Financing Your Education

Office of Financial Aid
308 West Quad Center
Brooklyn College
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
P: 718.951.5051
F: 718.951.4778
E: finaid@brooklyn.cuny.edu

The Office of Financial Aid assists eligible students with obtaining federal and state student financial aid. These financial aid programs are used to help students meet expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and other costs related to higher education. The Office of Financial Aid is here to assist and educate students in understanding their eligibility and in navigating the student aid process.

The types of financial aid for graduate study administered by the Office of Financial Aid are:

• Federal Work-Study

• Federal Direct unsubsidized loans

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

• Private alternative educational loans

A Note About Scholarships

The Scholarships Office administers Brooklyn College–specific scholarship programs. More information about this type of aid can be found below under the “Types of Aid” section. For information regarding the Brooklyn College scholarship application and opportunities, contact the Office of Scholarships, 718.951.4796.

Establishing Eligibility—Applying for Aid

Eligibility for federal student financial aid is determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be filed as soon as a student plans to attend Brooklyn College. Students do not need to wait to be admitted to file the FAFSA. Certain federal financial aid programs have a limited allocation from the federal government, so students are encouraged to file early to improve the possibility of being considered for federal supplemental financial assistance. To receive federal or state student financial aid, students must meet and maintain academic, state, and federal eligibility requirements and academic progress standards.

How to Apply

The FAFSA is filed electronically through the Federal Student Aid Portal. Additional information regarding application procedures, eligibility requirements, and rights and responsibilities of recipients may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid website.

Information resources

Detailed information on various student financial aid programs and how to apply is available on the Financial Aid webpage.

International Students

International students should contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, 718.951.4477.

Financial Aid Services and Locations

Enrollment Services Center (ESC), Lobby, West Quad Center

The ESC is a point of in-person financial aid general inquiries and certain documents that cannot be submitted electronically. Check the ESC website for updates.

Virtual Financial Aid Office

The Office of Financial Aid also operates a Virtual Financial Aid Office through Zoom to assist students with general inquiries. Check the website for hours and instructions for how to access the Virtual Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Advisement Services 217-218 West Quad Center

Financial aid advisement is available by appointment only. Advisement services are reserved for special circumstance counseling and financial aid planning. All general inquiries, troubleshooting your CUNYfirst financial aid record, and questions about the financial aid process should be referred to the ESC or Virtual Office.

Available financial aid advisement service options are:

• financial aid planning for each year;

• students with special circumstances for federal aid;

• students with questions about the effect of withdrawing from courses on their financial aid eligibility; and

• students who are not meeting SAP and need additional

  assistance with the appeal process.

Only graduate students enrolled in the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema or students who are U.S. veterans have an assigned financial aid adviser.

To schedule an appointment with a financial aid adviser:

1. Log in to the Navigate Student mobile app or desktop using your CUNY login (Firstname.Lastname + last two digits of your EMPLI ID). (The first time that you log in, you will be prompted to fill out a questionnaire.)

2. Go to “Schedule an Appointment.”

3. In the app, tap “Appointments” and then “Schedule an Appointment.” In the desktop version, just click “Schedule an Appointment.”

4. Select your appointment type (Financial Services and Financial Aid).

5. Select the type of service that best reflects the service you are seeking.

6. Choose from the available days and times and schedule/confirm your appointment.

Additional instructions are available in the Brooklyn College Navigate Appointment Scheduling Guide.

NOTE: Feirstein School of Cinema students should contact their assigned financial aid adviser directly to schedule an appointment.

FAFSA and TAP Workshops

The Student Financial Services office provides financial aid filing workshops to assist students and families in applying for federal and state financial aid programs.

Additional Financial Aid Resources Available Online

The Office of Financial Aid offers the following online resources to assist students 24/7:

• Financial Aid TV (FATV)—Financial aid videos provide answers to questions 24/7.

