Federal Programs
For all federal aid programs listed, applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.
Federal Pell Grants
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
In order to be considered, students must be matriculated as an undergraduate student, be enrolled for at least 3 credits at an approved post-secondary institution, and must display exceptional financial need. Award amounts are based on demonstrated financial need. A student may receive the grant 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 are credited to the student's account and 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 Pell Grant funds in excess of 100 percent of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award.
Award Schedule
The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2026-27 award year (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027). 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.
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
Students must complete a FAFSA in order to be considered. Offers can be accepted through Homer Connect, and first-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling for the loan to be scheduled for disbursement.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
Subsidized loans are need-based awards, and the Office of Student Financial Services determines eligibility based on a student's demonstrated financial need. Funds are credited directly to the student's account, and funds may not be disbursed until after the drop/add period has passed.
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. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Information regarding eligibility criteria, interest rates, and associated fees can be found on the FSA website.
On ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time, the borrower must make formal arrangements with their servicer to begin repayment. More information on repayment can be found on the FSA 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.
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. More information regarding interest rates and associated fees can be found on the FSA website.
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 FAFSA on file with Ithaca College. The parent borrower must complete a Parent PLUS loan application on behalf of that student. First-time borrowers must complete a Parent PLUS MPN for the loan to be scheduled for disbursement. A parent borrower may also be required to complete PLUS Loan Credit Counseling as applicable.
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.
Borrowers must pass a credit check at the time of application.
Loan Schedule
The maximum of the Direct PLUS loan is the total cost of attendance, minus other financial aid, for parents who had Parent PLUS loans disbursed prior to July 1st, 2026. New borrowers since then are eligible for up to $20,000 per year. More information can be found on the FSA website.
Responsibilities of Borrowers
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Interest rates and associated fees can be found on the FSA Website.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program
The FWS program provides employment opportunities for students with financial need.
Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
Students must file a FAFSA in order to be considered for FWS.
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. 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. Funds are paid directly to the student in the form of a bi-weekly paycheck.
Responsibilities of Recipients
The student must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
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 a participant in the GEAR UP program; Typically, this involves participating in the program during middle school.
- Meet state-specific requirements: Eligibility for the GEAR UP scholarship can vary by state.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen under Title IV regulations.
- Have applied for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be enrolled in a certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree program at an eligible institution: This can be full-time or part-time enrollment.
- Have earned a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
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. 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. Ithaca College participates only with the Army and Air Force ROTC programs in partnership with Cornell University.
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. 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 provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the School Certifying Official within 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-service