Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Grants
New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards range up to $550 and are based on New York State net taxable income. TAP is only for students who have registered for at least 12 credit hours per semester. Students must be New York State residents and, if eligible, may qualify for up to eight semesters of TAP while pursuing a master's degree. Apply by submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students must maintain Satisfactory Progress to receive this award. (See section in this catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress.")

Loans
The Federal Stafford Loan Program is a need-based program which allows students to borrow from participating lenders. The maximum loan eligibility per academic year is $8,500 for graduate students. The maximum that may be borrowed as a graduate student is $65,500 which includes Federal Stafford loans borrowed for undergraduate study. The interest rate is variable annually, capped at 8.25%. Repayment begins six months after the student either leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. There is no interest paid or accrued while the student is enrolled at least half-time. The loan must be repaid within 10 years, exclusive of deferment periods. Apply by submitting the Medaille College Financial Aid Application and the FAFSA. Students must maintain Satisfactory Progress to receive this award. (See section in this catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress.")

The Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program is available, regardless of family income, to students who do not qualify for the regular subsidized Stafford Loan or who are not eligible for the maximum subsidized Stafford Loan. The combined Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford annual loan limit is $18,500. The combined aggregate limit is $138,500, which includes loan amounts borrowed for undergraduate study. The terms and conditions of the subsidized and unsubsidized loans are generally the same, except that borrowers are responsible for the payment of the interest that accrues on unsubsidized loans while they are in school. The term unsubsidized means that interest is not paid for you by the federal government while you are in school. The interest rate is an annual variable rate capped at 8.25%. Apply by submitting the Medaille College Financial Aid Application and the FAFSA. Students must maintain Satisfactory Progress to receive this award. (See section in this catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress.")

Other Financial Assistance
Vietnam Veterans Tuition Assistance Program may provide financial assistance to some veterans enrolled in the graduate degree programs. For an application contact New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12255.

Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), formerly Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), benefits are available for students with certain physical or emotional disabilities. Contact the New York State Vocational Rehabilitation Commission.

The Federal College Work-Study Program (CWSP) allows students with financial need the opportunity to work in jobs on campus to earn part of their educational expenses. Students may apply by submitting the FAFSA. Students must maintain Satisfactory Progress to receive this award. (See section in this catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress.")

Veterans Benefits are available for students who qualify. In order to determine eligibility, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Medaille College Financial Aid Office should be contacted.

Federal Aid to Native Americans is a grant offered by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for college study. To be eligible, the applicant must: (1) be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut; (2) be an enrolled member of a tribe, band, or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (3) be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an approved college or university pursuing at least a two-year degree; and (4) demonstrate financial need.

An application is necessary for each year of study and must be accompanied by an official needs analysis from the Financial Aid Office. Each first-time applicant is required to submit tribal enrollment certification from the bureau, agency, or tribe which records enrollment for the tribe. The student must make satisfactory progress towards a degree and show financial need for grants to be awarded in successive years. Applications are available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 260, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

New York State Aid to Native Americans is an entitlement program, with neither a qualifying examination nor a limit on the number of awards. Applicants must be (1) a resident of New York State; (2) on an official tribal roll of a New York State tribe or the child of an enrolled member of a New York State tribe; and (3) enrolled in an approved New York State postsecondary program. Applications are available from the Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, New York 12234.

Financial Need
Financial need is determined by using the Family Contribution as determined by the FAFSA and subtracting it from the cost of attendance.

Cost of Attendance - Family Contribution = FINANCIAL NEED

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available from the Financial Aid Office.

Satisfactory Progress
Students must maintain Satisfactory Progress in order to receive Financial Aid.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AND FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID.

The following charts explain the requirements for renewed eligibility for state financial aid for Graduate Level Programs:

In order to receive state aid for this semester:	You must accumulate at least this many credits:	With a GPA of:
1st	0	0
2nd	6	2.00
3rd	12	2.50
4th	21	2.75
5th	30	3.00
6th	45	3.00
7th	60	3.00
8th	75	3.00

In addition, you must meet PROGRAM PURSUIT regulations which require that during your first two semesters of TAP you must COMPLETE at least 6 credit hours per semester, at least 9 credit hours per semester for the 3rd and 4th semesters, and at least 12 credits for your 5th and all succeeding semesters.

The following chart explains the requirements for renewed eligibility for federal financial aid for Graduate Level Programs:

Inorder to receive federal aid for this semester:	You must accumulate at least this many credits:	With a GPA of:
1st	0	0
2nd	9	2.00
3rd	18	2.50
4th	27	2.75
5th	39	2.75
6th	51	3.00

Part-time student credit requirements will be pro-rated based upon the number of credits carried. GPA requirements are the same.

If you do not achieve these Satisfactory Progress Requirements, you will not be eligible for additional semesters of financial aid until you obtain the necessary requirements. If you encounter extraordinary difficulties which prohibit you from achieving the above minimum requirements, you may qualify for a waiver of these requirements. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for details.

Office of Academic Affairs; page updated 6/20/00 (lak)
Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, New York 14214 USA
Phone: (716) 884-3281; Fax: (716) 884-0291
email: Academic Affairs Office