• Financial Literacy Counseling Center—Self-paced video sessions to help students learn about managing finances, credit, and more.

• Dynamic Forms—Most forms at the Office of Financial Aid are electronic and can be submitted online through the Dynamic Forms platform. This allows students to submit documents 24/7 and without having to visit the campus.

Cost of Attendance

The following cost estimates of the current academic year may help students determine how much assistance they may need. These cost estimates are based on the following assumptions that the student:

• is enrolled for full-time study (12 credits) per term, and

• is enrolled for nine months, which is the period of time for the fall and spring semesters combined (two terms).

Note that a student’s cost of attendance budget can increase or decrease based on enrollment status and other individual circumstances.

Students living with parents

Students living away from parents

Adjustments to a student’s cost of attendance budget can be considered by the Office of Financial Aid on a case-by-case basis. Additional information is available on the Office of Financial Aid webpage.

Establishing Eligibility and FAFSA Verification

The U.S. Department of Education selects a certain percentage of FAFSA forms for review. This is called FAFSA Verification. If your FAFSA record is selected for verification, or you need to submit other documentation to confirm your eligibility for federal student financial aid, you will see this information in the comments section of your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). You will also see a “Verify My FAFSA” To Do List item in your CUNYfirst Student Center. Log in to CUNYfirst and follow the instructions to submit the necessary documents to complete the process. No federal financial aid will be disbursed until your FAFSA verification has been completed. Sometimes aid eligibility will change as a result of the FAFSA verification process, so the estimated aid on your financial aid package is not final until FAFSA Verification is completed.

Types of Aid

• Federal/State Grant: money awarded by the federal or state government that you do not need to pay back.

• Loan: money you borrow now and pay back later with interest.

• Work-Study: money you earn by working at an approved Brooklyn College or CUNY work-study job site. Scholarship: a type of grant awarded by the college or university or third party based on merit and/or financial need.

Federal Grants/Work-Study

Federal TEACH Grant Program

The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant is offered only to students who are matriculated in a TEACH Grant eligible program. To be considered for this federal student financial aid program, you must:

• meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs,

• complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form,

• be enrolled as an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program,

• be enrolled in a TEACH Grant–eligible program,

• meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on one or more portions of a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25),

• receive TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation, and

• sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

Students not yet admitted into an approved degree program do not qualify for the TEACH grant.

The TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve explains the terms and conditions for receiving a TEACH Grant:

• You must serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight years after you complete or otherwise cease to be enrolled in the program(s) for which you received TEACH Grant funds.

• You must perform the teaching service as a highly qualified teacher at a low-income school or educational service agency.

• Your teaching service must be in a high-need field.

• You must provide ED with documentation of your progress toward completing your service obligation.

• If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

More information about the TEACH grant is available on the Federal Student Aid webpage. For information about eligible programs, contact the Brooklyn College School of Education.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial aid program that allows eligible students to earn an hourly wage for work performed at approved sites at the college or at public or other nonprofit agencies. Students may work up to 20 hours per week while maintaining enrollment for a minimum of six credits in their division of matriculation.

To utilize Federal Work-Study, students must first file a FAFSA, be packaged with and accept the FWS offer on their CUNYfirst financial aid package.

Federal Work-Study is a limited financial aid program. As a result, not all students who meet the income and eligibility requirements will receive an offer. Therefore, students who do not accept their Federal Work-Study offer will have the offer cancelled so that other eligible students can be considered for the program. Students without a Federal-Work Study offer who are interested in the FWS program should meet with a financial aid adviser for financial aid planning.

In addition to accepting the FWS offer, students must complete the work-study placement process and hiring. This process requires students to submit the following documents through the Dynamic Forms platform that are required for the hiring process. The forms and systems used to participate in the FWS program are outlined in the Federal Work-Study Student Process Guide.

Students can begin working only once they and their supervisor have been hired by a supervisor and receive the “hire approval” email from the Office of Financial Aid.

