New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP helps eligible New York State residents attending in-state post-secondary institutions on a full-time basis pay for tuition. TAP awards for graduate students at Hunter College range from $75 to $550. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CUNY TAP/APTS Application, which will be mailed to you by CUNY after an electronic record of your FAFSA information is received.

For more information, please visit the TAP page of this site.

William D.  Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
(Subsidized and Unsubsidized) 

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program makes funds available to undergraduate and graduate students directly from the U.S. government. Direct Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. Students will not be charged any interest before beginning repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. Students are charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students may allow the interest to accumulate and to be capitalized-that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. Generally, a graduate student may borrow the total cost of attendance up to $20,500 each academic year, or whichever is lower. (Not more than $8,500 of this amount may be in subsidized Direct Loans.) A student may receive less than the yearly maximum amounts if the student receives other financial aid that is used to cover a portion of the cost of attendance. The total debt a student can have outstanding from all Direct and Stafford Loans combined is $138,500 as a graduate or professional student (only $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). The graduate debt limit includes any Direct or Stafford Loans received for undergraduate study. 

How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Hunter College Request for a Direct Student Loan.

Federal Perkins Loan

A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5%) loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. The loan is comprised of government funds with a share contributed by Hunter College. Federal Perkins Loan awards for graduate students at CUNY range from $800 to $3500. Students must repay this loan to Hunter College.

How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate on the FAFSA that you are interested in borrowing a student loan.

Federal Work-Study

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 the student’s course of study. Federal Work-Study wages will be at least the current federal minimum wage, but they may be higher, depending on the type of work and the skills required. The total Federal Work-Study award depends on the student’s level of need, and the amount of funds available. Federal Work-Study awards for graduate students at CUNY range from $1,000 to $2,000.

How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate on the FAFSA that you are interested in a work-study job.

TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH) Program is a federal program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year ($8,000 total) to graduate students preparing to be teachers in a high-need field. Recipients are required to fulfill a service obligation to work as full-time teachers in public or private schools in the U.S. that serve low-income families.

For More information click here: TEACH

Eligibility Requirements

Unless otherwise stated above, the general eligibility requirements for the financial aid programs described above are:

1. Student must demonstrate a significant financial need
   
2. Enrollment of at least half time (6 credits) working toward a degree
3. U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen
4. Satisfactory academic progress
5. No default on a federal student loan
   
6. No money owed on a federal student grant
   
7. Registered with Selective Service, if required

Information on Filing the FAFSA

Each student who wishes to apply for federal or state financial aid at CUNY must first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When submitting your FAFSA, please be sure to include Hunter College (Federal Code #002689) in the list of schools you'd like to receive your FAFSA information. Once the FAFSA is processed, students will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail, and the Office of Financial Aid at Hunter College will receive an electronic record of the student's application. Some students who file a FAFSA will have their application selected by the U.S. Department of Education for a process called verification. These students must provide copies of their (and their spouse’s) federal income tax returns and additional household information to the Office of Financial Aid.

Some students who file a FAFSA may also have their applications selected for review by CUNY if the application information seems incorrect or inconsistent. These students must review their application information with the Office of Financial Aid and provide explanations and/or make appropriate corrections to the application information. Until this process is complete, no aid can be awarded to the student.