Frequently Asked Questions
General
Information
Eligibility
Application
Process
Corrections
to Student Aid Reports
Verification
Award
Letter
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
TAP
Work
Study
Expenses
Estimated
Financial Aid
Changes
in Enrollment
Satisfactory
Academic Progress
Miscellaneous
General
Information
Q: Where can I get information
about the financial aid process and the various aid programs?
There are several sites on the Internet that can provide you with information
about financial aid. These include:
www.studentaid.ed.gov which
contains the Student Guide, Funding Your Education, and links to other
resources.
www.students.gov which connects
students with federal government services and information including information
on careers, planning an education, and paying for college.
www.pin.ed.gov where students and
parents can request a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The Pin can
be used as an electronic signature for FAFSA on the Web, Renewal FAFSA,
and Corrections on the WEB, and can also be used to access the National
Student Loan Data System.
www.fafsa.ed.gov for filing the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, also known as
FAFSA on the Web. It's a fast, free, secure, and easy way for students
to apply. Students who apply online will get their application results
faster than if they mail a paper FAFSA. Students can also
print a paper copy of the FAFSA to use as a worksheet.
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Q: I thought you told me I'd done everything I needed to do. Why does there always seem to be something
else I need to sign or turn in to this office?
Students frequently ask, "Is this all I need to do?" when turning
in forms. It's a fair question, but one that needs to be placed in context.
Often a student will ask that question when turning in the FAFSA. For
our purposes the student is all set. However, when we submit the data
to the Federal Processor, they may select the student for "verification"
which means we must then ask the student for additional information. Our
goal is to make the process of applying for financial aid as easy as possible
for each and every student.
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Q: How is financial aid applied
to my account?
Your aid will generally be divided between semesters as shown on your
award letter. You will receive credit on your account for scholarships,
loans and grants for which we have received actual award notices thus
reducing the amount you are required to pay. When the actual funds are
received they will be used to pay your tuition, fees, and, if appropriate,
room and board charges.
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Q: What if the financial aid
that I accept is greater than the charges on my bill?
Any aid in excess of your bill will be refunded to you once the Bursar's
Office receives the funds from the federal or state government. A post
card will be sent to you notifying you that your refund is available in
the Bursar's Office. Identification is required when picking up refund
checks. As funds are not usually available during the first few weeks
of classes, you should come prepared to meet your living expenses during
this period.
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Q: Can changes to my or my
parent's financial situation be considered when determining my financial
aid?
We want to know if there has been a substantial change in the family's
financial situation. We may be able to use your current year's estimated
income to determine your eligibility for federal aid.
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Q: If I receive unanticipated
aid during the year, will my financial aid be affected?
By law, financial aid and the family contribution are not permitted to
exceed your estimated expenses for a given year, therefore, we are required
to adjust your total aid to keep it in balance with your estimated expenses.
You are required to let us know of any additional scholarships, grants,
or loans not shown on the award letter.
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Q: Can my financial aid be
cancelled?
All federal financial aid will be cancelled if a student is currently
in default on an educational loan, owes a refund on a federal grant, has
borrowed in excess of set loan limits or fails to meet the academic eligibility
requirements.
Further, students who are not matriculated by the 30th day after classes
begin may lose their eligibility for financial aid and become responsible
for their entire bill.
The availability of funding is tentative at the time awards are made.
The college may change or cancel any awards offered if the anticipated
funding does not materialize.
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Q: How often do I apply for
financial aid?
Financial aid is not automatically renewable; you must apply each academic
year.
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Eligibility
Q: What are the academic
requirements for students receiving financial aid?
To be academically eligible for financial aid, you must:
- be matriculated (accepted into a degree program);
- be enrolled for at least: 6 credit hours for the federal aid programs
(you may qualify for Pell at less than half-time); 12 credit hours (6 during the summer) for the
New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP); at least 3 but less than
12 credit hours for the New York Aid For Part-Time Study (APTS) program;
and
- be in good academic standing.
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Q: What is good academic
standing?
Generally speaking, you must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Pass at least one course every semester and pass 66% of all SUNYIT credit
hours attempted.
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Application
Process
Q: How do I apply for Federal
Financial Aid?
The basic document necessary to apply for financial aid is the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Q: Where can I get the forms
I need to apply for financial aid?
You can visit our web site at www.sunyit.edu/financial_aid/forms.inc
to print many of the documents that you will need. You can visit www.fafsa.ed.gov
to access the electronic Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA), the electronic Renewal Application, to submit corrections
to a previously submitted application or to request duplicate Student
Aid Reports (SAR). Paper copies of the FAFSA can also be obtained by
contacting the financial aid office at 315-792-7210.
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Q: I have financial aid now,
but what about next year? Is it necessary to apply again?
Yes, you must apply each academic year to renew your financial aid. The best way
to apply is electronically. This method is faster and more accurate --
logic errors are rare, thanks to verification editing programmed throughout
the electronic form. You can access the renewal application by visiting:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
After January 1 but before March 1, review your renewal FAFSA record
on the ED web site and revise the information to reflect your income
for the preceding year (and other information only if it has changed)
and send the application electronically. Be very sure to specify the Institute
of Technology code 011678 as a recipient of your information. It is not
necessary to complete a paper FAFSA if you correctly fill out the Renewal
FAFSA.
If you are not able to file electronically, you may use the paper application.
FAFSA packets are available beginning in January from this Financial Aid
Office or your current college if you are a transfer student.
You should receive your Student Aid Reports (SARs) approximately four
(4) weeks after submitting the FAFSA. Call (800) 433-3243 if you don't
receive it. Keep this report with your financial aid records.
If you have not filed your tax returns by the time you are completing
your FAFSA, you can use estimated information. However, you may be asked
to provide a copy of the actual tax returns at a later date.
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Q: What is SUNY Institute of
Technology's Federal Code?
SUNY Institute of Technology's code, as required on the FAFSA, is 011678.
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Q: My parents don't support
me and won't contribute to my education, so why am I still considered
a "dependent" student?
It's a federal regulation. There are eight questions on the FAFSA
that you must answer to determine your dependency status for financial
aid purposes. Keep in mind that your dependency status for financial aid
purposes is not based upon the IRS tax filing criteria.
If you do not meet these requirements but have an extraordinary circumstance and believe you are truly
independent of your parents, you may apply for a "dependency override"
with our office.
Additional information can be found in The Student Guide at: www.studentaid.ed.gov
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Corrections
to Student Aid Reports
Q: I need to make corrections
to my Student Aid Report. Can the Financial Aid Office do that for me?
Not only can the Financial Aid Office do most corrections electronically
but you can too. You can submit corrections at the following site: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/complete014.jsp.
You will need your federal financial aid PIN number to access your record.
If you would like us to submit the corrections, make the appropriate changes
on your Student Aid Report, sign it (student signs if correcting student
data; parent signs if correcting parent data), and submit it to our office.
It takes 7-10 days for us to get the corrected data back from the Federal
Processor.
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Verification
Q: What is "Verification?"
Does it mean I did something wrong on the FAFSA?
Verification is the process whereby we review the information you reported
on your FAFSA and compare the figures to your and/or your parents' tax
returns. The Federal Processor selects about 30% of all financial aid
applicants to be verified. It does not mean that you made a mistake or
that you are suspected of misreporting. It simply means that you were
picked as part of a sample to be reviewed. If your file is chosen for
verification, it is important for you to submit any requested documents
as quickly as possible. Financial aid cannot be offered to you until verification
has been completed.
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Award
Letter
Q: Why are the estimated expenses
on my award letter different than my bill?
When we award financial aid we include all expenses you might incur while
attending SUNYIT. In addition to tuition, fees, room and board, the budget
also includes allowences for books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
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Q: What are the non-college resources
shown in Section II of the award letter?