Timesheets are completed and submitted bi-weekly in the Timesheet/X system. Students should coordinate with their supervisor to ensure timesheets are submitted prior to the deadline to avoid delay in payment. Due to technical reasons, timesheets that are received after the deadline will be processed on the subsequent pay cycle.

Students may not continue work under the following situations:

• When the allocation of their FWS offer runs out

• At the same time when their classes are scheduled

• If they cease enrollment

• After the semester ends (for eight-week programs when the eight-week program ends)

• If there are reductions in their financial need/cost of attendance.

More information on this program is available through the Federal Work-Study FAQ.

Federal Direct Student Loans

Unlike grants or Work-Study, loans are a type of financial aid that you must pay back with interest. Interest rates for federal direct loans are determined annually and are fixed for the lifetime of the loan. Repayment typically begins six months after your studies have been completed, or if you fail to be enrolled for at least six credits. The amount of the loan you decide to borrow should be determined only after all available grant-aid has been applied for. Federal loans are available only to matriculated students who are enrolled for a minimum of six credits. Federal Direct Loans may be forgiven after a period of time if the student is employed in a public service position after graduation. For more information about Federal Direct Loans, visit the Federal Student Aid Portal.

William D. Ford Direct Loan Program

Federal Direct Loan programs consist of interest-bearing loans and are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Each loan carries a small origination fee, which is deducted from the loan at the time of disbursement. Details about current-year interest rates and fees are available on the Federal Student Aid website.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

Subsidized loan eligibility is based upon financial need as determined when you file your FAFSA. The interest is subsidized (paid) by the federal government until you complete your degree or if you enroll less than half-time (six credits). The loan interest rate can vary from year to year as determined annually by Congress; however, the interest rate for a specific year is fixed for the lifetime of the loan.

There are annual and lifetime borrowing limits for the subsidized loan. A complete outline of the borrowing limits is available on the Federal Student Aid Portal and in the chart below.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed. Therefore, unlike the subsidized loan, the unsubsidized loan builds interest while the student is enrolled. To keep interest from accumulating, students can make interest payments while they are enrolled. The loan interest rate can vary from year to year as determined annually by Congress; however, the interest rate for a specific year is fixed for the lifetime of the loan. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid Portal.

There are annual and lifetime borrowing limits for the subsidized loan. A complete outline of the borrowing limits is available on the Federal Student Aid Portal and in the chart below.

How much can I borrow?

The annual borrowing maximums for the subsidized and unsubsidized loans are subject to the student’s dependency status as determined when filing the FAFSA and to reduction if the loan amount and all other aid received within the aid year exceed the cost of attendance. The numbers in the chart below represent only the maximum amounts that federal government permits to be awarded, not what may actually be packaged following a loan request. The reason for this is that, for the subsidized loan, both financial need and other aid need to be compared to the cost of attendance. For the unsubsidized loan, financial need is not a factor, but the total amount of aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance and a loan amount may need to be reduced to ensure that total aid awarded does not exceed the cost of attendance. For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Aggregate Graduate Loan limit

The aggregate or lifetime limit for graduate and professional student borrowing is $138,500 (no more than $65,500 of which can be subsidized), including any Federal Direct Loans received for undergraduate study.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program

Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid resources (including the unsubsidized loan) under the Graduate PLUS Program. Applicants for the Graduate PLUS Loan is required to:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Determine the amount of the unsubsidized loan for which they may be eligible

• Not have an adverse credit history as defined by the U.S. Department of Education (pass a credit check) or, if failing the credit check, appeal the credit decision successfully or have an endorser who can meet the credit requirements that signs the promissory note for the loan (see details below).

• Be matriculated in a degree-granting graduate program or a federal aid–eligible graduate advanced certificate program

• Be enrolled at least half-time (six credits)

• Still have expenses in their Cost of Attendance not already covered by other financial aid resources

There is no aggregate limit for the Graduate PLUS Loan. However, it is limited by the cost of attendance less other financial aid on the package.

