The following are the federal student grants available to CUNY undergraduate students:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
- National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)
Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added. All federal grants are awarded to students with financial need. The amount of your Federal Pell Grant depends on your expected family contribution (EFC), enrollment status (full or part-time) and whether you attend for a full academic yearor less. To receive a FSEOG , ACG , or National SMART Grant , you must first be eligible and receive a Federal Pell Grant .
Federal Pell Grant
Application Form
The FAFSA is the application that is used for federal government grants
Residency and Citizenship
You must be a citizen of the United States or eligible non-citizen
Award Amounts
For the 2009-2010 academic year a Pell Grant ranges from $976 to as much as $5,350 a year, depending on your family income and other factors. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant it is possible to receive an award as either a part-time or full-time student.
Qualifying Programs and Credits
You must be accepted for admission to a degree seeking eligible program
Pell Grant can be awarded if you are registered for as few as one equated credit
Pursuit and Progress
You must be in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress towards completing a degree
Additional information on Pell
- Pell is for students pursuing undergraduate degrees only
- You may not be in default on a previous federal student loan or owe the federal government a refund of financial aid previously received
- You must be willing to verify the information you provide on the FAFSA
- If you are male between 18 and 25 years of age you must register with Selective Service
- Not convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs while receiving financial aid
Estimated Pell Grant Awards
The following chart is used as a guideline based on general assumptions. You should not use this chart to determine your Pell eligibility and your award amount.
A family of 4,
|
A family of 4,
|
|||
Number in
|
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Parent income
|
||||
|
$0- 25,000 |
$4,731 |
$4,731 |
$4,731 |
$4,731 |
|
35,000 |
3,481 |
3,781 |
4,181 |
4,181 |
|
40,000 |
2,481 |
3,381 |
3,281 |
3,681 |
|
45,000 |
1,581 |
2,781 |
2,281 |
3,281 |
|
50,000 |
0 |
2,181 |
1,281 |
2,681 |
|
55,000 |
0 |
1,481 |
0 |
2,081 |
|
60,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
890 |
|
62,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
400 |
Based on 2008-09 federal methodology; award amounts based on 2008-09 schedule.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a campus-based program for which CUNY uses federal funds. To receive FSEOG you must demonstrate exceptional financial need. Preference for FSEOG is given to students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. In addition to exceptional need you must demonstrate a willingness to assist in financing of your college education through a part-time employment or student loan borrowing.
Application Form
Apply for financial aid using the FAFSA
Residency and Citizenship
You must be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen
Qualifying Program and credits
You must be accepted for admission to a degree-seeking program
You must register for at least six equated credits
Additional Information on FSEOG
- You must be in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress towards completing a degree
- You may not be in default on a previous federal student loan or owe the federal government a refund of financial aid previously received
- You must be willing to verify the information you provide on the FAFSA
- If you are male between 18 and 25 years of age you must register with Selective Service
- You may not possess or sell illegal drugs while receiving financial aid
Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant up to $750 fro the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study. This grant is in addition to the student's Federal Pell Grant.
Application Form
Completion of the FAFSA
Residency and Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Award Amounts
An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) of up to:
$750 for the first academic year of study
$1,300 for the second academic year of study
A student may not receive more than one ACG or National SMART Grant award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.
The amount of the grant, in combination with the Federal Pell Grant, other resources and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed financial need (cost of attendance minus EFC equals financial need).
Qualifying Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient for the same period
- Be enrolled full-time or half-time in a degree program
- Be enrolled in the first or second year of your program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution (such as CUNY)
- Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and graduated after January 1, 2005
- If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and
- If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year
- No enrollment in a specific major is required
Options for Rigorous Program
A student qualifies based on the state in which the student completed the rigorous program of study. The 3 rigorous program options for eligibility for a student from New York are:
1. The New York Regents Diploma with Honors or Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation
or
2. Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes. Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams.
or
3. Taking the following prescribed set of courses and receiving a passing grade:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of Math (Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry or Data Analysis and Statistics)
- 3 years of science (Including at least 2 courses from Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
- 3 years of social studies
- 1 year of a foreign language
Applicant Self-Identification Process
- The electronic FAFSA process provides potential ACG recipients with a method to self identify if he/she feels they may have completed or feel they will complete the rigorous secondary course work requirement of the state in which they graduated secondary school.
- Paper filers: Potential ACG recipients will receive a comment on their Student Aid Report (SAR) directing them to the web site and a toll-free number.
- Department of Education will send student responses to the institution listed on the student record.
- Institutions are responsible for determining the eligibility of students who the Department of Education reported as having self-identified eligibility.
- The grant is not confirmed until eligibility is verified by the institution of higher education.
Documenting Rigorous Program
If the student did not self identify the institutions have the option to identify eligible students based on records they have (e.g. high school transcripts).
Additional Information on ACG
Further information could be obtained from the website: www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov .
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, is a federal grant and is also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
Application Form
Completion of the FAFSA
Residency and Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Award Amounts
An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. All annual award amounts for an academic year may be reduced if sufficient funds are not available for all eligible students nationally in an award year.
A student may not receive more than one ACG or National SMART Grant award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.
The amount of the grant, in combination with the Federal Pell Grant, other resources and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed financial need (cost of attendance - EFC = financial need).
Qualifying Program and GPA
- Pell Grant recipient for the same payment period
- Be enrolled full-time or half-time in a degree program
- Be enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution
- Major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language
- Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the coursework required for the student's major
- GPA is verified every semester
- No rigorous high school program required
Under the National SMART Grant Program, the college will identify Pell-eligible federal student aid recipients who are majoring in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language. The college will be able to tell you which of their academic programs are designated by the Department of Education as eligible for SMART Grants.
Additional Information on SMART Grants
- Institutions are responsible for reviewing records to identify all eligible students.
- The financial aid office will award the grant to eligible students.
- There is no need for students to provide any information beyond what was submitted with their FAFSA.
- Further information could be obtained from the website: www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Federal Pell Grant?
Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added. Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students.
How do I apply for a Pell Grant and other types of need-based aid?
Submit a FAFSA. To indicate interest in student employment, student loans and parent loans, you should check the appropriate boxes. Checking these boxes does not commit you to accepting these types of aid. You will have the opportunity to accept or decline each part of your aid package later. Leaving these boxes unchecked will not increase the amount of grants you receive.
Can I get PELL for remedial courses?
You may receive PELL and other forms of federal aid for up to 30 hours of non-credit remedial course work (excluding ESL courses).
Can I get PELL for repeating a course?
If you are repeating a course you need to check the policy of your college and it's grading policy. You may receive PELL and other forms of federal aid for that course. You should remember that repeating a course may limit your ability to meet the Satisfactory Academic Performance requirements for receipt of federal student aid.
If I am eligible how will I get the Pell Grant Money?
Your school can apply Pell Grant funds to your school costs, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. The school must tell you in writing how much your award will be and how and when you'll be paid. Schools must disburse funds at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter).
What is a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)?
FSEOGs are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need (those with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) numbers. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority for FSEOG awards.
