Federal Programs
For all federal aid programs listed applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application can be completed on the Federal Student Aid website. To learn about federal aid eligibility please visit the Federal Student Aid Eligibility website.
Federal Pell Grants
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
The Federal Pell Grant program is an entitlement program. Eligibility and award amounts are based on financial need. The applicant must be matriculated as an undergraduate student, for at least 3 credits at an approved post-secondary institution and must need financial assistance to continue their education. A student may receive grants for the period required to complete a first baccalaureate degree but for no more than 12 semesters (for first-time Pell grant recipients on or after July 1, 2008). Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. A student may be eligible to receive Pell Grant funds for up to 150 percent of the student’s Pell Grant scheduled award for an award year. To be eligible for the additional Pell Grant funds, the student must be otherwise eligible to receive Pell Grant funds for the payment period and must be enrolled at least as a half-time student in the payment period(s) for which the student receives the additional Pell Grant funds in excess of 100 percent of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award.
Award Schedule
Awards range from $767 to $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year. The amount of the award is affected by the cost of attendance and full- or part-time enrollment status.
Responsibilities of Recipients
The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress in the program in which they are matriculated. The student must not owe any refunds on Pell grants or other awards paid, or be in default on repayment of any student loan.
Before receiving payment, Ithaca College must have on file, by electronic means, an accurate official student aid report (SAR) which is generated from the student's FAFSA. Awards are credited to the student’s account.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
- The applicant must be a Pell recipient.
- Recipients and award amounts are determined by the Office of Student Financial Services.
Award Schedule
The award ranges from $100 to $4,000, depending upon funding. A student may receive grants for the period required to complete a first baccalaureate degree.
Responsibilities of Recipients
The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress.
Federal Direct Student Loan — Subsidized
Application Procedures
Ithaca College processes applications electronically. Borrowers may accept a loan offer using their HomerConnect access online once they complete the e-communications requirement. Once accepted, the College transmits pertinent loan and entrance counseling information to the Federal Department of Education (US DOE). A borrower utilizes the US DOE Direct Loan website to complete a master promissory note. Repeat Direct Loan borrowers who have completed the entrance counseling and the master promissory note while attending Ithaca College need not complete another entrance counseling or another promissory note unless otherwise instructed to do so.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
The Direct Loan is an entitlement program in which all eligible applicants can obtain a loan.
An origination fee of 1.057% will be deducted from the loan amount for subsidized loans that are first disbursed on or after October 1, 2023, and before October 1, 2024.
At Ithaca College, funds may not be disbursed until after the drop/add period has passed. Loan proceeds are made in two disbursements regardless of the loan period. Funds must be disbursed by electronic fund transfer (EFT), which allows the funds to be credited directly to the student’s account.
Loan Schedule
An undergraduate may borrow up to $3,500 per academic year for the first year of study, $4,500 for the second (30-59.50 credits completed), and $5,500 for each additional undergraduate year (60 or more credits completed), up to a total of $23,000.
A student receiving a Federal Direct Subsidized loan is eligible for a full-interest subsidy during the time the student is in school at least half-time.
Responsibilities of Borrowers
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. The interest rate is a fixed rate of 5.50% for loans that are first disbursed on or after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.
Various deferments allowing postponement of repayment are available depending on when the student received the first loan. For specific information, students should consult the Federal Student Aid Deferment Forbearance website.
On ceasing to be at least a half-time student, the borrower must make formal arrangements with the Direct Loan servicer to begin repayment. For specific information, students should consult the Repayment Plans website.
Federal Direct Student Loan — Unsubsidized
Application Procedures
Application procedures are the same as for the subsidized Federal Direct Loan.
Selection of Recipients and Allocations of Awards
Eligibility is the same as for the subsidized Federal Direct Loan, except no demonstration of financial need is required. This program is available to students who may not qualify for subsidized federal Direct Loans or for only partially subsidized Direct Loans.
The interest rate is fixed at 5.50%. The origination fee is the same as for the subsidized Direct Loan.
Loan Schedule
An undergraduate may borrow up to $5,500 in a combination of Direct Subsidized loan and Direct Unsubsidized loan per academic year for the first year of study, $6,500 for the second (30-59.50 credits completed), and $7,500 for each additional undergraduate year (60 or more credits completed), up to a total of $31,000.
Responsibilities of Borrowers
The requirements are the same as for the subsidized Federal Direct Loan. However, the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues while in school. Interest may be capitalized.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Application Procedures
In order to apply for a Parent PLUS loan, the student for whom the parent is borrowing must have a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with Ithaca College. The parent borrower must visit the US Department of Education’s (US DOE) Direct Loan website, through the Federal Student Aid website, and complete the ‘Request Direct PLUS Loan’ for a ‘Parent PLUS’ loan on behalf of that student. The US DOE will send the request to Ithaca College electronically for further processing. If the loan is approved, the parent borrower must also complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) through the Federal Student Aid website. A parent borrower may also be required to complete an online PLUS Counseling session as determined by the US DOE.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
A borrower must be:
- Biological Parent of the Dependent Undergraduate Student
- Legal Adoptive Parent of the Dependent Undergraduate Student
- Spouse of the Biological or Legal Adoptive Parent of the Dependent Undergraduate Student and is considered to be a parent in accordance with the instructions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for reporting income and assets on the FAFSA.
Student eligibility criteria are comparable to those for federal Direct student loans, except Direct PLUS loans require no financial need test. An origination fee of 4.228% will be deducted from the loan amount for Plus loans that are first disbursed on or after October 1, 2023, and before October 1, 2024.
Loan Schedule
The maximum of the Direct PLUS loan is the total cost of attendance, minus other financial aid.
Responsibilities of Borrowers
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. A credit check is required. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Loan funds are electronically disbursed to the Ithaca College student account. The interest rate is a fixed rate of 7.54% for loans that are first disbursed between July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program
The FWS program provides employment opportunities for students.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for FWS assistance.
Award Schedule
The post-secondary institution arranges jobs, on or off-campus, with either public or not-for-profit agencies. Students are encouraged to seek positions in community service areas. Factors considered by the student financial services office in determining whether, and for how many hours, the recipient may work under this program include financial need, class schedule, and academic progress.
The level of salary must be at least the federal minimum wage. The maximum salary allowed depends on the nature of the job and the applicant’s qualifications.
Responsibilities of Recipients
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. See the “Financial Aid Basics” on the Ithaca College Tuition & Financial Aid website.
Federal GEAR UP Scholarship
Application Procedures
Students who are interested in this federal program must contact the state agency responsible for the administration of the program.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
To receive a GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Scholarship, an eligible student must
- be less than 22 years of age at the time of first scholarship award;
- have received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent on or after January 1, 1993;
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of undergraduate instruction at an institution of higher education that is located within the state’s boundaries; and
- have successfully participated in the early intervention component of a GEAR UP or NEISP project, or have participated in a federal TRIO program.
Individual states may determine the maximum amount of an eligible student’s scholarship. The minimum amount of a scholarship must not be less than the lesser of the following: 75 percent of the average cost of attendance for an in-state student in a four-year program of instruction at a public institution in their state; or the maximum federal Pell grant for such fiscal year.
Source: GEAR UP, Office of Post-secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW, 7th Floor, Mail Stop K-OPE-7-7100, Washington, DC 20006. See the GEAR UP website for more information.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
The U.S. Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs include the U.S. Army, Navy-Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC programs. These programs are offered at host colleges throughout the nation, including many colleges located in New York State. Ithaca College participates only with the Army and Air Force ROTC programs in partnership with Cornell University. To inquire into Army ROTC call 607-255-4000; for Air Force ROTC, call 607-255-4004.
Each of the three programs has separate application procedures, eligibility requirements, scholarship award schedules, and service obligations. All programs offer merit-based scholarships to undergraduates, with some assistance available for graduate students, depending on the service.
Additional information about the different service programs and a list of the colleges hosting them can be obtained through the following websites:
Veterans Administration (VA) Educational Benefits
Many programs of educational assistance benefits are available to those who have served on active duty in the military and to their families. Detailed information on all veterans’ benefits can be obtained from regional and local Veterans Administration offices or from VA headquarters by telephone at 1-888-442-4551. In New York State, there are VA centers in Albany, Babylon, Binghamton, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Harlem, Hicksville, Middletown, Manhattan, Rochester, Staten Island, Syracuse, Watertown, White Plains, and Woodhaven.
Complete information on veterans’ benefits may be found at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, or at a local veterans affairs office.
Forms, information, and assistance in applying for benefits are available at all VA offices. Applicants approved for benefits by the Veterans Administration must process papers through the Ithaca College Registrar's office.
Educational Programs
Veterans, reservists, and dependents are separated into different categories or “chapters” that define eligibility requirements and determine benefits. Read more about the various chapters to determine which one may apply to you. Use the links provided to find out more about each benefit type.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB)
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for education and training programs. If you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty, find out if you qualify for the MGIB-AD program. Review the categories on the VA website referenced above to see if you qualify.
Chapter 31: Vocational Readiness and Employment
You may receive Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) services to help with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching.
Chapter 32: Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Veterans eligible for assistance under Chapter 32 must have entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 (post-Vietnam) and enrolled and contributed to VEAP before April 1, 1987.
Chapter 33: The Post-9/11 GI Bill(GI Bill®)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). Among other things, this bill provides funds to expand veterans’ education benefits for those who have at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001.
Ithaca College is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. If you qualify, your school will contribute a certain amount toward your extra tuition and fees through a grant, scholarship, or similar program. VA will match the contribution.
Fry Scholarship - If you’re the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces or the Selected Reserve who died on or after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
Chapter 35: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Find out if you qualify.
More benefit information is available on the Office of the Registrar's website https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/registrar/veterans-services