Your non-college resources are those sources of financial support not
controlled by the SUNYIT.
The student and parental contributions are estimates of what you and
your parents/spouse (if applicable) are considered to be able to provide.
They are determined by the information that you provided on your FAFSA.
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Q: How do I accept or decline
the financial aid offered in Section III of the award letter?
You must accept or decline all financial aid offered (excluding the Federal
Pell Grant and Tuition Assistance Program) by placing an "X"
in the appropriate column. You can accept a smaller loan amount by crossing
out the amount and writing in a lesser amount. You must sign and return
the original copy to our office. You can also do this online by following the instructions included with your award letter.
We will send you any additional forms you will need to complete. If this
is the first time you have taken a student loan, you will be required
to complete an Entrance Interview before any funds can be processed. You
can accomplish this on the Internet by going to http://www.dlssonline.com/entrancecounseling/main-entc.asp
or you can request a paper form from our office.
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Scholarships
Q: Where can I find out
information about SUNY Institute of Technology scholarships?
Information about SUNY Institute of Technology scholarships is available
at: www.sunyit.edu/financial_aid/scholarship.inc
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Q: Where can I find information
about scholarships from other sources?
A good source of information about private scholarships is www.finaid.org.
This site has at least one search program that can generate a list of
scholarships for which you may be eligible. In addition the Financial
Aid Office receives notifications of non-college scholarships and posts
them at various locations on campus.
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Grants
Q: Who is eligible for a Federal
Pell Grant and a Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)?
Eligibility for both programs is based on undergraduate status and financial
need. The Federal Pell Grant is for full and part-time students who are
financially eligible. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
(FSEOG) are also free; however, funding is extremely limited so awards
are made only to students with exceptional financial need.
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Loans
Q: How do I apply for a student
loan?
The FAFSA serves as the application for the Federal Direct Student Loan program.
No other application is required. The maximum amount you can borrow from
the Direct Student Loan program will be listed on your financial aid award
letter. You only need to indicate whether you accept or decline the amounts
listed (you can also reduce the amount listed) sign and return the award
letter to our office. We will send any other documents you would need
to complete.
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Q: What is a Federal Direct Loan?
SUNY Institute of Technology participates in the William D. Ford Federal
Direct Loan Program, therefore Federal Direct Subsidized, Federal Direct
Unsubsidized and/or PLUS loans are not processed through a bank and bank
loan applications are not required. All loans at our school must
be processed through the Direct Loan program, and no exceptions will be
made. A brochure can be downloaded from: www.ed.gov/DirectLoan/pubs/studentpubs.html
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Q: What is the difference between
a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan?
A subsidized student loan is awarded on the basis of the student's financial
need and other specific eligibility requirements. The federal government
does not charge interest on these loans while borrowers are enrolled at
least half time (6 credit hours a semester), during a six-month grace
period, which begins after the student drops below six hours or during authorized periods of deferment.
An unsubsidized student loan is not based on the student's financial
need, but students must also meet specific eligibility requirements. Interest
is charged throughout the life of the loan. The borrower may choose to
pay the interest charged on the loan as it accrues or allow the interest
to be capitalized (added to the loan principal).
Additional information about these loans can be obtained at:
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov
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Q: Can I reject all or part of
my loan?
Yes, you can reject all or part of your loan. However, if later in the
academic year you find that you need to reinstate all or a portion of
your loan simply contact the Financial Aid Office.
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Q: Can I take out more in a Federal
Direct Student Loan than I was offered?
The offered amounts of the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Loans are the maximum amounts you are eligible to borrow. You may be eligible
for a greater loan amount if you decline an offer of Work-Study, SEOG,
Perkins loan, or Nursing loan. It is possible that the amounts of the
loans can change upon receipt of aid from other sources or changes in
the data used to calculate your eligibility.
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Q: I signed a Direct Loan promissory
note last year. Why don't I have to sign one this year?
The Master Promissory Note has been used since the 1999-2000 academic
year for all Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. The Master Promissory
Note can be used to make one or more loans for one or more academic years
(not to exceed ten years). It was designed to reduce paperwork and loan
processing time for both students and schools.
Remember, your promissory note is a legally binding document. Read over
it carefully and contact our office if you have any questions regarding
the note.
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Q: Are my parents able to borrow
in order to help with my college expenses?
If you are a dependent student, your parents may be eligible for a Federal
Direct PLUS Loan. If your parents accept the PLUS Loan and return the
PLUS Loan Information Form, they will receive an application/promissory
note in the mail. Interest rates are variable and are capped at 9%. In
addition, an origination fee is deducted from the amount borrowed. Repayment
begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement.
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Q: How do we apply for a Parent
Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loan)?
If you are a dependent student and you have filed the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we will automatically determine your
parents' PLUS Loan eligibility and notify you via your financial aid award
letter. Enclosed with the award letter will be an additional one-page
PLUS Loan Information Form which requests specific information from your
parents. Once we have received the written acceptance of the PLUS Loan
and the completed PLUS Loan Information Form, the parent will receive a computer-generated
promissory note. After the parent has signed the promissory note and returned
it to us, the PLUS Loan request will be submitted for a credit check.
Upon credit approval, the PLUS Loan funds will be scheduled to be sent
to the school just prior to the enrollment period for which you applied.
A good source of information about the PLUS Loan program can be found
at:
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov
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Q: What happens if my parents
are denied the PLUS Loan?
Your parents can pursue two different options if they are denied the PLUS
loan: they can appeal the credit decision or pursue an endorser. Both
of these options are handled with Direct Loans not SUNY Institute
of Technology. If your parent was denied the PLUS Loan and does not wish
to appeal the credit decision or pursue an endorser (co-signer), then
you (the student) may request unsubsidized loan money in your name. You,
the student, must request this unsubsidized loan through the Financial
Aid Office. It will not be awarded automatically due to the PLUS Loan
denial.
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Q: What do I do if I can't get
enough help from the federal aid programs?
One option available is an alternative loan which is a private (non-federal)
loan. The terms vary widely as do the eligibility criteria. You (and your
co-borrower, if applicable) should carefully research the options and
apply for the alternative loan that best suits your needs. Keep in mind
that usually your best option is to pursue federal loans. Be sure you
have applied for all of the federal loans for which you are eligible before
you consider private loans. If you do wish to take out a private educational
loan, you need to provide any documentation requested by the lender of
the loan and follow the application procedure that is specific to that
loan.
It is important to understand that the interest rate on an alternative
loan is higher than that on a Federal Direct Student Loan and that you
cannot combine an alternative loan with your other student loan when you
begin repayment.
In most cases, the Financial Aid Office must certify your alternative
loan. Our office certifies that you are enrolled in school and that the
loan you requested is within the allowable cost of attendance established
by SUNY Institute of Technology.
Example 1:
A student with an $11,500 cost of attendance who has received $5,500 in
financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, VA benefits, etc.) has $6,000
in remaining eligibility that could be funded through an alternative loan.
Our office could certify an alternative loan application for the student's
requested amount, not to exceed $6,000.
Example 2:
A student with an $11,500 cost of attendance who has received $11,500
in financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, VA benefits, etc.) has
no remaining eligibility. Our office could not certify an alternative
loan application for this student.
If you have any questions about your remaining loan eligibility, please
contact our office.
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Q: If I accept a Federal Direct
Student Loan, when do I begin repayment?
Repayment of your Direct Student Loans begins within six months of your
dropping below half-time study. Further, an exit interview is required
at the time you drop below half-time enrollment.
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Q: How can I find out the total
amount I've borrowed for college?
You can find out your cumulative loan balances from all colleges by going
to National Student Loan Data System Web site (www.nslds.ed.gov)
and clicking on Financial Aid Review. (Please note, you will need your
Federal PIN to access your information.)
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Q: What is the difference between
the Federal Perkins and Nursing Loans and the Federal Direct Student Loans?
The basic differences are the Perkins and Nursing loans have:
- an interest rate fixed at 5%
- no origination fee so the student receives the full amount borrowed
- repayment doesn't begin until 9 months after the student drops below
half-time.
Additional information is available on the internet at http://slsc.albany.edu/
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Tuition
Assistance Program
Q: How do I apply for the New York
State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)?
If you are a New York State resident you can apply for the TAP program
by filing the FAFSA. If you submit the FAFSA online, there will be a highlighted
link on the FAFSA on the Web Confirmation page entitled "New York
State Residents." Click on this link and you will be taken to the
TAP on the Web application. Complete and submit the application. If you
submit a paper FAFSA, you will receive either a preprinted TAP Application
or a TAP Change Form depending on whether you've previously received a
TAP award. You need to simply follow the instructions with the application.
SUNY Institute of Technology's TAP school code is 4975 for undergraduate
studies and 5695 for graduate students. A good site to visit for information
about the TAP program is: www.hesc.com
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Work
Study
Q: What is the Federal Work-Study program?
The Federal Work-Study program offers you the opportunity to work
approximately 8 hours per week. If Work Study funds are included in your
financial aid award, the amount indicated represents maximum possible
earnings. It does not guarantee you a job, as jobs are competitive. If
awarded Work-Study, you may view available jobs at: Work Study Positions.
Paychecks will be disbursed directly to you in accordance with normal
payroll procedures and cannot be used to defer your bill.
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Q: My award letter says
I have a $1,500 Federal Work Study award, but it doesn't show up on my
semester bill. Why?
Some types of financial aid reflected on your award letter are not transferred
to the Bursar's Office. Federal Work Study aid is an example. These funds
must be earned over the course of the year. The figure reflected on the
award letter is the maximum potential earnings you are allowed. Work Study
students receive a paycheck every two weeks for the hours worked and reported on a timesheet by their supervisors.
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Q: Is it true that if I
have a work-study award I can get a job helping elementary school kids
learn how to read?
It certainly is possible. The college is always looking for students to
participate in one of the most rewarding jobs available. Contact the Financial
Aid Office for additional information.
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Expenses
Q: I am a full-time undergraduate
student living on campus, what can I expect my bill to be each semester?
You would pay your tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board. A sample
bill is at: www.sunyit.edu/financial_aid/semester_bill.inc
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Q: What if I decide to live
off campus?
In that case, you would only have to pay the college for your tuition
and mandatory fees. A sample bill is at www.sunyit.edu//financial_aid/semester_bill.inc
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Q: I have extraordinary expenses,
can they be reflected in my financial aid?
Extraordinary expenses, such as unusual medical or dental expenses
not covered by insurance, may be considered in determining your financial
aid. You should submit documentation of those expenses to the Financial
Aid Office for review.
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Estimated
Financial Aid
Q: I know my bill showed
I had financial aid before. Why isn't it there now?
Usually this means you had some financial aid listed on your bill as "Estimated."
While it's great for "holding" your registration when the bill
comes due, don't assume it will automatically pay at the beginning of
the term. Only if you've followed through completely, including signing
Promissory Notes, will that aid be credited against your bill. It pays
to be thorough because Estimated Financial Aid won't appear on your bill
forever, and once it disappears you run the risk of late fees.
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Changes
in Enrollment
Q: I want to drop a class.
How will it affect my financial aid?
If you withdraw or drop below full time status, you may have to repay
all or part of the aid (loans and/or grants) you received during that
semester. Refer to the "Satisfactory Academic Progress" section
to see what effect dropping a course would have on your academic eligibility
for aid for subsequent semesters. Contact the Financial Aid Office before
you decide to drop a class or withdraw completely.
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Satisfactory
Academic Progress
Q: What are the academic
requirements for students receiving financial aid?
To be academically eligible for financial aid, you must:
- be matriculated (accepted into a degree program)
- be enrolled for at least:
- 6 credit hours for the federal aid programs (you may qualify for Pell at less than half-time status)
- 12 credit hours (6 during the summer) for the New York Tuition Assistance
Program (TAP)
- 3 credit hours but less than 12 credit hours for the New York Aid
For Part-Time Study (APTS) program; and
- be in good academic standing as defined later in this document.
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Q: Why do I have to meet
these requirements to receive financial aid?
In the early 1980s, students would enroll for classes, collect their financial
aid refunds and then stop attending classes. They would then enroll for
the next semester, again collect their financial aid and then stop attending
classes, in effect making no progress toward earning a degree. To stop
this abuse, both the federal and state governments required colleges to
establish academic requirements that students must meet in order to continue
receiving financial aid.
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Q: What aid programs are
covered by these requirements?
All financial aid programs are covered by these requirements. These include
but are not limited to the following:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supp. Educational Opportunity Grant
- Federal Work Study Program
- Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
- Federal Nursing Student Loan Program
- Federal Perkins Loan Program
- NYS Tuition Assistance Program
- NYS Aid for Part-Time Study Program
- NYS Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards
- NYS Health Service Corps Scholarships
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Q: If I am a graduate student, do I have to meet the same criteria as an undergraduate?
Yes, the criteria listed in this brochure and the college catalog, apply
to both graduate and undergraduate students.
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Q: What do I have to do
to be in good academic standing for federal aid?
In order to remain academically eligible for federal financial aid programs,
you must meet the following requirements:
Reasonable Length of Time Requirement: must meet all degree requirements
within 150% if the credit hours needed to earn the degree; and
Minimum Scholastic Requirement: maintain a cumulative grade point average
greater than that which would result in your academic dismissal; and
Measurable Progress Requirement: must pass at least one course each semester
and 66% of all SUNYIT credit hours attempted (66% measurement begins when
you have attempted 24 credit hours.)
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Q: You said these requirements
are for the federal financial aid programs. Are the requirements for New
York State aid programs different?
Yes. While the three categories are the same, the individual criteria
differ.
First, the cumulative grade point average you must maintain varies according
to the number of state awards you have received. As a general rule, if
you maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average you will meet this requirement.
Second, the number of credit hours you must complete each semester varies
according to the number of state awards you have received. As a general
rule, if you complete at least 12 credit hours each semester you will
meet this requirement. Please note that while you must pass the credit
hours for federal financial aid you only need to complete the credit hours
for state financial aid. In addition to "A - D", grades of "F",
"S", "U", and "I" are also considered completed.
Third, the total number of credit hours you have accumulated toward your
degree increases with each additional state award. This means the number
of hours you transferred in plus the number of hours you passed at SUNY
Institute of Technology must be equal to or greater than the number required
for your next state award.
Please refer to the Good Academic Standing paragraph of the Financial
Aid Information section of SUNY Institute of Technology Undergraduate
College Catalog for detailed information about these requirements.
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Q: Can I receive financial
aid for a course I'm repeating?
Courses you are retaking to improve your grade will count toward the minimum
hours enrolled requirement for the federal aid programs. However, a repeated
course will count toward the minimum hours enrolled requirement for state
aid only if your original grade failed to meet the minimum grade required
for the course. For example, accounting majors must have a "C"
or better in all courses in their major. If the student wanted to retake
a required course because he/she received an "F" or "D"
that course would count toward the minimum credit hours for state aid.
However, if the student previously received a "C" or better
grade, the repeated course would not count.
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Q: What happens if I drop
a course?
Any classes you drop will not count toward the number of hours you must
"pass" for federal aid or "complete" for state aid.
