Types of Financial Aid Programs

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Eligibility for all federal student aid programs is determined by the FAFSA. Federal financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, and work-study.

1. A federal grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are federal grants.
2. A federal student loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. There are three types of federal student loans; subsidized, unsubsidized and parent loans.
3. Federal work study provides part-time employment opportunities for students to work on campus when they are not attending class.

Financial Aid Programs

• Federal Grants
• Federal Direct Student Loans
• Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
• Federal Work Study
• New York State Student Aid Programs

New York State Financial Aid Programs

New York state residents may apply for tuition assistance through the TAP or APTS programs. New York also offers merit-based scholarships, aid to eligible Native American students, and incentive programs for students studying in certain STEM programs. A complete list of New York State aid programs is available online.

Students attending SUNY or CUNY colleges who meet certain financial, academic and residency requirements may also be eligible for New York's Excelsior Scholarship program. The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free.