Grants and Loans
SUNY Schenectady is proud to offer our students a variety of Grant, Scholarships, and Loans to help pay for their education. On this page you can learn what federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs are available.
Federal, State, and Institutional Grants and Scholarships
PELL grant is a federal grant program that does not need to be repaid. It is based off of economic need and eligibility is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Amount of award: Up to $6,095 for the 2018-2019 year
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time or Part-Time depending on eligibility
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: Actual amount is based off of number of enrolled credits
FSEOG is a federal grant program that does not need to be repaid. It is based off of economic need and eligibility is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Amount of award: Up to $1,000
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time or Part-Time
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: Funding is limited and is given to early applicants
TAP is a New York State grant for New York State residents who are enrolled full-time or part-time and it does not have to be repaid. Students must complete both the FAFSA and the TAP applications in order to apply for this program.
Amount of award: Up to the cost of tuition
Enrollment Requirement: Six credits or more
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: Students registered with the ADA office do not need to be full-time.
APTS is a grant for eligible New York State residents who are enrolled part-time and does not have to be repaid. Funding is limited so students are encouraged to apply early.
Amount of award: Cost of Tuition up to $1000 per semester
Enrollment Requirement: Part-Time (3-11 credits)
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: Funding is limited for this program
The Excelsior Scholarship provides assistance to eligible New York State residents who attend a New York public college or university (SUNY and CUNY schools). Applications must be submitted by the deadline. See the eligibility requirements below.
Amount of award: Up to the cost of tuition after other grants & scholarships
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time (12 credits or more)
Eligible programs: Associate programs
Other: Must apply for FAFSA and TAP first
Excelsior Eligibility Requirements Apply for Excelsior Online
The PTS provides assistance to New York State Residents who attend a SUNY Community College. Funding may be limited so students are encouraged to apply early.
Amount of award: Up to $1,500 per semester not to exceed tuition
Enrollment Requirement: Part Time (6-11 credits)
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: None
SUNY ASAP provides students with the support they need to finish their degrees on time at the two-year level. The supports include tuition and fee assistance to close gaps after financial aid, travel and textbook expenses, comprehensive personalized advisement services, academic support assistance, and career development activities. Any SUNY student who receives 1$ in Pell is eligible for ASAP.
Amount of award: Award amount is determined by SUNY
Enrollment requirement: Full-time in an Associate’s degree program
Eligible programs: Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences A.A., including any
concentration
Business Administration A.S./A.A.S.
Mathematics and/or Science A.S.
Programming for Game Design A.S.
Aviation Science – Pilot Option and Non-Pilot A.S.
Computer Science A.S.
Teacher Education Transfer A.S.
Performing Arts: Music A.S.
Criminal Justice A.S./A.A.S.
Human Services A.S./A.A.S.
Early Childhood A.A.
Other: Be Pell eligible and receive $1 of Pell aid at point of enrollment (students
in the process of completing financial aid may be conditionally accepted into the
program)
EOP is a college access program which provides academic support and modest financial assistance to eligible New York State residents. Eligible students must be both academically underprepared and economically disadvantaged.
Amount of award: Annual award is determined by the EOP Office
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time
Eligible programs:Associate and Certificate programs
Other: Program is available for first-time students (those that have never attended
college before).
FWS is an opportunity for eligible students to earn additional financial aid by working for the college or with one of our community partners. Students generally work 10-15 hours per week.
Amount of award: Need based award up to Cost of Attendance
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time or Part-Time
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: Must submit FAFSA
TRIO Student Support Services is a federal grant program providing a variety of academic support for students who are first generation, income qualified and/or have a disability. Modest grant aid is available to financially eligible TRIO students through an application process.
Amount of award: Annual award is determined by the TRIO Office
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time or Part-Time
Eligible programs: Associate and Certificate programs
Other: Must submit FAFSA
The Foundation Scholarship Program is available only to SUNY Schenectady students and provides financial assistance to help fund their education. Scholarships do not need to be paid back, and can supplement existing financial aid to assist with education-related costs. Students must be enrolled at SUNY Schenectady to receive their scholarship money.
Amount of award: $250 to $5,000
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time or Part-Time
Eligible Programs: Associate and Certificate programs
Other: Must submit FAFSA
The Student Emergency Fund grants confidential emergency financial assistance to students who are facing unusual and severe financial strain due to a sudden, unforeseen crisis outside of their control that would result in an inability to attend classes or continue with their education.
