Financial Services

Library Building, Rooms 409 and 411
Phone: 718-631-6367
Email: FinancialAid@qcc.cuny.edu
Website: Office of Financial Services

The key to financing a college education successfully is to determine a budget. The student budget is defined as the number of dollars a student needs to attend The City University of New York (CUNY) for one year. It is composed of direct educational expenses (tuition, fees, books) and indirect educational expenses (housing, food, transportation, and some personal expenses). CUNY has established two standard budgets:

1. students living with parents and

2. students living away from parents

Balanced against the student’s budget is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is calculated by the need analysis system that is established by Congress. The EFC is defined as the number of dollars that the student and his/her family can contribute towards the budget.

To determine each student’s need, the EFC is subtracted from the budget established for that student. The need establishes the maximum amount of dollars that can be awarded from all financial aid programs.

The most common sources of financial aid for students at Queensborough Community College are:

• THE NEW YORK STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS*

  • Tuition Assistance Program

  • Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program

  • Part-time TAP /Aid for Part-time Study

• FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM*

• CAMPUS-BASED FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS*

  • Federal Work-Study

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity

• COLLEGE DISCOVERY PROGRAM*

• DIRECT LOANS (formerly Federal Family Education Loans)*

  • Federal Direct Loans

    • Subsidized Direct Loan

    • Unsubsidized Direct Loans

  • Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduates

The New York State Tuition Assistance Programs

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Sponsored by the State of New York, TAP provides tuition assistance for full-time degree (matriculated) students (that is, students enrolled for 12 or more credits and/or equated credits) depending upon the family net taxable income. All students should apply for TAP each year by completing the FAFSA and clicking on the link on the FAFSA Confirmation Page to go to “TAP on the web.” Students apply on the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Website. This application starts with the Summer session, continues with the Fall semester, and ends with the Spring semester. New Freshmen and Transfer Students are not eligible for Summer TAP for their first semester.

Students whose applications for TAP are approved will receive an award certificate from HESC, which states the amount of aid. The amount of the TAP award is scaled according to the level of study, tuition charged, and the net taxable income, as well as the number of TAP payments received. A student enrolled in a two- year program cannot receive more than three years of TAP while completing the program or if Part Time in a two year degree program a maximum of six years. If the award certificate is received before that student’s tuition bill is due and the student meets all eligibility criteria, tuition will be reduced by the amount stated on this certificate. If the certificate is received after the tuition bill is due, the student will pay the tuition at the time of registration and will be reimbursed later in the school year.

Eligibility For TAP

To be eligible for full-time TAP, students must:

1. Be a legal resident of New York State (lived in NYS for at least one year prior to the first term for which you are seeking payment)

2. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen

3. Be enrolled in a program leading to a degree

4. Be in good academic standing for NYS programs

5. Have a high school diploma from a U.S. high school, a recognized GED certification, or pass an approved ability-to-benefit test**

6. Be enrolled full-time in at least 12 credits that are required for your degree.

7. Meet the NYS taxable income criteria. Dependent students or independent students with tax dependents must have a total family NYS net taxable income of $80,000 or less. Independent students who are single with no tax dependents must have a total family NYS net taxable income of $10,000 or less. Independent students who are married with no tax dependents must have a total NYS net taxable income of $40,000 or less.

*Subject to change in Federal and State Laws.

**NOTE: Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, first-time TAP recipients who graduated from a Foreign High School must take and pass an approved ability-to benefit test by the twenty-first day of the semester for a particular term to be certified for an award for that term. The twenty-first day of the semester is the last day to drop a class without receiving a grade of “W”.

Important Reminders:

1. To be eligible for a full-time TAP award, a student must register for a minimum of 12 credits and/or equated credits, which must include at least six credits in credit-bearing courses.

2. These 12 credits/equated credits must be for course-work that meets the requirements of their specific degree program.

3. For the first TAP payment, only three (3) credits in credit-bearing courses are required. However, for students who first enrolled in the 2007-08 academic year or after, at least 6 credits in credit-bearing courses must be earned to be eligible for a second TAP payment.

4. Students who withdraw from all courses during a semester will lose eligibility for TAP in the next semester. These credits must be required by the curriculum.

Part-Time TAP (New part-time TAP requirements for 2022/2023) - Part-time students can receive PT TAP as long as they register for 6-11 credits in their degree or certificate program. - all other TAP criteria remains in place.

Satisfactory Academic Standing to Continue TAP Awards

All students receiving TAP must maintain satisfactory academic standing as determined by New York State. Any student who fails to “pursue a program of study” or to “make satisfactory academic progress,” as defined by the New York State Education Department, will lose TAP eligibility for the following semester. Therefore, students must meet two minimum standards set by the New York State Department of Education: 

NOTE:  Please refer to college website for the most to up-to-date charts

Pursuit of Program

Students are required to complete a certain minimum number of credits or equated credits each semester as specified in the chart below:

Academic Progress

This requirement means that students must accumulate a specified minimum total number of credits and achieve a specified cumulative grade-point average (GPA) to be eligible for the TAP award number as indicated below.

For all students who first received state aid (TAP/APTS) for the 2010-11 academic year and after, the following chart is in effect:

For all students who first received state aid (TAP/APTS), and all CD students in the 2006-07 academic year through 2009-10, the following chart is in effect:

ADA Part-Time TAP Recipients

Education Law section 661(d)(4) provides that for students who are disabled as defined by the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, “the full-time attendance requirement is eliminated. Such disabled students may be in part-time attendance, as defined by the commissioner in order to be eligible to receive payments…”
According to section 145-2.1(a)(4) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, for a student with a disability, “part- time study or attendance shall mean enrollment for at least three but less than 12 semester hours per semester or the equivalent, or at least two but less than eight semester hours per quarter.”
ADA Part-Time TAP recipients must meet all TAP eligibility requirements. Prior to the 2015-16 academic year, good academic standing was determined using the same satisfactory academic progress standard used for Aid for Part-Time Study— that was, for each ADA Part-Time TAP award, a recipient had two semesters to meet the progress standard.
Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, for ADA students who received their first state award during the 2010-11 academic year and thereafter and who are enrolled less than full-time, good academic standing will be determined using new SAP standards which does not modify the requirements for disabled students, but aligns them to be equivalent with those required of full-time students.

NOTE: in order for a student to have their TAP eligibility evaluated using the new ADA SAP Standards they must be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (SSD).

Program: Associate Program

Calendar: Semester 2015-16 and thereafter (ADA Part-time students)

Important State Notes

1. Loss of TAP eligibility: Students who fail to meet the standards of academic program pursuit, academic progress, and/or attendance, will lose their TAP eligibility. In addition, any student who registers for courses without having met these standards will be liable and billed for the full amount of his or her TAP award. Also, any student who registers for courses not required by their curriculum will lose TAP.

2. Students on probation or continued probation who make satisfactory academic progress during this probationary period and continue to maintain their academic standing will maintain their eligibility for financial aid.

3. A repeated credit course cannot be included as part of a student’s minimum full-time or part-time course load for New York State financial aid purposes except in the following cases:

   a. when the repeated course was previously failed

   b. when the course was previously passed but with a grade too low to be accepted in the student’s curriculum

   c. when a repeated course earns credit each time

4. A repeated noncredit (developmental) course cannot be included as part of a student’s minimum full-time or part-time course load for New York State financial aid purposes if the student received a passing grade for that course (i.e., “NC” grade or “INC” grade).

5. Transfer students or students making a change of curriculum should review their status with an academic adviser and a financial aid counselor to insure their TAP eligibility status.

6. Waiver Policy: Students who can demonstrate that exceptional circumstances beyond their control caused them to have a substandard record may be eligible for a one-time undergraduate waiver of TAP regulations. Waivers will be granted in these exceptional cases only when:

   a. there is a reasonable probability that the student will regain good academic standing

   b. the student is able to present full documentation

   c. the waiver is approved by the TAP Waiver Officer. Students who wish to apply for a TAP waiver must make an appointment with the TAP Waiver Officer.

Please refer to the Office of Financial Services website for the current requirements to receive TAP.

Aid For Part-Time Study (APTS)

The Aid for PART-TIME Study (APTS) program, sponsored by the State of New York, was established to provide tuition assistance for part-time matriculated students. Queensborough students should apply for TAP using the FAFSA and linking to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website and complete the Supplement Form available in the CUNYfirst Student Services Center.

Eligibility For APTS

APTS is not an entitlement program. There are limited resources. The institution (CUNY) selects and determines the individual award amounts. To be eligible, students must:

1. be enrolled as a part-time student in an approved undergraduate degree program in New York State (part-time is defined as at least six [3] but no more than eleven [11] equated credits). The 3-11 credits/equated credits must be for course work that is required for the degree.

2. Meet the NYS taxable income criteria. Students claimed by their parents as a tax exemption or students who claim dependents of their own must have a NYS net taxable income of $50,500 or less. Students not eligible to be claimed by parents as a tax exemption or who are single with no tax dependents must have a NYS net taxable income of $34,250 or less.

3. Be a legal resident of New York State (lived in NYS for at least one year prior to the first term for which you are seeking payment)

4. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen

5. Be enrolled in a program leading to a degree

6. Be in good academic standing for NYS programs

7. Have a high school diploma from a U.S. high school, a recognized GED certification, or pass an approved ability-to-benefit test

8. Have a tuition charge of at least $100 per year

9. Have remaining TAP eligibility

APTS Awards

The money available for all participating institutions is set each year in the State budget. The amount received by a particular college is determined by the school’s percentage of the total part-time enrollment at all participating institutions. The number and the amount of awards are determined by the participating institution based on its allocation of funds.

Satisfactory Progress For APTS

Recipients must be in good academic standing in accordance with New York State’s rules and regulations and must not be in default of a student loan. APTS recipients are subject to the same good academic standing requirements that govern the TAP Program. Students must demonstrate Program Pursuit every semester they receive an APTS Award and meet the Academic Progress standard every two semesters. 

The Excelsior Scholarship

New York State’s Excelsior Scholarship is a new first-in-the-nation program that can help qualified full-time students attend CUNY and SUNY colleges tuition free.
Recipients of this award for 2021-2022 must have a family income of $125,000 or less, have filed the Free Application for Student Aid (FASFA) along with the TAP application, and the Excelsior Scholarship Application, which is available on the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website, attend full-time, and complete 30 credits per year. Awardees must also agree to reside exclusively in New York State and not be employed in any other State for a continuous number of years equal to the duration of the award.

The Excelsior Scholarship will be applied to each qualifying student’s financial aid package after all other aid, including TAP, Pell, City Council Scholarship, college scholarships and other grants or scholarships are applied. Please refer to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website for more information regarding this program.

New York State Part-Time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program

Students enrolled on a part-time basis can be considered for the NYS Part-Time Scholarship of up to $1,500 per semester.

Eligibility Criteria

An applicant must:

• be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;

• have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a fed- erally approved “Ability to Benefit” test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;

• be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program at a SUNY or CUNY community college;

• be enrolled in at least six but less than 12 credits per term;

• maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher;

• be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award; and

• be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

• students with qualified disabilities under the Americans With Disabilities Act who are registered with their college office  for students with disabilities and who satisfy all other eligibility requirements may receive awards if enrolled in at least 3 credits.

Do students need to be continuously enrolled from the start of their college career to receive a PTS award?
​No, students need to be continuously enrolled once they are a PTS recipient.  The four semester payment begins once they are a recipient.  Students who were enrolled and took a break are still eligible to apply.  Students can attend full time one semester and part time the second semester and still retain eligibility for the PTS award

To complete the application and for additional information, contact the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

Recipients will be selected by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) and prioritized based on financial need. Financial need is established in the year the award is first granted, and is determined by the applicant’s federal Expected Family Contribution as reflected on the applicant’s federal student aid report. A lower Expected Family Contribution demonstrates evidence of greater financial need. Note: Awards are subject to available funding from New York State.

Once you have been selected to receive an award, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application each year to receive future payments.

Awards will be paid directly to the college on behalf of the PTS Award Program recipient upon certification by the college that the student was enrolled in at least six credits and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

To complete the part-time scholarship program application and for additional information, contact the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

The NYS DREAM Act

The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered student financial aid to support their higher education costs.

To be eligible to apply for one or more New York State student financial aid programs, you must:

• Have both attended a New York State high school for at least two years and have received a NYS high school diploma OR received a NYS high school equivalency diploma OR qualified for in-state tuition at SUNY or CUNY colleges.

• Apply within five years of earning you NYS high school diploma or equivalency diploma if pursuing an undergraduate degree or 10 years if pursuing a graduate degree.

• Have one of the following citizenship/immigration statuses:

• Have a T-Visa

• Have a U-Visa

• Have Temporary Protected Status

• Be without lawful immigration status

• Be a U.S. Citizen whose permanent home is not in New York State

• Be a paroled refugee whose permanent home is not in New York State

• Be a Permanent Resident Alien whose home is not in New York State

Do I automatically get New York State financial aid awards if I qualify under the NYS DREAM Act?

No. If you qualify under the provisions of the NYS DREAM Act, you must separately apply for and satisfy the eligibility requirements of each program for which you are seeking an award.

Please refer to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation for detailed information regarding the DREAM Act.

Federal Assistance Plans (Title IV)

Federal PELL Grants

Matriculated students attending or planning to attend college on a part-time or full-time basis may apply for this Federal grant program. Students should apply online at the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. The application starts with the Fall semester, continues into the Spring semester, and ends with the Summer session.

The Federal Processor determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). In about two to three weeks after filing, a Student Aid Report (SAR), which contains the EFC, will be sent to the student. If an email address is provided, the information will be sent via email. The information on the SAR is used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal aid, including a Federal Pell Grant. If the award is finalized prior to the date the tuition bill is due, tuition and fees will be reduced by the amount of the Pell award. If the award is finalized after the tuition bill is due, the student will pay the tuition and fees when the bill is due and will be reimbursed later in the school year.

Eligibility For PELL

Eligibility and award amounts are based on need. Congress votes upon the formula used to determine the need each year. Students are notified by the Office of Financial Services about the conditions for receiving PELL payments and how and where these payments can be received. To remain eligible, students must attend classes and continue to make satisfactory academic progress in their chosen program of study.

NOTE: All students receiving a Federal Pell grant must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. In addition, students are limited to a maximum of 12 terms of full-time Pell payments or its equivalent for part-time study. Students can only receive Pell for a maximum of (30) equated remedial credits, excluding ESL courses.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 year students are eligible to receive up to 150% of their Pell grant eligibility every aid year. This means that a student may receive Pell in the summer even if they were full-time in both the previous fall & spring semesters. All other Pell eligibility requirements apply.

Please visit Academic Requirements for Financial Aid for more information.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG grants are available to exceptionally needy full-time and part-time (at least half-time) students. Students who complete the FAFSA and are Pell-eligible are automatically considered for SEOG.

NOTE: All students receiving a FSEOG grant must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students can only receive FSEOG for a maximum of (30) equated remedial credits, excluding ESL courses.

Please visit Academic Requirements for Financial Aid for more information.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Queensborough Community College participates in the Federal Work-Study Program. The program enables a qualified student to pursue a degree while holding a part-time job. This employment may be located on or off campus and may take place during the academic year (including vacation periods) and/or during the summer months. Eligibility for this program is based on the financial status of the student and/or his or her family. Recipients are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must apply on the FAFSA form.

NOTE: All students receiving a Federal Work-Study Award must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students can only receive FWS for a maximum of (30) equated remedial credits, excluding ESL courses.

Please visit Academic Requirements for Financial Aid for more information.

Direct Loans (Formerly Federal Family Education Loan Programs)

A student seeking a loan under the Federal Direct Loan program must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine student eligibility. After completing the FAFSA the student must complete the Direct Loan Request Form available in the CUNYfirst Student Services Center.

Federal Direct Loans

This program provides low-interest loans totaling up to $31,000 for “Dependent” students and $57,000 for “Independent” students to cover undergraduate work. An eligible Queensborough student who is enrolled at least half-time (six credits and/equated credits) may borrow up to a total of $3,500 for the freshman year and up to a total of $4,500 for the sophomore year. The amount of the loan will be determined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). No payments are required while the student is in school. Repayments begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or falls below half-time (6 credits).

There are Two Types of Federal Direct Loans

1. Subsidized Federal Direct Loan: The interest on this type of loan is paid by the Federal government while the student is attending college. In addition to the amounts above, students are eligible to borrow an additional $2,000 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. Students determined to be “Independent” based on the FAFSA are eligible to borrow an additional $6,000 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. To be eligible for the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan, the applicant must:

   a. be enrolled for at least half-time study at an approved institution

   b. be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien

   c. demonstrate satisfactory academic progress

   d. not be in default on a prior educational loan

   e. show financial need

   f. file a FAFSA to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

2. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan: The interest on this type of loan is paid by the student while he or she is attending school or the interest is added to the loan. To be eligible for the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, the applicant must:

   a. be enrolled for at least half-time study at an approved institution

   b. be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien

   c. demonstrate satisfactory academic progress

   d. not be in default on a prior educational loan

   e. file a FAFSA to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Parents may borrow up to the total cost of education minus other aid for each dependent child (Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, PELL, SEOG).

Students will be measured against the satisfactory academic progress standard at the end of the spring term to determine eligibility for receipt of Title IV financial assistance for the upcoming year.

Please refer to the Office of Financial Services website for the current requirements to receive Federal Aid, including current interest rates. Students can only receive Federal Loans (Subsidized Direct Loans, Unsubsidized Direct Loans, and PLUS Loans) for a maximum of (30) equated remedial credits, excluding ESL courses.

Important Federal Notes

1. Attempted credits usually reflect course loads maintained in a student’s permanent record at the college.

2. Accumulated credits should reflect credits that the student earned toward the completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

3. Enrollment in developmental courses will not be included as attempted credits for financial aid.

4. Withdrawals recorded on a student’s permanent record will be included as attempted credits and will have an effect on the student’s capability to meet the appropriate standard. A Retroactive “non-punitive” withdrawal may require that a student repay any assistance received as a result of the student’s enrollment at the time of receipt of the student assistance.

5. Courses with incomplete grades are included as attempted credits. However, these courses cannot be used as credits accumulated toward the degree since successful completion is the criterion for positive credit accumulation.

6. Repeated courses can generally be accepted toward degree requirements once. However, each time a student attempts a course, it is included as part of the attempted credit record. Therefore, repeated courses, regardless of the prior grade, reduce the student’s capacity to meet the appropriate credit accumulation standard.

7. Appeal procedures. Undergraduate students who do not meet the standard may appeal to the Federal Student Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee by completing a “Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal" form available on the Office of Financial Services website under “Online Forms”. These appeals are evaluated based on mitigating circumstances resulting from events such as personal illness, injury, personal tragedy, changes in academic program, and the reasonableness of the student’s capability for improvement to meet the appropriate standard for the degree program in which the student is enrolled. A successful appeal would result in the granting of a one semester probation period for the student to improve his or her academic record and meet the appropriate standard for the degree program in which the student is enrolled. The student may be given an Academic Plan which they must adhere to.

8. Non-standard admissions situation.

   a. Readmitted students. The academic record will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress under the standards as of the last term of attendance.

   b. Transfer students from colleges inside and outside CUNY shall have their status initialized for purposes of satisfactory academic progress measurement by using the number of credits determined to be acceptable toward the degree as both the students’ cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.

   c. Second degree students. Students enrolling for a second degree shall have their status initialized for purposes of satisfactory academic progress measurement by using the number of credits determined to be accept- able toward the degree as both the students’ cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.