Federal Government Financial Aid Programs

You may be eligible for federal aid from the Department of Education if you:

• Are enrolled in a degree or certificate program
• Are a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Have a high school diploma or GED, or demonstrate ability to benefit from the education at Cayuga by earning a qualifying score on a federally approved test administered by the College
• Demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Are not in default on a Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, PLUS or SLS Loan at any institution
• Do not owe a refund of any Federal Title IV aid at any institution
• Are registered with Selective Service, if required
• Have never been convicted of a drug related offense
• Meet Federal Financial Aid Standards

Federal Pell Grant

• Based on college costs and your family's expected contribution
• Apply on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• No repayment required

This program, through which eligible undergraduate students may receive grants ranging up to $4,050 a year, is based on college costs and your family's expected contribution. The index is determined by factors such as family income and assets, size of family and number of post-secondary students in the family.You can apply on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

You will receive a Student Aid Report, which you should review and keep for your records. No repayment is required.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

• Grants from $100-$4000 per year
• Based on exceptional need and circumstances
• No repayment required

As an undergraduate student, you may receive federal grants ranging from $100-4,000 per year. These grants are awarded based on exceptional need and circumstances. Application is through campus aid procedures. No repayment is required.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

• Available for enrolled students who demonstrate financial need
• Employment may be either on or off campus
• Earnings must be used solely for educational purposes

This program, supported through federal and college funds, is available to you if you are enrolled and can demonstrate financial need. Awards vary according to need and available funds. You may be employed either on or off campus with public or nonprofit agencies. Earnings must be used solely for educational purposes. You can apply through the Financial Aid Office. If you have a Federal Work-Study award, report to the Financial Aid Office during the first week of classes for job placement. We will attempt to place you in a position associated with your program or skills whenever possible. You will be paid directly every two weeks for your hours worked.

Ford Federal Direct Loan

• Available if you are attending at least half time
• Borrow up to $3,500 the first year; $4,500 afterward
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Promissory note is required
• Repayment required

This loan is available if you need financial assistance and are attending Cayuga at least half-time (six credits or more). First-year students may be eligible to borrow up to a maximum of $3,500 per academic year. Students who have completed at least 28 credit hours may be eligible to borrow up to a maximum of $4,500 per academic year. Dependent students may be eligible to borrow an additional $2,000. Independent students may be eligible to borrow an additional $4,000.

The amount a student can borrow is also determined by the student’s school costs, other financial aid the student may receive, and the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). An applicant must have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for student loans.

Checks for first-time, first-year borrowers will not be disbursed until 30 days after classes begin and their attendance is checked. Loans are disbursed in two separate checks over the period of the loan. The government deducts .5% from all loan disbursements as an origination fee and insurance premium.

All first-time borrowers must complete entrance counseling and a promissory note online before their loans will be available, either as a deferral towards their tuition bill or ready for direct disbursement.

• To complete entrance counseling online go to www.dl.ed.gov and click on Entrance and Exit Counseling.
• To complete the promissory note online go to: www.dlenote.ed.gov and click on Complete New MPN for Student Loans.

Repayment at a variable interest rate, not to exceed 8.25%, begins six months after termination of study or if the student drops below six credits of enrollment.

Part-Time Students

Part time students enrolled for six credits or more may be eligible to receive a Ford Federal Direct Student Loan. Students enrolled for 3-11 credits may also be eligible for Pell, SEOG, APTS, and Federal Work Study, based on financial need and program funds.

Ford Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan

• Same terms and conditions as the Ford Federal Direct Loans except eligibility is based only on the cost of education less other financial aid

Veterans' Benefits

The College is approved for full Veterans Administration educational benefits. If you're a veteran attending Cayuga for the first time, you should complete VA application forms at any local VA Office. If you're a re-enrolling veteran, complete registration certification forms in the Registrar's Office.

Notification of loss of federal aid

An attempt will be made by the College to notify students who will not be eligible for federal financial aid for the next semester. An academic dismissal notice appears on a student’s grade report for the semester. Letters will be mailed to students lacking total accumulated credits. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the standards and to appeal for reinstatement of federal aid.

Method of appealing loss of aid

Appeals for reinstatement of aid due to unusual circumstances, or questions relating regulations, may be addressed to the Financial Aid Office at 315-255-1743 x 2470.

Return of “unearned” Title IV funds

Federal policy assumes that federal financial aid is based on the period of time enrolled. If a student withdraws from the College within the first nine weeks of classes, the federal government does not view the student as having "earned" all of the funds awarded. In that instance, the College is required to return the "unearned" portion of the aid to the government. The College bears potential liability for any federal aid disbursed to students before the ninth week of classes. While Cayuga makes an attempt to disburse aid at the earliest possible time, the College must be fiscally prudent in those disbursements.

Federal regulations govern the return of Title IV funds (Ford Federal Direct Student Loans, Pell, FSEOG) for students who completely withdraw from Cayuga prior to completing 60% of the semester: The percentage of the period that the student remains enrolled is determined by dividing the number of days the student attended by the number of days in the semester. Calendar days are used, but breaks of at least five days are excluded from both the numerator and denominator.

In the case of “aid not earned” in federally funded grants or scholarships, the student is expected to repay the “unearned” portion to the College, or to make satisfactory arrangements with the U.S. Department of Education to repay that amount within 45 days. Failure to do so will result in the student becoming ineligible to receive further federal financial aid. (This policy is based on 34 CFR, Section 668.22 of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.)

Withdrawal date

For financial aid purposes, the date of withdrawal from the College is

• The date you began the College’s withdrawal process or officially notified the College of intent to withdraw, or
• The midpoint of the period if you leave without notifying the institution, or
• Your last date of attendance at a documented academically-related activity, in lieu of any other withdrawal date, or
• If you leave without notification because of circumstances beyond your control, a date determined by the College related to those circumstances.

Additional Aid Programs

Information on other aid programs is available in the Financial Aid Office. A partial list of these programs includes U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Aid to Native Americans, Regents Awards for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans, Regents Awards for Children of Deceased Police Officers and Firemen, State Aid to Native Americans.