Grants are often called “gift aid” because they do not have to be paid back. Federal and NY State grants have different eligibility criteria. Learn more on how to apply for these grants and the necessary standards to maintain them.
To be considered for Federal Financial Aid, you must complete the for each academic year at NCC. Our school code is 002873.
Once your is processed, New York State will generate the Express TAP Application (ETA) that you need to complete to be considered for the New York Tuition Assistance Program. For more specific information on New York State-sponsored financial aid programs, go to or .
The College offers the following federal and state grant and loan programs to matriculated students enrolled in an approved degree granting program. Grant funds do not have to be paid back to the federal or state funding agency.
Federal Pell Grants are limited to students with financial need, who have not earned their first bachelor's degree. Amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award as of the 2022–23 award year is $6,895. The Pell Grant is offered based on a student's Expected Family contribution (EFC) and credit load for the semester. Students are not required to attend full time. If enroll in less than 12 credits, the Pell award will be prorated according to the student's enrolled credit load for that semester. Total credit load of less than 1 credit is not eligible to receive the Pell Grant. Remedial courses do not count in program, but can be eligible for aid. A maximum of 30 credit hours of remedial coursework can be used in the credit load for federal aid eligibility. After a student has attempted 30 credit hours of remedial coursework, the student may no longer receive federal aid for remedial coursework.
Allows a matriculated student to receive up to three full-time Pell awards in one academic year. If a student was full-time in the fall and spring semesters, to be eligible to receive an additional Pell Grant for summer classes the student must be enrolled in and complete a minimum of 6 credits applicable toward his or her program of study.
A student that does not utilize their initial Pell award in fall and spring, may still use any remaining funds from the initial award.
Student's receiving Federal aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress. A student may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school in the same semester.
The Pell Recalculation Date (sometimes referred to as the census date) is a date in the semester when the Financial Aid Office is required to evaluate a students Federal Pell Grant eligibility based on your current enrollment status. If the Pell Grant you were awarded does not match with your current enrollment status, your award must be adjusted.
The Pell Grant Recalculation Date for the fall and spring semesters is at the end of the refund period, which is normally after the 21st day of the semester.
Any classes added after the Pell Recalculation Date (PRD) will not count towards your Federal Pell Grant eligibility, regardless of the start date for the class. This includes any classes you are re-registered in after the Pell Recalculation Date. If you drop, withdraw from, or do not attend classes that you were registered for, your financial aid award may be adjusted in the following situations:
A Pell applicant selected for verification must complete the process by the published date in the Federal Register or 120 days after the last day of the student’s enrollment, whichever is earlier. If the student does not provide the necessary documents within this time, the Pell Grant is forfeited. 34CFR668.60(c)
The annual SEOG amount is awarded based on a student's financial need, credit load and the federal allocation for the award year. Students are required to file a FAFSA. Students will be automatically considered for this grant while funds are available and the student meets the following criteria:
Credit Load | Annual Award | Semester Award | |
---|---|---|---|
Full-time | 12 or more | $1,200 | $600 |
3/4 time | 9 - 11.5 | $900 | $450 |
Half-time | 6 - 8.5 | $600 | $300 |
< Halt-time | 1 - 5.5 | 0 | 0 |
The is available for all full-time students. When you file your FAFSA, a link will direct you to the TAP application.
creates a pathway for students pursuing their program of study part-time. Complete a FAFSA and a TAP application and awards will be adjusted based on the student's enrolled credit load.
Aid for Part-Time Study Program (APTS) is offered to matriculated students, enrolled part-time in at least 3 degree-credits and less than 11 credits. Student must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative gpa of at least 2.0. Awards vary based on funding from NYS. Awards are applied to tuition only. APTS applications, when available for that aid year, and additional criteria information can be found on the Financial Aid forms page. Income limit for APTS eligibility is the taxable income as taken from the New York State income tax return plus any state, local or federal pension and annuity income, if applicable.
Undergraduates may apply each year for the for the fall and spring semesters. A recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship is eligible to receive award payments for not more than two years of full-time undergraduate study in a program leading to an associate's degree.
The Program provides tuition awards that cover the cost of six credit hours or $1,500 per term, whichever is less, to students attending a SUNY community college who are enrolled in at least 6 but less than 12 credits. Recipients of this award must maintain a 2.0 cumulative gpa and complete a FAFSA and each year to receive future payments. Application are available for a limited period of time each year. To be notified when application is available, click .
The gives undocumented and other students access to NY State-administered grants and scholarships. Apply at
NOTE: Students that have received their high school diploma from a foreign school must take an approved "Ability to Benefit” test and attain a passing score prior to the start of the semester in order to be considered for state aid. Contact the Placement Testing Center at placementtesting@ncc.edu or call 516.572.9604.
Students who are determined to be ineligible for failure to meet the annual credit or continuous enrollment requirements and who can demonstrate good cause may appeal the decision by completing and submitting the Excelsior Scholarship Program Appeal Form and uploading to .
Students with disabilities determined to be ineligible who can demonstrate good cause for completing fewer credits than attempted or a break in attendance may appeal the decision by completing and submitting the Excelsior Scholarship Program Appeal Form and uploading to .
Students whose household family income would make them eligible due to the death, disability, divorce or separation of a parent, spouse or the student may appeal their disqualification by completing the and uploading to .
Almost every state in the United States has an education grant or scholarship available to their residents. Eligibility is usually restricted to state residents attending a college in-state, but that's not always the case. Find out what to you from your state.
Find out more about late start classes and how they affect Financial Aid