Financial Aid

Click on any of the following links for information:

• General Information
• Student and Family Resources
• Estimating Expenses
• Tuition Deferral Payment
• Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients
• How to Apply for Financial Aid
• Satisfactory Academic Progress for TAP, APTS, and Title IV Aid
• Financial Aid Adjustment Procedures
• Grants
• Loans
• Employment
• Financial Aid Time Frame

Considerable financial aid is available at SUNY Broome Community College.  The Financial Aid Office assists students through the financial aid process. Information about financial aid is sent to students who are seeking financial aid when they apply for admission. Any student accepted into a degree or certificate program and taking one or more classes may apply for financial aid.

Financial aid at SUNY Broome falls into three broad categories: 1) grants that do not have to be repaid; 2) loans on which interest rates are usually low and that must be repaid after graduation or leaving college; 3) part-time employment called “Work-Study.” Assistance usually comes from a combination of these resources, commonly referred to as a “financial aid package.”

“Financial need” is a term used to describe the funds required by a student to pay for his/her college education in excess of the amount that he/she and parents can afford to pay. Financial need is determined by using a standardized formula, which defines the “initial” or “demonstrated” need. The formula:

The Financial Aid Office at SUNY Broome Community College operates on the premise that all parents and students have a responsibility to contribute as much as they can toward the cost of the student’s education. This contribution plays the primary role in determining the actual initial need.

To qualify for financial aid, a student must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program of the College, be taking one or more classes that pertain to their degree program, and have initial or demonstrated need. This need can be met in a number of different ways; a combination of grants, loans and work-study funds in varying amounts. These are determined by the financial aid administrator and are called a “financial aid package.”  Students with no initial need may still be eligible to receive Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students.

Many students would be unable to attend college without financial aid. However, no matter when application for financial aid is made, disbursal of awarded money is not always made on an “as needed” basis. Students should have sufficient resources available for living and educational expenses for 12 weeks into a semester to confirm attendance.

Below is a chart showing the estimated average costs for the 2014-15 college year for student expenses. It covers a 9-month period; the length of the college year, September to May.

¹ Lab fees vary per lab (not included in the above estimates).

² A child care allowance is added to the student’s budget only when documentation of these expenses is submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

³ An out-of-state resident must pay additional non-resident tuition.

⁴ The tuition and fees amounts had not been officially established when this catalog was being prepared.  The amounts may be subject to increase.

- ALL COSTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE -

To be considered for financial aid, students must apply each academic year.

All Financial Aid funds (with the exception of Work-Study, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, EOP, and miscellaneous financial aid funds) will be applied to the recipient’s outstanding tuition and fees for the current semester. Those applicants without finalized financial aid packages may be able to defer tuition payment by making arrangements with the Financial Aid Office.

Students relying on student loan funding may also be able to defer tuition payment pending receipt of their loan funds by completing a SUNY Broome promissory note with the Student Accounts Office or Financial Aid Office.

Broome Community College does not defer SUMMER tuition based on a TAP award or on a student loan.

Student recipients of financial aid are the beneficiaries of money made available by a variety of agencies; federal, state, institutional, and/or private. The act of accepting a financial aid award signifies that the recipient knows, understands, and is willing to comply with both the rights and the responsibilities involved with that award.

It is the recipient’s RIGHT to know:

1. What federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs are available.
2. The deadlines for submitting application forms for each assistance program.
3. The cost of attending the College and the refund policy.
4. The criteria used by the College to determine academic eligibility.
5. What resources (such as parental contribution) are considered in the calculation of financial need and how much of that need, as determined by the College, has been or will be met, and how (loan, grant and/or work-study).
6. How much of the financial aid will have to be repaid, and what portion is a grant (gift-aid). If the aid is a loan, the recipient should know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the repayment procedures, the length of time allowed to repay the loan and when repayment is to begin.
7. How the College determines whether the student recipient is making satisfactory progress and what happens if progress is not made.

