How to Apply for Financial Aid

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
To apply for Federal Financial Aid from the United States government a student must file a FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

The FAFSA is used to apply for:  

1. Federal Pell Grant

2. Federal Work-Study

3. Federal Perkins Loan

4. William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans

5. Federal ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant) 

6. Federal SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent)

7. Federal SEOG (Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant)

8. Federal TEACH grant

Note: Students applying for the NY state SEEK program must also file
a FAFSA.

There are two ways to file a FAFSA:

1. Students should file via the Internet at www.FAFSA.gov.

In approximately one week students will receive a link via 
email to view and print their Student Aid Report (SAR). 
The email will be labeled as a "SAR Acknowledgement".

2. Students who want to file a paper FAFSA by mail must  
print the application from Print a FAFSA.

Students who mail in a paper FAFSA will receive a paper
SAR in the mail in approximately three weeks.

Every SAR includes a "Comments" page. It is important for a student to read this section completely to see if there are any documents that must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office.  Required documents should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid processing delays. Documents submitted must be photocopies, since they will become part of a student's permanent file and will not be returned. Photocopies of federal tax returns must be signed. 

When documents are required, a printout of the SAR Acknowledgement or the paper SAR received in the mail should also be submitted. 

It is important to submit documents in a timely fashion so that any necessary corrections to the FAFSA can be made. A delay in submitting corrections may cause a delay in the disbursement of financial aid funds.

Students who do not receive their SAR as expected should call 800 4-FEDAID, (800 - 433-3243), to check on the status of their FAFSA.

1. TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)
   To apply for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program), or APTS (Aid for Part-time Study) which is financial aid from New York State a student must file a separate application.
   
   
2. 1. Online application
      Applicants who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web, and have a valid EFC (Expected Family Contribution), will receive a link on the FAFSA "Confirmation Page" allowing them to access " TAP on the Web".
      
      Applicants who did not click on the TAP link after completing the online FAFSA will receive an e-mail from New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) with instructions on how to establish a PIN (Personal Identification Number). The PIN will enable a student to gain access to the online TAP application.
      
      Applicants who did not provide an e-mail address on their FAFSA will receive a postcard with "TAP on the Web" instructions.
      
      
   2. Paper Application
      
      If, after receiving the email or postcard from HESC, a student still does not complete a "TAP on the Web" application he/she will receive a paper TAP application in the mail. This paper "Express Tap Application" (ETA) will be sent approximately seven days after the e-mail or postcard from HESC was sent.
      
      Note: Some continuing students who have previously received TAP will not be required to file a TAP application. These students will automatically receive a CUNY supplemental financial aid form in the mail.
      
      City College of New York TAP Codes
      Undergraduate: 1411
      (Graduate students are not eligible for TAP.)
      
      Remember:  All application processing and correction requirements must be completed before a TAP and/or Pell Grant can be used for tuition bill payment.  Students with confirmed federal PELL grants will receive Pell book advances at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.
      
      For more information regarding TAP/APTS and additional types of New York State financial aid go to: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation