved postsecondary institutions. Students apply for Pell grants by filing a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
The federal Pell grant program is an entitlement program. Eligibility and award amount are based on need. The applicant must be enrolled as an undergraduate student, for at least 3 credits, in an approved postsecondary institution and must need financial assistance to continue his or her education. A student may receive grants for the period required to complete a first baccalaureate degree. Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.
Awards will range from $400 to $3,125 for the 1999-2000 academic year. The amount of the award will be affected by costs of attendance and full- or part-time enrollment status. The federal Pell award does not duplicate state awards.
The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress in the program in which he or she is enrolled. The student must not owe any refunds on Pell grant or other awards paid, or be in default on repayment of any student loan.
Before receiving payment, Ithaca College must have on file, by paper or electronic means, an accurate official student aid report (SAR). Awards will be credited to the student's account.
Application is through the institutional financial aid office, which is responsible for determining who receives a supplemental grant and the amount.
The applicant must (1) be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen; (2) be an undergraduate matriculated at an institution participating in the federal campus-based programs; (3) if applicable, be registered with the Selective Service; (4) demonstrate exceptional financial need relative to other applicants at the institution; and (5) be a Pell grant recipient. The applicant must not be in default or refund status for any federal Title IV aid at any institution.
Financial need is determined by completing a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Recipients and award amounts are determined by financial aid administrators.
The award ranges from $100 to $4,000, depending on funding. A student may receive grants for the period required to complete a first baccalaureate degree.
The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress.
Ithaca College processes applications electronically. Borrowers submit a loan request form (LRF) to the Office of Financial Aid. The College transmits pertinent information to the lender and/or guarantee agency selected by the borrower. The agency generates the promissory note for the borrower to complete and return to the appropriate organization.
The FSSLP Program is an entitlement program in which all eligible applicants can obtain a loan. To be eligible for a guaranteed loan a student must (1) be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; (2) be enrolled at least half time or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate, or other program leading to a recognized credential; or (3) be enrolled in a course of study necessary for enrollment in a degree or certificate program, approved college, university, or other postsecondary institution in the U.S. or a foreign country; (4) not be in default or refund status for any federal Title IV program at any institution; (5) be determined to be eligible or ineligible for a Pell grant; (6) if applicable, be registered with the Selective Service; (7) have a Social Security number; and (8) demonstrate financial need.
A federal "loan origination fee" equal to 3% of the amount of the loan will be deducted from the amount disbursed. An additional annual insurance premium of up to 1% of the loan amount is payable in full at the time the loan check is issued.
Funds may not be disbursed earlier than 3 days before the start of a semester. Loan proceeds are made in two disbursements, unless the loan period is one semester in length. For loan periods beginning on or after July 1, 1999, funds must be disbursed by electronic fund transfer (EFT), which allows the funds to be deposited directly into the student's account.
An undergraduate may borrow up to $2,625 per academic year for the first year of study, $3,500 for the second (30-59 credits completed), and $5,500 for each additional undergraduate year (60+ credits completed), up to a total of $23,000. A graduate student may borrow an annual maximum of $8,500. The aggregate limit, including any undergraduate federal Stafford loans, is $65,500.
A student receiving a federal Stafford student loan is eligible for a full-interest subsidy during the time he or she is in school at least half-time and for a following six-month grace period.
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. The interest rate is variable and is based on the 91-day T-bill rate just prior to June 1, with the following additions: 1.7% during in-school, grace, and deferment periods; 2.3% during repayment. The rate cannot exceed 8.25%. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.
Various deferments allowing postponement of repayment are available depending on when the student received the first loan. For first-time borrowers on or after July 1, 1993, periods of deferment are limited to those who are (1) in school at least half-time; (2) on graduate fellowships or rehabilitation training; (3) unemployed; or (4) in economic hardship. Students should contact the lender for specific information.
If a student applies for more than one loan, subsequent applications must be made to the lending institution where the original loan was made.