It is the recipient’s RESPONSIBILITY to:

1. Know and understand fully one’s specific financial aid package before signing forms.
2. Make sure that all application forms are completed accurately and submitted, on time, to the right place.
3. Pay special attention to, and accurately complete, the application for student financial aid. Errors can result in long delays in the receipt of financial aid. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
4. Return any and all additional documentation, verification, correction, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which the application is submitted.
5. Read and understand all forms that one signs and keep copies of them.
6. Accept responsibility for all agreements signed.
7. Notify the loan servicer of changes in name, address, or school status, if one has a loan.
8. Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work-Study award.
9. Know and comply with the deadlines for application and/or reapplication for aid.
10. Know and comply with the College’s refund procedures.
11. Understand how class attendance and passing grades that result in good academic standing relate to the continuance of Financial Aid.

Packaging Policy

At SUNY Broome Community College the equity concept of financial aid packaging is used. Eligible students are funded on a need basis and in first-come, first-served order.

The Federal Pell Grant and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) represent the floor of the package followed by any employment, loans, and grants available.

This kind of financial aid packaging ensures that any student who wishes to attend a post-secondary institution will have the opportunity to obtain the needed funding.

An example of the equity concept:

1. Total Student Costs of Attendance
2. Subtract Resources:
       a.  Expected Family Contribution (EFC from FAFSA application)
       b.  Other Resources
   _________________________
       =  Initial Financial Need

      3.  Subtract:
              a.  Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) or Estimate
              b.  Federal Pell Grant
           ________________________
               = Unmet Need for Campus-Based Aid

      4.  Subtract:
              a.  Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
              b.  FWS
              c.  FSEOG
              d.  BCC-Grant in Aid
            _________________________
               = Unmet Need

Most students are able to satisfy their unmet need through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. The amount of unmet need may vary from year to year.

Federal and State Grants

All financial aid applicants will be expected to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine Pell Grant eligibility and the NY State TAP application. Out of state residents should contact their State Educational Agency or the Financial Aid Office for information on state grant assistance from their state of residence. The Financial Aid Office provides information and assistance with the completion of these applications.

Part-time students who enroll for at least 3 but less than 12 credits may be eligible for New York State’s Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) program. Unlike TAP, students must apply directly through the Financial Aid Office for determination of eligibility.

Applications and information regarding these and other programs are available at the Financial Aid Office (Student Services Building, Room 111, Phone 778-5028).  The FAFSA application is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (SUNY Broome school code:  002862).  The TAP application is available at http://www.hesc.ny.gov (SUNY Broome school code:  2025).

Campus Administered Financial Aid

For a student to be considered for financial aid administered by the College, the Financial Aid Office must electronically receive the student’s Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the FAFSA processor. Receipt of the ISIR will allow students to be considered for the following financial aid, in addition to the Federal Pell Grant:

Federal Aid

• Federal Work-Study (FWS)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Direct Student Loans

Institutional Aid

• SUNY Broome Community College Foundation Grants

The College administers a number of programs which have been established by private individuals, companies, and organizations. These scholarship and grant programs have varying eligibility requirements. Students who wish to apply for these special scholarships must complete the FAFSA.

Priority Funding Dates

Incoming students should apply for financial aid when they apply for admission. Because all campus administered funds are limited, students are strongly encouraged to submit the appropriate forms at least four weeks before the above priority dates.

Completed applications received prior to April 1 will be given first priority. Applications received after this date will be considered as long as funds are available, and will be completed in date-received order.

The FAFSA should be completed on-line (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov) before March 1. After processing, the student will receive an acknowledgment and the College will receive an electronic ISIR from the Federal processor. All students are required to complete a FAFSA, regardless of their eligibility for Federal Pell Grant funding, in order to be considered for any of the Federal financial aid programs.

Verification

Once the Financial Aid Office has received the results of your processed application, you may be selected for a process called verification. This is a procedure used to check the accuracy of the information you reported on your federal financial aid application. You will be required to bring or send any supporting documentation that is necessary to verify the information you reported. If selected, you must complete the process before your financial aid can be awarded.

Notification of Decisions

Students are generally notified of the action taken on their application beginning in mid-March and continuing on a rolling basis. Students who apply late will be notified as their files are completed.

If a student’s request for aid is denied, the reasons for the decision are explained. Students may request an appeal of financial aid decisions by writing a letter to the Director of Financial Aid.

NOTE — Students who have been administratively dropped from their class(es) for non-attendance will receive a reduced financial aid award. If financial aid has already been disbursed, a repayment of a portion or all of these funds may be owed to the Federal program.

