Financial Aid

Aid Package / Programs

Aid Package

Upon review of your completed financial aid applications, and any other necessary documents (see “How to Apply for Financial Aid” ), the Financial Aid Office will prepare a “package” of various aid programs for you based upon your eligibility. The package may contain a combination of grants, work programs, scholarships, and loans. The award package will be sent to you in the form of an “Award Letter”.

Your Award Letter will contain the following information:

• Your cost of attendance (see below – see also Tuition)
• The expected family contribution (EFC) (from your FAFSA)
• Award amounts for all programs listed above, including an estimate of your TAP award
• Campus employment (work-study) if awarded
• The student’s loan eligibility
• Outside private scholarships, if received by the College Association Office or reported by the student
• Other resources applicable to student’s circumstances (e.g., veterans, VESID) and
• Instructions for accepting or declining any financial aid offered to you

Aid Programs

Federal Direct Loan Program– Parent PLUS Loans

The parents of dependent students at SUNY Niagara are generally able to borrow a parent PLUS loan from the Federal Student Loan Program.  Parents can borrow up to the full cost of attendance (see below) minus any other aid received. Click here for Information about Parent PLUS Loans from the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Direct Student Loan Program – Stafford Student Loans

All eligible students at SUNY Niagara are able to borrow a traditional “student loan” from the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. These loans are called Federal Stafford Loans, and the interest on these loans may be subsidized and/or unsubsidized. Click here for Information about Stafford Student Loans from the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Pell Grant

Eligible students at SUNY Niagara (see “Eligibility Criteria”, above) who have not received a Bachelor’s degree may receive this grant based on financial need.  Federal Pell is a grant that does not need to be repaid. Click here for Information about Federal Pell Grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Pell-eligible students (see above) at SUNY Niagara may also be eligible for an additional grant under this program. Click here for Information about Federal SEOG Grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Awards are limited to those with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC’s) from their FAFSA applications.

Federal Work-Study Program

A limited number of part-time jobs are available on-campus or near campus through the Federal work-study program. Students must meet the basic eligibility requirements and have financial need. Click here for Information about Federal Work-Study from the U.S. Department of Education.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

NY TAP grants are available to New York State residents who are also U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and are enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits in a semester). Click here for Information about TAP from the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation.