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Frequently Asked Questions
The Office of Student Financial Aid is pleased to provide answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions. Although this information is primarily intended for prospective students, others will also find it helpful. The staff of the Office of Financial Aid looks forward to assisting you. If you have additional questions about financial aid at this or anytime, please contact the office. The office is located in Room U201 and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays. During those hours, you may call the office at (718) 368-4644.
The Federal Government administers financial aid through funding available in Title IV which includes programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG), Federal Work Study/America Reads, Federal Perkins Loan Program, and the Federal Direct Student Loan Programs.
FAFSA - 002694
The financial aid application process is considered complete when the following exists:
A FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA with the college’s school code of 002694 is completed and sent to the federal processor and the results are electronically returned to the school.
If "Verification" is required or comments exist as a result of the processing of the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, additional documentation may need to be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid to resolve the issue.
Students are encouraged to apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
The first document you will probably receive in the financial aid process is a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor, which is a result of the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA you completed. By reading the comment section, you can usually see if additional information will be required.
For example, if you have been selected for a process called "Verification," a comment will appear telling you this and advising you that you will be required to submit additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. Also, if you are a male applicant and Selective Service does not have you on their database you will be asked to provide documentation regarding your registration with that agency. If your date of birth does not appear on the Social Security Administration database, you will be asked to provide evidence of your U.S. citizenship. If you are a permanent resident and your name does not appear on the Immigration and Naturalization Service database, you will be asked to confirm this status as well.
These are a sampling of the types of messages you can read in the comment section of the Student Aid Report, which will alert you of extra required documentation you may need to submit. Also, the Office of Financial Aid may contact you if you need to provide additional documentation to clarify your status.
Your award letter and funding can change if additional resources not previously considered are received on your behalf. This may result in revised awards, or reduction in loan eligibility, etc.
Yes, there is. Need-based financial aid includes any grant, loan, scholarship, etc. that is offered based on your determined financial need (SAR information). Merit-based aid is any scholarship, grant, or other educational resource given to you based on your academic achievement, community service, or involvement in a particular club, sport, or program. This type of assistance is offered not because you demonstrate financial need, but because you meet other non-financial criteria.
Every institution must publish standards of good academic standing and satisfactory progress for financial aid purposes. These standards are in the University Bulletin and reflect academic conditions which must be met including:
- A minimum grade point average
- A minimum number of credits earned each term
- A minimum number of cumulative credits earned each payment period
The Federal Government requires institutions to develop these standards because it wishes to monitor the fact that students make progress toward their educational objective i.e., a baccalaureate degree, etc. These measures insure that reviews take place, and that the institution is in compliance with the regulation.
The two types of student status (dependent and independent) are regulated in legislation within the Higher Education Act of 1992, and requires that students meet specific conditions for independent status. These conditions appear on the FAFSA and the Renewal FAFSA and requires the student meet at least one of the following conditions before being considered as an "independent" student:
- Was born before January 1, 1983 (each year this date changes to reflect at least 24 years of age by December 31 of the current award year)
- A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Married
- An orphan or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until age 18
- Has legal dependents (other than a spouse) for whom he/she provides at least half support
If you have unusual circumstances that you feel make you Independent, even though none of the above criteria applies to you, please contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss your situation.
Students who do not meet at least one of these conditions are considered "dependent" for financial aid purposes.
Some financial aid programs require full-time attendance. These include TAP, full Pell Grant funding, and at Kingsborough Community College, special programs financial aid. If registration falls below full-time status (12 credits per term), these awards may be reduced or canceled. TAP and special programs financial aid are canceled, and Pell Grants are reduced to reflect 3/4 time, 1/2 time, or less than 1/2 time status. Loan eligibility can also be reduced or canceled if registration falls below 1/2 time status.
As a student at KBCC, you may qualify for federal and state financial aid including the: Federal Pell Grant; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG); Federal Work Study Program; Federal Perkins Loan; Federal Direct Loan; and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Because many factors (e.g. household size, number of family members in college, income, certain assets, etc.) are considered in the determination of your eligibility for financial aid,it is difficult to estimate your eligibility based on income alone. The Office of Financial Aid recommends that every student apply for financial aid at least once to have his or her eligibility reviewed. Keep in mind that, in general, any accepted student is eligible for some type of financial assistance regardless of his or her calculated financial need.
Students are able to complete the FAFSA beginning January 1st of the year they will enroll in college (e.g. January 1st, 2004 for the 2004-2005 academic year). The Office of Financial Aid recommends that students complete the FAFSA each year by April 30th. Late applicants will be considered on a funds available basis. New students are asked to complete the Institutional Aid Application, a form automatically sent to all accepted freshmen and transfer students, immediately upon receipt.
Financial aid programs are based on the belief that students (and their parents or spouses, if applicable) have primary responsibility for paying their educational expenses. If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) inability to assist you with expenses should be evident from the information you and your parent(s) provide on the FAFSA form. Although it may mean a significantly increased amount of debt, which should be carefully considered, most students can cover their educational expenses with the help of available financial aid programs.
Please contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss any special circumstances you feel might affect the amount you and your family can contribute toward your educational expenses. A staff member will determine whether your eligibility for financial aid can be reevaluated due to your family’s special circumstances.
The Office of Student Financial Aid begins sending Financial Aid Award Notices to new freshmen and transfer students in April. Most new freshmen and transfer students receive their Financial Aid Award Notices by the end of May.
You will receive the fall semester bill from the KBCC Office of the Bursar by the end of July. All awarded federal and state financial aid will be listed on the bill and deducted from your fall semester charges. Please note that Federal Work Study will not be listed on the bill. Students employed under the Federal Work Study Program receive bi-weekly paychecks for wages earned. If any of your awarded federal and state financial aid is not listed on your bill, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance. If you are receiving other sources of funding not listed on the bill, please contact the KBCC Office of the Bursar (718) 368-5416.
KBCC offers a payment plan called AMS. Please contact the Bursar’s Office for more information (718) 368-5416.
Financial aid refunds may be used for any educational expenses, including books. Keep in mind, however, that, while every effort is made to do so, the KBCC Office of the Bursar cannot guarantee that your refund will be available in time for you to buy your books. Therefore, you should plan to use other funds to buy your books. In general, students spend $350-450 per semester on books and supplies.
Students should come to the Office of Financial Aid during the first week of the semester for information about Campus Employment and Federal Work Study jobs.
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