SU- Returning Students

HOW TO APPLY

RETURNING STUDENTS

Students who completed the FAFSA last year should receive a Renewal FAFSA reminder in the mail from the Department of Education. If you do not receive a Renewal FAFSA reminder by the end of January, or you did not apply for financial aid last year, you will need to file a FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, which will be available beginning in January 1st.

Assistance in filing the FAFSA is available at:

U.S. Department of Education- toll free 1-800-4-FED-AID
your college's financial aid office

All financial aid applications are reviewed annually for eligibility. The amount of federal financial aid is determined annually based on federal regulations, student eligibility and the availability of funds. Syracuse University Grants are generally renewed, however they may be adjusted if there are changes in family circumstances (i.e. other siblings no longer in college, changes in family income or new information reported). Syracuse University Scholarships are renewed if the student maintains a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Students who receive a University-funded scholarship beginning with the fall 2007 semester, must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. Students who received University-funded scholarships prior to the fall 2007 semester, must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. In addition, all students must complete at least 12 credits per semester to continue to be eligible to receive University-funded scholarships.

If you want to be considered for financial aid next year, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the application deadlines.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

FAFSA CODE - 002882

Financial Aid Deadlines for 2008 - 2009

Application Deadlines

Award Notification Dates

Returning Undergraduate Students

April 1, 2008

File the 2008-2009 FAFSA
(available January 1, 2008)

Students will be notified if additional applications and/or documents will be required.

Awards will appear on your Financial Aid Portfolio on myslice.syr.edu in
Early June.

FAQs

HOW TO APPLY

Q1: How do I receive need-based financial aid?

By completing the FAFSA each year, you will be considered for all of our need-based programs. These include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitive Grant (ACG), National SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grant, Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP- for NYS residents only).

Q2: My parents did not claim me on their tax returns this year. Can I now be considered independent?

Federal regulations have specific criteria to meet before you can be considered independent. The following questions are on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are used to determine your dependency status. You will be considered as an independent student, if you answer yes to one of the following questions:

1. Will you be at least 24 years old by January 1st, prior to your first semester at SU?

2. At the beginning of the academid year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MBA, MA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or grad certificate)?

3. As of today, are you married?

4. Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

5. Do you have dependents (other than your children and spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30th of this academic year?

6. Are both of your parents deceased, or are you or were you (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court until age 18?

7. Are you currently on active duty or are you a U.S. veteran?

Q3: Does my financial aid package change each year?

Award amounts may change from year to year for various reasons. Calculated family contributions, costs, and maximum award amounts can change and can affect your aid package. Your eligibility for the Federal Stafford Loan will increase as you advance from freshman to senior levels. Merit scholarships are always renewed for the original amount. Please note: You must file the FAFSA every year you are in school in order to receive a financial aid award.

Q4: What is 'satisfactory academic progress'?

A good rule of thumb to avoid loss of aid due to insufficient academic progress is to register for at least 12 new credits each semester, earn a passing grade for all courses, and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Refer to the Policies web page for additional information about academic progress.

Students who receive a University-funded scholarship beginning with the fall 2007 semester, must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. Students who received University-funded scholarships prior to the fall 2007 semester, must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. In addition, all students must complete at least 12 credits per semester to continue to be eligible to receive University-funded scholarships.

Q5: How do I know if I am eligible for the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)?

TAP is administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). New York State residents who complete the FAFSA online will be prompted to complete a TAP application on the HESC web site. Once these two forms are completed, students will be notified of their TAP eligibility directly from HESC. To calculate your own TAP award, you may visit www.hesc.com.

Q6: Can I receive any aid for summer study?

Generally the only aid available for regular summer session attendance is the Federal Stafford Loan. Students may be eligible for half of their annual loan maximum. The maximums are $1,750 for students with 23 or fewer earned credits; $2,250 for students with 24-53 earned credits; $2,750 for students with more than 54 earned credits. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits to receive any federal financial aid.

FWS

Q7: What is Federal Work-Study?

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded financial aid employment program for students who demonstrate financial need. If the student is eligible, they are awarded a dollar amount that can be earned during a specified academic year. Unlike other forms of financial aid, a FWS award is not applied to the student's Bursar bill. Instead, students receive paychecks for hours worked. Students with FWS awards may work on campus as well as off-campus in approved agencies. The Student Employment Office lists all of the available positions, both FWS and non-FWS, on their JOBNET web site.

Q8: What is the difference between Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Non-FWS?

Students who receive a Federal Work-Study award as part of their financial aid package are eligible to work in jobs defined by the employing office as Work-Study positions. Through a grant funded by the US Department of Education, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs pays a portion of the student's salary, thereby lowering the cost to the employing office. Employing offices may hire students without a Federal Work-Study award, however, the employing departments will be responsible for paying 100% of the student's wages. The Student Employment Office lists all of the available positions, both FWS and non-FWS, on their JOBNET web site.

Q9: Can I still work on campus if I do not have a Federal Work-Study award?

Yes. Many offices will hire you on a non work-study basis. The Student Employment Office lists all of the available positions, both FWS and non-FWS, on their JOBNET web site.

Q10: Do I have to use my Federal Work-Study award?

It is not mandatory for a student to obtain work-study employment. If you have savings from a summer job or expect financial help from your family, it may be possible for you to meet all educational expenses without utilizing your work-study award. However, work-study earnings are intended to help you pay for books, supplies, and personal expenses during the academic year. Work-study earnings also have the advantage of being excluded when applying for financial aid in subsequent years.

STATUS

Q11: What if there is a change in my family financial situation or I have special circumstances?

Special circumstances should be brought to the attention of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs. In writing, outline your special circumstance and send an email or directly to our office: 200 Archbold North, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Q12: How will moving off campus affect my financial aid?

As long as you're not living at home with your parent(s), you receive the same amount of financial aid whether you live in a residence hall or in an off-campus apartment. Any financial aid in excess of your bursar bill can be refunded to you to meet off campus expenses such as rent, food, etc. Students living at home with their parent(s) are considered commuters and have a lower Cost of Attendance and receive less aid, as they do not incur room expenses.

Q13: Will I be eligible for more financial aid if I study abroad?

The SU Abroad office does offer additional grants to help with the added costs of studying abroad. You will need to contact the SU Abroad office to apply for these specific grants. You may also contact your counselor in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs to discuss your loan options to help make up the difference in costs between being on campus vs. studying abroad.

Q14: If I take a leave of absence, will my financial aid be fully reinstated when I return to SU?

Your financial aid counselor must review the circumstances regarding your leave of absence and return. In many cases, financial aid awards are fully reinstated as long as the proper forms are filed and submitted to SU. Additionally, if you are receiving a scholarship, please contact the Office of Scholarship Programs prior to leaving the University.

LOANS

Q15: What is the difference between a Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan and an Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan?

The government pays your interest on a subsidized loan while you are enrolled in college.
The government does not pay your interest on an unsubsidized loan. You will either need to make interest payments while you are in school or defer your interest payments to begin after leaving/graduating from college. For more information, please visit the Loan section of this web site.

OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS

Please visit the Opportunity Programs FAQs by clicking here.

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