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Q: What happens if I don't
meet the federal academic requirements?
If you do not meet the federal academic requirements, you will be placed
on financial aid suspension. Therefore, you will lose your eligibility
for federal aid until the requirement has been met.
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Q: Does failing to meet
the New York State requirements result in suspension?
Yes. The failure to meet any of the state requirements results in the
loss of eligibility for state awards for subsequent semesters of enrollment.
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Q: If I am academically
dismissed, withdraw from all classes, or do not pass any classes, do I
lose my eligibility for financial aid?
Yes, you would be placed on financial aid "suspension" and would
lose your eligibility for financial aid for subsequent semesters.
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Q: If I am on financial
aid "suspension" can I still take out student loans?
No. Student loans are part of the federal financial aid family and as
such are subject to the same academic eligibility requirements as the
other federal aid programs.
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Q: There must be some
way I can regain my eligibility for financial aid.
Actually, there are three ways you can re-establish your eligibility for
your next semester of enrollment.
- An otherwise academically successful student (usually defined as a
student maintaining at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and
passing 66% of their total credit hours attempted) can receive a one-time
waiver of the Good Academic Standing requirements. This can be accomplished
in one of two ways:
a) if you have been academically dismissed and re-admitted to the college
and have not already received a waiver, you will receive an automatic
one-time waiver of the Good Academic Standing requirements (Federal
Aid only).
b) if extraordinary circumstances of a one-time nature (death in the
family, prolonged medical condition which prevented you from attending
classes, etc.) result in your not meeting the minimum standards, you
can submit a Request for Waiver form to the Financial Aid Office along
with supporting documentation. If warranted, a waiver may be granted
for federal and/or state aid programs.
- You can enroll at SUNYIT and pay your college costs (tuition, fees,
etc.) from your own resources and/or other aid programs for which you
remain eligible. Once you meet the appropriate standards, including
passing at least one course each semester and a total of 66% of all
SUNYIT credit hours attempted, your eligibility would be reinstated
for your next semester of enrollment. (Federal and State Aid)
- If you do not enroll at SUNY Institute of Technology during the 12
month period immediately following the semester in which you lost your
eligibility your eligibility would be reinstated for your next semester
of enrollment. (Federal and State Aid - This does not apply to the 2.0
cumulative grade point average requirement for the Tuition Assistance
Program)
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Q: If I have a grade
changed from an "I" or "F" to a passing grade would
my eligibility be reinstated?
It would depend on whether your revised hours passed and cumulative grade
point average met the minimums. It would be your responsibility to notify
the Financial Aid Office of such a grade change at which time we would
review your status.
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Q: I would like additional
information about the Good Academic Standing requirements. Where would
I look?
A detailed description of the Good Academic Standing requirements is published
in SUNY Institute of Technology's Undergraduate College Catalog. Further,
please give us a call or stop by the Financial Aid Office should you wish
to discuss these requirements.
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Miscellaneous
Q: Can I get a parking permit
if my aid hasn't paid yet?
Yes, as long as your actual financial aid (estimated aid is not considered
actual aid) is greater than the charges you owe SUNYIT.
You need to have the Bursar's Office add the Parking Fee to your account
and then you can pick up your permit in the University Police Office,
Kunsela Hall. You will need your license plate number in order to register
your vehicle with University Police.
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Q: Can I use my financial aid
to buy books?
Yes, as long as your actual financial aid (estimated aid is not considered
actual aid) is greater than the charges you owe SUNYIT,
you're registered for at least 6 credit hours, and have not been issued
a refund check for the current semester, you can apply for book credit
by stopping by the Financial Aid Office.
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Q: Are any of the aid funds I
receive taxable?
Portions of scholarships, grants, assistantships, work-study, etc. in
excess of tuition and fees may be considered taxable income by the Internal
Revenue Service. Please contact the IRS if you have any questions.
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