The Pell Grant Program is the largest federal government undergraduate Title IV grant program. Pell Grant awards do not have an employment requirement nor do they have to be repaid. Pell Grant is applied for through the filing of a FAFSA application. The maximum award for the 2001-2002 Academic Year is $1875 per semester (for 2002-2003 year it will be $2000). Actual awards are dependent upon FAFSA need analysis results and student enrollment status. Pell Grants may be applied to direct and indirect educational costs (e.g. tuition and clothing, respectively). To be eligible, students must enroll in a matriculated course of study and register for at least one credit. Pell Grants form the backbone of many students' financial aid package. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education at: http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FYE/

SEOG Grant is a federal Title IV financial aid that belongs to the family of aid programs called Campus-based Aid. SEOG Grants are for undergraduate students with exceptional need. To be eligible, students must enroll in a matriculated course of study and register for at least at least six credits. Priority is given to students who qualify for maximum Pell Grants. Like the Pell Grant, SEOG is applied for through a FAFSA application. SEOG has no employment obligation, does not have to be repaid and can be used to pay direct and indirect educational costs. SEOG Grant funds are limited and are awarded to students on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, the earliest applications have the best possibility of receiving SEOG Grants. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education at: http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FYE/

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a campus-based federal Title IV financial aid that comes in the form of employment. FWS is applied for through the FAFSA application. To be eligible, students must enroll in a matriculated course of study and register for at least six credits. Students receive FWS funds according to the number of hours worked. The rate of pay is at least minimum wage. Students are encouraged to choose job placements with an eye towards community service and/or future vocational interests. FWS funds are limited and are awarded to students on a first come, first serve basis. The earliest applications have the best possibility of receiving FWS funds. The maximum FWS award at CUNY is $1800 ($2000 for graduate students). For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education at: http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FYE/

Perkins Loan is a federal Title IV campus-based low interest loan (5%). Funds received must be repaid to Lehman College. Perkins Loans are applied for through the FAFSA application. Eligible students must enroll in a matriculated course of study, register for at least six credits and have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0 . Perkins loans can be applied to direct and indirect educational costs (e.g. tuition and clothing, respectively). The Perkins Loan Program has loan cancellation provisions that encourage employment service in specific vocations. Perkins Loan funds are limited and are awarded to students on first come first serve basis. The earliest applications have the best possibility of receiving Perkins Loan. The maximum Perkins Loan award at CUNY is $2000 ($3500 for graduate students). For more information, visit the Student Financial Services site at: http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/business/html/student-services.htm

Federal Direct Loans are relatively low interest loans funded through the federal Title IV legislation. The repayment interest rate is determined according to the federal Prime Lending rate in effect at the time that the borrower drops below six credits. Direct Loan eligibility is determined through the filing of a FAFSA application. However, a separate Lehman College Direct Loan application must also be filed. Eligible students must enroll in a matriculated course of study, register for at least six credits and have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0 . Direct loans can be applied to direct and indirect educational costs (e.g. tuition and clothing, respectively). Like Perkins Loans, Direct Loans have employment related loan cancellation provisions. Subsidized Direct Loans range from $200-$5500 for undergraduate students, up to $8500 for graduate students. Cost of Education, Expected Family Contribution and Class year determine actual Direct Loan awards. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education FDL site at: http://www.dlssonline.com/index.asp. Click the following link in order to obtain an FDL application and filing information/ instructions : http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/financialaid/index.html then select Printable Forms.

TAP is a New York State funded tuition assistance grant. TAP is applied for through filing of a FAFSA and a CUNY TAP/APTS Application. In order to receive a TAP award, economically eligible students must be residents of New York State, have appropriate citizenship status, be matriculated at a New York state college or university and be enrolled full-time, that is, enrolled for at least 12 credits or equated credits that meet the requirements of your major. Click here for more information: http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/registrar/tapnotice.html

In addition, TAP recipients are required to maintain satisfactory academic standards. For more information, visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation at: http://www.hesc.com/program.html.

CUSTA is a New York State funded campus-based tuition assistance grant. Like TAP, recipients are required to maintain satisfactory academic standards. CUSTA eligibility criteria are the same as those used by the New York State TAP program with the following additions. Recipients must:

1) Be a CUNY student,

2) Have received at least 4 TAP awards,

3) Be eligible to receive the maximum TAP award,

4) Be full time.

CUSTA is applied for through the filing of a FAFSA and a CUNY TAP/APTS Application. CUSTA funds are limited and are awarded to students on first come first serve basis. Therefore, the earliest applications have the best possibility of receiving CUSTA. CUSTA awards are $75 per semester.

APTS is a New York State funded campus-based tuition grant assistance for part-time students. APTS is applied for through the filing of a FAFSA and a CUNY TAP/APTS Application. Eligibility criteria for APTS parallels the eligibility criteria used by the TAP Program. APTS recipients must enroll for at least six but less than twelve credits. Awards range from $20- $45 per credit. For more information visit: http://www.hesc.com/program.html

SEEK is a New York State funded academic support program of CUNY. SEEK's mission is to strengthen and encourage the academic development of the "educationally and economically disadvantage students" of CUNY. SEEK offers program participants counseling, specialized academic courses, tutoring and limited financial aid. Students request consideration for admission in to the SEEK Program by answering appropriate questions on the CUNY Freshman Admissions Application. Certification of eligibility for program participation is done during the immediate months prior to the first semester of a student's college attendance. Continuation of eligibility for receipt of SEEK financial aid, however, is determined annually, through the submission of a FAFSA application.

Lehman College offers Academic Achievement Scholarship Awards to entering students with outstanding records of scholastic accomplishment. Freshmen do not need to file a separate application. Prior to admission, all entering freshmen are evaluated as potential scholarship recipients. However, transfer students must submit an application. Further information as well as applications may be obtained by contacting Scott Danes, Director of Scholarships and Awards at 718-960-8156 (Room 205, Shuster Hall).

New York City high school graduates, with at least a "B" average in college preparatory courses (minimum of 12 such courses needed) and who enroll at a college of the City University of New York within a year of their graduation, are eligible for a New York City Council Academic Scholarship Award. Eligible students are automatically notified of their awards, no application is required. However, students who feel that they may have been overlooked may contact their CUNY Admissions Office for a review of their academic eligibility. Scholarship Awards are $750 per semester. New York City Council Academic Scholarship Awards are renewable for 4 years and require maintenance of at least a "B" (3.0 semester GPA).

The HOPE Scholarship tax credit attempts to make the first two years of college more affordable. Students receive a 100% tax credit for the first $1,000 paid for tuition and fees minus grants, scholarships, and other tax-free educational assistance. This credit is phased out for joint filers who have an adjusted gross income between $80,000 and $100,000, and for single filers who have an adjusted gross income between $40,000 and $50,000. Students who are in their first two years of college and enrolled on at least a half-time basis in a degree or certificate program can claim the credit for two years. The taxpayer can claim a credit for his own, his or her spouse's or dependent children's tuition expenses. For more information go to: http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2000/GrevHopeCC111698.html

College juniors, seniors and graduate school students, as well as adults, who go back to school to change careers or upgrade their job skills, can utilize this tax credit. A family can receive a 20% tax credit for the first $5,000 of tuition and required fees minus grants, scholarships, and other tax-free educational assistance each year through 2002. It rises to 20% of $10,000 after year 2002. The maximum credit is determined on a per-family basis, regardless of the number of post-secondary students in the family. It is phased out for joint filers who have between $80,000 and $100,000 of adjusted gross income, and for single filers who have between $40,000 and $50,000 of adjusted gross income. The taxpayer can claim a credit for his own, his or her spouse's or dependent children's tuition expenses. It is possible, because of the class year of family various members, for a family to receive both Lifetime Learning and HOPE Scholarship tax credits the same year. For more information visit: http://www.irs.gov/hot/not97-602.html

