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Financial Aid


We make every effort to help students finance their LaGuardia education. Student Financial Services is located in C107 and is staffed by professional advisors and specialists who assist students in securing financial aid. What follows are descriptions of state and federal programs that are available to eligible students. All students seeking financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you need assistance with completing your application, please visit the Resource Center located in C109. If there is a question about eligibility for one of these programs, the student or prospective student should see a financial aid advisor.

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Students may enroll full-time in the twelve week session or have the option to take a combination of courses in both the twelve week and six week session. Students must register up front for the second session at the same time they register for courses in the twelve week session for financial aid. Financial aid eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Certification Day. Please refer to the college’s Academic Calendar.

Federal Pell Grants

Application Procedures: The completed FAFSA application takes at least 72 hours to process (Once the application is processed an email will be sent to you). The amount of the applicant’s award is determined from the 2022-2023 Student Aid Report (SAR) by the Department of Education. Upon enrollment, funds are applied to the student’s tuition account.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: The Federal Pell Grant is an entitlement program. Eligibility and award amounts are based on financial need and academic progress. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and must attend classes.

Financial need is determined by a formula applied to all applicants annually by Congress. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated by this formula. You can find the Expected Family Contribution Pell Chart online at: https://www.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/page-assets/financial-aid/information-resources/staff-resources/2022-2023-Pell-chart-REVISED.pdf

Award Schedule: 2022-2023 awards range from $346.00 to $3,447.50 per semester. The amount of the award will be affected by costs of attendance and full- or part-time enrollment status. The Federal Pell award does not duplicate state awards.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: Students must continue to make satisfactory academic progress in the degree program in which they are enrolled. Students must not owe any refunds on Federal Pell grants or other awards paid, or be in default on repayment of any Federal student loans.

The schedule of award payments is available on the college’s website at www.laguardia.edu/payingforcollege/ (Disbursement Dates), and also in Student Financial Services (C107).

Students must attempt 24 credits during the academic year in order to earn the full Federal Pell award, or take qualifying remedial courses which equal 12 or more units. Therefore, enrollment status for Federal Pell is as follows: full-time, 12 credits (or equivalent); 3/4 time, 9 through 11.5 credits (or equivalent); 1/2 time, 6 through 8.5 credits (or equivalent); and less than half time, 1.0 through 5.5 credits (or equivalent).

Additional Requirements

Additional Regulations: For Federal Pell awards, students not yet 24 years old by January 1st must prove their independence if they claim to be independent of their parents. They must also have unusual circumstances, which must be documented. Students are reminded that attendance is a requirement for receiving financial aid. Failure to attend classes may result in a reduction or loss of financial aid. If students charge tuition and/or books and do not attend classes, they are still liable for the costs and will be billed accordingly.

Permanent residents who have not had their status confirmed by Homeland Security must submit a copy of their permanent resident card. Students who have an I-94, with the following endorsements, are no longer eligible for Federal Pell, Federal Work-Study, or FSEOG: a) Adjusted Applicant, b) 245, c) 245 Applicant, d) Applicant for Permanent Residence, e) Voluntary Departure, and f) Deferred Action.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards The applicants must:

  1. Have exceptional financial need and

  2. Be enrolled at least half-time.

Award Schedule: Awards can range from $100 to $400 per year in 2022-2023.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress, and meet all the requirements for the Pell Grant.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Selection for Recipients and Allocation of Awards: The student must file a 2022-2023 FAFSA application and indicate interest in participating in the Federal Work-Study Program. The applicant must be enrolled at least half-time.

Employment is available to all eligible students on and off-campus who are awarded Federal Work-Study. In the event that more

students are eligible for FWS than there are funds available, preference is given to students who have greater financial need. Students must complete the online Federal Work-Study orientation with the Student Financial Services Office before they receive a packet/contract to work.

Award Schedule: Students are provided with resources to find jobs on campus or off-campus, with public or private nonprofit agencies, such as hospitals, for up to 20 hours a week, based on the availability of funds.

Factors considered by the Office of Student Financial Services in determining whether, and for how many hours, the recipient may work under this program are: financial need, class schedule, and academic progress.

Hourly rates for the 2022-2023 award year starts at $15 per hour and vary depending on the position.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: Satisfactory academic progress must be maintained, and all the requirements for the Pell Grant must be met.

Federal Direct Loan Program

The current Federal Direct Loan Cohort Default Rate (CDR) is 0% which is in line with the national CDR for Community Colleges.  Approximately six percent of enrolled students receiving aid borrow loans to finance their education annually.

Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan allows you to borrow money at low interest to help you pay for college. The federal government subsidizes or supports these loans by paying interest charges while you are attending school. You must remain enrolled in at least six credits or the equivalent to receive this loan and must begin to repay it six months after graduation or termination of attendance. You must demonstrate financial need to qualify for this loan.

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan allows you to borrow money for your education in addition to the amounts allowed under the subsidized loan program. These loans are not subsidized by the federal government which means that you, the borrower, are responsible for all interest charges while you are attending school. You must remain enrolled in at least six credits or the equivalent to receive this loan.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan allows your parents to borrow money to help you supplement the amounts you may be receiving under other grant or loan programs. All Direct PLUS loans require a credit check and will be approved based on your parents’ credit history. Repayment of PLUS loans begins within 60 days of disbursement.

Note: Previous Recipients of the Federal Perkins Loan Program (FPL)

The Federal Perkins Loan Program (FPL) is no longer funded. Any student who previously received a loan is expected upon completion of the study, withdrawal from the college, or upon falling below half-time (6 credits), must complete an Exit Counseling Interview. There is a nine-month grace period before repayment of the loan begins at a 5% simple interest rate for up to a 10-year repayment period.