Options for Students with an Adverse Credit History

Students with an adverse credit history as defined by the U.S. Department of Education will not be eligible for the Graduate PLUS Loan unless they:

1. Obtain an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Graduate PLUS Loan if the student does not repay it.

2. Appeal: Document to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances relating to the student’s adverse credit history.

With either option A or option B, students must also complete credit counseling for PLUS Loan borrowers to be eligible for a loan disbursement.

More information about the definition of adverse credit history and the appeal process is available on the Federal Student Aid website.

Origination fee. Borrowers are charged an origination fee and an insurance fee, which are deducted from the loan proceeds before disbursement. For more information, visit https://studentdaid.gov.

Private Educational Alternative Student Loans

Unlike Federal Direct Loans, this type of loan is available to nonmatriculated students, international students, students attending less than half-time, and students who have reached their federal aggregate or annual loan borrowing limits. Alternative loans are credit-based, private education loans facilitated by a nongovernmental third-party private lender. Students interested in alternative loans may borrow up to the full cost of their education minus all other aid. However, alternative loans generally carry a significantly higher interest rate because they are based upon individual credit score. These loans also do not have the benefit of the Federal Direct Loan repayment plans, public service loan forgiveness, or federal student loan consolidation options available to Federal Direct Loan borrowers.

Veterans/Dependents of Veterans Administration Educational Assistance

Information about Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits under the GI Bill and for post–Vietnam-era veterans may be obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs and from the Brooklyn College Veteran and Military Programs office, 1407 James Hall, 718.951.5105, veteransaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu. Federal veterans educational benefits are described on the Department of Veteran Affairs benefits webpage.

Graduate Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Borrowing Chart (from https://www.studentaid.ed.gov)

City of New York Programs

Graduate Tuition Waiver

Tuition waivers may be available to students in certain graduate programs if they meet the following conditions. Speak with your academic department chair to determine if graduate tuition waiver is an option available in your academic program. You may also speak with a financial aid adviser about this program.

• Full-time degree seeking students who demonstrate financial need. Waivers are not granted to nondegree students.

• Part-time graduate students may be granted waivers if they meet the financial need criteria, provided they are also taking a minimum of six credits in the semester for which a waiver is granted.

• The total tuition assistance provided, including the tuition waiver, may not exceed tuition and other fees.

• Tuition waivers granted to part-time students should not exceed 50% of tuition and other fees except in the case of unusual financial hardship.

• Residents of New York City or New York State should be given tuition waiver priority.

• Out-of-state and foreign students are eligible for awards up to the resident student tuition rate.

• The maintenance of matriculation fee paid by graduate students who are not registered for any course or research credit may not be waived.

Graduate Assistantships

A small number of graduate assistantships are available primarily in departments awarding M.F.A. degrees, awarded to graduate students on the basis of academic qualifications. The duties of graduate assistants may include teaching, research, laboratory work, graduate program administration, and similar assignments as specified by the academic department. Students should contact their graduate deputy about such assistantships.

Fellowships

As a graduate fellow, a student teaches, does research, or engages in other related activities. Limited fellowship funds are available for master’s students. Some appointments are made possible by college funds, others by research grants from outside agencies. Inquiry should be made to the department of program study or the Office of Scholarships. There are also external fellowship opportunities for support both during the course of study and following completion of the degree or advanced certificate. Such programs include the Fulbright Scholars Program. Information on external fellowship opportunities is available in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, 2158 Boylan Hall, 718.951.5622, and the Office of Scholarships, 213 West Quad Center.

Internships

Internships are opportunities to learn valuable skills, make professional contacts, and gain real-world work experience. Increasingly, internships lead directly to employment. Brooklyn College may provide stipends to support students during their internships. Students may meet with an internship counselor to discuss appropriate internship placements. For more information, contact the Magner Career Center, 1303 James Hall, 718.951.5774, or visit the BC Knowledge portal.

