Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Important Financial Aid Updates and FAQ's

What happens if I withdraw from all of my classes for the Spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19?

If you withdraw from all of your classes as of 3/12/2020, we are required to calculate your eligibility based on the number of days you attended the semester, however no Return of Federal Funds will be made. The statutory requirement for institutions to return Title IV funds has been waived as a result of COVID-19 related circumstances.

How will selecting a credit/no credit grade affect my Financial Aid?

There are circumstances where selecting a credit/ no credit grade can affect your financial aid. Please visit https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/credit-no-credit-policy/faq/
For more information.

Direct Loans:

What is COVID-19 Impact to Loans?

Throughout July 2020, Federal Student Aid has been reminding federal student loan borrowers and TEACH Grant recipients that relief measures currently in place due to the COVID-19 emergency are not permanent and will expire. These reminders, emailed to cohorts of borrowers from the address noreply@studentaid.gov, encourage borrowers to start planning. The email notifications also prepare borrowers to receive six additional notifications sent over the next few months.

During the period of July 27—31, 2020, Federal Student Aid will send customized emails to currently enrolled borrowers that are still in school If you have questions about these email notifications you will need to contact your federal loan servicer

All Federal Direct Student Loan payments are suspended until Sept. 30, 2020.

You should also contact your federal direct loan servicer(s) directly to find out about additional information.
For more information about other types of loans, the effect on Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education for borrowers visit Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents.

Federal Work Study:

Will I continue to receive my federal work study payment if I am not working for the Spring 2020 semester?

A student will continue to receive payment once they meet the following:

1. If a student is unable to continue their FWS job due to closure, they will continue to get paid for as long as the closure persists, based on their scheduled FWS hours.
2. If the FWS job location is indefinitely closed, student will be paid for as long as the closure persists, based on their scheduled FWS hours.
3. If a student is unable to continue their FWS job due to being quarantined or incapacitated due to COVID-19 illness, they will continue to get paid for as long as the condition persists, based on their scheduled FWS hours.

Please contact the Federal Work Study coordinator Ms. Hall at HHall@citytech.cuny.edu for any questions.

Note: All Federal Work Study placement for the remaining spring 2020 semester has been discontinued due to COVID-19.

Special Circumstance Appeals:

If my family is financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, can I request a change to my financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year?

The Financial Aid office will consider revisions to financial aid for families directly affected by COVID-19. To be considered for a special circumstance you will need to fill out the Request for Special Circumstance due to Unusual Circumstances and schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. The deadline for the Fall 2020 semester is November 12, 2020. Please see more information below:
http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/financial-aid/circumstances.aspx

What is the CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant?

The CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Fund provides emergency financial aid assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus as stipulated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). Awards will be distributed to eligible City tech undergraduate students based on need as determined by the 2019-2020 FAFSA.

How do I know if I am eligible for the student emergency grant?

For more information on the CARES Act Emergency Relief Act please go to:

• CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Program — FAQs

• CUNY's Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Emergency Grant

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for the CARES Act Grant?

Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens (permanent residents with a Permanent Resident Card - formerly known as an Alien Registration Receipt Card; conditional permanent resident – I-551C; other eligible noncitizen with an Arrival-Departure Record, I-94 from the Department of Homeland Security showing Refugee, Asylum Granted, Indefinite Parole, Humanitarian Parole, or Cuban-Haitian Entrant; or a citizen of the Republic of Palau (PW), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (MH), or the Federated States of Micronesia (FM)).

How can I submit my financial aid documents?

You can upload your documents by clicking here Upload my Documents and following the directions on CUNYFirst

Make sure you read your To do list on CUNYFirst to see what specific documents we need to resolve your verification. Here is a list of some of the items you may need.

If you are selected for verification for the 2020-2021 award year make sure you have:

1. 2020-2021 Verification Worksheet
2. ISIR Correction Worksheet
3. 2018 Federal taxes returns signed by parents if you are a dependent student as well as 2018 Federal taxes signed by student if you are an independent student. If you are a dependent student and have filed taxes, we will also need a copy of your tax returns.

You can download the forms on our website by clicking on Downloadable Forms and tabbing to the 2020-2021 column.
If you need to submit proof of citizenship, please provide one of the following documents:

1. US Passport
2. Certificate of Naturalization
3. Birth certificate (if born in the United States) 
4. Add the Confirmation of Citizenship/Immigrations Document Statement

Please refer to your CUNY "To Do List" in your CUNYFirst Student Center and make sure to resolve any financial aid items.

You can also review Guide to CUNYFirst for information on how to view your award letter, pay you bill, and check your "To Do" list.

Based on guidance received by HESC and the University, at this time, NYS Aid Programs for the Spring 2020 term should not be substantially affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  In general, students must continue to maintain minimum program enrollment requirements to receive aid.

Students unable to complete the term due to direct impact by Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be advised to file for an appeal in future term.  Documentation will be requested.  Please reach out to the TAP office for further information at TAPinfo@citytecvh.cuny.edu

Further information from HESC can be found at: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/coronavirus

If I am a currently enrolled student affected by the COVID-19 crisis, what resources are available to me?

This link provides resource information for students directly affected by COVID-19.

You can call our office at 718-260-5700 and leave a message. A representative will contact you within 48 hours to return your call. You may also email us at financialaid@citytech.cuny.edu

You can also join us by clicking here or manually entering the zoom meeting ID 7182605700.