The CUNYCAP Program offers its participants 6 credits of CUNY graduate tuition assistance per semester plus 600 hours of work per academic year (at $10.00 per hour). CUNYCAP participants can choose placements from a variety of college and high school settings. Students, who fail to complete the minimum work obligation of 15 hours per week or 225-hour minimum per semester, have their tuition waivers cancelled and become responsible for the full amount of tuition. Any student, who has received a bachelor's degree from a CUNY college and is enrolled in or accepted into a CUNY graduate program of study, is eligible for participation in the Program. Students who attend non-CUNY graduate schools may participate in the program, but they are not eligible for tuition reimbursement. For information regarding CUNYCAP, contact Dean Maria Herencia at 718-960-8156 for further information.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation administer a variety of financial educational programs for veterans, reservists, National Guard persons, and their widows and orphans. For information regarding federal veterans educational benefits call 1-888-442-4551 or visit: http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Information regarding the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation family of veterans educational benefits can be obtained by calling 1-888-697-4372 or by visiting: http://www.hesc.com/program.html

Lehman College's Veterans Advisor, Scott Danes, is located is Shuster Hall room 205 (718-960-8156).

The National Institutes of Health MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training Awards are designed to increase the number of well-prepared minority students who can successfully compete for entry into doctoral biomedical research programs. Student assistance is in the form of tuition, fees and stipend. For further information please contact Professor Joseph Rachlin in Shuster Hall, room 302 (718-960-8764) or visit: http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdev/colopporte.html

The New York State Education Department offers scholarships to New York State residents who are enrolled members of a New York State Native American tribe. Awards range up to $1,750 per year for full-time study (or $75 per credit part-time) and are, depending on the program, renewable. For more information NY State Native American Scholarship Aid visit: http://www.hesc.com/aid.html.

Federal government Native American scholarship assistance is offered through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant Program. Awardees must:

1) Be a member of, or a one-quarter degree blood descendent of a current member of a tribe registered with the Bureau of Indian Affairs American Indian,

2) Be accepted for admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education which provides a course of study conferring the Associate of Arts or Bachelor's degree and have

3) Demonstrated financial need as determined by a college financial aid officer.

For more information regarding the Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant Program visit: http://www.oiep.bia.edu/

Formerly known as VISTA , Americorps is a national network of hundreds of local community service programs. Americorps' purpose is to encourage American citizens to volunteer their time and energy towards solving continuing and/or emerging challenges to their local communities in the areas of education, public safety, human needs, and the environment. Americorps participants promise to volunteer one year of community service. In return, they receive a modest living allowance. Volunteers, at the end of their service, are eligible to receive an education award of $4725. Part-time participants are eligible to receive a partial award. This award can be used to help pay for a variety of college expenses such as tuition, fees. It can also be used to repay outstanding student loan balances. For more information regarding Americorps visiting the following web site: http://www.cns.gov

Lehman Students can consult their departmental and/or program advisors for information on scholarships specific to their field of study. Timely scholarship information can be found on the bulletin boards for the Office of Testing, Scholarships and Awards (Shuster Hall, Room 205; 718- 960-8156). The following offices can also be consulted:

In addition, Lehman College routinely reviews its incoming and continuing students with regards to eligibility for a number of Lehman scholarships and grants. Consideration for these scholarships and grants does not require an application. Awardees are individually contacted.

Many public and private organizations award scholarship money. Take some time to research the available financial aid resources and request all applications as soon as possible. Remember, some aid is packaged on a first-come, first-served basis. High school college advisors and local libraries are also good sources of scholarship information. Before you begin your search for additional scholarships, heed a word of caution. Many organizations will, for a fee, promise to simplify and speed up your scholarship search by doing the search for you. Some of these organizations are legitimate and honest. However, some of these organizations are not. Beware of any scholarship search organization that guarantees scholarship money. For more information regarding scholarship search scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index.html

The Internet is an excellent source of information on all types of student financial aid. FastWeb, the Internet's largest financial aid search engine, is located at: http://www.fastweb.com

Other informative Internet financial aid websites and/or search engines are the following:

US News and World Report: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm

Wiredscholar: http://www.wiredscholar.com/paying/content/index.jsp

Financial Aid Resource Center at: http://www.theoldschool.org/

BlackExcel at: http://www.BlackExcel.org/link4.htm (visit regardless of your ethnicity)

Collegiate Funding at: http://www.collegiatefunding.com

Peterson's: http://petersons.com/

AtCollege at: http://12.47.197.196/atcollege/

FastAid: http://www.fastaid.com/

CollegeNet: http://www.collegenet.com/