Financial Aid is assistance in the form of grants, loans, and work. It is provided by federal, state, local or private sources to help meet college expenses. Most financial aid is based on financial need, enrollment status, satisfactory academic progress and attendance, and availability of funds. It is intended to supplement, not to replace, family and student contributions. Loans must be repaid with interest.

The information you supply on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine your (or your family’s) contribution to your college education. Financial need is defined as the difference between total college costs (tuition, fees, transportation, books, and personal expenses) and the student’s and/or family’s contribution.

How Cost of Education is Determined To determine how much financial aid you may receive, the Office of Student Financial Assistance first determines your cost of attendance. Below is a sample cost of attendance for an academic year for full time students who are dependent and independent paying resident tuition and for an independent and dependent student required to pay non-resident tuition based on 2017-2018 tuition charges.

Sample Budget Full-Time, 12 or more units

	DEPENDENT IN STATE	DEPENDENT NON-RESIDENT
TUITION	4,280	11,770
FEES	572	572
BOOKS	2,000	2,000
ROOM	0	0
BOARD	3,100	3,100
PERSONAL	1,200	1,200
TRANSPORTATION	2,200	2,200
TOTAL	13,352	20,842

 

	INDEPENDENT IN-STATE	INDEPENDENT NON-RESIDENT
TUITION	4,280	11,770
FEES	572	572
BOOKS	2,000	2,000
ROOM	6,200	6,200
BOARD	3,100	3,100
PERSONAL	1,200	1,200
TRANSPORTATION	2,200	2,200
TOTAL	19,552	27,042

Note: Figures are subject to change. How need is Determined

You and your family’s ability to contribute to your education is determined by a formula set by law which analyzes the information submitted on your FAFSA. The result of this process is referred to as your EFC or Effective Family Contribution.

Your need is your total Cost of Education as determined by the institutional budget minus your EFC or Effective Family Contribution.

Since family financial strength and EFC is based on prior prior years’ income and family situation (e.g. 2015 information is used to determine your EFC for 2017-2018) circumstances could have changed such as loss of job, death etc. If you or your family experience dramatic changes in their financial situation form one year to the next, you should collect all appropriate documentation and make an appointment with your financial aid counselor to have your circumstances re-evaluated.

Codes:

• FAFSA Code: 002881
• TAP Code: 2160

Government Websites:

Federal

• Department of Education: www.ed.gov, 1-800-872-5327
• Federal Student Aid: www.studentaid.ed.gov, 1-800-433-3243/TTY 1-800-730-8913
• FAFSA on the web: www.fafsa.gov, 1-800-433-3243/TTY 1-800-730-8913
• FSA ID: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm, 1-800-433-3243/TTY 1-800-730-8913
• Direct Loan Entrance Counseling: www.studentloans.gov.
• Direct Loan Master Promissory Note: www.studentloans.gov.
• Direct Loan Exit Interview: http://mappingyourfuture.org/, 1-800-374-4072
• Direct Loan and Pell grant national data system: www.nslds.ed.gov, 1-800-433-3243 TTY 1-800-730-8913
• Loan Ombudsman Group: www.ombudsman.ed.gov, 1-877-557-2575
• Selective Service: www.sss.gov, 1-888-655-1825, 1-847-688-6888
• Tax Transcripts: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript, 1-800-829-1040
• Veteran's Benefits or status: www.benefits.va.gov, 1-800-827-1000

NY State

• HESC/TAP https://www.hesc.ny.gov : , 1-888-697-4372,
• New York State Department of Taxation: www.tax.ny.gov, 518-457-5181
• The New York State Advocacy Unit, 1-888-215-0196

A Financial Hold will prevent your aid from being processed through our system.

It is because you borrowed a Federal Direct Student Loan or a FFELP loan to help finance your college education at Westchester Community College and/or another college. Our records indicate that you fall into one of the following categories:

• Not registered in this current semester
• Not registered at Westchester Community College, but are registered at another college
• Enrolled for less than 6 credits
• Scheduled to graduate at the end of this semester
• Indicated on your loan application that you would graduate this semester
• Withdrew or dropped out of school

Even if you did not borrow your loan through Westchester Community College, the federal government still requires you to do the exit interview. A hold will be placed on your account at the college until this process is completed. Complete the exit online by following the instructions outlined below: mappingyourfuture.org

1. Select Complete Online counseling (menu on left)
2. Select Exit Counseling
3. Select Direct Loan Exit (previously Stafford exit)
4. Begin Exit Counseling.

Carefully follow the instructions to complete the Direct Loan Exit Interview(s). Once you have completed your exit interview, provide the Financial Aid Office with the confirmation page as proof that it was completed. The hold on your account will be lifted once we receive proof that the exit was completed

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If you have any questions or comments you may reach the Financial Aid Office at (914) 606-6615.

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