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University Grants/Institutional Aid

Colleges will use information from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and your family’s tax returns determine your eligibility for University funds. When awarding Institutional Aid, a college first determines a families parent and student contributions (by looking at the forms and your documents) as well as your eligibility for federal and state grants. The college then offers University Grant funds UP TO the remaining costs associated with your enrollment. *At many school here may be a GAP between what you need an what they offer. For no Gap, focus on schools that guarantee to "Meet 100% of Financial Need"

All grant eligiblity is reevaluated each academic year. You must reapply for aid and meet all applicable deadlines in order to be considered for all programs.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education when reviewing your financial information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Pell Grant is made available to families who, based on the information they provided on the FAFSA, have the greatest financial need. The maximum award for 2019-2020 is $6,195, based on full-time enrollment. Because it is a grant, this award does not need to be repaid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a campus-based federal program. Students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who demonstrate exceptional financial need are given priority for these limited funds. The award amount will vary.

NY State TAP Grant

The State of New York operates the Tuition Assistance Program (MAP), awarding need-based grants to students who are residents of the state of New York and attend college in the state. After filing your FAFSA, students and families can file a TAP application, and they determine your eligibility for the TAP Grant and some other state aid funds. Your eligibility is based on the financial data provided by the information you supplied on the TAP The maximum MAP Grant for 2019-2020 is $5,165, based on full-time enrollment.

In the CTO we highly recommend that, once it becomes available on October 1st, you submit the FAFSA, the CSS Profile and the TAP Applications.