How To Apply for Financial Aid

To apply, you should follow the procedures outlined here in a timely manner to ensure that completed, processed forms are received in the Financial Aid Office by the deadline date. Applications completed and received by May 15 will be considered for all available financial aid. Late applications may only be considered for PELL, TAP, APTS, and loans.

Apply for admission through College Admissions Office

Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at least four weeks before the deadline date or apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov (Applications completed and received by May 15 will be considered for fall and spring semesters; consideration of late applications is based on available funds and student need).

If you're a full-time student who is a NYS resident, you should complete the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application process

If you're a part-time student who is a NYS resident, you should apply for Aid to Part-Time Study (APTS) by July 1 for fall and by November 15 for spring.

You must reapply for financial aid each year. Financial aid awards are based on need, eligibility and available funds. Students demonstrating the greatest need are given first consideration. Need is determined by comparing the expected family contribution, as calculated by a federal needs analysis formula, with the cost of attendance at Cayuga. Budgets used for financial aid vary depending upon your status and residency.

Payment of Financial Aid

The cost of your tuition, fees and books may be deferred toward actual awards from Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Cayuga Grants and Scholarships. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) awards can only be used for tuition. Awards are disbursed after the refund period, with deferred costs deducted and checks issued by the Business Office for the balance. Since the process takes time, you should plan for your own living expenses during the first two months of school. Late financial aid, if available, may require four to eight weeks for disbursement.

Maintaining Eligibility for Financial Aid

Minimum federal and/or state standards stipulate that you must be in Good Academic Standing and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Specific detailed regulations differ for federal and state aid but cover the same general areas (see Federal Standards and State Standards). We will attempt to notify you if you fall below the minimum requirements. However, it is your responsibility to be aware of the standards and your own progress.

Aid programs are subject to change based on funding and regulations from governing agencies. Up-to-date information, as well as applications for most programs and details on procedures, recipient selection, allocation of awards, award schedules and responsibilities of recipients are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid

If you become ineligible for financial aid due to failure to meet minimum standards for Good Academic Standing and/or Satisfactory Academic Progress, it may be possible to re-establish eligibility if unusual circumstances can be proven. Ordinarily documentation will be required and circumstances must be of a one-time nature, such as illness or injury.Questions concerning these academic standards and reinstatement should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Student Responsibilities

Read and understand the financial aid procedures and applications
Repay loans received and provide documentation, when necessary, according to federal and state regulations
Inform the Financial Aid Office of any changes in status, address or resources
Maintain enrollment in an approved program
Maintain good academic standing and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward a certificate or degree

Note: Changes in status or withdrawing from courses may jeopardize future aid or necessitate a repayment of awards. Therefore, you are advised to seek counseling in the Financial Aid office before making changes.

For additional details, see About Financial Aid.

Who Can Apply?

Students who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents
For some programs a student must be a New York State resident
For some programs a student must be enrolled full time
Applicants must not be in default on any prior student loans
Students applying for federal financial aid programs must be a high school graduate, have a GED or earn a qualifying score on a college administered placement test.

For more information on student financial aid at Cayuga Community College, consult the Cayuga Community College catalog.

For more information on financial aid including scholarship searches, loan calculator, financial aid myths and much more, visit the Financial Aid web page at http://www.finaid.org.

Apply Early!

Begin the process early to:

Receive the maximum amount of money
Avoid long lines
Receive your money in time to pay your bill

Applications received before May 15 will be considered for:

Pell
TAP
Federal Grants (SEOG)
Federal Work Study
CCC Grants
Sophomore Scholarships
Scholar Incentive Awards
Nursing Grants
Over 40 other Cayuga Foundation Awards
Aid to Part-time Students (APTS)
Ford Federal Direct Student Loans

Applications received after May 15 may only receive:

Pell
TAP
Ford Federal Direct Student Loans
APTS

Applications received after July 15 will not be processed in time for automatic deferrals on August bills.

Students applying after July 15 should plan on budgeting $400-500 for book expenses.

A complete application includes:

A processed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Any other forms requested by the Financial Aid office

TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)

In order to receive a TAP award, you must:

Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
List yourself as a New York State resident.
List at least one school located in New York State.

Notes: Your TAP award will be awarded for the first NYS school that is listed. Students can check TAP status, change address, or school code at http://www.hesc.com.

New Students

New York State will send a preprinted Express TAP application (ETA) to all first time applicants. The ETA must be completed, signed and returned to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). You can also apply online at http://www.tapweb.org after your FAFSA has been processed.

Returning Students

Most students who previously received a TAP award will not receive an ETA. A TAP award will be generated based on FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) information. The award certificate will be mailed to the student along with a change form that can be used to make any updates or changes to the state information. Returning students who do receive an ETA must complete it and return it to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).

Application Checklist

Apply by May 1 for priority consideration.

Admission

Submit a completed admissions application to Cayuga's Admissions Office.

If you don't already have a PIN (Personal Identification Number), you (and your parent, if you are a dependent student) should apply for one at www.pin.ed.gov.

FAFSA

By May 1, apply online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (Cayuga's Federal School code is 002861), OR mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA to the Central Processor in the envelope provided.

TAP (Full-time, 12 or more credits)

If you receive an Express TAP Application (ETA), complete and return to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) or apply online at http://www.tapweb.org.

APTS (Part-time, 3-11 credits)

Submit the APTS application to the Financial Aid Office by July 1 for fall Semester, and by November 15 for spring Semester.

Ford Federal Direct Student Loans

If a loan is included in your award letter, you must log on to your self-service Banner account to accept it and activate the loan.
If you would like to apply for an additional loan, you must submit a CCC Direct Loan application to the Financial Aid Office.
Complete an electronic promissory note at http://dlenote.ed.gov.
First time borrowers are required to complete entrance counseling online.

Unusual Circumstances

Report to the Financial Aid Office any significant change that may affect your eligibility for Financial Aid (i.e. receipt of outside scholarships, unemployment, divorce or separation).

Copies

Keep a file with copies of all financial aid transactions. This can be very helpful if problems arise later. We encourage you to make and save a copy of all documents and forms.