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 into a degree or certificate program.    

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

Accuracy and Truthfulness: Students applying for financial aid must present an accurate picture of their financial situation. This includes all income and asset 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 https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

A 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

Financial Aid Application Deadlines

FAFSA applications are traditionally 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. For example, for the 2024-2025 academic year, the deadline for federal aid is June 30, 2025.

• 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. For example, for the 2024-2025 academic year, the deadline for TAP is June 30, 2025.

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 (SEOG and Work Study) and the subsidized Direct Student Loan Program are based on need. The Student Aid Index (SAI; 2024-25 FAFSA form) is an eligibility index number that a college’s or career school’s financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid you would receive if you attended the school. This number results from the information that you provide in your FAFSA form. Most of the tax information used to calculate the SAI is transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form if you provide your consent and approval.

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”.  Flyers are available in our office or 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 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

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

** Based on 2024-2025 rates. The tuition amount is 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 is 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 (SEOG)

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

Federal Student Aid funds are offered with the expectation that the student will complete 100% of the semester. 

Under Federal Student Aid rules (FSA), the College recalculates Federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, or are dismissed prior to completing 60% of a semester.  Federal financial aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Student Loans, and Direct Parent PLUS Loans.

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

Time Frame For Returning Title IV Funds

The Office of Financial Aid will determine who has withdrawn within 30 days of the date the student began the withdrawal process. The appropriate amount of funds will be returned to the Department of Education within 45 days of the date of determination.

How Funds are Returned

Any funds determined to be unearned must be returned to the FSA program.  This may result in the student owing money to the college. Students who owe the College a balance for tuition, fees and/or bookstore charges due to the reduction in their federal student aid eligibility, must make payment with the Bursar’s Office. 

When an overpayment has occurred, a return of funds to the federal student aid programs will be made in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Direct Loans
2. Subsidized Direct Loans
3. Direct Parent PLUS Loans
4. Federal Pell Grants
5. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Federal Grants

When the student must return grant funds it is considered an overpayment.  The student must either:

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

Students who fail to resolve the overpayment will no longer be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid.

Direct Loans

Direct Loan funds will be returned to the Direct Loan Program. 

REPAYING OVER AWARDS  

If students received a disbursement of a Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal SEOG grant, the student may also be required to repay a portion of these unearned federal grants to the U.S. Department of Education. Students who owe an outstanding balance to the U.S. Department of Education will be notified of any outstanding balances owed within 30 days of the date the College learned that they were not attending all of their classes.  The students will then have 45 days to repay the overpayments or to reach satisfactory repayment arrangements with the College or the U.S. Department of Education.  If a student does not repay the overpayment or make satisfactory arrangements within 45 days, they will be considered to have a federal financial aid over-award, and the student’s account will be referred to the U.S. Department of Education for collection.  Students will not be eligible for federal financial aid at any college until the over-award has been cleared. 

POST-WITHDRAWAL DISBURSEMENTS

The College will disburse any Title IV funds that the student has earned but have not yet been disbursed to the student.  Grants will be disbursed within 45 days. Loans will be offered to the student within 30 days, allowing the student at least 14 days to respond. All post-withdrawal disbursements are applied to the student account first, and any resulting credit balance will be refunded to the student.  

CREDIT BALANCES

Students may be eligible for a refund if the amount of federal aid earned is more than their tuition charges.  Credit balances will be disbursed as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the calculation of Return of Title IV funds.

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):

a. Students must maintain certain Grade Point Average requirements based on all cumulative credit hours.

b. All students, whether attending full-time or part-time, must have a 2.0 GPA by the end of the second year.

Note: All courses removed through academic amnesty (Fresh Start) will be counted in GPA.

c. All courses taken, including remedial, will be counted in GPA.

2. Pace (Attempted Credit hours):

a. Students must complete with a passing grade at least two-thirds (66%) of all cumulative attempted credit hours. 

b. The following grades are not considered passing grades: F, W, I.   

c. Transfer credits are counted as both attempted and completed courses.

d. All courses removed through academic amnesty (Fresh Start) will be counted in Pace.

e. 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:

a. 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.

b. 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 in 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. 

SAP Appeals Process 

Students can appeal the loss of federal aid if there were events beyond their control.

Extraordinary circumstances include the death of a close relative; injury or illness of the student, spouse, parents, or children; and other unusual 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 the loss of federal aid at SUNY Erie.

SAP Appeals must be submitted before the end of the semester for which you are appealing.

Academic Plan Requirements

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

1. Completed all courses with a passing grade. The following grades are not considered passing grades: F, W, I.
2. Semester GPA is at least 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 SAP recalculation.

Repeat Courses

Students may retake any previously passed course once. Courses failed on the first attempt may be retaken until passed. All attempts will be included in Pace.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Federal Direct Student Loans 

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Private Education Loans

Rights and Responsibilities for Borrowers

Promissory Note

• First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before they 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 the 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
• Aid to Part-Time Students (APTS)
• State Academic Requirements
• Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)
• Veteran Tuition Awards (VTA)
• Excelsior Scholarship
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

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) coursework. 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 $1,000 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 payment. Once the maximum of 36 points (six payments) is reached, the student will not receive TAP payments at SUNY Erie Community College.

Part-Time TAP

To be eligible for part-time TAP:

• 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

Students who are disabled, as defined by the 1990 Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), do not have to be in full-time attendance to be eligible for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) payments. NYSHESC calculates a full-time TAP award for any eligible student who applies. Once the school notifies HESC that a student with disabilities is attending less than full-time, a new partial TAP award certificate is issued to the student. Whether attending full-time or part-time, a student must carry at least three-degree credits the first semester and meet minimum state academic standards.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) grants are available to New York State residents (U.S. citizens, permanent aliens, or refugees) enrolled in at least 3 credit hours but less than 12. At least three credit hours must be toward a degree. The student must meet the income guidelines to be eligible for the program. 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 is available in the Office of Financial Aid or at www.ecc.edu. Funds are limited.

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 the pursuit of the 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 courses in each term.  Second-year recipients must complete 75% of courses in each term.  Students must complete 100% of courses 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 the 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.

(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.

Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA)

Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awarded for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated in an approved program at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.

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

New York State residents discharged under other than dishonorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces and are:

• 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 an NYS Tuition Award Supplement application online at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/tuition-assistance-program-tap/#programs-deadline-application. Questions regarding eligible service or how to document service should be directed to the HESC Scholarship Unit at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/get-help/schedule-call/.
• Students must also complete the FAFSA each year.
• Full-time students must complete the TAP Application.

New York State Excelsior Scholarship

Other Funding Sources

Students are encouraged to investigate other grants available through the New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), Veterans Administration, Training Readjustment Act, Social Security Administration, private clubs, charitable organizations, and foundations. The Office of Financial Aid and the Counseling Office can be of assistance in this area.

Foundation of Erie Community College, Inc.

The Foundation of Erie Community College, Inc. is located at 121 Ellicott Street, Buffalo.  Foundation Scholarship booklets are available in mid-October in the Financial Aid and Admission Offices. Scholarship applications open in the Spring, and scholarships are awarded in the Summer for the fall and spring semesters of the following academic year. See additional scholarship information in the Foundation section of this catalog.