Federal regulations require aid recipients to maintain “satisfactory academic progress” before receiving Title IV aid (Federal Pell Grant, FWS, FSEOG, Federal Direct Student Loans). The College also requires satisfactory academic progress before students may receive grant assistance from the SUNY Broome Community College Foundation or Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). The guidelines used to determine academic progress are outlined under “Standards for Academic Progress” in the College catalog.

Students who have been placed on academic probation and financial aid warning may continue to receive financial assistance. These students have one semester to achieve the minimum standards before facing dismissal from the College.

Students who have been academically dismissed will be denied aid until they meet the criteria set forth for satisfactory academic progress. Students who petition for a waiver of dismissal may be eligible for financial aid under the following conditions: 1. The student is granted an academic petition due to unusual circumstances; 2. The student is granted an “Appeal for Academic and Financial Aid Continuance” through their academic Dean’s Office and is placed on an “academic plan”. Only one petition of academic dismissal based on unusual circumstances is allowed during a student’s educational career.

Students granted an appeal and placed on an academic plan may continue to receive financial aid as long as they complete 70% of their registered credit hours and maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0.  If they are academically dismissed again before regaining good academic standing they permanently lose federal financial aid funding.  Students granted an appeal without an academic plan have one semester to regain good academic standing or face permanent loss of federal financial aid.

Students who are allowed to continue taking classes but are not in good academic standing and have not been granted an appeal are not eligible to receive financial aid.

The College has also adopted New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) guidelines which require good academic standing for students to continue receiving TAP & APTS. Contact the Registrar’s Office in Room 105 Student Services Building for a copy of the TAP guidelines.

Financial aid adjustments will be made for those students who receive tuition and fee refunds in accordance with the College’s refund policy, and for those students who are administratively withdrawn from classes due to non-attendance. Students who are administratively withdrawn for non-attendance, or who drop classes during the first three weeks of the semester, will lose 100% of the financial aid received for each course that is dropped.

As mandated by Federal law, the institution will credit adjustments of financial aid for fully withdrawn students in the following order:

1. To outstanding balances on Unsubsidized Direct Student Loans;
2. To outstanding balances on Subsidized Direct Student Loans;
3. To outstanding balances on Direct PLUS Loans;
4. To Federal Pell Grant awards;
5. To Federal SEOG awards;
6. To other Title IV aid programs;
7. To other Federal, State, Institutional or private aid; and
8. To the student.

NOTE - The following financial aid information is current as of Fall 2014. Due to reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, some of this information may be changed during the academic year. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for updated or additional information.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

•  Full-time student at any accredited college in New York State, resident of New York State. Income and academic guidelines involved.
•  $500 to $5,000, not to exceed 100% of tuition. Based on NY State net taxable income.
•  New York State Higher Educational Services Corp. (HESC) 99 Washington Avenue Albany, N.Y. 12255. Forms are mailed to student by HESC; may apply with FAFSA; applications available online at http://www.hesc.ny.gov.

OTHER NEW YORK STATE GRANTS

•  Full-time and part-time students at any accredited college in New York State, Resident of New York State. Income, academic, and other qualifying guidelines involved.
• Amounts vary based on type of award.
• New York State Higher Educational Services Corp. (HESC) 99 Washington Avenue Albany, N.Y. 12255. Forms are mailed to student by HESC; may apply with FAFSA; applications available online at http://www.hesc.ny.gov.  

AID FOR PART-TIME STUDY (APTS)

• Part-time student and residents of New York State must enroll for at least 3 but less than 12 credit hours. Income and academic guidelines involved.
• Amount of tuition or less depending on need and availability of funds.
• Forms and further information available in SUNY Broome Financial Aid Office. Applications must be submitted no later than the end of the tenth week of classes.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

• Full-time students with financial need and less than an 82 high school average. Family income must be below a specific level.
• Awards vary according to individual need and annual funding. Average of $620 per student per academic year.
• Application available in the SUNY Broome Educational Opportunity Program Office.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM

•  Accepted into a degree or certificate granting eligible program of study and enrolled in at least one class as an undergraduate student with demonstrated financial need.
• From $301 to $5,730 annually.
• College must receive an electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Federal processor. Application available on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)

• Full-time or half-time students with demonstrated high financial need. Must also be Federal Pell Grant eligible.
• Up to $4,000 depending upon need and cost of attendance.
• College must receive an electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Federal processor.