CUNYCAP: A Graduate Internship Program

The City University of New York Counseling Assistantship Program (CUNYCAP) aims to provide graduate students who have CUNY undergraduate degrees with the opportunity to intern in college offices. At Brooklyn College, CUNYCAPs work in such offices as Admissions, Undergraduate Studies, Student Development, Athletics, and Student Affairs. Students work for up to 20 hours per week and receive six credits of in-state CUNY tuition remission. For an application or further information, contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, or the CUNY Central Office, 212.290.5709.

Withdrawing

Circumstances may necessitate withdrawing completely from Brooklyn College for a semester in which you have already begun attending. Withdrawing from all courses impacts your financial aid differently depending on when the withdrawal is initiated and the type of financial aid you have received. However, in all cases, if you withdraw from all your courses, your financial aid must be recalculated.

Return of Title IV funds formula

Federal financial aid (sometimes called “Title IV aid” because it is Title IV of the Higher education Act of 1965) is recalculated based on the number of days attended, using total federal aid and total institutional charges. The percentage of unearned aid to be returned is equal to the number of days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester. If you initiate an official complete withdrawal after the 60% point in the semester, you will have earned 100% of the aid you received for that semester. The date of withdrawal is counted as a completed day. Scheduled breaks of more than five consecutive days within a semester are excluded.

If a return of Title IV aid is required, Brooklyn College will return the unearned portion of Title IV financial aid to the federal programs on behalf of the student. Any return of financial aid funds made by the college on behalf of the student will be charged to the student’s account resulting in a balance that the student will need to pay to the college. Payment for these charges is due on demand. Please pay the Brooklyn College Bursar’s Office directly for these charges, not the U.S. Department of Education.

If you are one of the few students who are eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement for a loan, you will receive notification of your eligibility, which must be returned within 14 days from the date of the notice, or the offer will be rescinded. Students are strongly encouraged to ensure that the mailing address on file with Brooklyn College is always correct.

Title IV funds included under Title IV of the Higher Education Act are Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, and any other type of federal financial aid.

Note that any Pell funds disbursed as a result of a return of Title IV Funds calculation will be added toward your overall Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU).

For purposes of complete withdrawal and the Return of Title IV Funds Formula, Federal Work-Study is not considered. However, in all cases of total withdrawal, you cannot of withdrawal. Also, any students whose enrollment falls below six credits because they drop/withdraw (officially or unofficially) or stop attending classes must stop working immediately. Students are responsible for notifying their site supervisor regarding changes in class schedule/enrollment and the FWS staff at the Office of Financial Aid. If you have further questions specifically regarding FWS and the impact of withdrawing, contact the FWS staff at 718.951.5178 or .5816, or via email.

Impact on Financial Aid From Official Withdrawal

Depending upon the date of withdrawal, certain situations and recalculations of federal aid may apply:

• If the semester has not yet begun and you drop or cancel your registration, any financial aid transmitted to your account will be removed. However, failure to cancel your registration and failure to attend classes will result in the cancellation of your financial aid and you will be

  responsible for tuition and fee charges.

• If you drop all classes prior to the first day to officially withdraw (always check the academic calendar for each individual semester for these important dates) you may also be billed for tuition charges for that semester (see the bursar’s tuition liability schedule).

• If you officially withdraw before the 60% point of the semester has lapsed, the Office of Financial Aid will recalculate your Title IV aid based on the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Formula. You will be responsible for any balance due to the college for that term. In addition, depending on your college entry date, there is a possibility that you may not qualify for federal aid or state aid in future semesters. See Satisfactory Academic Progress, below.

• If you officially withdraw after the 60% point of the semester, you will not be required to return any Title IV aid you received for the semester up to the point of withdrawal. Note that any disbursed Pell funds will be added toward your overall Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU) and any federal direct loan funds used will apply toward your annual and lifetime aggregate limits.