Upon ceasing to be at least a half-time student, the borrower must make formal arrangements with the lending institution to begin repayment. The following regulations apply:
1. Income-sensitive, graduated payment and income-contingent repayment plans are available to assist borrowers in meeting repayment obligations. Under unusual and extenuating circumstances, the lender, on request, may permit other payment arrangements.
2. The maximum repayment period is 10 years.
3. Repayment in whole or part may be made any time without penalty.
4. Loans may be consolidated, resulting in longer repayment terms and smaller monthly payments.
Application procedures are the same as for subsidized federal Stafford loan.
Same as subsidized federal Stafford loan, except no demonstration of financial need is required. Available to students who may not qualify for subsidized federal Stafford loans or for only partial subsidized Stafford loans.
Interest rate is the same as subsidized loan. A loan origination fee and insurance premium equal to 3% of the amount of the loan will be deducted from the amount disbursed.
Same as subsidized federal Stafford loan. However, if the student is receiving the subsidized federal Stafford loan, the combination of the two loan programs cannot exceed the annual loan limit. Independent undergraduate students may borrow an additional $4,000 for the first and second year (less than 60 credits earned), and $5,000 per year in subsequent years. The aggregate total is $73,000 for undergraduate and graduate study combined.
Same as subsidized federal Stafford loan. However, the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues while he or she is in school. Interest may be capitalized.
PLUS Application forms are available only from participating lenders. Information about the program can be obtained from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, Albany, NY 12234.
A borrower must be the parent of a financially dependent undergraduate. Student eligibility criteria are comparable to those for federal Stafford student loans, except PLUS loans require no financial need test.
An origination fee of 4% will be deducted from the loan amount.
The maximum is up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid.
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. A credit check is required. Repayment must begin 60 days after the loan is disbursed. Loan funds are made copayable to the borrower and Ithaca College. Two disbursements are required, regardless of loan period. The interest rate will be based on the 91-day T-bill rate just prior to June 1, plus 3.1%, up to 9%.
Application is made through the financial aid office of the postsecondary institution. Forms and information on loan cancellation provisions for borrowers who go into certain teaching fields or specified military duty are available from this source.
The applicant must (1) be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; (2) be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or first-professional program as a matriculated student at an institution participating in the federal campus-based programs; (3) if applicable, be registered with the Selective Service; and (4) demonstrate exceptional financial need relative to other applicants at the institution, with priority given to Pell grant recipients. The applicant must not be in default or refund status for any federal Title IV aid at any institution.
Financial need is determined by standardized need analysis, subject to adjustments by institutions. Recipients and loan amounts are determined by financial aid administrators.
Amounts that may be borrowed are $4,000 per year for students in a program leading to a bachelor's degree and $6,000 per year for graduate students. The aggregate loan limits are $40,000 for graduate students, including undergraduate loans; $20,000 for a student who has successfully completed two years of an undergraduate program leading to a bachelor's degree, but has not completed that degree; and $8,000 for all other students.
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. The current interest rate, payable during the repayment period, is 5% on the unpaid principal. Repayment begins nine months after graduation or leaving school, or after a student drops below half-time status. It may extend over a period of 10 years.
Information on loan cancellations for certain categories of borrowers and deferments is available from the Treasurer's Office.
-The federal work-study program provides employment opportunities for students.
The applicant must (1) be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; (2) be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or first-professional program as a matriculated student at an institution participating in the federal campus-based programs; (3) not be in default or refund status for any federal Title IV aid at any institution; (4) if applicable, be registered with the Selective Service; and (5) demonstrate financial need.
Financial need is determined by submitting the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
The postsecondary institution arranges jobs, on or off campus, with either public or not-for-profit agencies. Students are encouraged to seek positions in community service areas. Factors considered by the financial aid office in determining whether, and for how many hours, the recipient may work under this program include financial need, class schedule, academic progress, and a student's health status.
Level of salary must be at least the minimum wage. The maximum salary allowed depends on the nature of the job and the applicant's qualifications.
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. See "Academic Standing and Progress," p. 327.
Students attending Ithaca College for the first time who are receiving federal Title IV financial aid - i.e., federal Stafford, PLUS, or Perkins loans; federal Pell or FSEOG funds; or federal work-study earnings - are entitled to a pro rata refund if they withdraw, do not register, or otherwise fail to complete the period of enrollment for which the Title IV aid was provided. This pro rata refund does not apply to any student whose date of withdrawal is beyond the 60% enrollment period for which the student has been charged.
A first-time student is defined as a student with no prior history of attending Ithaca College.
To calculate the federal pro rata refund, the number of weeks remaining in the semester is divided by the total weeks in the enrollment period, rounded down to the nearest ten percent.
Ithaca College students who have a prior history of attendance are entitled to a standard federal refund if they withdraw, do not register, or otherwise fail to complete the period of enrollment for which the Title IV aid was provided. This federal refund does not apply to any student whose date of withdrawal is beyond the 60% enrollment period of which the student has been charged.
To calculate the federal refund, the number of weeks completed is divided by the total number of weeks in the enrollment period. The resulting percentages are applied in the following manner: After the first day of class through the first 10% of the enrollment period a 90% refund is given, after the first 10% through the first 25% of the enrollment period a 50% refund is given, after the first 25% through the first 50% of the enrollment period a 25% refund is given, and after the first 50% of the enrollment period no refund is given.
Federal regulation requires Ithaca College to provide a refund to federal aid recipients that is minimally equal to the federal pro rata refund in the case of a first-time student or in the case of a continuing student a refund that is minimally equal to the federal refund. Ithaca College provides refund calculations that are more generous than both the pro-rata for first-time students and the standard federal refund to continuing students based on a 15-week semester. The following percentages apply to the appropriate charges:
1st week |
100% |
2nd-3rd weeks |
80% |
4th week |
70% |
5th-6th weeks |
60% |
7th week |
50% |
8th week |
40% |
9th week |
0% |
Please note that the above refund policy also applies to students who are not federal aid recipients. Any student (regardless of whether he or she is attending Ithaca College for the first time) for whom it is determined that a refund must be made to programs based on prorated charges will receive refunds in the following order: unsubsidized federal Stafford loan, subsidized federal Stafford loan, federal PLUS, federal Perkins loan, federal Pell grant, FSEOG funds, other Title IV aid programs. Finally, if no institutional, state, or private financial aid refund is required, a refund will be made to the student.
A repayment calculation is required from a Title IV recipient when he or she has received a cash disbursement that is unearned when he or she fails to complete the period of enrollment for which he or she has been charged. Repayments are made in the following order: federal Perkins loan, federal Pell grant, FSEOG funds, other Title IV aid programs, other federal sources of aid, and finally, other state, private, or institutional aid. More detailed information, including examples of refund and repayment calculations, is available in the admission, bursar's, and financial aid offices.
Congress will require a new refund formula as of October 1, 2000. The Department of Education has not yet finalized guidance to the higher education community for implementation.
Two programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, provide financial assistance for postsecondary education and training: the Higher Education Assistance Program and the Adult Vocational Training Program.
Application Procedures
Application forms may be obtained from and submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Building, Room 523, 100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13260. An application is necessary for each year of study.
Application deadlines, which are strictly adhered to, are July 1 for the fall semester; October 15 for the spring semester; and May 15 for the summer semester. Applicants enrolled with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Seneca Nation of Indians can mail their applications directly to their respective tribes, as these tribes have contracts for Higher Education Assistance and Adult Vocational Training Programs. An official need analysis from the college financial aid office is also required each year. Moreover, each first-time applicant must obtain tribal enrollment certification from the Bureau of Indian Affairs agency that records enrollment for the tribe.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
To be eligible, the applicant must (1) be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut; (2) be an enrolled member of a tribe, band, or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (3) be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate in an approved college or university; (4) be pursuing at least a two-year degree; and (5) demonstrate financial need. Depending on availability of funds, grants may also be made to graduate students and summer session students. Priority is given to applicants for continuing awards and to those enrolled on reservations.
