Financial Aid 101

(Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and print any of the PDF files on this page. If you do not have it installed on your computer, click here to download a free copy.)

Exploring Scholarship Opportunities
Finding out about and applying for scholarships can be a time consuming and complex activity, which is why the SUNY Ulster Financial Aid Office prepared the booklet, Exploring Scholarship Opportunities. This booklet is available as a PDF which you can download and print by clicking here. The booklet is approximately 9 pages.

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Financial Aid Forms Center
Click here for a selection of Financial Aid forms you can download.

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Six Easy Steps
To download and print any of the following forms and applications, click on the name.

1. Complete the applications:

• Free Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application
  (For more information: www.fafsa.gov)
• Express TAP Application (ETA) for full-time students (Note: The link to this application will appear upon completing the FAFSA application above.)
• Aid for Part-Time Study Application (APTS) for part-time students
• SUNY Ulster Financial Aid Application/Verification Form
• Direct Loans: Complete the Direct Loan Cover Sheet.
• Veterans Application for Educational Benefits
• You will need copies of tax returns to file some of these applications. For instructions on how to get copies from the IRS, click here.

• Federal income tax returns (signed) (including W-2s and all pages)
• New York State income tax returns (signed) (for APTS)

• Go to www.StudentLoans.gov for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans.

• Hiring Authorization form
• I-9 and W-4 (with appropriate documentation)
• Work Study Award Letter (if student is work/study eligible)
• Student Aides: it is recommended that all students complete the FAFSA , the Express TAP and/or APTS application

• Provide a copy of DD 214 and/or other documentation

6. Provide all required applications by the deadline dates.

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID?

To qualify for financial aid, an applicant must

• be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen (a New York resident for state financial aid programs i.e. TAP, APTS and EOP);
• be admitted to SUNY Ulster in a (financial aid-eligible) program of study;
• have a high school diploma, a General Education Diploma (GED);
• maintain federal and NYS satisfactory academic progress in a course of study;
• not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal grant, or have borrowed the maximum aggregate limit in the federal student loan programs;
• be registered with Selective Service (males, if required); register at www.sss.gov;
• have a valid Social Security Number; find out about applying at www.ssa.gov;
• not be disqualified due to a conviction for a drug-related offense (federal financial aid);
• certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

Non-financial aid eligible programs include (programs with less than 24 credits):

• Animal Science Office Assistant
• Database Management
• Direct Care Practice
• Network Administrator (18 credit)

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The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 provide that a student is ineligible for federal student aid if convicted, under federal or state law, of any offense involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance during a period of enrollment in which federal student aid was received. Federal aid can be grants, student loans, and/or college work study. The period of ineligibility begins on the date of conviction and lasts until the end of a statutorily specified period. The student may regain eligibility early by completing a drug rehabilitation program or if the conviction is overturned.

The question on the FAFSA regarding drug offenses asks about convictions for possessing or selling illegal drugs, if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment when students were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and/or work-study). When answering this question, convictions that have been removed from the student’s record do not count. Also, convictions that occurred before age 18, unless the student was tried as an adult, do not count.

Even if you are not eligible for federal aid, you may be eligible for state aid or aid from your school financial aid office. If you become eligible for federal financial aid (for example, if your eligibility date arrives or if you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program), notify the financial aid office. If you are convicted of possessing or selling drugs after you submit your FAFSA, you must notify your financial aid office immediately. You will lose your eligibility and be required to pay back all aid you received after your conviction.

For more information on this topic please visit www.fafsa.gov.

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CHECK YOUR FINANCIAL AID STATUS

Matriculated and registered students can check their individual financial aid status by using BANNER ONLINE, which provides information about student financial aid status including information/documentation required.

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IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID POLICIES

WITHDRAWALS FROM CLASSES:

If a student withdraws from classes, the student may be required to repay a portion of any federal or state financial aid that was received for use during that period. A complete refund of tuition and fees will be issued if a student cancels a registration before the first day of classes. Once classes begin, refunds are prorated based on the official date of withdrawal (or non-attendance) from class(es). If a student drops credits or withdraws from the college, or if an express semester class is cancelled, the student may be responsible for all or part of any unpaid charges. If the student is eligible for an amount of earned aid not yet received, the studentwill be contacted by the Student Accounts Office. Refund monies are distributed back to financial aid accounts in accordance with federal and state regulations. Contact the Student Accounts Office with refund and calculation questions at (845) 687-5099.

WITHDRAWAL FROM COLLEGE:

Financial aid recipients withdrawing from the College MUST secure a clearance signature from the Financial Aid Office. This requirement is to ensure that all matters regarding financial aid awards, refunds, and student loan obligations are taken care of prior to leaving the College. Students not contacting the Financial Aid Office will be billed for any refund overpayment received, and will be unable to re-enroll until such time that the overpayment has been returned to the U. S. Department of Education (or the college in some cases). Students with Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans) must complete an exit interview at www.studentloans.gov.

NON-ATTENDANCE:

If a student fails to attend class(es), the student may be required to repay a portion of any federal or state financial aid that was received for use during that period. In some cases, financial aid awards can be cancelled, and the student would be required to repay the financial aid award(s).

OVERAWARDS:

It is the student's responsibility to advise the Financial Aid Office of all scholarships, outside awards, or other resources that the student may receive. If at any time it is discovered that the student has been over awarded financial aid, the student is responsible for repaying the amount that exceeds eligibility regardless of the reason for the over award.

VERIFICATION:

Students/parents sometimes make errors on their application. Colleges are required to have procedures for verifying the reported information.

A Student Aid Report can be selected for verification:

• by the U.S. Department of Education
• by the college

Students must provide all requested verification documentation.

Required Verification Items include:

• household size
• number in college
• adjusted gross income
• U.S. taxes paid
• certain types of untaxed income and benefits
  • Child Support
  • IRA/Keogh deductions
  • Foreign income exclusion
  • Earned income credit
  • Interest on tax-free bonds
  • TDA/TSA

Additional items may be requested.

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CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Students may request consideration of their financial aid awards due to unusual or exceptional circumstances above and beyond the student's/parents' control, such as loss of employment, divorce/separation/death of parent, loss of untaxed income (social security benefits) or loss of unemployment benefits.

Such requests must be made in writing on a Special Conditions form and submitted with all required documentation.

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APPLICATION DEADLINES