Glossary of Financial Aid Terms Cost of Attendance (COA) The total estimated amount it will cost a student to attend college. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation costs and personal expenses. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) The amount the federal
government estimates a family should be able to contribute to the cost of a student’s college education.
Guide to Financial Aid for Graduate Study
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The form which determines eligibility for all federal financial aid programs. Apply after October 1 each year at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Federal Direct Loans (William D. Ford) Education loans provided
through the U.S. Department of Education. The loan limit for a graduate student is currently $20,500.
Unsubsidized Loan A loan that is not based on need. You will pay interest from the time an unsubsidized loan is disbursed until you pay the loan in full. FSA ID A Federal Student Aid ID that serves as your electronic signature. You should not give your FSA ID to anyone. It allows you to access your SAR and to make changes in your FAFSA. Get FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov. Principal The amount of the loan that must be repaid on maturity, and the amount on which interest will be charged.
Student Aid Report (SAR) This report is produced once the government has processed your FAFSA application. It will inform you and your school of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Scholarships Scholarships do not have to be repaid. They may come from many sources including community groups, schools and private corporations. Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria including scholastic achievement, activities and majors. Scholarships must be reported to the Financial Aid Office. For more information on financial aid at SUNY Poly, go to www.sunypoly.edu/financial_aid, call 315-792-7210, or e-mail finaid@sunypoly.edu.
Important information to guide the graduate student through the financial aid process. 1/19
Financial aid is an important part of the college application process. Use the checklist to stay current with requirements and deadlines. A list of financial aid terms is available as a reference on the back. Financial Aid Application Checklist q Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) You’ll need a FSA ID (for use as an electronic signature) to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Get your FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov. q Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) You can access FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use SUNY Poly’s federal school code: 011678. q Access your Student Aid Report (SAR) If you provided your e-mail address when submitting your FAFSA, you will receive a copy of your processed FAFSA called a Student Aid Report (SAR) within 3-5 days. If you did not provide an e-mail address, a paper copy of your SAR will be mailed to you in 7-10 days. Review the report carefully and make any necessary changes. q Review your financial aid package You will receive a financial aid award letter from SUNY Poly. Take time to review and compare it to other award packages that you’ve received. Contact our Financial Aid Office with any questions or concerns at 315-792-7210 or finaid@sunypoly.edu. q Confirm your Enrollment with the Graduate Admissions Office Notify SUNY Poly of your decision to enroll by returning the Enrollment Confirmation Form by the deadline date noted in your acceptance letter. q Accept the Financial Aid Offer Sign and return the financial aid award letter by the deadline date noted.
Questions? Please contact us. Graduate Admissions Office 315-792-7347 graduate@sunypoly.edu
Financial Aid 315-792-7210 finaid@sunypoly.edu
Bursar 315-792-7412 bursar@sunypoly.edu
Types of Aid Available to Graduate Students Federal Financial Aid Programs • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan • Veterans Administration Educational Benefits • US Bureau of Indian Affairs Aid to Native Americans New York State Financial Aid Programs • Vocational Rehabilitation Program • Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship • Veterans Tuition Award • Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program • Graduate Opportunity Program SUNY Poly Financial Aid Programs • Graduate Assistantship Program • SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program Scholarships Access an online searchable database of scholarships at: www.finaid.org www.fastweb.com • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.scholarships.com Not Qualified for Financial Aid? Options for Paying your Bill If you will be taking less than 5 credits or are ineligible for financial aid, here are some other options to consider: FACTS Payment Plan For a fee of $35 per semester, students can choose a plan requiring either 3 or 4 payments over the course of the semester. To learn more visit: www.sunypoly.edu/bursar/billing_payment Employer Sponsorship Tuition can be deferred if your employer submits a letter stating that payment will be made within 30 days of billing for the semester’s charges. To learn more visit: www.sunypoly.edu/bursar/forms Things to Remember • Apply for aid well in advance of the start of the semester in which you hope to enroll. • To be eligible for aid, you must carry 5 credit hours or more. • Loans are considered financial aid and you must file the FASFA to qualify. • Visit www.sunypoly.edu/bursar/tuition for our current tuition and fee charges. • SUNY Poly sends bills electronically to your campus e-mail account after you have registered; you will NOT receive a paper bill in the mail. • Check our online academic calendar each semester for the payment due date.
