There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study (hyperlink), and loans (hyperlink). Grants are generally awarded based on financial eligibility. Grants can come from many sources such as the federal and state government.
Federal Grants
| Pell | Awarded to undergraduates. Grant is based on student’s financial need.
*Pell has a lifetime limit. A student cannot exceed the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. *Pell counts any previous semesters used at another institution. |
The amount changes each year. Currently for 2020-2021, $671 – $6,345 per year.
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| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | Awarded to undergraduates based on “exceptional” financial need. | The amount changes each year. Currently for 2020-2021, $200 – $1,300. |
New York State Grant
| Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
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Based on Financial Need.
*TAP has a lifetime limit. An Associate’s Degree/Certificate student cannot exceed 6 semesters. A Bachelor’s Degree student cannot exceed 8 semesters. *TAP counts any previous semesters used at another institution.
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Currently for 2020-2021, $500 – $5,165 per year.
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The two major sources are the Federal Pell program and the State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Please note: anyone convicted and having completed incarceration for a forcible or non-forcible sexual offense is ineligible to receive a Federal Pell grant.
Trocaire Grant
This grant is determined by the financial aid counselor and is based on your economic need. It generally amounts to $500 – $1,500 annually.