Contact Us

Federal Aid Programs

Student at ComputerThe federal government awards financial aid to LIU Post undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need according to a variety of economic criteria as determined by the United States Department of Education. The criteria include parents income and assets, family’s household size, and the number of family members (excluding parents) attending college. Benefits from all federal programs are subject to legislative changes. Recipients of federal programs must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. All students wishing to apply for any federal assistance must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA annually.

Federal Pell Grants

Criteria
This federal grant program is designed to provide assistance to full- or part-time undergraduate students. Students and their families must meet certain financial criteria to qualify.
Application
Application is made by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Amount
Current awards range from approximately $890 to $5,350 a year. Actual awards vary from year to year based on current legislation and student's enrollment status.
Repayment
None

[Return to Top]

Academic Competitive Grants (ACG) and
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants

Criteria
Undergraduate students who are eligible for a Pell Grant and are U.S. citizens.
Application
Application is made by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Amount
Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG's) will provide $750 for first year students and $1,300 for second year students who have completed a rigorous high school program of study.

Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (National SMART Grants) will provide $4,000 for students enrolled in their third year and $4,000 in their fourth year of study majoring in specific programs determined to be in the national interest.
Repayment
None

[Return to Top]

Federal Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG)

Criteria
Undergraduate students who are eligible for a Pell Grant and have exceptional needs are eligible. These grants provide a source of assistance for limited income families.
Application
Application is made by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Amount
Grants range from $100 to $1,500 per year.
Repayment
None

[Return to Top]

Bureau of Indian Affairs to Native Americans (BIA Grant)

Criteria
To be eligible, the applicant must be an enrolled member of an American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut tribe, band or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and demonstrate financial need. Depending on availability of funds, grants are made to undergraduate/graduate students.
Application/Undergraduate
Application forms may be obtained from and submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Building, Room 523, 100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13260-0043, 315-448-0620. Applicants enrolled with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Seneca Nation of Indians can mail their applications directly to their respective tribes. An application is necessary for each year of study. Application deadlines are strictly adhered to. They are July 1 for the Fall semester, October 15 for the Spring semester and May 15 for the Summer semester. St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Deadline Date – June 1. An official needs analysis from the College Enrollment Services is required each year. First time applicants must obtain a tribal enrollment certification from the enrollment clerk which records enrollment for the tribe.
Application/Graduate
Application forms may be obtained from/ submitted to American Indian Graduate Center, 4520 Montgomery Blvd., NE Suite 1-B, Albuquerque, NM 87109, Phone: 505-881-4584, Fax: 505-884-0427.
Amount
Varies with availability of funds.
Repayment
None

[Return to Top]

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships

Criteria
Graduate students in the arts, humanities and social sciences may be eligible. The program provides financial assistance to students who have demonstrated superior academic ability and achievement, exceptional promise, and financial need to undertake graduate study leading to a doctoral degree or a master's degree in which the master's degree is the terminal highest degree in the selected field of study.
Application
Applications can only be accessed electronically on the JKJ Fellowship Program Web Site. Deadlines, Criteria, and Application information can be accessed at the address listed below.

Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsjavits/
Amount
One-year stipends are determined in accordance with the fellow's demonstrated level of need and availability of funds. Requests for continuation of support are handled on an annual basis. Financial support is awarded for a maximum of 48 months.
Repayment
None

[Return to Top]

Work Study/America Reads and Counts Programs

Criteria
This program provides jobs for full- or part-time students in financial need. Summer employment is also available.
Application
Application is made by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Amount
Students can earn $7.25 per hour and above. Average earnings during the academic year range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Repayment
None

[Return to Top]

Perkins Loans

Criteria
Full-time students in need may be eligible to borrow for their undergraduate study. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Application
Application is made by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Eligibility is based on need and availability of funds. A Master Promissory Note is required of eligible borrowers.
Amount
Undergraduate students may borrow up to $15,000 for their studies. Annual Amounts are determined by the LIU Post Financial Assistance Office.
Repayment
Repayment begins six months after graduation or when a student stops attending school at least half time (6 credits per semester) at 5% interest. The loan has a special cancellation provision for students employed in specific service jobs.

[Return to Top]

William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent Loan Program (PLUS)

Criteria
Parents of dependent matriculated students and degree-seeking graduate students enrolled at least half-time may participate. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Application
The PLUS borrower must complete an electronic PLUS Master Promissory Note. Loan proceeds are disbursed electronically to the student's tuition account. Any refund due is returned to the PLUS borrower.
Amount
Loans may not exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid. Parents and graduate students who have no adverse credit history as determined by the federal loan servicer may be eligible. The loan interest rate is approximately 7.9%. There is no aggregate loan limit. Borrowers are charged an origination fee and insurance fee which are deducted from the loan proceeds before disbursement.
Repayment
Repayment of PLUS loans begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed and may extend up to 30 years depending on amount borrowed. For loans disbursed after July 1, 2008, parents may take advantage of a new option which allows the repayment of the loan to take place six months after their student graduates or stops registering for at least six credits, whichever is first. Parents may choose to pay the interest while their student is in school, but the principal amount may now be deferred.

[Return to Top]

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (subsidized/unsubsidized)

Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students. More detailed information is also available on the Federal Direct Loan Web site at www.dl.ed.gov.

Criteria
These subsidized and unsubsidized loans are available to full- and part-time matriculated undergraduate and graduate students making satisfactory academic progress in a degree granting program. Eligibility for these loans is determined by the LIU Post Financial Assistance Office. The subsidized loan is based on financial need. The unsubsidized loan is not based on need.
Application
Application is made each year by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. A Direct Loan Electronic Master Promissory Note must be completed as a new Direct Loan borrower. New students must conduct an on-line entrance interview session before the loan proceeds will be disbursed to your My LIU Bursar account.
Amount
Eligible students may borrow up to the following annual loan limits.

Aggregate Limits: Total undergraduate: $31,500 for a dependent undergraduate, $57,500 for an independent undergraduate (and certain dependent students). Total undergraduate and graduate combined limit: $138,500. Loan proceeds are disbursed twice during the year and made co-payable to the student and college. Borrowers are charged an origination fee which is deducted from the loan proceeds.
Repayment
Repayment begins six months after the student ceases half-time enrollment (6 credits per semester) and may extend up to 10 years. Loans have a fixed interest rate. There is no interest accrual while the student is in college half-time for subsidized loans. Repayment of interest is required for unsubsidized loans while the student is in school or the interest may be capitalized.

[Return to Top]

Annual Subsidized Federal Direct Loan Limits

Base Amount Additional Unsubsidized Loan Amount
Freshman $3,500 $2,000
Sophomore $4,500 $2,000
Junior/Senior $5,500 $2,000
Graduate/Professional $8,500

Annual Subsidized & Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan Limits Combined

Dependent Independent*
Freshman $3,500 $9,500
Sophomore $4,500 $10,500
Junior/Senior $5,500 $12,500
Graduate/Professional n/a $20,500

*Also includes dependent students whose parents are not able to borrow a Federal PLUS Loan.

William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Graduate Loans

Criteria
Degree-seeking graduate students enrolled at least half-time may participate. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Application
The PLUS borrower must complete an electronic PLUS Master Promissory Note. Loan proceeds are disbursed electronically to the student's tuition account. Any refund due is returned to the PLUS borrower.
Amount
Loans may not exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid. Parents and graduate students who have no adverse credit history as determined by the federal loan servicer may be eligible. The loan interest rate is approximately 7.9%. There is no aggregate loan limit. Borrowers are charged an origination fee and insurance fee which are deducted from the loan proceeds before disbursement.
Repayment
Repayment of PLUS loans begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed and may extend up to 30 years depending on amount borrowed. For loans disbursed after July 1, 2008, parents may take advantage of a new option which allows the repayment of the loan to take place six months after their student graduates or stops registering for at least six credits, whichever is first. Parents may choose to pay the interest while their student is in school, but the principal amount may now be deferred.

[Return to Top]