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Federal Programs

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant Program is an entitlement program for first degree undergraduate students  who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens: awards are noncompetitive and any student who meets the eligibility criteria will receive funds. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  Lehman College's Federal Title IV code is 007022. Students are required to enroll in one or more actual or equivalent credits in a degree granting program. One must maintain good academic standing and make satisfactory progress towards completing a degree. A student enrolled in an undergraduate program may only receive a maximum of 6 years of full time Pell award. This equates to 600% of Lifetime Eligibility Used. Once a student reaches the 600% limit of the Pell award they are no longer eligible.

To determine a student's eligibility, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula to evaluate the information reported on the FAFSA. This formula produces a Student Aid Index (SAI) number. The Student Aid Report (SAR) will contain this number and will inform students whether they may be eligible for Pell. Students can only receive one Pell Grant per award year, from one college at a time. How much Pell is received depends on the student's SAI, their cost of attendance and whether the student attends school for a full academic year or less. Students selected for verification must provide the Financial Aid Office with certain documents to verify the accuracy of the information reported.

For more information, visit https://www.lehman.edu/financial-aid/.

The Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship

The Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship (formally known as the New York City Council Merit Scholarship) rewards New York City high school graduates who have proven their ability to succeed academically while they were in high school.  Students may receive $700 per year ($350 per semester).  Funding is determined by the New York City Council and the Scholarship award amount is subject to change based upon an allocation provided each academic year.  Once a college has reached their allocation amount, no additional recipients can be awarded.

Application Form

There is no separate application for the scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the award when they apply for admission to CUNY.

To qualify you must:

·       Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, Temporary Protective Status, T-Visa, U-Visa or without lawful immigration status (similar to DREAM Act eligibility) along with domicile within NYC (Kings, Richmond, Bronx, New York and Queens).

·       You graduated from a NYC high school with at least a B average within a year of your initial enrollment as a first-time freshman in a college of The City University of New York System. Students enrolled at CUNY who are already receiving the Vallone Scholarship must continue to meet the criteria listed below.

Pursuit and Progress

·       You must maintain continuous full-time (12 credits) enrollment within the City University of New York system

·       You must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 which is calculated once a year at the end of the Spring semester

·       Students pursuing their first associate’s degree may receive the Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship for a maximum of six semesters. Those seeking their first bachelor’s degree are limited to eight semesters of eligibility

·       The award is not restored once it has been lost

·       You are NOT required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) however, it is recommended.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a campus-based program, which is available to undergraduate students with exceptional need. This fund is awarded to undergraduate students, enrolled in their first bachelor's degree program who are also eligible for a Pell Grant. FSEOG is awarded based on the availability of funds. Priority is given to students who meet the general eligibility requirements and those who complete the financial aid application process entirely, including but not limited to providing additional requested documentation to the Financial Aid Office. For more information, visit https://www.lehman.edu/financial-aid/programs/grants/

Federal Direct Student Loan

Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education. Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are also referred to as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans. For more information, visit https://www.lehman.edu/financial-aid/loans/. 

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

These are loans parents may obtain to help pay the cost of education for their dependent undergraduate.  The maximum that can be borrowed is equal to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.  Interest accrues while the student is in school.  There is an origination fee that will be deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement.  There is no grace period. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent

Federal Work/Study Program

The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs for Undergraduate and Graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to their course of study. In order to be placed for a Federal Work Study job for the current Academic Year, students must have Received and Accepted their Federal Work Study Offer. This is part of the Financial Aid Award Offer Letter. The applicant must also be matriculated and enrolled in courses totaling at least 6 credits/equated credits per term. Students may work up to 20 hours per week. Jobs are available on and off campus. For more information, visit https://www.lehman.edu/financial-aid/programs/work-study/.

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Aid to Native Americans

Application forms may be obtained from: U.S. Department of the Interior; Bureau of Indian Affairs; New York Liaison Office; Federal Building, Room 523; 100 South Clinton Street; Syracuse, NY 13260. 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 or accepted for enrollment at Lehman College; and

  4. have financial need.

Veterans Administration (VA) Educational Benefits

Application forms are available at all Veterans Administration (VA) offices, active duty stations, and American embassies. Completed forms are submitted to the nearest VA office. In New York City, the VA is located at 252 Seventh Avenue (at 24th Street), New York, NY 10001. Eligibility requirements, entitlements, time limits, and programs of education vary. Veterans with questions may inquire in the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (Shuster Hall, Room 201 A/B).