Work Study is a federally-funded program offering employment opportunities to eligible students. Students must indicate an interest in work-study when they complete their FAFSA application. Funding is limited and priority consideration is given to income eligible students who file their FAFSA by February 15 (continuing students must also have a 2.0). Students who are offered work study must accept the award in Bannerweb by the beginning of the semester or the award will be cancelled.
A Work-Study award is an opportunity, not a guarantee of employment. It is the responsibility of the student to review available work study positions on the employment website and apply to the departments directly.
Important Work Study Facts:
The Pell grant is a federal grant with a maximum annual award in the 2023-24 aid year of $7395 and is awarded to degree-seeking students with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of 6656 or less. You must file a FAFSA in order to be considered for a Pell Grant. There is a maximum lifetime limit of 6 full-time Pell awards.
The SEOG Grant is a federal grant that is awarded by the campus. Students must be Pell eligible. Funds are limited and awards are between $100 and 350 per year.
Excelsior "Free Tuition" Scholarship
New York State high school residents may be eligible to receive up to $7,070 toward tuition each year at SUNY Cobleskill. Students from families who earn less than $125,000 in Adjusted Gross Income in 2021 are eligible to apply for the Fall 2023 semester. Excelsior scholarships are reduced by other grants and scholarships. Most Cobleskill Scholarships do not reduce Excelsior awards since they are applied exclusively to non-tuition expenses.
More about Excelsior "Free Tuition" Scholarship
TAP is a New York State grant with a maximum annual award of $5165 for dependent students and $3025 for independent students. The award is based on NYS taxable income and recipients must be New York State residents for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the award year. Only full-time students (12 credits or more) are considered for TAP and a separate TAP application must be filed in order to be considered for a TAP award.
SUNY Tuition Credit is awarded to SUNY students who are TAP recipients. Award amounts are based upon the amount of your TAP grant. Part-Time TAP is available to students taking 6-11 credits who were first-time, full-time freshman after 2006-07 and who have earned a C or better.
Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) is available to matriculated undergraduate students who are New York State residents enrolled for 3-11 credits for the fall or spring terms. A separate APTS application is must be completed at the Financial Aid Office and eligibility is based on NYS net taxable income. APTS Funds are limited. Award amounts provide up to $2,000 per year for part-time study (cannot exceed tuition charges).
Accelerated Studies (a.k.a. "Summer Tap") is an extra TAP payment in the award year, over and above the regular award, in certain circumstances. For terms beginning after January 1, 2007, students must earn 24 credits at SUNY Cobleskill in the prior two semesters to qualify for accelerated study.
Educational Opportunity Program Grant is available to students enrolled in the EOP program at SUNY Cobleskill. In order to be considered for the EOP program students apply as an incoming freshman during the admissions application process. Please contact the EOP Office at 518-255-5836 or visit their webpage for more information about the EOP program requirements.
State Assistance for Native Americans: Grants of $2,000 are awarded to high school graduates who are residents of one of New York's eight major reservations and who attend an approved post secondary educational institution in New York State. Information may be obtained by contacting the New York State Native American Programs, Room 543, New York State Education Dept., Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12234.
Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCESS/VR):The New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) provides program counseling and financial assistance for students who have certain physical, mental or emotional disabilities. Contact the nearest VESID for information, or write to the University of the State of New York, State Education Department, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Albany, N.Y. 12234.
State University Student Assistance (SUSTA) is available on a limited basis to matriculated full-time undergraduates with unmet need who meet NYS TAP eligibility requirements and have exhausted their annual direct loan limits.
Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based loans available to undergraduates who are enrolled at least half-time
in a degree seeking program. The student is not charged interest on subsidized loans
while in school. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender, but loans are serviced
by a third party. The interest rate for loans disbursed between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024
is 5.49% and there is a 1.057% origination fee. The loan amounts range from $3,500
to $5,500 per year depending on class standing. Students must file a current year
FAFSA in order to be considered for a Direct Subsidized Loan.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are NOT need-based loans and they are available to undergraduates who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program. Unsubsidized loans DO accrue interest while student is in school. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender, but loans are serviced by a third party. The interest rate for loans disbursed between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024 is 5.49% and there is a 1.057% origination fee. The maximum annual loan amount for an Unsubsidized Loan is $2,000, however students may be eligible for $4,000-$5,000 in additional unsubsidized loans IF their parents are denied a Parent PLUS loan (see next section). A current year FAFSA is required.
All Federal Student Loan recipients are required to complete Loan Entrance counseling AND a Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov prior to the first loan disbursement. These will only need to be completed once while attending SUNY Cobleskill.