SUNY BROOME COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION GRANTS

• Full-time or half-time students on a first-come, first-served basis.  Donor specific qualifications may apply.  Must have financial need.
• Awards vary by scholarship.
• College must receive an electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Federal processor.

NYS AID FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

• Enrolled members of a New York State tribe and their children who are attending, or planning to attend, a college in New York State and are New York State residents.
• Awards are made to all eligible applicants. There is no qualifying examination. Awards are available for 2, 4 or 5-year programs.  Eligible and/or certified American Indian students are eligible to receive grant awards of up to $2,000 per year for up to four years of full-time study (five years for specific programs requiring five years to complete degree requirements).
• Applications must be postmarked by July 15 for the fall semester, by December 31 for the spring semester, and by May 20 for the summer session.  Students must apply for each semester (not annually).
• Native American Education Unit, NYS Education Department, Room 461 EBA, Albany, New York 12234  (518) 474-0537

 FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED STUDENT LOAN

• For full-time or half-time students. Student borrows on own signature through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Student must show financial need.
• Maximum of $3,500 for the first, $4,500 for the second, and $5,500 for the third and fourth years of an undergraduate program; not to exceed a cumulative total of $23,000.
• College must receive an electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Federal processor.

FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED STUDENT LOAN

• For full-time or half-time students. Student borrows on own signature through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program.  No financial need required. Student must make interest payments or capitalize interest payments while attending school.
• Same as Federal Direct Student Loan program. Combination of subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans may not exceed annual and cumulative limits for loans under the Federal Direct Loan program. Independent students may borrow an additional $6,000, and dependent students an additional $2,000 above the Direct Subsidized Student Loan limits per year based on cost of attendance minus other aid.  May be used to replace Expected Family Contribution.
• College must receive an electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Federal processor.

FEDERAL DIRECT PARENT LOAN FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (FPLUS)

• Loan program for parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time.
• No annual or cumulative limits. Loan amounts may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance minus other estimated financial aid. Parent borrower will be subject to a credit history review and may be determined ineligible due to an adverse credit history.
• College must receive an electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Federal processor.
• Parent completes an application at https://www.studentloans.gov

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY

• For full-time or half-time students. 
• Awards based on financial need. 
• Students may work up to 20 hours a week when classes are in session or up to 37-1/2 hours a week during vacation.  Weekly hours are determined by amount of award.
• Pay is minimum wage.
• Forms and additional information are available in the SUNY Broome Financial Aid Office.

Students may receive Federal financial aid for only up to 150% of the time/credits necessary to graduate from their program of study (i.e. if the degree requirement equals 60 credit hours, the student may attempt up to 90 credit hours with funding). Beginning with the first semester of matriculation into a degree granting program of study, all college level credit hours (i.e. courses designated at the 100 level or higher) that a student registers for (excluding those dropped during the first three weeks of classes or those never attended) are counted toward this time frame. Credit hours that a student attempts at their own expense also count toward the 150% time limit. At any time that it is determined that a student cannot complete their degree within the 150% time frame, they become ineligible to receive any form of Federal financial aid.

Changes in major do not set back a student’s maximum allowable time frame. Rather, a change in major program may impact the total number of credits allowable in either a positive or a negative direction, based on the new degree requirement.

Remedial courses (i.e. those designated below the 100 level) and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses that a student attempts do not count toward the 150% time frame. Students are allowed to attempt up to 30 credit hours of remedial course work and 30 credit hours of ESL course work with Federal funding. Once a student has attempted up to this limit, they are no longer eligible to receive any form of Federal financial aid for additional remedial or ESL course work attempted.

Federal Direct Subsidized student loans also have a 150% time frame.  A student borrower must complete their program of study within 1.5 times the amount of time needed to do so (semester based and prorated by level of attendance).  The borrower must then move on to the next level of education or their Subsidized loans will begin to accrue interest while they are attending.  The borrower will no longer be eligible to receive Subsidized loans until they move to the next educational level (i.e. certificate to 2 year program; 2 year program to 4 year program).

New York State has set up a separate policy in regard to time frames for TAP recipients. Students attending two-year colleges in the State of NY (with the exception of those students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program [EOP]) may only receive up to three years of TAP payments.