Financial Aid

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS AT SUNY ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE  

SUNY Erie Community College participates in both federal and state aid programs. This includes grants, student loans, and part-time employment, as well as scholarships. See below for more information.

Note: All Financial Aid information is subject to change based on federal and state regulations.

CONTACT US

Office of Financial Aid contact information    

Phone:  (716) 851-1677            Email: financialaid@ecc.edu 

     City Campus                                          North Campus                                                  South Campus

45 Oak, Room O102A                 Spring Student Center, Room S201                              Building 5, Room 5206

General Information

To receive aid, including loans, a student must be admitted in a degree or certificate program.    

Academic Eligibility: Students must be in Good Academic Standing to continue receiving financial aid. See section below on Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Accuracy and Truthfulness: Students applying for financial assistance must present an accurate picture of their financial situation, including asset and income information.

Application Process: Filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for both federal and state aid including student loans. Students file online at fafsa.gov.  An e-mail message will be sent within three to five business days with directions for viewing your Student Aid Report (SAR). Review this carefully. Make any necessary corrections at fafsa.gov. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you if we need additional information.

Remember to list SUNY Erie Community College on the FAFSA.

Federal school code     010684  

NYS school code     2065

Take the link on the confirmation page of your FAFSA to apply for New York State (NYS) aid. If you miss this link you will need to wait five business days before applying at www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw.

Financial Aid Application Deadlines

FAFSA applications are available beginning October 1 of the year prior to enrollment. The deadline to apply for federal aid is June 30 of the academic year for which the aid is sought.

• completed FAFSA applications will be processed as long as the student is still enrolled
• if the student totally withdraws from college and then files the FAFSA, no federal grant or loan can be processed
• if the student files after the school year ends, no federal grant or loan can be processed

The application deadline for TAP is June 30 of the academic year for which the aid is sought.

Transfer Students: A student transferring to SUNY Erie mid-year must update the New York State TAP application with our NYS school code - 2065.  The FAFSA should also be updated with our federal school code - 010684.

Financial Need: Eligibility for campus-based aid (FSEOG and Work Study) and the subsidized Direct Student Loan Program are based on need.   Need is defined as the difference between the cost of education and the family’s ability to pay.  Ability to pay is determined using a standard formula, established by law.  It is based on several factors including annual income, assets, household size, and the number in college.  The calculation result is shown on your Student Aid Report as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  

Course or College Withdrawals: Withdrawing from one or more classes may affect federal and state financial aid for the current or following semester.  Please take the time to read “Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Student Aid”.  Fliers are available in our office or information is found on our website - www.ecc.edu on the Financial Aid homepage.

A student must complete more than 60% of the semester to earn 100% of federal aid. Students may not be entitled to all their federal aid if they withdraw before aid has been disbursed.  This may result in the student owing money to the college.  See the section on “Return of Title IV Funds” in the catalog or on our website - www.ecc.edu on the Financial Aid homepage.

Cost of Attendance

Below is the estimated cost of attendance at SUNY Erie for a dependent student living at home (costs are based on full-time, full-year enrollment).

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE IN THE 2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR

*Cost will vary based on enrollment, housing, and residency status

**Tuition amount subject to change

Federal Student Aid Programs (Title IV)

Suny Erie Community College participates in the following Federal Student Aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
• Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students)

For more information about these Title IV programs, see below or please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid.

Eligibility

General eligibility requirements for most Federal Student Aid programs:

• enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) for federal student loans, Federal Work-Study program, or enrolled in at least one credit for the PELL Grant Program
• accepted into a degree or certificate program through the admissions process
• U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen
• demonstrates financial need as determined by the FAFSA
• making satisfactory academic progress based on Financial Aid requirements
• not in default on a federal student loan (Stafford, Direct, Perkins, PLUS)
• does not owe a refund on a Federal PELL Grant or a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Verification

Special Circumstance Appeals

The FAFSA is completed with income information from two years ago.  We recognize that family circumstances can change significantly in this amount of time.

Families whose financial circumstances have changed may complete a Special Circumstances Appeal. Changes of circumstances may include loss of employment; divorce or separation after filing the FAFSA; lost benefits; death of a parent or spouse; among others.   See the Office of Financial Aid for details.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

All Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are governed by the Higher Education Act (as amended).  These are known as Title IV Programs.

