Financial Assistance - State and Federal Financial Aid Programs

[ State Financial Aid Programs | Federal Financial Aid Programs ]

State Aid:

Many states sponsor loan and grant programs for eligible students. Contact your guidance counselor or your state office of higher education assistance for information about funds available from your home state and the availability of these funds for out-of-state study.

New York State:

Tuition Assistance Program: New York State residents attending colleges in New York State are eligible for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Awards. The purpose of the Tuition Assistance Program is to give access and choice to all New York State residents according to educational interests and needs of the student. The awards may be received for a maximum of eight semesters.

Annual application for TAP is required. TAP application may be completed by filing the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA), which is available after January 1 of the academic year.

Child of Veteran Award: These awards are available to children of veterans who are deceased, disabled or missing in action as a result of service during World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict or Vietnam. The amount of the award is $450 per year for four years. In addition to applying for TAP the student must complete a separate Child of Veteran Award Supplement available from HESC.

Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship: Available to New York State residents in the top 10% of the high school graduating class registered in a program leading to certification in a teacher shortage field. Up to $5000 for up to four years of full-time study. A student must teach two years for each annual payment received. Students apply by completing the Tap Application and the Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Application available from HESC.

Higher Education Opportunity Program: Under New York’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) academically and financially disadvantaged students may receive academic support and financial aid grants from both the college and the State to insure college success. Contact the HEOP Office at the college for more details.

Academic Progress and Program Pursuit for New York State Programs:

Full-time TAP Recipients:

It is most important for all undergraduate full-time and part-time aid recipients to realize that a complete withdrawal from all classes during a particular semester will place the student’s financial aid in suspension. The student will automatically become ineligible for financial aid for the following semester. If a student is considering withdrawing from all courses, please visit the Student Financial Services Office before you do so.

If you are a full-time undergraduate student receiving TAP or any other New York State grant or scholarship you must meet the State Education Department’s requirements for both satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit.

Program Pursuit: means making a passing or failing grade in the following percentages of a full-time program (which is a minimum of 12 credits per semester).

1st Year of TAP Payment-

50% of a full-time program must be completed each semester (6 credits per semester)

2nd Year of TAP Payment-

75% of a full-time program must be completed each semester (9 credits per semester)

3rd and 4th Year of TAP Payment-

100% of a full-time program must be     completed each semester (12 credits per semester)

You must meet these program pursuit requirements every semester in order to be eligible to receive your State aid the following semester.

Satisfactory Academic Progress: (TAP) in addition to Program Pursuit  requirements you must complete a certain number of credits each semester with a certain cumulative index to be eligible for the next semester’s award. The following chart outlines what your credits completed and cumulative index must be in order for you to be eligible for your New York State aid.

Before being certified for this payment the following requirements must be met:

Semester	Minimum Credits Accrued	Minimum GPA
1st	0	0
2nd	6	1.0
3rd	15	1.2
4th	27	1.3
5th	39	2.0
6th	54	2.0
7th	69	2.0
8th	84	2.0
9th*	99	2.0
10th*	114	2.0

*Note: Only students in five year programs, approved pursuant to section 145-2.7 of the Regulations, are eligible for more than eight semesters of undergraduate awards.

A recipient of New York State aid who fails to meet the program pursuit or satisfactory academic progress requirements in a particular semester may wish to make up the necessary credits or achieve the required cumulative index by taking credits at his/her own expense in a given semester. If the student is then in good academic standing for receipt of New York State aid, the aid will be reinstated the following semester.

Aid for Part-Time Study Recipients:

Undergraduate students receiving New York State Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) must also meet BOTH satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit requirements.

Program Pursuit: means making a passing or failing grade in the following percentages of a part-time program (which is a minimum of 6 credits per semester).

1st Year or APTS Payment-

50% of a part-time program must be completed each semester (3 credits per semester)

2nd Year of APTS Payment-

75% of a part-time program must be completed each semester (4 credits per semester)

3rd and all subsequent Years of APTS Payment-

100% of a part-time program must be completed each semester (6 credits per semester)

In order to be eligible for State aid the following semester you must meet the program pursuit every semester.

Satisfactory Academic Progress: The student must successfully complete a minimum number of semester hours of credit with a minimum grade point index according to the same satisfactory progress chart that is printed in the previous section for full-time undergraduate TAP recipients. The difference is that part-time APTS recipients are not reviewed every semester for satisfactory academic progress; rather their academic progress is reviewed in 12 credit increments. Each accumulation of 12 credits attempted counts for one semester on the full-time chart; an APTS recipient must meet the academic progress requirements.

A recipient of New York State Aid for Part Time Study who fails to meet the program pursuit or satisfactory academic progress requirements in a particular semester may wish to make up the necessary credits or achieve the required cumulative index by pursuing credits at his/her own expense in a given semester. If this is done and the desired results achieved, the student will be eligible to receive his/her New York State aid the following semester.

Waivers for Exceptional Circumstances: A recipient of New York State aid who has a very good reason for lack of academic progress in a particular semester and can provide documentation of such unusual circumstances, may request a one-time waiver of the New York State satisfactory academic progress requirements from the Office of Student Financial Services. This waiver may be used only once as an undergraduate. If you think you have the grounds for a one-semester waiver, visit the Student Financial Services Office. The waiver will permit you one semester of receipt of your New York State Aid after you have lost your eligibility. During the waiver semester, you must make up your academic progress deficiency so that you will be eligible to receive and for the next term.

Transfer Students: Transfer students and students re-admitted after an absence of at least one year from college are reviewed for satisfactory academic progress for New York State assistance on a somewhat different basis. While you must meet the program pursuit requirements based on the number of New York State award payments you have received, the satisfactory academic progress requirements you must meet will be based on either the number of state aid payments you have received or the number of transfer credits awarded to you upon your admission to the College. Placement on the chart of academic progress will be made based on whichever placement benefits the student the most.

Federal Financial Aid Programs:

Federal Pell Grant: This program provides direct grants from the federal government to the undergraduate student for educational expenses. Grants may range in size up to $4,050 per year. To apply a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to the Federal Student Aid Programs.

Federal Perkins Loan Program: Perkins loans at Manhattan College range from $500 to $3,000 per year. You will be notified by the college if you are chosen to receive a Perkins loan and will be sent the Perkins loan application to complete. Each Perkins loan recipient must have an entrance interview with a financial aid counselor.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: SEOG is funded by the Federal Government and must be given to the students with the most need. No separate application is required.

Federal Work Study Program: A student who has remaining financial need after all grants are considered may be offered the College Work Study Program. A student may work 10 to 15 hours a week on campus and receive a paycheck to help defray living costs. During vacation periods it is possible to work full-time.

Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: Loans are made by participating commercial and savings banks to students for college expenses. Students may borrow $2625 freshman year, $3500 sophomore year and $5500 for junior and senior years. Although the loan may be repaid interest free in advance, repayment begins six months after graduation or termination as half-time student. Up to ten years may be allowed for repayment. Students cannot borrow more than the cost of attendance less the combination of other financial aid and family contribution as computed as a result of filing the FAFSA.

Students who take out loans are reminded that they have a responsibility to future college students to repay those loans. Failure to repay cannot only damage one's credit rating and lead to legal action, it can also affect the ability of future students to borrow money.

Loan proceeds are forwarded electronically by the banks to the Bursar's Office. The student will receive a letter when the loan proceeds are received. Disbursements are made once in the Fall and once in the Spring. All borrowers must attend an entrance interview.

Federal Parent Loans (PLUS): Parents of dependent undergraduate and graduate students and independent students may borrow the cost of education minus financial aid. The amount borrowed under these programs may not exceed the cost of attendance minus other financial aid, including Stafford Loans. The interest is a variable rate set annually and fixed at a level equal to the rate on the 90 day T-Bills plus 3.1%, not to exceed 9.0%. Repayment of parent loans begin 60 days after the second disbursement. Some deferred payment options may be available. Contact your lender for details. Interest may be capitalized accordingly, per lenders guidelines.

Academic progress and program pursuit for federal and Manhattan College grants, loans and work study programs

As an undergraduate student you must meet the following satisfactory progress requirements if you are the recipient of any of these federal or institutional aid programs:

Federal Pell Grant

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

College Work Study

Perkins Loan

Stafford Loan

PLUS Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students

Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Institution Manhattan College Presidential Scholarships* Manhattan College President's Awards* Manhattan College Grants Manhattan College Tuition Remission *Recipients of Manhattan College academic grants or scholarships must meet the stricter requirements of these programs regarding cumulative index achieved so as to maintain continued eligibility for these programs.

