FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid Eligibility
In order to be eligible for financial assistance at USC, the applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Not be in default on a student loan, or have borrowed in excess of established Title IV loan limits.
• Not owe a refund on a Federal or State grant received at any previously attended school(s).
• Be registered with Selective Service, if a male.
• Be accepted for enrollment at least half-time in an associate degree or certificate program.
• Complete the required Federal, State and Institutional aid applications.
• Meet the academic progress and program pursuit standards for the purposes of determining eligibility for student aid at USC.

Applying for Financial Aid
Student eligibility for financial assistance requires that the student complete the following forms each academic year for which he/she is requesting assistance.  Financial Aid packets containing these required forms are available from the campus Financial Aid Office.

USC Supplemental Financial Aid Verification/Compliance Form
All students applying for Financial Aid or receiving agency funding at USC are required to complete this data form prior to receiving any financial assistance. This form collects important information and provides the student with an opportunity to notify the Financial Aid Office of any special circumstances that might affect his/her eligibility for financial assistance.

Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This form is used to determine the student’s eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG and Federal Work Study.  Additionally, information from this form will determine the student’s eligibility for Federal Subsidized and Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

Express Tap Application (ETA)
Students from New York State attending USC full time (12 credit hours per semester) receive a preprinted Express TAP Application in the mail from New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).  It includes preprinted information taken from his/her FAFSA.  The student must review the form for accuracy, provide the additional information requested, sign, and forward it to the USC Financial Aid Office to be copied and mailed to HESC for processing.

Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note
Students who need to borrow additional funds to cover a portion of their educational expenses may use this application to apply for a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and/or a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Students have a choice of banks and lending institutions to which they can apply.

Financial Aid Services
The Financial Aid Office at each campus has professional assistance available to ensure that the student’s applications are completed accurately and in compliance with Federal and State regulations.

Personal Interviews
All students are encouraged to complete their financial aid applications with a USC Financial Aid Officer.  Students will be assisted in completing the required applications, their awards will be estimated, and a financial plan will be discussed to assist the students in meeting their educational expenses.  Appointments are available at the student’s convenience including evenings and Saturdays.

Application Review
If students are unable to make a personal interview, they may mail their completed Financial Aid Forms with documentation of income (taxable and nontaxable) to the Financial Aid Office.  Applications will be reviewed, copied, and forwarded to the appropriate processors.