Financial Aid Programs

Finger Lakes Community College is authorized to participate in the Federal Pell Grant program, Federal SEOG program, Education Opportunity Program (EOP), Federal Direct Loan program (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Federal PLUS Loan program, Federal College Work-Study program, NYS TAP Program, NYS Aid for Part-Time Study Program, NYS Excelsior Program, and other NYS Scholarship and Award Programs. Only courses applicable to the degree or program a student is seeking will be eligible for financial aid. For example, if a student is enrolled in nine credit hours of degree applicable coursework and three credit hours of non-applicable coursework, financial aid awards will be based on nine credit hours rather than twelve credit hours.

Grants

Grants, which generally do not have to be repaid, are awarded to students based on financial need. Finger Lakes Community College participates in the following grant programs.

1. Federal Pell Grant - The largest federally funded grant program, the Pell Grant, provides a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added and for which a student may apply for assistance. The current maximum Pell Grant is $7,395 for an academic year. Pell Grants are adjusted based on the number of credit hours in which a student enrolls. The award amount may be determined each year by the U.S. Congress. Students who have earned a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, one must:

Be enrolled as a degree or certificate-seeking student;
Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
Have a valid social security number;
Be making satisfactory academic progress;
Not be in default on a student loan;
Not owe a refund on any Title IV aid at any institution; and
Have a High School Diploma or GED Certificate

2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - This grant provides aid for students with exceptional need. Students must qualify for a Pell Grant to be eligible for SEOG, but unlike Pell Grants, SEOG awards are not automatic. SEOG award priority is given to students with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI of 0 to -1500). Award amounts may vary by year depending on annual funding levels. Because funding is limited, Finger Lakes Community College may issue only approximately 350 SEOG awards each year. The maximum award is $300 per semester. Students must be taking 3 credits or more in their degree program to receive this award.

3. Equal Opportunity Program (EOP) - The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a state-funded initiative that provides access, support, and financial aid to qualifying students who show potential to succeed in college. Participating in the EOP program provides enhanced academic support for under-prepared students including extended summer orientation, tutoring, and personal and academic counseling. FLCC begins reviewing EOP applications in February or March. To be eligible for EOP, you must:

Be a New York State resident.
Be a first-time student (or previously enrolled in an EOP).
Be admitted to one of our degree programs.
Register as a full-time student (12 or more credits).
Meet academic and income guidelines (outlined on our website https://flcc.edu/offices/eop/).

4. NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) - The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), New York's largest grant program, helps eligible New York residents attending in-state postsecondary institutions pay for tuition. Generally, only degree-seeking students are eligible for TAP, however, certain part-time, non-degree programs at FLCC may be eligible for TAP. TAP grants are based on the applicant’s and his or her family’s New York State taxable income. Award amounts vary between $1000 - full tuition. TAP is awarded to both full-time and part-time students. To receive a NYS TAP award, an applicant must:

be a legal resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months;
be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen;
have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State;
be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing with at least a "C" average after the 4th semester payment
be enrolled as a full-time student taking twelve or more credits applicable toward the degree program, per semester;
be charged at least $200 tuition per year;
meet income eligibility limitations;
not be in default on any state or federal student loans and not be in default on any repayment of State awards;
comply with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

5. NYS Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) - The NYS Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies. For this program, part-time study means being enrolled for at least 3 but fewer than 12 credits per semester. Eligibility for an APTS award is based on New York State net taxable income, Federal, State, or local pension income, and private pension and annuity income, if applicable, from the preceding calendar year. The maximum is $2000 per year, not to exceed the cost of tuition. To be eligible for APTS, an applicant must:

be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in NYS for at least 12 continuous months prior to the start of the term;
have graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
be enrolled as a part-time student;
be matriculated in an approved program of study in a participating New York State postsecondary institution;
be in good academic standing;
be charged at least $100 tuition per year;
meet income eligibility limitations;
not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility;
not be in default on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award and,
comply with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

Scholarships

Scholarships, which generally do not have to be repaid, are awarded to students based on various criteria such as academic achievement, financial need, athletic ability, artistic talent, or community involvement. Finger Lakes Community College participates in the following scholarship programs.

1. FLCC Scholarships - The FLCC Foundation's scholarship program awards over $165,000 annually. Scholarships range from $400 to full tuition. For a complete listing of these scholarships, visit https://give.flcc.edu/pages/scholarships.

2. NYS Excelsior Program - The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. For the 2024-25 academic year, families who earned $125,000 or less in the tax year 2022 are eligible to apply. The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend FLCC tuition-free. The Excelsior Scholarship covers any remaining gap in tuition expenses after other federal and state grants and scholarships are applied, up to $5,500. To be eligible for Excelsior, 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 either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less;
be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University;
be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program through continuous study with no break in enrollment except for certain reasons that can be documented;
if attended college prior to the 2024-25 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship;
be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;
be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received; and
execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.