There is a maximum length of time set for completion of a degree program with the benefit of receipt of federal (excluding Pell grants) and/or Manhattan College financial assistance. The standards below provide the basis for academic progress for federal and Manhattan College aid recipients.

Full-time student	Part-time students
6 years	12 years

Students who first received a Federal Pell grant beginning with the Fall 1987 semester, please be advised that the maximum length of time set for you to receive a Pell grant is:

Full-time students	Part-time students
6 years	10 years

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students at Manhattan College are expected to make positive academic progress toward a degree. Students are said to be making satisfactory academic progress when they meet both the quantitative and qualitative criteria established by federal regulations.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress involve both qualitative (cumulative grade point average) and quantitative (hours earned compared to hours attempted and a maximum time limit) elements. This requirement applies to all applicants for any type of federal assistance. To be eligible for financial aid at Manhattan College students must be in compliance with all three of the following areas: cumulative GPA, hours earned, maximum time limit.

I. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must maintain the required cumulative grade point average established by Manhattan College to continue enrollment and to be eligible for financial aid. Satisfactory progress will be measured for all coursework attempted and/or completed toward the student’s degree.

Attempted Credits	Cumulative
+Transfer Credits	GPA
1-26	1.8
27-59	1.9
60 and above	2.0

II. Earned Hours (Compared to Attempted Hours): It is recommended that students attempt to earn at least two-thirds of the credits required per academic year in order to complete graduation requirements in four years. To remain eligible for financial aid, students must earn at least 67% of total cumulative hours attempted.

For financial aid purposes, the following definitions and conditions apply:

•     To earn hours at Manhattan College, one must receive a grade of A, B, C, or D* (including “+” and “-”). All other grades, including F, I or W do not earn hours. *Certain grades will not fulfill academic requirements of a student’s major/ degree. Refer to the catalog section on grading policies.

•     Classes from which a student withdraws after the drop/add period count as attempted but not earned hours. Therefore, withdrawing from classes after the drop/add period negatively affects students’ ability to satisfy the hours earned standard.

•     When a student repeats a course, the total attempted hours will increase with each repeat, but the student may only earn hours for a successfully completed course once. Therefore, repeating courses may negatively affect student’s ability to satisfy the hours earned standard.

•     Accepted transfer credit counts as both attempted and earned hours.

III. Maximum Time Limit: To remain eligible for financial aid, undergraduate students must complete their degree requirements within 150 percent of the published length of their academic program. At Manhattan College, for example, this means that students in programs requiring 120 hours for graduation are eligible for financial aid during the first 180 attempted hours as an undergraduate. All attempted hours are counted, including transfer hours, whether or not financial aid was received, or the course work was successfully completed.

Annual SAPReviews: At the end of the spring semester, a year-end review is completed, and students who are out of compliance with one or more of the SAP standards will be notified by the Dean and the Office of Student Financial Services. The College’s policies on academic warning, probation and dismissal are cited under the Academic Standards and Procedures section of the catalog. Manhattan College may fund students during their probationary period.

Regaining Eligibility for Financial Aid: To regain eligibility, the student may attend summer school and/or any other terms necessary, without aid, until all deficiencies are remedied.

I.    Cumulative GPAs can only be brought up by attendance at Manhattan College programs where credit is earned and grades are calculated for the grade point average.

II.  Hours deficiencies may be made up by successfully completing coursework at Manhattan College or at another institution. However, if enrolling elsewhere, the student must complete the appropriate forms and have the coursework pre-approved by Manhattan College prior to enrolling in the other institution. Students must provide an academic transcript after transient study coursework has been successfully completed.

III. Maximum Time Frame: Once the Time Limit has been exceeded, aid eligibility ends, even if the student is in compliance with the other two standards.  There is no regaining eligibility for aid as long as the student is an undergraduate.

Once students are in compliance with all three standards (are back in compliance with the first two standards and still in compliance with the third), they must notify the Financial Aid in writing to request a reevaluation of eligibility. This process cannot be done until all grades and hours are posted to the student’s official record. No financial aid award can be calculated until after the review process is complete.

Appeals: Federal regulations allow for certain cases in which the school may waive the standards. Appeals for the waiver may be considered if a student’s failure to comply with one or more areas of Satisfactory Academic Progress is due to mitigating circumstances. These must be appropriately documented for the specific term(s) in which the deficiency occurred. Eligibility may be regained by appeal. Contact the Director of Student Financial Services and the Dean to process a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)Appeal.