At Home In College

Approximately $90 billion in financial aid money is awarded to college students every year, and sixty-two percent of full-time college students receive financial aid or scholarships to help them pay for school (College Board). Even if you think you won't qualify for aid, you should apply -it's free.

Types of Financial Assistance:

• Grants - Money that doesn't have to be repaid
• Scholarships - Money that doesn't have to be repaid and usually is awarded on the basis of academic merit
• Loans - Money for school that you must repay with interest
• Work-Study- Money earned from a job through your college financial aid office

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed by everyone who wants federal aid, and most financial aid programs require it. There is no charge for completing the FAFSA. It should be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon after January 1st as possible. The FAFSA form will automatically direct students to the New York State TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) application, which all students must also complete. Although the federal deadline for FAFSA is May 1st, most college deadlines are in February or March. Filing after a deadline will mean less money, so file on time!

  Financial Aid Online Resources

Below are links to websites that can provide you with advice and resources to help you navigate the federal and state financial aid applications:

Filling out your FAFSA Application

Frequently Asked Questions on Financial Aid
FAFSA Online
Free Help Completing the FAFSA
Information on TAP and New York State Scholarships
Federal Student Aid Information
CUNY Financial Aid Information
CUNY Scholarships