A significant number of our students are union members who qualify for tuition plans offered through union education funds or their employer. Many of these funds are part of collective bargaining agreements, and vary in the amount of financial aid they provide, the type of education they will cover, and how you access the benefit. Our admissions and counseling staff have been helping union members access this support for more than twenty years, and can help you find out if you are eligible and how to apply. Also, check with your union to find out what kind of tuition assistance they might available.
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid refers to an array of options to help students pay for college (tuition and fees) and other costs associated with going to college, e.g., books, supplies, transportation, as well as living expenses. The money needed for college comes from you and your family and if you are eligible to apply for financial, it can come from grants, scholarships, loans, and tuition support from employers and unions.
Many CUNY students receive some form of financial assistance. In fact, a total of 110,000 CUNY students together receive approximately $500 million in financial aid. If you think you will need assistance to pay for educational expenses, we recommend that you apply for financial aid, regardless of your financial situation.
How to Apply for Financial Aid?
To be considered for financial aid, you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for every academic year. It can be submitted as an electronic application at www.fafsa.ed.gov/ on line or in paper form. To expedite the processing of your FAFSA application online, you should create a PIN from the federal government at www.pin.ed.gov/.
Grants
The FAFSA is used to apply for grants awarded to students by the federal government. The grants that are available to CUNY students include: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
The FAFSA on line provides a link to the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). TAP provides grants to students which are to be used exclusively for tuition expenses. An electronic application can be completed and submitted online at www.tapweb.org/totw/. Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) is a New York State grant for students pursuing a degree as a part-time student*. To apply, you must complete a FAFSA, and once processed, you will receive a TAP form from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and a CUNY Financial Aid Supplement form from CUNY.
* Part-time students can also be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.
Other awards include the Regents Award for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans; Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA); and Persian Gulf Veteran College Tuition Benefits.
Information about these programs is available at www.cuny.edu/financialaid, and through the Murphy Institute’s counseling staff.
Scholarships
Scholarships are educational funds provided by government agencies, individual colleges, and other sources. They’re usually awarded on the basis of academic merit or a special talent, and may be used for tuition and other related expenses. CUNY offers a wide range of scholarships.
The TuitionPay Plan
CUNY offers students the option to set up a payment plan through its Academic Management System, by 800.635.0120 and by visitng their website www.tuitionpay.com. AMS is a monthly payment plan that is available throughout CUNY. An enrollment fee is required to participate in this plan for the fall or the spring. All payment plan arrangements must be completed with AMS by the due date onyour bill.
Loans
Loans are funds that must be paid back with interest within a specified time after the student graduates or leaves college for any reason. Loans are based on tuition and other education-related expenses. Student loans usually carry lower interest rates than standard commercial loans. Loans available to CUNY students include: Federal Perkins Loan; Federal Direct Stafford Loan; Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan; and Federal PLUS Loans for Parents. More on loan options.