Award Schedule
Awards are contingent upon funds available and are based on financial need. Award amounts are equal to the difference between total student expenses and financial assistance from all other sources, as indicated by financial aid administrators.
Responsibilities of Recipients
For grants to be awarded in successive years, the student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree and demonstrate financial need.
Application Procedures
Procedures are the same as for the Higher Education Assistance Program, above.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
To be eligible, the applicant must (1) be an adult Indian; (2) reside on or near an Indian reservation; and (3) be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or a descendant of one-fourth degree or more Indian blood of an enrolled member or at least one-half degree of Indian blood if not a tribal member. The Vocational Training Program is for short-term vocational training. Priority is given to applicants enrolled on reservations.
Award Schedule
Contingent upon funding, awards are based on financial need, defined as the difference between total student expenses and all other sources of aid available.
Responsibilities of Recipients
For continuing grants to be awarded, the recipient must make satisfactory progress toward program completion and demonstrate financial need.
The U.S. Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) programs include the Army ROTC Program, the Navy-Marine Corps (NROTC) programs, and the Air Force (AFROTC) Programs. These programs are offered at host colleges throughout the nation, including many colleges located in New York State.
Each of the three programs has separate application procedures, eligibility requirements, award schedules, and service obligations. All the programs offer financial assistance to undergraduates, with some assistance for study beyond the baccalaureate degree.
Additional information about the individual programs and a list of the colleges hosting them can be obtained by calling 800-872-7682, by contacting each service's recruiting stations, listed in local telephone directories, or from the national application processing centers:
· NROTC Navy-Marine Corps, Scholarship Program, PO Box 3060, Hyattsville, MD 20784
· Army ROTC, PO Box 9000, Clifton, NJ 07015
· Air Force ROTC/RRUF, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL 36112
Many programs of educational assistance benefits are available to those who have served in the active military, naval, or air service and to their families. Detailed information on all veterans' benefits can be obtained from regional and local offices of the Veterans Administration or from VA headquarters: Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. In New York State there are VA centers in Albany, Babylon, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Elmhurst, Manhattan, Rochester, Syracuse, and White Plains.
Four major programs of educational assistance for postsecondary study described in the 1989 edition of the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs are summarized here.
For veterans who served for more than 180 days, any part of which occurred between January 31, 1955, and January 1, 1977, and certain other veterans, benefits are available for up to 45 months of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. Eligibility generally ceases after 10 years from the date of last release from active duty or December 31, 1989, whichever occurs first.
This program (VEAP) is basically a voluntary contributory matching program for persons entering service after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985. For every dollar contributed by the individual, the federal government will contribute two dollars and the Department of Defense may contribute an additional amount. Individual contributions may not exceed $2,700. Benefits from this program may be used until 10 years after the date of the last release or discharge from active duty and may cover up to 36 months of study.
This program primarily serves individuals entering military service on or after July 1, 1985. The program allows basic pay to be reduced by $100 per month for the first 12 months of service in order to be eligible for as much as 36 months of educational assistance of $300 a month. A Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program is also available to help members of the Selected Reserve pay for study leading to an undergraduate degree, or for nondegree programs at institutions of higher learning. Educational assistance must be used within 10 years of a veteran's first date of discharge or release from service, with some exceptions.
A monthly allowance is available to help pay the educational expenses of spouses, surviving spouses, or dependent children between the ages of 18 and 26 of service persons who are permanently and completely disabled from service-connected causes, who have died as a result of service or as a result of service-connected disabilities, who are missing in action, or who have been forcibly detained by a foreign nation for more than 90 days.
