Academic Catalog

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

  1. be less than 22 years of age at the time of first scholarship award;
  2. have received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent on or after January 1, 1993;
  3. 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
  4. 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.

Educational Assistance (GI Bill®)

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.

Any covered individual may attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a "certificate of eligibility" can also include a "Statement of Benefits" obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

  • The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
  • 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Ithaca College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrows additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual's inability to meet their financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Current benefit rates may be obtained by writing to the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Counseling Center, 423 West State St, Ithaca, NY 14850, or by calling 607-272-1084. 

Vocational Rehabilitation

This program is for disabled World War II, Korean conflict, post-Korean conflict, Vietnam era, and certain peacetime veterans. Detailed information is available from regional VA offices.

Survivors and Dependents Education

This program is for children, spouses, and other survivors of veterans whose death or permanent total disabilities were service-connected, and for spouses and children of service, persons missing in action, or prisoners of war.

Post-9/11 GI Bill®

This program provides up to the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the annual maximum, a monthly allowance for living expenses, and a stipend for books and supplies. Certain students may be eligible for a one-time payment of $500 if they are relocating from highly rural areas.

All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance (Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty)

This program primarily serves individuals who entered military service on or after July 1, 1985. The program allows basic pay to be reduced monthly for the first 12 months of service in order to be eligible for as much as 36 months of educational assistance. A Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program is also available to help members of the Selected Reserve pay for study leading to an undergraduate degree, or for nondegree programs at institutions of higher learning. Educational assistance must be used within 10 years of a veteran’s first date of discharge or release from service, with some exceptions.

Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance

A monthly allowance is available to help pay the educational expenses of spouses, surviving spouses, or dependent children between the ages of 18 and 26 of service persons who are permanently and completely disabled from service-connected causes, who have died as a result of service or as a result of service-connected disabilities, who are missing in action, or who have been forcibly detained by a foreign nation for more than 90 days.