• Federal Direct Loans will be subject to a Return of Title IV Funds calculation for the current semester. However, if funds have not yet been disbursed for the current and future semesters within the same academic year, the college will cancel your loan. Also, if your enrollment status drops to less than half-time (six credits), your loan will be cancelled.

• If you have an outstanding balance on a Perkins and/or Federal Direct Loan, the date on which you drop to less than half-time is the date used for the start of your grace period; you will go into repayment as soon as six months afterward. Let your lender(s) know when you drop to less than half-time.

• Each time you withdraw or drop to less than half-time, you must complete federal Exit Counseling for any of your Federal Direct Loans, which will go into repayment six

  months after you are less than half-time.

• Courses attempted prior to withdrawal from Brooklyn College will count in the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is calculated annually and is checked when you reapply for financial aid. You could be denied future aid if you do not meet the standards of SAP.

Impact on Financial Aid From Unofficial Withdrawal

If you stop attending classes and do not initiate an official withdrawal, you will incur significant financial aid penalties, including full or partial cancellation of the financial aid you received for the semester. Therefore, it is critical that you initiate an official withdrawal prior to the end of the semester and that you keep your personal information current with Brooklyn College.

• Federal Direct Loans will be subject to a Return of Title IV Funds calculation for the current semester. However, if funds have not yet been disbursed for the current and future semesters within the same academic year, your loan will be cancelled by the college. Also, if your enrollment status drops to less than half-time (six credits), your loan will be cancelled.

• Courses attempted prior to withdrawal from Brooklyn College will count in the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is calculated annually and is checked when you reapply for financial aid. You could be denied future aid if you do not meet the standards of SAP.

• If you have an outstanding balance on a Perkins and/or Federal Direct Loan, the date on which you drop to less than half-time is the date used for the start of your grace period; you will go into repayment as soon as six months afterward. Let your lender(s) know when you drop to less than half-time.

• If you withdraw or drop to less than half-time, you must complete an Exit Counseling for your Federal Direct Loan, which will go into repayment six months after you are less than half-time.

Withdrawal Never Attended

A WN grade (withdrew never attended) is given to students who never began attendance in a course. Students will be considered not to have earned federal grant aid for any course that has a WN grade. Any grant aid awarded on the basis of attending that course will be cancelled and students will be liable for the tuition.

Withdrawal Drop

A WD grade is assigned for officially dropping a course during the add/drop period but after the seventh day of the semester. If a student drops or withdraws from all classes, a Return of Federal (Title IV) Funds (R2T4) calculation will be performed.

If this calculation is required, Brooklyn College will return the unearned portion of Title IV financial aid funds to the federal program(s) on behalf of the student. Any return of financial aid funds made by the college on behalf of the student will be charged to the student’s account, resulting in a balance that the student will need to pay to the college. Payment for these charges is due on demand.

Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards for Federal (Title IV) Financial Aid

Brooklyn College students must meet the qualitative and quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education and Brooklyn College, in order to remain eligible for federal financial aid.

Federal aid programs governed by these regulations are:

• Federal TEACH Grant

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

• Federal Work-Study (FWS)

• All other Title IV aid programs

Definition of SAP

SAP is defined in three components:

• Qualitative Standard: GPA

• Quantitative Standard: Pace of Progression

• Maximum Time Frame

Qualitative Standard: GPA

Graduate students must achieve and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.00.

Quantitative Standard: Pace of Progression (credits earned versus credits attempted)

Graduate students accumulate credits toward the degree greater than or equal to two-thirds (67%) of the cumulative credits attempted at the institution

Qualitative Standard: Maximum Time Frame

Graduate students may not attempt more than 150% of the credits normally required for completion of the degree.

