Student Eligibility Criteria

US Citizens

Federal Student Aid Criteria

Minimum eligibility criteria for federal financial aid require a student to:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
  • Have a valid social security number
  • Have a valid high school diploma or its equivalency
  • Be registered with Selective Service, if male (required for all males between the ages of 18 and 25)
  • Matriculate at Tompkins Cortland and enroll for a minimum of six credit hours

Students should submit their applications for admission and financial aid at the same time.
Learn more about criteria for federal student aid 

New York State Aid Criteria

Minimum eligibility criteria for New York State aid require a student to:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (excludes World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship, Flight 587 and 3407 Memorial Scholarships)
  • Be a legal resident of New York State (excludes World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship, Flight 587 and 3407 Memorial Scholarships)
  • Have a valid high school diploma, GED or another New York State Education Department recognized high school equivalency
  • Enroll as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester
  • Matriculate in an approved program of study at Tompkins Cortland
  • Not be in default on any federal student loan or on any repayment of a New York State award
  • Meet income eligibility limitations

Learn more about eligibility criteria for New York state aid 

Student in classroom

Global

Global Connections participants who meet certain criteria may be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Minimum eligibility criteria require a student to:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
  • Have a valid social security number
  • Have a valid high school diploma or its equivalency
  • Be registered with Selective Service, if male (required for all males between the ages of 18 and 25)
  • Matriculate at Tompkins Cortland and enroll for a minimum of six credit hours

Students considering the Global Connections summer program should submit their applications for admission and financial aid at the same time. 

International Students

Most international students are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education. There are, however, some instances in which noncitizens may be eligible for financial aid from the U.S. federal government.  Visit Federal Student Aid | Financial Aid Eligibility to learn more about aid eligibility for noncitizens.

You should also check with your country’s government to see what aid they might be able to offer you. At present, Tompkins Cortland does not offer institutional aid to international students.