Grants & Scholarships

Grant aid is a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Typically, grants are awarded to students that demonstrate financial need. At MSWSPN grants are provided from the federal and state governments.

Federal Grants

Federal Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have a valid FAFSA on file and a Pell-eligible EFC
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Accepted as a regular student working toward a first bachelor’s degree
  • Maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree per the policies of the college
  • Cannot be in default on any other federal loan
  • Cannot owe a refund on a federal student grant or loan

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate exceptional financial need, as defined by the FAFSA. Both full-time and part-time students can receive a Pell grant, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. The maximum annual award is determined by the Department of Education each academic year. A student’s annual award is based on the Expected Family Contribution, the Cost of Attendance at the school, and the Students enrollment status.

Federal SEOG Grants

The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a campus-based, federal grant program that does not need to be repaid. Campus-based programs are managed by individual schools and have limited funding which makes it important that students file their FAFSA by June 1st each year. The financial aid office determines the maximum annual award based on its allocation of funds from the Department of Education. Priority is given to those students with “exceptional need” (those with the lowest expected family contributions, [ 0 EFCs], at the institution) and those who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients.

For more federal grant and scholarship programs, visit www.studentaid.gov

New York State Grants

NYS Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have a valid TAP application on file with the Higher Education services Corporation (HESC)
  • MSWSPN must be listed on the application. Our school code is 0847 or we are listed as Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing
  • Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen and a resident of New York State
  • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
  • Study full-time undergraduate (at least 12 credits per semester), be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing with at least a cumulative “C” average (2.0)
  • Be charged at least $200 tuition per year
  • Not be in default on any state or federal student loans and not be in default on any repayment of State awards
  • Meet income requirements as determined by HESC.

NYS Tuition Assistance (TAP)

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,165. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

Lifetime Limit

Students may receive up to 6 semesters of TAP at the Associate Degree level.

New York State offers a variety of other grants and scholarships administered through HESC. Be advised that some may require additional applications or require a service obligation.Other NYS Grants

SCHOLARSHIPSUMMARY
Vietnam VeteranProvides financial assistance to help Vietnam Veterans studying on either a full-time or part-time basis meet tuition charges.
Flight 587 Memorial ScholarshipFor the families and financial dependents of victims of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 on November 12, 2001.
Flight 3407 Memorial ScholarshipProvides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009.
NYS Achievement & Investment in Merit (AIMS) ScholarshipProvides high school graduates who excel academically with $500 in merit-based scholarships to support their cost of attendance at any college or university located in New York State.

For more information on NYS Grants and Scholarships visit HESC’s Website www.hesc.ny.gov

Veterans Benefits

MSWSPN is committed to assisting veterans in taking advantage of their educational benefits and providing them and their families with opportunities for educational and career growth. If you believe you are eligible for Veterans Benefits, you will need to apply for benefits through the Veterans Administration and submit a copy of your DD-214 to the Financial Aid Office.

Students receiving benefits must have their enrollment certified by MSWSPN for every semester in which they are trying to use benefits. Therefore, it is very important student-veterans work closely with the VA Certifying Official.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has resources to help veterans learn about the federal benefits to which they are entitled. These fact sheets about federal benefits include information on:

  • Chapter 1606 (Selected Guard and Reserve)
  • Chapter 1607 (Activated under Title 10)
  • Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
  • Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30, Active Duty)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31, Veteran with service-connected disability)

Outside Scholarships & Funding

Workforce New York

Workforce New York is a training grant that can cover the costs of education or training for individuals who need to update their skills to find a job or advance in their career. Commonly known as Rochester or Finger Lakes Works, the workforce training grant comes from federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) appropriations. The grant can cover training costs at many area colleges, universities, vocational schools, and proprietary training institutions. Monroe County residents should contact RochesterWorks! at (585) 258-3516 or visit www.rochesterworks.org.

Finger Lakes residents (Ontario, Wayne, Seneca and Yates Counties) should contact the Finger Lakes Works Career Center at (315) 781-2289 or visit www.fingerlakesworks.com.

HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship

The Health Resources and Services Administration offers a scholarship program for students accepted or enrolled in diploma, associate or baccalaureate nursing programs. The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program covers tuition, fees and other education costs in addition to providing a living stipend. Applications for the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program are accepted once each year, usually during the spring. For more information visit www.hrsa.gov

Outside Scholarships

Scholarships are funds you may receive from outside sources, including, but not limited to, private scholarships offered to you from your church or community, benefits you have earned, or your parents have earned, through military service, employer tuition reimbursements or awards and scholarships from your state. Generally, scholarships do not have to be repaid, however, under certain circumstances; they may require you to agree to a period of service after graduation, among other service obligations. We encourage you to pursue these sources of assistance actively. Potential sources for information are listed below.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use the following lines to sell their scholarship services; students should avoid any scholarship service or website that says the following:

  • “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
  • “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
  • “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
  • “We’ll do all the work.”
  • “This scholarship will cost some money.”
  • “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship” or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.If you believe you’ve been the victim of scholarship fraud, wish to file a complaint, or want more information, call 1 (877) FTC-HELP or see www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams. On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act to enhance protection against fraud in student financial assistance by establishing stricter sentencing guidelines for criminal financial aid fraud.