Terms & Conditions
- Financial aid eligibility is determined annually based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be filed prior to March 1st each year.
- Financial aid recipients must be matriculated and making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please review our SAP policy.
- Financial aid eligibility is initially calculated based on full-time enrollment, defined as 12 or more credits per semester. Students who plan to enroll for less than 12 credits per semester must complete and submit a Part-Time Enrollment Form.
- Students selected for verification must submit all requested documentation before funds can be accepted and deducted from the semester invoice. Aid may be revised after verification has been completed if information was found to be incorrect. Students selected for verification will be notified via email. Requirements will also be posted on my.newpaltz.edu.
- Financial aid packages may be revised due to FAFSA corrections, changes in federal or state regulations or funding levels, enrollment status changes, or receipt of additional resources such as private scholarships or tuition waivers.
- It is the student’s responsibility to notify Student Financial Services of outside resources, such as private scholarships. Packaging revisions may be required as aid from all sources cannot exceed the established budget. Self-help aid (loans and work study) is reduced first.
- New York State aid, such as TAP Grant and Excelsior Scholarship, are estimated until NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has received and processed the appropriate application and communicated a final award determination to the college. NYS funds are also subject to academic credit requirements. Visit the HESC website for application and program information. The application for the Excelsior Scholarship typically becomes available in mid-spring.
- First-time Federal Direct Student Loan borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note online at studentaid.gov. Loan funds will not disburse until these electronic documents have been completed.
- Federal Direct Student Loan amounts are determined by class level at the time of packaging. Additional credits including transfer credits may increase eligibility once final grades/transcripts are received and evaluated.
- Parents wishing to apply for a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) must complete the application process at studentaid.gov each year after May 1st. The parent will need to sign in using their Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and password used to sign the FAFSA electronically. Once signed in, select Apply for a Direct PLUS Loan under the Parent tab. After completing the application and authorizing the credit check, the applicant will be immediately notified of the credit decision. If credit approved, first-time borrowers will be prompted to complete the Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note).
- Federal Work Study funds will not appear as a credit on the invoice since funds are paid directly to students in the form of a bi-weekly paycheck. Eligible students will receive an email in August with instructions on how to access the online employment system.
- Financial aid funds are typically calculated for an academic year with equal payments for the fall and spring semesters. Funds will appear as credits on the student’s invoice once all requirements have been met. If aid exceeds the balance due, a refund will be issued once the aid is disbursed. Excess aid may also be converted into Hawk Dollars to purchase books at the Campus Bookstore. Balances not covered by financial aid are the responsibility of the student. Payment plans are available through the Office of Student Accounts. Invoices will be generated electronically following registration.
- Students are responsible for being aware of the financial implications of academic decisions such as withdrawing from courses, repeating coursework, changing majors, and enrolling for courses not required to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found under “Keeping Your Aid” on our website.
- Course selections must be applicable to the student’s primary program of study to be eligible for coverage from federal and NYS aid programs.
- Students are not eligible for most financial aid once degree requirements for the primary major have been met. Only federal direct loans are available to earn a second degree.
- Students are required to complete Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling at studentaid.gov before they graduate or when they cease to be enrolled at least half time, defined as 6 or more credits.
- Students who withdraw officially or unofficially during a period of enrollment are subject to the federally mandated Title IV Recalculation to determine if any portion of their aid must be repaid to the government. More information can be found here.
- Students are required to monitor their campus email accounts and their my.newpaltz.edu accounts for important communications.