3. Other NYS Scholarships & Awards - New York State (NYS) offers several scholarships to help students pursue their education. These scholarships have different requirements depending on the scholarship program and award amounts vary based on a number of factors. Some of the notable NYS scholarships include:

NYS Part-Time Scholarship (PTS) Award
NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence
NYS Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program
NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute - MERIT Scholarship

For more information about NYS Scholarship and Awards, visit https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid.html#horizontalTab2

Loans

A student loan is a type of financial aid specifically designed to help students pay for college or higher education expenses. Unlike scholarships or grants, which do not need to be repaid, student loans must be repaid with interest over time. Both need and non-need-based loans are available to students enrolled in at least six credit hours. Due to the low cost of education at Finger Lakes Community College, students are encouraged to carefully review their need to borrow to finance their college education. Current interest rates and repayment terms for Federal student and parent loan programs can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan

Federal Direct loans are automatically awarded as part of a student's financial aid package. The maximum eligibility is included on the student's award notice on MyFLCC. Borrowing limits for student loans are determined by a student’s enrollment, Cost of Attendance, and whether a student is dependent or independent. A Master Promissory Note (MPN) along with Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling are required of all loan applicants. Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are deferred while the student is in school and enter repayment six months after a student drops below 6 credit hours, graduates, or stops attending.

Direct Loan Undergraduate Annual Limits
Dependent Student Completed Credits	Subsidized Loans	Total (Subsidized + Unsubsidized)
0-31	$3,500.00	$5,500.00
32+	$4,500.00	$6,500.00
Independent Student Completed Credits *Includes dependents with a PLUS loan denial
0-31	$3,500.00	$9,500.00
32+	$4,500.00	$10,500.00
Aggregate Loan Limits (Lifetime limit on all loans combined)
	Subsidized Loans	Total (Subsidized + Unsubsidized)
Dependent	$23,000.00	$31,000.00
Independent Student Completed Credits *Includes dependents with a PLUS loan denial	$23,000.00	$57,500.00

Federal PLUS Loan

Federal PLUS Loans allow parents with a good credit history to borrow to pay the educational expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. PLUS loans may be deferred while the student is attending at least half-time, though interest does accrue on the loan during all periods of deferment.

Alternative/Private Student Loans

An alternative loan for college, also known as a private student loan, is a type of loan that students or their families can obtain from private lenders to help cover college expenses. Unlike federal student loans, which are funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Education, alternative loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and other private financial institutions. These lenders set their own terms and conditions for loan approval, interest rates, repayment options, and borrower eligibility criteria. Interest rates for alternative loans can vary widely depending on the lender, the borrower's creditworthiness, and market conditions. Unlike federal student loans, which often have fixed interest rates, alternative loans may offer both fixed and variable interest rate options. Borrowers should carefully review and compare interest rates and terms from different lenders to find the most favorable loan terms. It's important for students and families to carefully evaluate their financial needs, explore all available financial aid options, compare loan terms from different lenders, and borrow responsibly to minimize debt and manage repayment effectively.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education expenses. To be eligible for Federal Work-Study, a student must complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. Financial need is determined by factors such as family income, household size, and the cost of attending school. The U.S. Department of Education provides the school with an allocation of funding for the Federal Work-Study program. FWS is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to accept their award and complete all necessary requirements by the applicable deadlines. The maximum annual FWS award is $3000, although some positions may earn up to $4500 annually.

Military Programs & Veterans Benefits

Finger Lakes Community College recognizes the unique experience military service can give to you. There are many programs and resources specifically designed to help veterans achieve success in education - and in life.

1. Montgomery GI Bill - The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses. Benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. Visit the VA's Administration Montgomery GI Bill website for additional information. For more information about applying for education benefits, visit http://gibill.va.gov.Veterans’ Benefits

2. Post-9/11 GI Bill - If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are an honorably discharged veteran, active duty military member, or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of service, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. More information is available on the VA's Benefits Administration Post-9/11 GI Bill website.

3. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) - Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Funds are financial resources provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to support the educational goals of active-duty service members, members of the National Guard, and Reserve components. The purpose of TA funds is to help service members pursue higher education and professional development while serving in the military. Active-duty service members from all branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, are typically eligible for Military Tuition Assistance. In addition, members of the National Guard and Reserve components may also qualify for TA funds under certain conditions. Service members must apply for Military Tuition Assistance through their respective military branches.

4. Vocational Readiness & Employment (VR&E)- Vocational Readiness and Employment (VR&E), also known as Chapter 31 of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, is a program designed to help veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment or achieve greater independence in daily living activities through services such as vocational rehabilitation, career counseling, and job placement assistance. To be eligible for VR&E benefits, individuals must be veterans or service members with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors assess applicants' eligibility and determine their entitlement to VR&E services.

Veterans should be aware that the Veterans’ Administration helps eligible veterans seeking further education. Additional information on Veterans’ Benefits may be obtained by contacting either the Veterans’ Service Agency Advisor or the Financial Aid Office at the College.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veterans Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

Prevent nor delay the student’s enrollment.
Assess a late penalty fee to the student due to the delayed disbursement of funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33.
Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.

Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class.
Provide a written request to be certified.
Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.