Determination of Cumulative Attempted Credits and Cumulative Earned Credits

Attempted credits, as defined in this section, pertain to the courses and credits that must be included to calculate pace of progression and maximum time frame. The accumulation of attempted credits usually reflects the semester course enrollment maintained in a student’s permanent record at the college and will usually reflect a student’s enrollment as of the last day to add a class (also called the Form A date). Accumulated credits should reflect credits that the student has earned toward the completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

In applying the Federal (Title IV) SAP standard, the college must address how the following types of courses, situations, and procedures may affect a student’s GPA and pace of progression:

Withdrawals

Because the last date to add a class (also called the Form A date) usually reflects a student’s course load for the term, net of program adjustments, withdrawals as part of the program adjustment period (i.e., “drops”) will not be included as cumulative attempted credits. Withdrawals that are recorded on a student’s permanent record will be included as cumulative attempted credits and will have an adverse effect on the student’s ability to meet the pace of progression standard.

Note: Retroactive “nonpunitive” administrative withdrawal activity may result in the requirement for the student to repay any assistance received as a result of the student’s enrollment at the time of receipt of the student assistance funds.

Incomplete grades

Courses with incomplete grades are included as cumulative attempted credits. However, these courses cannot be used as credits accumulated toward the degree because successful completion is the criterion for positive credit accumulation (i.e., earning the credit). If the student fails to meet the pace of progression standard due to a lack of successful completion grades for incomplete courses, the recording of successful completion grades within a term that brings the accumulated credit level to the appropriate standard will restore eligibility for the term and subsequent terms within the academic year.

Repeated courses

Successfully completed courses can generally be accepted toward degree requirements once. However, each time a student attempts a course, even if that course is part of a forgiveness or amnesty policy whereby credits attempted and grades earned in prior semesters are excluded from the GPA, it must be included as part of the cumulative attempted credit record for the measuring of pace of progression. Therefore, repeated courses, regardless of the prior grade, reduce a student’s capacity to meet the pace of progression standard.

Note: The regulations allow students to receive Title IV aid for one-time repeat of a previously passed course as long as the student is again receiving credit for the course. Should the student subsequently fail the course, any additional attempt of that course cannot be included in the student’s enrollment status for federal (Title IV) assistance. There is no regulatory limit on the number of times a student may be paid to retake a failed course, unless the student has also previously passed that course.

Transfer of credit

Transfer students from colleges inside and outside of CUNY shall have their pace of progression status initialized for purposes of Satisfactory Academic Progress measurement by using the number of credits determined to be acceptable toward the degree as both cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.

Treatment of nonstandard situations

Readmitted students

A student not making SAP cannot re-establish eligibility for Title IV program assistance by re-enrolling after a one-year or longer period of non-enrollment. Upon readmission after any period of non-enrollment, the student’s Title IV progress standing must be re-evaluated for SAP under the standard as the record stood at the end of their last term of attendance. If the student has taken any action during the period of non-enrollment that would bring him or her into compliance with the progress standard (e.g., successfully completing transferable courses at another institution during the period of absence), this should also be factored into the reassessment. If the readmitted student has not taken any such action, or if the action taken is not sufficient to bring the student back into compliance with the progress standard, the student remains on financial aid suspension and must file a successful appeal to re-establish eligibility.

Second-degree students

A student enrolling for a second baccalaureate shall have their pace of progression status initialized for purposes of Satisfactory Academic Progress measurement by using the number of credits determined to be acceptable toward the degree as both the student’s cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.

Change of specialization

Students who change specializations within the same degree or certificate program must complete the degree within the maximum time frame, unless the college has allowed for such changes by establishing various time frames for different specializations leading to the degree or by individually re-evaluating the time frame for these students.

Change of degree

If a student changes their objective and begins pursuing a different degree or certificate, the college may make the student subject to the maximum time frame it establishes for the new objective without regard to time spent pursuing the previous degree or certificate. The college also has the flexibility to develop a policy that is more restrictive and limits the student to an overall time frame for the completion of their studies.

Additional federal SAP Requirements

The following points are required by the U.S. Department of Education:

• Student records are reviewed annually each academic year after the spring semester. A student who is found to be deficient in one or more components as defined above is placed on financial aid suspension and is ineligible for any future federal financial aid immediately. A student who is ineligible has the right to appeal to reestablish eligibility if there are extenuating circumstances that contributed to the deficiency.

• First-year students must earn a minimum of a 1.50 GPA within their first 12 credits and a 1.75 by their 24th. Continuing students at 25 or more credits must earn a minimum of a 2.00 GPA.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal

The Office of Financial Aid has established an appeal process for suspension of financial aid related to satisfactory academic progress. All students failing SAP will be notified of their SAP status. Students who have failed to meet the requirements and wish to submit an appeal must complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. Any student who wishes to appeal their financial aid suspension should review the instructions and submit the SAP Appeal Dynamic Form.

Appeals are considered only for extenuating situations that can be documented. All appeal submission must include adequate supporting documentation. Students who appeal will be considered for the following reasons:

• serious physical or mental illness of the student,

• serious physical or mental illness of a member of the student’s immediate family,

• death of a member of the student’s immediate family, or

• other documentable extreme circumstances.

The circumstance must have occurred during the time the student struggled academically. All appeals must have documentation of the circumstances claimed in the appeal. Approved appeals can result in no more than one term of financial aid eligibility. Students whose appeals are approved are granted one term of financial aid probation. For continued eligibility, students must resolve all SAP deficiencies and/or meet the terms of their academic plan during the period of probation. Students who cannot mathematically resolve all deficiencies within one term and/or who fail to meet the terms of their academic plan will once again become ineligible for federal financial aid.

There is no limit to the number of times a student may follow the financial aid appeals procedure. Although a student may file only one appeal per payment period (semester), additional appeals to extend financial aid probation to subsequent semesters must vary in nature from the originally appealed and approved appeal reason, or show cause as to how it may still remain relevant.

As in the original appeal, the student would indicate the mitigating circumstances, the reasons why SAP was not achieved, and what has ensured or will ensure that the student will be able to meet SAP at the next evaluation via an academic plan.

Re-establishing eligibility

Other than having eligibility restored through filing a successful appeal, a student on financial aid suspension may regain eligibility by taking action that brings the student into compliance with the appropriate progress standard. The mere passage of time is insufficient to restore federal student aid (Title IV) eligibility to a student who has lost eligibility due to not meeting the SAP standard. Therefore, students may not re-establish eligibility solely by leaving the college for at least one year because this action, by itself, would not bring the student into compliance for federal SAP.

Students who choose to remain enrolled without receiving federal student financial aid may request a review of their academic record after any term in which they were on financial aid suspension to determine if they were able to reattain appropriate standard.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Federal regulations require higher educational institutions to report certain information about students who enrolled in federal student financial aid–eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs). This does not apply to regular degree-granting programs, but rather to certificates or vocational programs. Those regulations also provide that institutions must disclose to prospective students certain information about the institution’s GE programs. Brooklyn College participates in graduate certificate programs only, which fall under the GE disclosure requirements. The Official of Financial Aid website has additional program disclosure information.

Financial Aid Appeals

The following financial aid appeals are available at Brooklyn College:

• Federal Special Circumstances—This includes students/ families who have had a significant change in income/economic circumstances and/or expenses not accounted for when the FAFSA was filed.

• Federal SAP Appeal—Appealing to reestablish aid eligibility after being placed on financial aid suspension due to failing to meet academic progress standards (see above).

• Unusual Enrollment History (UEH) Appeal—Students who are determined to have an unusual enrollment history based on their academic transcripts may appeal the decision if their eligibility is denied after their transcripts have been reviewed by a financial aid adviser.

More information about these appeals and the appeals process is available on the Financial Aid Office Appeals webpage.