Federal and State Aid

General financial aid programs available through the college include both federally and state-funded programs.

For graduate students, financial aid programs include the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for matriculated New York state residents attending full time (9 credits or more per term); the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) for matriculated students attending half time; Federal Perkins Loans for matriculated students; Federal Stafford Loans for students enrolled for at least 5 credits per term; Graduate PLUS Loans; Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grants and the SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program. For a complete list of grants and scholarships, go to http://www.hesc.ny.gov/content.nsf/SFC/Grants_Scholarships_and_Awards.

Note: good academic standing is a requirement for payment and continuation of financial aid. If you fall below the minimum achievement level, payment and continuation of financial aid will be in jeopardy. Students are not eligible for financial aid if they are in default on any student loan or owe a repayment of any federal student aid.

The deadline for applying for the limited funds of Federal Work-Study and Federal Perkins Loans for matriculated students is April 15. If funds are still available after those applications are processed, others will be considered.

Summer Aid

Financial Aid is not automatically awarded for the summer term. Students enrolling for the summer should contact the Empire State College Financia Aid Office by e-mail at FinancialAid@esc.edu or call the Student Information Center at 800 847-3000 for their financial aid package to be adjusted. If students receive aid, the summer term financial aid counts as part of the upcoming academic year (fall and spring terms), and not as part of the preceding academic year (prior spring and fall terms).

Thus, any financial aid awarded for the summer term counts as part of the total aid for which the student is eligible for the entire year. For example, if a student receives a Stafford Loan to support summer enrollment, those dollar amounts count toward the total amount of aid eligibility for the coming academic year. Students enrolling in summer courses should notify the Financial Aid office at FinancialAid@esc.edu. A revised award notice will be available online with any adjustments. Students should contact financial aid to discuss the effect of summer enrollment on their aid for the year.