Application Procedures:

The Direct Loan Processing Form application is made through CUNYfirst student services center. You must have a valid 2022-23 FAFSA on file. You will also need to complete a Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at www.studentloans.gov.

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for a Federal Direct Loan, a student must be: 1) a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; 2) enrolled in or admitted as a matriculated (at least half-time) student; 3) that the student is not in default, does not owe an overpayment on a Department of Education grant or loan, and has not exceed the annual or aggregate loan limits.

Students may be eligible for a full interest subsidy on a Direct Subsidized student loan during the time they are in school at least half-time, and show financial need. Students have a six month grace-period before repayment must begin. The student is responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized student loan.

The annual loan limits are:

Dependent students:

  • $3,500 combined Direct Subsidized and/or Direct Unsubsidized plus $2,000 additional Direct Unsubsidized for dependent students who have earned less than 30 credits.

  • $4,500 combined Direct Subsidized and /or Direct Unsubsidized plus $2,000 additional Direct Unsubsidized for dependent student who have earned 30 credits or more.

Independent Students

  • $3,500 combined Direct Subsidized and/or Direct Unsubsidized plus $6,000 additional Direct Unsubsidized for independent students who have earned less than 30 credits.

  • $4,500 combined Direct Subsidized and /or Direct Unsubsidized plus $6,000 additional Direct Unsubsidized for independent student who have earned 30 credits or more.

Rights and Responsibilities for Recipients: Students may borrow at a relatively low fixed interest rate of 4.99% for 2022-2023 academic year. An “origination fee” of 1.057% of the loan amount is subtracted from the loan disbursement.

There is no repayment as long as the student remains enrolled at least half-time, which is defined as taking a minimum of six credits per semester.

Students will have a six-month grace period before payments are required to begin. During this period, they will receive repayment information from the loan servicer, and will be notified of their first monthly payment. After a student depletes the grace period of their prior loans, a student has a 30 day window before starting the repayment on loans. Any new received loans will have 6 month grace period. The following regulations apply:

  1. Depending on the amount of the loan, the minimum monthly payment may be at least $50.00. Under unusual and extenuating circumstances the loan servicer, on request, may permit reduced payments by awarding an Income Driven Repayment Plan deferment or forbearance.

  2. The repayment period varies and is dependent upon the repayment plan chosen. For example, the Standard Repayment Plan has a maximum period of 10 years, and the Income Driven Payment Plans may have a maximum period of 25 years.

  3. Repayment in whole or part may be made at any time without penalty.

Direct Plus Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

The PLUS loan enables either biological or adoptive parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow up to the cost of education. Costs that may be covered include: tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation, and an allowance for personal expenses. The maximum loan amount is the student's cost of attendance (determined by the school) minus any other financial aid received. Fixed interest rates for 2022-2023 are currently 7.54%. An "origination fee" of 4.228% of the loan amount is subtracted from the loan disbursement.

Application is made by visiting the Student Financial Services office in room C-107. The student must have a 2022-23 FAFSA on file. Parent is subject to a credit check by the U.S. Department of Education and may be required to complete the PLUS Counseling online at www.studentloans.gov.

Repayment of the loan begins once the loans are fully disbursed. Borrowers have 10 years to repay.

Foundation Scholarships

The LaGuardia Community College Foundation provides scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,500 to students based on financial need, academic performance, community service, and extracurricular activities. Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so students needing financial assistance are encouraged to apply. To apply for a Foundation scholarship visit, www.laguardia.edu/Scholarships/.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements for Federal Aid (Title IV)*

Federal regulations stipulate that a student at LaGuardia Community College may remain eligible to receive Title IV assistance upon:

Minimum GPA - achieve at least a “C” average, or its equivalent according to the College’s retention policy, and by accumulating credits toward the degree.

Pace of Progression - A student’s earned credits are equal to or greater than two-thirds of the credits the student has attempted at the institution.

Maximum Time Frame - The credits a student has attempted are not more than 150% of the credits normally required for completion of the degree.

SAP Appeals - Students not meeting the above criteria may request a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal through the Financial Aid SAP Committee.

An appeal must be based upon mitigating circumstances resulting from events such as personal illness or injury, illness or death of a family member, loss of employment, or changes in the academic program. The student’s appeal must include: a) the reasons why the student failed to make SAP and b) what has changed in his or her situation that will allow the student to demonstrate SAP at the next evaluation. The appeal may be granted if the school:

  • Determines that the student will be able to meet the appropriate SAP standard by the end of the next payment period (semester); OR 

  • Develops an academic plan for the student that, if followed, will ensure that the student will either be able to meet the appropriate SAP standard by a specific point in time or achieve completion of his or her academic program.

The decision of the Appeal Committee is final.

Remedial Courses (Special Value):

Since remedial courses and the remedial component of developmental and compensatory courses do not carry degree credit, the non-credit component of these courses is not included in the total cumulative attempted credits or accumulated credits for determining pace of progression. There is a limit for these courses: Title IV programs will not pay for any additional “special value” courses. For example, if you register for Basic Writing 099 and Math 095, those two courses count for a total of 10.0 “special value” tuition units.

If those units are used in calculating your Title IV award for the semester, you will have 20.0 “special value” tuition units remaining in your account. If, however, you register for other, “non-special value” courses, which make you full-time without using the “special value” tuition units, you would still have 30 “special value” tuition units in your account.

Once you have used up your 30 “special value” tuition units, you can only receive Title IV money for “non-special value” courses. Any future awards will be based on the credit values of regular credit courses only. It is therefore to your advantage to try to take “special value” courses along with regular courses, if you have met the prerequisites.

Although ESL courses are listed as “special value” courses, those courses do not count toward the Title IV maximum.