Terms/
Glossary
Glossary
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA
Can I apply for FAFSA if my parents are not US Citizens?
Yes! If your parents are permanent residents (holding a green card), have F-1 visas or are here in any legal way, you can apply.
This is a state issued ID needed by students (if you have one)
Driver's License.
Federally or privately funded money that does not need to be paid back.
Grants/Scholarships
Opportunity Program offered at SUNY schools. Determined by financial eligibility and academic need.
EOP
Both loans you take out from federal government during undergrad.
Subsidized Loans: Do not accrue interest while in school. Accept these ones first.
Unsubsidized: Do accrue interest while in school.
*Parent Plus Loan: Parent's take out the loan.
Unsubsidized Vs. Subsidized
If my parents are divorced or separated, which parent's information do I use on the FAFSA?
Usually this is the parent you live with the most or the parent who provides the most financial support.
Amount of money awarded by school that allows you to work on campus. Must complete FAFSA by Feb. 1st to be considered.
Work Study
Opportunity Program offered at private colleges based on income and academics.
HEOP
Received after submitted FAFSA. Includes EFC, estimated eligibility for federal student loans and grants, and whether you have been selected for verification.
Student Aid Report (SAR)
What if I live with someone other than my mom/dad? Whose income do I report?
If the person has a legal relationship with you (they have adopted you) you can report that person's income. If your parent, who does not live with you, still is financially responsible for you and has contact with you, then you list that parent.
If you are not a US citizen, this is an ID card confirms legal status.
Permanent resident card
Tuition Assistance Program provided by NY State. Only goes towards tuition. To be completed right after FAFSA.
TAP
Opportunity Program offered through CUNY, based on financial eligibility and academics
SEEK (4 year schools)
College Discovery (two year schools)
College estimated expense for one year. It includes tuition, room and board, meal plans, student fees, books, extra expenses.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
Parents, stepparents, siblings, yourself, anyone else in your home (e.g. cousins, grandparents, aunts. uncles), if your parents are providing more than half of their support.
This set of documents shows wages and assets from previous year.
*You can use IRS Retrieval Button here.
Federal Income Tax Return
Additional grant awarded by New York State that opens in the spring, that comes with multiple stipulations upon acceptance of the scholarship.
Excelsior Scholarship Program
Accelerated Programs offered at two year CUNY Schools or four year CUNY Schools. (2 answers)
ASAP or ACE
ACE
*Only offered at Lehman and John Jay
Index number used to determine eligibility for federal student aid. Determined by families taxed and untaxed income and assets.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
My parents are undocumented. I can still fill out the FAFSA? True or False?
True. Your parents are protected because by law other federal agencies cannot see your FAFSA application. But you have to take special steps when you fill out the form.
*If a student is undocumented he/she cannot received federal student aid but he/she can still be eligible for state or local grants.
This is an identification that allows both parent and student to sign the FAFSA. Parent and scholar both need one.
FSA ID
Federal or private money given that needs to be paid back. Taken out by parent or student.
Loans
Remedial reading, writing, and math course offered by CUNY that is free. Do not need to use financial aid.
CUNY Start