Academic Grades and Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid is often one of the first steps students take toward investing in their college education. Students usually receive financial aid from a variety of sources including federal, state, institutional, and outside agencies. In addition to financial eligibility, students are required to maintain academic eligibility for certain financial aid programs. Alfred State is required to monitor your academic progress every semester to determine if you are meeting the academic progress criteria established for federal and state financial aid.

• New York State Criteria
• Federal Criteria
• Additional Information

New York State Criteria / Requirements - Full-Time Student

The chart below applies to non-remedial students first receiving New York State aid in 2010-11 and thereafter:

Chart A

The chart below applies to students first receiving New York State aid in 2007-08 through and including 2009-10 and remedial students first receiving New York State aid in 2007-08 and thereafter:

Chart B

*A student shall be deemed to be in a program approved by the Commissioner for remedial study if he/she:

• scores on a recognized college placement exam or nationally recognized standardized exam indicating the need for remediation for at least two semesters, as certified by the college and approved by the New York State Education Department (SED) or
• was enrolled in at least six semester hours of non-credit remedial courses, as approved by SED, in the first term they received a TAP plan or
• is or was enrolled in an opportunity program.

**Associate programs may receive up to 6 cumulative semesters of State funding.

***Bachelor programs may receive up to 8 cumulative semesters of State funding.

****Approved 5 year and EOP programs may receive up to 10 cumulative semesters of State funding.

Also, students following Chart A, who have received three (3) semester payments of New York State TAP (18 payment points) must have a 2.00 cumulative index. Students following Chart B who have received four (4) semester payments of New York State TAP (24 payment points) must have a 2.00 cumulative index. This includes students who may have received TAP payments at another college prior to enrolling at Alfred State. For part-time students who receive Aid for Part-Time Student (APTS), 2 APTS payments equal 1 TAP payment.

Federal Criteria / Requirements

*Completion of credit hours will be rounded to the nearest credit hour.
*Federal academic progress will be checked at the end of each semester.

A student must complete their degree within 150 percent of the normal credit hours required for completion of that degree or certificate. If a student changes curriculum, they will be considered to be at the credit hour level based on the number of transfer credits accepted by the new curriculum.

Additional Information

Some helpful points to keep in mind regarding financial aid eligibility and academics:

• Register for a sufficient number of credit hours each semester. New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) requires you to register for 12 credits each semester. New York State Aid to Part-Time Study (APTS) is for part-time students. Federal aid eligibility may be prorated based on full- or part-time enrollment. Check with our office if you have questions.
• Never drop a class without checking on how it may affect your current or future financial aid eligibility. The Student Records and Financial Services Office can provide you with the information you need before you make a decision to drop a class.
• Withdrawing or taking a leave of absence from college may impact your aid eligibility. Your aid may be prorated depending on when you withdraw and you may owe a bill to the College. Also, your future aid may be affected. Check with Student Records and Financial Services for more information before you withdraw or take a leave of absence.
• Students who previously attended Alfred State and are applying for readmission should contact their financial aid counselor to check on academic eligibility for financial aid.
• Repeating classes may affect your TAP or APTS eligibility. NYS requirements mandate that if you repeat a class in which you previously received a passing grade, we cannot include this course as part of your required credit hours for the current semester. Some curriculums, such as nursing, require at least a "C" in some courses in order to count the grade as passing. Check the College catalog for curriculum-specific requirements or check with the Student Records and Financial Services Office. Students who lose TAP/APTS funding due to repeating classes may not appeal.
• Financial Aid Warning: when a student is determined to be under the academic standards for federal aid eligibility, they will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. If the student has not regained eligibility by the end of the next semester, they will be ineligible for financial aid.
• Students who experience extenuating circumstances that affect their academic progress and subsequently lose their financial aid may file an appeal. Students cannot appeal the loss of Part-Time TAP.

All students are assigned a financial aid counselor while enrolled at Alfred State. Students are encouraged to make an appointment to meet with their counselor and discuss any financial aid concerns. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. We can be reached by phone at 607-587-4253.