Financial aid is an important part of the college application process. Use the checklist to stay current with requirements and deadlines. A list of financial aid terms is available as a reference on the back. Financial Aid Application Checklist q
Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) You’ll need a FSA ID (for use as an electronic signature) to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Get your FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov.
q
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) You can access FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use SUNY Poly’s federal school code: 011678.
q
Access your Student Aid Report (SAR) If you provided your e-mail address when submitting your FAFSA, you will receive a copy of your processed FAFSA called a Student Aid Report (SAR) within 3-5 days. If you did not provide an e-mail address, a paper copy of your SAR will be mailed to you in 7-10 days. Review the report carefully and make any necessary changes.
q
Review your financial aid package You will receive a financial aid award letter from SUNY Poly. Take time to review and compare it to other award packages that you’ve received. Contact our Financial Aid Office with any questions or concerns at 315-792-7210 or finaid@sunypoly.edu.
q
Confirm your Enrollment with the Graduate Admissions Office Notify SUNY Poly of your decision to enroll by returning the Enrollment Confirmation Form by the deadline date noted in your acceptance letter.
q
Accept the Financial Aid Offer Sign and return the financial aid award letter by the deadline date noted.
Questions? Please contact us. Graduate Admissions Office 315-792-7347 graduate@sunypoly.edu
Financial Aid 315-792-7210 finaid@sunypoly.edu
Bursar 315-792-7412 bursar@sunypoly.edu
Types of Aid Available to Graduate Students Federal Financial Aid Programs • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan • Veterans Administration Educational Benefits • US Bureau of Indian Affairs Aid to Native Americans New York State Financial Aid Programs • Vocational Rehabilitation Program • Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship • Veterans Tuition Award • Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program • Graduate Opportunity Program SUNY Poly Financial Aid Programs • Graduate Assistantship Program • SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program Scholarships Access an online searchable database of scholarships at: www.finaid.org www.fastweb.com • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.scholarships.com Not Qualified for Financial Aid? Options for Paying your Bill If you will be taking less than 5 credits or are ineligible for financial aid, here are some other options to consider: FACTS Payment Plan For a fee of $35 per semester, students can choose a plan requiring either 3 or 4 payments over the course of the semester. To learn more visit: www.sunypoly.edu/bursar/billing_payment Employer Sponsorship Tuition can be deferred if your employer submits a letter stating that payment will be made within 30 days of billing for the semester’s charges. To learn more visit: www.sunypoly.edu/bursar/forms Things to Remember • Apply for aid well in advance of the start of the semester in which you hope to enroll. • To be eligible for aid, you must carry 5 credit hours or more. • Loans are considered financial aid and you must file the FASFA to qualify. • Visit www.sunypoly.edu/bursar/tuition for our current tuition and fee charges. • SUNY Poly sends bills electronically to your campus e-mail account after you have registered; you will NOT receive a paper bill in the mail. • Check our online academic calendar each semester for the payment due date.
Glossary of Financial Aid Terms Cost of Attendance (COA) The total estimated amount it will cost a student to attend college. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation costs and personal expenses. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) The amount the federal
government estimates a family should be able to contribute to the cost of a student’s college education.
Guide to Financial Aid for Graduate Study
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The form which determines eligibility for all federal financial aid programs. Apply after October 1 each year at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Federal Direct Loans (William D. Ford) Education loans provided
through the U.S. Department of Education. The loan limit for a graduate student is currently $20,500.
Unsubsidized Loan A loan that is not based on need. You will pay interest from the time an unsubsidized loan is disbursed until you pay the loan in full. FSA ID A Federal Student Aid ID that serves as your electronic signature. You should not give your FSA ID to anyone. It allows you to access your SAR and to make changes in your FAFSA. Get FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov. Principal The amount of the loan that must be repaid on maturity, and the amount on which interest will be charged.
Student Aid Report (SAR) This report is produced once the government has processed your FAFSA application. It will inform you and your school of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Scholarships Scholarships do not have to be repaid. They may come from many sources including community groups, schools and private corporations. Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria including scholastic achievement, activities and majors. Scholarships must be reported to the Financial Aid Office. For more information on financial aid at SUNY Poly, go to www.sunypoly.edu/financial_aid, call 315-792-7210, or e-mail finaid@sunypoly.edu.
Important information to guide the graduate student through the financial aid process. 1/19