Loan Limits
Direct loans are subject to annual and aggregate limits. Students cannot borrow more than their cost of attendance minus any other financial aid so some students may be eligible for less than the annual maximum amounts.
| Subsidized | Total (subsidized & unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduates | $23,000 | $31,000 |
| Independent Undergraduates and Dependent Students whose parents can't get PLUS | $23,000 | $57,500 |
| Graduate & Professional Students | $65,500 | $138,500 |
| Subsidized | Total (subsidized & unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | $3,500 | $5,500 |
| Second Year | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| Third Year & Beyond | $5,500 | $7,500 |
| Subsidized | Total (subsidized & unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | $3,500 | $9,500 |
| Second Year | $4,500 | $10,500 |
| Third Year & Beyond | $5,500 | $12,500 |
| Total (subsidized & unsubsidized) | |
|---|---|
| First Year & Beyond | $20,500 |
Important Information Regarding Direct Loan Repayment:Direct Loans have a six month grace period after you leave school (or drop below half-time). Repayment begins at the end of the grace period, however interest on subsidized loans disbursed after July 1, 2012 will begin to accrue interest during the grace period.
Cohort Default Rates (CDR)
The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) publishes cohort default rates based on the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on Direct Loan Program loans during a federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30) and default before the end of the second following fiscal year.
For schools interested in taking actions to manage defaults, and for schools required to submit a default prevention plan based on at least one year of a cohort default rate equal to or greater than 30%, refer to the federal regulations at 34 CFR 668.217 and Appendix A within that section.
Cohort Default Rate Information
The information contained in the downloadable files reflects the school's most recent
three-year cohort default rate data. Because a school may appeal its cohort default
rates, a school's official cohort default rate may change. Instructions on using the
downloadable files may be found in the “Data File Instructions and Definitions” link
in the card on the right-hand side of the page.
The Parent PLUS loan is available to biological, adoptive or step-parents of dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program. A credit application is required. The interest rate for loans disbursed between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024 is 8.05% and there is a 4.228% origination fee.
The parent cannot be in default of a federal student loan to apply. Parents can apply online at studentaid.gov. The parent will "Sign In" using their FSA ID and will select “Apply For a PLUS Loan”. In most cases, a credit decision will be available immediately.
More about the Parent PLUS Loan
If approved, the parent will need to complete a Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov
If denied, the College will be notified electronically and the student may qualify for an additional $4,000-$5,000 in unsubsidized loans.
Other Denial Options: The parents have the options of appealing the credit decision or adding an endorser to the loan request. The endorser must request their own FSA ID and must be willing to repay the loan if the parent defaults.
Cohort Default Rates (CDR)
The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) publishes cohort default rates based on the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on Direct Loan Program loans during a federal fiscal year (October 1–September 30) and default before the end of the second following fiscal year.
For schools interested in taking actions to manage defaults, and for schools required to submit a default prevention plan based on at least one year of a cohort default rate equal to or greater than 30%, refer to the federal regulations at 34 CFR 668.217 and Appendix A within that section.
Cohort Default Rate Information
The information contained in the downloadable files reflects the school's most recent
three-year cohort default rate data. Because a school may appeal its cohort default
rates, a school's official cohort default rate may change. Instructions on using the
downloadable files may be found in the “Data File Instructions and Definitions” link
in the card on the right-hand side of the page.
SUNY Cobleskill Scholarships
A variety of generous scholarship support is available to help students pursue an education at SUNY Cobleskill. Most scholarships are awarded as part of the Admissions process. Please visit our scholarship web page for more information.
Outside Scholarships
Many students receive scholarships from outside sources. If you receive financial aid, it is very important that the College be notified of any scholarships that you receive from external donors to avoid overfunding (which could lead to a reduction in aid after your bill is paid).
Alternative loans are credit based loans that are offered by banks and other private financial institutions. They are ideally used to finance the remaining cost of a student's education when all other forms of financial aid have been exhausted. Not all students will credit qualify for an alternative loan and most lenders will require a co-signer. SUNY Cobleskill strongly encourages you to complete your FAFSA in order to fully utilize all available federal direct student loans before pursuing an alternative loan.
For more information about alternative loans, please click here. Please note that the list of lenders provided on this page is not an all inclusive list and students are encouraged to thoroughly research and understand the loan terms for the lending institution that they select.
The Department of Defense (DoD) offers several Tuition Assistance (TA) programs to help eligible military personnel pursue their educational goals while serving in the military. These programs are designed to provide financial assistance for a wide range of educational pursuits, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational training, and professional certifications. Here is an overview of the DOD TA programs and how to apply:
It's important to note that each service branch may have slightly different eligibility criteria and application processes for their respective TA programs. Additionally, program availability and benefits may change over time, so it's essential to check with your local education office and the official DOD or VA websites for the most up-to-date information and instructions on how to apply for tuition assistance programs that best suit your needs.
Some valuable websites to refer to: