Is your family’s income significantly lower than was reported on their federal taxes in 2020?

If your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on their 2019 federal income tax return, you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Please follow these steps if you would like to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated:

  • Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA questions as instructed on the application (including the transfer of tax return and income information)
  • Fill out the Special Circumstances form which will allow you to briefly describe your change in financial circumstances.
  • There is a deadline of April 17th 2023 for this appeal process. If your family’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is determined at or below 14,615, and there is still funding available, you will be considered for HEERF III American Rescue Plan (ARP) Student Emergency Grant  based on your new EFC. 

If you had earlier submitted the Special Circumstances Form for 2021-22, we may have already taken into account the lower family income. If that is the situation, completing it again with the same income information will not benefit you and your family.

The staff of the Student Financial Services office will review your information within two weeks. If we determine that you meet the criteria for a re-evaluation, then you will receive an email with a list of additional documents that will need to be provided. A formal re-evaluation of your financial aid eligibility will be done once all documentation has been received.

 

Is your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) already 0 on the FAFSA?

What is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)? 

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an index number calculated from the information you provide in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The EFC is used by campuses to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid. 

How to find your EFC: 
  1. Log into your MyHeliotrope account
  2. Click on the Financial Aid button 
  3. Click on the Award button
  4. On your awards page that appears click on the Print SUNY Award Letter PDF link
  5. On the bottom of the first page you will see in green FAFSA Calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your EFC will be listed here. 

If you have a 0 EFC on the FAFSA, you are receiving the maximum in federal financial aid and the Special Circumstance form above will not assist you any further. However we would like to make you aware of the following avenues that are open to you:

Cost of Attendance Adjustment- If you have incurred additional living costs due to the pandemic you can complete this form for a Cost of Attendance adjustment. In most cases this will allow a parent to borrow more Parent PLUS loan funding, or a student additional loan funding (if they have not already borrowed the maximum allowable). 

On Campus Food Pantry- The Campus Pantry distributes good quality and nutritious emergency food to Purchase College students.

Counseling Center- Support and services are provided to students who may be experiencing distress and mental health struggles. Services are free, voluntary, and confidential.

Emergency Grants- Students facing unexpected financial hardship who cannot cover the cost of tuition and on-campus room and board (expenses billed directly by the college) for the current semester.

Financial Literacy- This website provides you with a list of free financial educational resources that will provide the knowledge you need to make informed decisions regarding all financial resources available to you.