FSA funds are given with the expectation that the student will complete 100% of the semester.  A student “earns” federal student aid awards in proportion to the number of days in the term the student completes.   When a student either withdraws or fails all their courses in a semester, the school must determine how much aid the student has earned.  Any funds determined to be “unearned” must be returned the FSA program.  This may result in the student owing money to the college.

For example: Steve withdraws from all courses during the fourth week of classes.  Because he completed 30% of the semester, he has only earned 30% of his original federal aid.  The school will return 70% of his original federal aid to the FSA programs.

A student must complete more than 60% of the semester to earn 100% of federal aid. Students may not be entitled to all their federal aid if they withdraw before aid has been disbursed.

Determining Time Completed

The student’s official withdrawal date will be determined by the college as either:

• the date the student officially withdraws
• the midpoint of the semester if the student unofficially withdraws
• the student’s last date of attendance as determined by each professor

How Funds are Returned

Any funds determined to be “unearned” must be returned the FSA program.  The college may return some Federal Student Aid for the student.  This may result in the student owing money to the college.

Federal Grants: When the student must return grant funds, it is considered an over-payment.  The student must either:

• repay the entire amount
• make satisfactory repayment arrangements with the U.S. Department of Education (ED)

Students who fail to do so will no longer be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid at any school.

Federal Loans: Student loan funds that are returned to the lender will reduce the amount of loans the student must repay.

Refunds: Students may be eligible for a refund if the amount of federal aid earned is more than their tuition charges.

Note: Students must submit all required documents to receive federal student aid.

This policy governs Federal Title IV aid only. This policy does not affect the student’s charges; the college’s refund policy will be used to determine the reduction, if any, of the student’s tuition and fees. The student is responsible for paying any outstanding charges to the college.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Student Aid

Federal aid requires students to meet certain academic standards. This is called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).   Failure to meet any of the three SAP standards below may result in loss of federal aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA):

• students must maintain certain Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements based on all cumulative credit hours
• all students, whether attending full-time or part-time, must have a 2.0 GPA by the end of the second year
• all courses removed through academic amnesty (Fresh Start) will be counted in GPA
• all courses taken, including remedial, will be counted in GPA

2. Pace (Attempted Credit Hours):

• students must complete with a passing grade at least two-thirds (66%) of all cumulative attempted credit hours
• the following grades are not considered passing grades: F, W, I
• transfer credits are counted as both attempted and completed courses
• all courses removed through academic amnesty (Fresh Start) will be counted in pace
• federal aid will only cover courses required in your program of study; however, all courses taken will be counted toward your pace

3.  Maximum Time Frame:

• Students may attempt a maximum of 150% of the published credit hours for their current program; .   Example: ​If the program requires 60 credit hours to complete, the student may attempt 90 credit hours in this program.   After 90 credit hours the student is no longer eligible for federal aid.
• SAP includes all courses the student has attempted at SUNY Erie, whether or not Title IV aid was received.  SAP also includes all credits transferred from other colleges.

Associate Degree

Associate Degree Programs will be evaluated once per year, or Summer if enrolled.

Certificate Program

Certificate Programs will be evaluated twice per year, at the end of every period of enrollment (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Loss of Eligibility

Students who fail to meet the requirements are no longer eligible for federal aid.  Students will be notified in writing.

SAP Appeals Process 

Students can appeal the loss of federal aid if there were events beyond their control.  Extraordinary circumstances include death of a close relative; injury or illness of the student, spouse, parents or children; and other special circumstances. Students may be granted only one appeal.

If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation.  At the end of the probation period, the student must meet SAP or Academic Plan requirements.  Failure to do so will result in loss of federal aid at SUNY Erie.

Academic Plan Requirements

A student may be considered for an Academic Plan if the following requirements are met during the probationary semester:

• completed all courses with a passing grade
• semester GPA is at least a 2.0

Students placed on an Academic Plan must meet these requirements each semester until they are back in compliance with SAP standards.  Failure to do so will result in loss of federal aid at SUNY Erie.

Reestablishing Aid Eligibility

A student may take courses without federal aid in order to meet SAP standards.

Academic Amnesty (Fresh Start)

The federal aid programs make no provision for the concept of academic amnesty.  A school must always include all courses taken when evaluating SAP, regardless of when they were taken.

Completed Program, No Degree

Federal aid covers only courses required for a student’s program of study. Once these requirements are met, the student is no longer eligible for federal aid.

Developmental Courses

Students may attempt a maximum of 30 credit hours of developmental courses. Developmental coursework is not counted toward pace.

Incomplete Grades (I)

Incomplete grades in any class will be counted as attempted credits; however, they will not be counted toward completed credit hours.  When the incomplete is changed to a letter grade, it will be counted toward completed hours.  The student must notify the Office of Financial Aid of the grade change and request a SAP recalculation.

Repeat Courses

Students may retake any previously passed course once.  Failed courses may be retaken until passed.  All attempts will be included in pace.

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. 

The student must be in attendance at the time the completed FAFSA is processed by the federal processing center in order to receive payment.

You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Federal Direct Student Loans 

Students must complete the FAFSA to apply for Direct Loans. Eligibility for Direct Loans is based on the results of your FAFSA.

The maximum amount you can borrow each year in Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans ranges from $5,500 to $10,500 depending on what year you are in school and your dependency status. A second-year student must have completed 24 credits toward their program of study. More information is found at https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/federal-loan-programs.pdf.

Direct Loans are divided into two equal disbursements, usually in the fall and spring semesters. First-time borrowers may be subject to delayed disbursement of funds. All disbursement dates are estimated and are the earliest date loans could be disbursed.

First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov.

Summer is not part of the standard academic year at SUNY Erie. Loan eligibility not used in fall and spring is available toward the summer term.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

NOTE: Direct Student Loans should be considered before applying for a Parent PLUS loan.

Private Education Loans

Rights and Responsibilities for Borrowers

Promissory Note

• First-Time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before you can receive any guaranteed education loan funds; this is your promise to repay the loan
• you do not have to complete a new MPN for subsequent loans with the same lender
• you must comply with the provisions of any promissory note or other agreements you sign
• read and keep the Rights and Responsibilities portion of your loan application and a copy of the completed and signed promissory note
• the lending institution must return the original promissory note to you when you pay the loan in full

Changing Conditions 

Notify your loan servicer immediately if you do any of the following:

• fail to enroll for the period for which the loan was intended
• leave school for any reason
• attend less than half-time
• transfer from one school to another
• graduate 
• change name and address

Repayment Terms

• When you get a loan, the terms of repayment are explained. It is your responsibility to understand these terms and follow them.
• You are responsible for repayment of all loans, including interest and any fees, even if you do not finish school.
• Exit counseling is required when you leave school.  This is done online at studentaid.gov. This will explain loan repayment terms to you.
• You should contact your lender to discuss a repayment schedule with them.
• You have a right to repay part or the entire loan ahead of schedule without penalty.
• Under certain conditions, you may be able to defer repayment of your loan. When you apply for a loan, ask the lending institution to explain what these conditions are. If you receive a deferment, you must notify the lender when the deferment condition no longer exists.
• If you are financially unable to make payments, you have a right to ask the lender to allow any of the following: a short period during which you make no payments of principal, an extension of time to make payments, or an opportunity to make smaller payments than originally scheduled. However, the lender is not required to approve your request.

Failure to Repay Your Loan

• If you fail to meet your loan repayment terms, you are delinquent. If you continue to be delinquent, you are in default, and the entire balance becomes due.
• The lender will give you written notice of your failure to repay before declaring your loan in default. The notice will be sent to the address which you have provided.
• You should keep in close contact with your lender if you are having financial problems. They will work with you in maintaining your credit standing.
• Federal bankruptcy law does not absolve you from non-dischargeable debt (student loans). 

New York State Financial Aid Programs

New York State has several programs designed to help eligible state residents secure the funds to finance their post-secondary education. Eligibility requirements for individual programs vary. Therefore, it is essential that all students familiarize themselves with the eligibility criteria for each program. Among the state-funded programs are:

• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) 
• Part-Time TAP
• Excelsior Scholarship
• Aid to Part-Time Students (APTS)
• Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)
• Veteran Tuition Awards (VTA)
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

State Academic Requirements

Chart 1: Programs including the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Includes any student that received their first New York State Tuition Assistance payment (TAP) previous to the Fall of 2010 or:

• whose scores on a recognized college placement exam or nationally recognized standardized exam indicated the need for remediation for at least two semesters, as certified by the college and approved by the State Education Department (SED)
• was enrolled in at least six semester hours of non-credit remedial courses, as approved by SED, in the first term they received a TAP award
• is or was enrolled in an opportunity program (EOP)

* Applicable to students in a four-year degree program

Chart 2: Programs including the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Chart 2 applies to any non-remedial student who received or will receive their first New York State financial aid payment (TAP) in the Fall of 2010 or thereafter.

* Applicable to students in a four-year degree program

Pursuit of Program

Program pursuit must be determined independently from satisfactory academic progress. To satisfy pursuit of program, a student must earn a passing or failing grade in a percentage of the minimum course load in each term an award is received. The minimum full-time course load is 12 credits. First year recipients must complete 50% of course in each term.  Second year recipients must complete 75% of courses in each term.  Students must complete 100% of course in each term thereafter.

Repeating a Course

Loss of State Aid (TAP/APTS)

Decertification: Students failing to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress or Program Pursuit requirements will not be eligible for TAP/APTS the following semester. For example, students who do not meet the standards in the fall semester will be decertified for the spring semester.

Waiver Option (TAP/APTS): When there are extraordinary circumstances, students who do not meet state standards may apply for a one-time waiver during undergraduate study. Granting of a waiver is not automatic and is subject to review by the TAP certifying officer and/or a committee. Waiver applications and further information are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Regaining Eligibility (TAP/APTS): There are four ways in which a student may regain eligibility. The student may:

• make up the deficiencies without benefit of state support; for example, if a student was at the 75 percent pursuit level and received a grade in six semester hours (3 credits short of the minimum), the student can take and complete a 3-credit course at their own expense
• apply for and be granted a waiver
• be readmitted to the institution after an absence of at least one calendar year for TAP, six months for APTS 
• transfer to another institution and meet the new institution’s admissions requirements

NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) 

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a New York State funded, non-competitive, financial aid grant for state residents attending an approved post-secondary institution in New York as a full-time, matriculated student and meeting the minimum standards of Program Pursuit and Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Note: Full-time is defined as carrying 12 credit hours or more of degree-bearing and non-degree (remedial) course work. Of the 12 required hours, six must be degree credits in the first semester of TAP; at least six degree credits per semester thereafter.

TAP awards are based on a family’s net taxable New York State income from the prior, prior tax year and range from $500 to full tuition per year. Students are entitled to TAP payments for up to three years in an approved associate degree or certificate program. A student uses six points for each TAP payments. Once the maximum of 36 points (six payments) is reached, the student will not receive TAP payments at SUNY Erie Community College.

(Exception: EOP students will continue to receive up to five years of TAP while pursuing a two-year degree.)

While the three-year limit applies to students enrolled in a two-year program, a student may be eligible to receive an additional year of TAP at a four-year institution.  Additional TAP eligibility requirements can be found at hesc.ny.gov.

Part-Time TAP

• students need to have earned 12 credits or more in each of the two consecutive semesters
• students must be a first-time freshman in the 2006-2007 academic year or thereafter 
• students must maintain a minimum of a C average.

Once certification is submitted, NYSHESC will calculate the Part-Time TAP award based on the reported credits. The schedule below reflects the percentage of the full-time award and the undergraduate TAP points accrued based on the PT-TAP credits reported on the roster.

PT TAP Credits and Points Accrued 

Part-Time TAP for Students with Disabilities

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

The good academic standing requirements that apply to students receiving a TAP full-time award also apply to recipients of an APTS award. Both TAP and APTS points count toward a student’s 48-point total undergraduate eligibility.    Regarding Program Pursuit, APTS requires a 50 percent completion of the required minimum half-time course load the first year, 75 percent completion the second year and 100 percent completion thereafter.

APTS application available in the Office of Financial Aid or at www.ecc.edu. Funds are limited.

Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)

Students who meet the eligibility criteria for a STAP award for the summer term are eligible for an award of up to one quarter of what the student would receive as an annual Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award. For less than full-time study, but at least half-time study, a student would be eligible for one-eighth of the Annual TAP award. Students may receive up to two such awards: one for a summer term preceding the first year of matriculated study, and/or one for a summer term immediately following the first year of matriculated study. Students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) are not eligible for the STAP program.  However, they may receive up to five years of TAP which is an exception to the three-year limit.

Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA)

NOTE: Students previously approved for this award must apply for payment each year. Those students who are attending an approved undergraduate or graduate program may apply for payment for the current academic year by completing the FAFSA and then linking to the TAP on the Web application.

• for full-time study, a recipient shall receive an award of up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition for New York State residents or actual tuition charged, whichever is less (full-time study is defined as twelve or more credits per semester or the equivalent in an approved program at a degree-granting institution or twenty-four or more hours per week in a vocational training program)
• for part-time study, awards will be prorated by credit hour (part-time study is defined as at least three but fewer than twelve credits per semester or the equivalent in an approved program)

If a TAP award is also received, the combined academic year award cannot exceed tuition. Thus, the TAP award may be reduced accordingly.

NOTE: Tuition payments received by a veteran under the Chapter 33 Program and Yellow Ribbon component will be considered duplicative of any VTA award students may have received.

Eligible Veterans

• Vietnam veterans who served in Indochina between 2/28/1961 and 5/7/1975
• Persian Gulf veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after 8/2/1990
• Afghanistan veterans who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after 9/11/2001

Application Process

• students must establish eligibility before September 1 of the award year by completing a NYS Tuition Award Supplement application online at https://www.hesc.ny.gov; questions regarding eligible service or how to document service should be directed to the HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372.
• students must also complete the FAFSA each year
• full-time students must complete the TAP Application

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

• be a New York State Resident
• be a first-time college student
• meet one or more of the academic criteria established by the college
• fall within the defined income guidelines as established by NYS Dept. of Education at the time of entrance to the college

Application forms are available in the EOP Office.

Funds are limited. Apply by May 1 prior to academic year for first consideration.

Other NYS Scholarships/Awards

• Child of Veterans Awards ($450/yr.)
• Child of Deceased Police Officers, Firefighters and Corrections Officers ($450/yr.)
• Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Police Officers and Firefighters Award (full tuition and non-tuition costs)
• Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship for volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel (up to full tuition). Applications available at volunteer fire or ambulance companies/organizations.
• World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America and rescue and recovery efforts: (full tuition and non-tuition costs)

Visit hesc.ny.gov for more information.

Other Funding Sources

NYS Aid to Native Americans

Application Procedures: Application forms may be obtained from the Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, NY 12230. The completed application form should be forwarded by the applicant to the Native American Educational Unit on or before July 15 for the fall semester, December 31 for the spring semester, and May 20 for the summer session of the academic year of proposed enrollment, along with the following materials:

• official transcript of high school record or copy of General Equivalency diploma
• letter(s) of recommendation from one or more leaders in the community attesting to personality and character
• personal letter, setting forth clearly and in detail educational plans and desires
• signatures of the parents of minor applicants, approving education plans
• official tribal certification form 
• copy of acceptance letter from college attending

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: The applicant must be: (1) on an official tribal roll of a New York State tribe or the child of an enrolled member of a New York State tribe and a resident of New York State; (2) maintaining good academic standing in accordance with Commissioner’s Regulations; and (3) enrolled in an approved New York State post-secondary program.

Award Schedule: The award is $2,000 per year for a maximum of four years of full-time study (five years where a fifth year is required for completion of degree requirements). Eligible students also may receive student aid for less than four years of study and for part-time study. The part-time award is $85 per credit hour.

Responsibilities of Recipients: Students are responsible for notifying the Native American Education Unit in writing of any change in student status, program, or institutional enrollment. Students must also submit semester grades at the end of each semester, showing satisfactory progress toward completion of degree or certification requirements.

United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Aid to Native Americans

Application Procedures: Application forms may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office. An application is necessary for each year of study. An official needs analysis statement from the college Financial Aid Office is also required each year. Each first-time applicant must obtain tribal enrollment certification from the bureau agency which records enrollment for a tribe.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: To be eligible, the applicant must: (1) be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut; (2) be an enrolled member of a tribe, band, or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (3) be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an approved college or university pursuing at least a two-year degree and (4) have financial need.

Responsibilities of Recipients: For grants to be awarded in successive years, the student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree and show financial need.

Foundation of Erie Community College, Inc.

Miscellaneous