By accepting any federal, state, institutional and/or private funding you are certifying that you have read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions listed herein. The information in this document is not all inclusive. It is the student’s responsibility to also review the information within the college catalog and posted on the financial aid website.
Financial aid offered is an estimate and may be adjusted if other funds are received or if updated information is received. Original award offers are based on the expected class year reported on the FAFSA. If the FAFSA data does not match the number of credits earned or credits transferred into SUNY Cortland, the student is responsible for the balance of the bill and any fees resulting from adjustments.
Undergraduate Students are awarded financial aid based on the assumption of full-time enrollment (12 new credit hours) for the fall and spring semesters (no retakes). Graduate Students are awarded on the assumption of at least six credit hours for the fall and spring semesters. If this is incorrect, the student must notify the Financial Aid Office.
Students are encouraged to regularly monitor their myRedDragon for award specific requirements and updates regarding financial aid. Financial aid requirements must be completed for awards to act as a credit towards the bill.
General Enrollment Requirements
Financial Aid recipients must be matriculated and pursuing college courses leading to a degree (bachelor’s, master’s, approved post master’s program (C.A.S) or approved pre-graduate program). Only courses that are required for completion of a student’s degree program may be included when determining enrollment status for financial aid purposes. Additionally, students must continue to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, as defined in the SUNY Cortland academic catalog and declare a major prior to earning 56.5 cumulative credit hours. Any changes in enrollment status, such as leave of absence, withdrawal or suspension may result in adjustments to financial aid. Students are responsible for the balance of the bill and any fees resulting from adjustments.
Award Specific Requirements
Federal Direct Loans
- First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling before a loan will act as credit towards the bill.
- Student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours applicable toward the degree program.
TEACH Grant/Loan
- Academic background and major will be evaluated:
- If deemed eligible, student must complete the TEACH Agreement to Serve and TEACH Counseling.
- If deemed ineligible, TEACH will be cancelled from the financial aid award. The student is responsible for the balance of the bill and any fees resulting from adjustments.
- Freshman must have a minimum 87.5 GPA from high school or a minimum 1180 SAT score. Incoming transfer students must demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher from previous college(s).
- Students must maintain a 3.25 GPA each semester to remain eligible.
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Eligible students must enroll in a minimum of 12 new credit hours (no retakes) applicable toward the degree program each semester.
- The TAP award estimate in the award package is based on information provided at the time of application. NYS HESC determines the actual TAP award based on verified information. As a result, the actual TAP award may differ from the estimate.
NYS Excelsior Scholarship
- Eligible students must enroll in 12 new credit hours applicable toward the degree program each semester AND earn 30 new credit hours per academic year. Taking a leave of absence or failure to complete 30 credits in a 365-day period, will result in losing Excelsior Scholarship eligibility. Students are responsible for the bill and any fees resulting from the loss of scholarship.
- The Excelsior Scholarship will cover any remaining tuition liability not already covered by any other grant/scholarship funding received.
- The tuition amount charged may be adjusted based on scholarship eligibility.
Other NYS HESC Scholarships (TAP World Trade Center, TAP Merit Based, etc.)
- NYS HESC scholarships, grants and other awards may have additional terms and conditions. More information can be found on the NY SHESC website.
- Students who receive a NYS HESC scholarship (such as the World Trade Center or Memorial Scholarship) and choose to live off campus will have a decreased award per NYS HESC policy.
SUNY Cortland Scholarships
- In order to remain eligible to receive funding ALL individual scholarship renewal criteria must continue to be met. For example:
- Recipients of the Presidential, Dean, Merit, or Civic Engagement scholarship are required to live on campus. If a recipient chooses to move off campus, the scholarship will be canceled.
Other Scholarships
- It is the student’s responsibility to notify SUNY Cortland Student Accounts Office of any non-Cortland scholarships received.
Student Accounts Authorization
If my financial aid award includes Federal Student Aid and/or New York State Aid, including Pell Grants, Federal SEOG, TEACH Grant/Loan, Federal Direct Student Loans, Graduate PLUS or Federal Parent PLUS Loans, I authorize SUNY Cortland's Student Accounts Office to use the proceeds from those programs to pay any institutional or non-institutional charges applied to my student account. I have the right to rescind this authorization at any time by filing a written request to the Student Accounts Office.