Amount of award: Up to $500 once per academic year
Enrollment requirements: Full-time or Part-time
Program requirement: Associate or Certificate program
Other: None
Federal Student Loan Programs
Stafford Loans are federal student loans that must be repaid with interest. Students are encouraged to apply for as many grants and scholarships as possible before taking on student loan debt. Students must complete FAFSA to be considered for a federal student loan.
Amount of award: $5,500 to $10,500 depending on eligibility
Enrollment requirements: 6 credits or more
Program Requirement: Associate or Certificate program
Other: Complete Student Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note
PLUS Loans are federal loans that a parent can borrow to help pay for their student’s educational costs. PLUS loans must be repaid with interest. Families are encouraged to apply for as many grants and scholarships as possible before taking on student loan debt. Students must complete FAFSA to be considered for a federal student loan.
Amount of award: Up to Cost of Attendance
Enrollment requirements: 6 credits or more
Program Requirement: Associate or Certificate program
Other: Must complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note
Eligibility Requirements Download Application
The Master Promissory Note is the borrower’s promise to repay their student loan. The Student Loan Entrance Counseling reviews the borrower’s rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Both are done online at https://studentaid.gov.
Other New York State Grant and Scholarship Programs
FYCSI provides financial assistance to any student who is currently a New York State resident, and spent time in foster care at any time after their 13th birthday, or is an eligible orphan.
Amount of award: Award amount is determined by SUNY.
Enrollment requirement: Full-time or Part-time
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate programs
Other: Must complete the Office of Children and Family Service (OCSF) Consent Form.
FYCSI Eligibility Requirements OCSF Consent Form
Return the consent form to the Financial Aid Office.
This program provides scholarship assistance to outstanding NYS high school graduates who plan to attend a college in NYS, and whose scores on certain Regents exams exemplify outstanding performance. Students should work with their guidance counselors to apply for this scholarship.
Amount of award: $500-$1,500
Enrollment Requirement: Full-Time
Eligible programs: Associate or Certificate program
Other: Must apply for FAFSA and TAP
NYS SAE Eligibility Requirements Apply with High School Guidance Counselor
The NYS STEM program provides tuition awards to NYS residents attending College in NYS, who are in the top 10% of their graduating high school class.
Amount of award: Up to cost of tuition
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time
Program Requirement: List of eligible programs (see below)
Other: Must apply for FAFSA and TAP
Eligibility Requirements Apply Online
NYS STEM Eligible Programs
Biological Technician (A.A.S.)
Biotechnology (A.S.)
Computer Information Systems (A.A.S.)
Computer Networking Systems & Cybersecurity (A.A.S.)
Computer Science (A.S.)
Math & Science: Nanoscale Science Concentration (A.S.)
Nanoscale Materials Technology (A.A.S.)
Programming for Game Development (A.S.)
Science (A.S.)
Science: Biology Concentration (A.S.)
VTA is an award that provides tuition assistance to Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible combat veterans, and does not need to be repaid. Applications must be submitted by the deadline.
Amount of award: Up to cost of tuition
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Requirement: Associate or Certificate program
Other: Must apply for FAFSA and TAP first
The NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program grants awards for child welfare workers employed at voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agencies licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Amount of award: Up to the full cost of attendance
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Requirement: Associate or Certificate program
Other: None
The NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program is offered to encourage students to pursue careers as math and science teachers in secondary education (grades 7-12). Awards are made to students attending school at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree level in exchange for five years of full-time employment as math or science teachers in secondary education in NYS.
Amount of award: Up to cost of tuition
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time
Program Requirement: Associate program
Other: Must apply for FAFSA first
The NYS Aid to Native Americans award is for members enrolled in a New York State tribe or the child of an enrolled member.
Amount of award: Up to $2,000 per year
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Requirement: Associate program
Other: None
The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is for members of AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or FEMA Corps who have successfully completed their term of service in accordance with their member contract.
Amount of award: Up to maximum value of the Pell Grant
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Requirement: Associates or Certificate program
Other: Award can be used to pay current year tuition and fees or to repay a qualified
student loan.
Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS) provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or state organized militia who, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, while New York State residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities.
Amount of award: Up to maximum value of the Pell Grant
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time
Program Requirement: Associate or Certificate program
Other: Must apply for FAFSA and TAP first
Students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, died, suffered a 40% or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war are eligible to apply.
Amount of award: $450 per year
Enrollment requirements: Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Requirement: Associate program
Other: Must apply for FAFSA and TAP first
NYS offers a variety of memorial scholarships aimed at providing assistance to NYS residents who experienced specific tragedies in NYS. Please follow the following links to learn more about the different memorial scholarships available.
World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship
Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship