At the Maria College, we are committed to making education affordable for every student.
Federal Aid
Federal Pell Grant Program
Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2023-24 award year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024) is $7,395. The maximum may change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount a student is awarded will depend not only on financial need, but also on the costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student and if a student plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. A student may receive a Pell Grant for a maximum of six years of study.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Award amounts are between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on financial need and available funds.
Federal Work-Study Program
Federal Work Study is a campus based federal aid program that allows students to work for wages while enrolled at the college. As a Federal Work Study student, you will receive wages on a by weekly pay cycle. You can use these wages to assist with cost of living or apply towards your educational expense. The positions can be on campus or off in a variety of roles.
To get involved with Federal Works Study, you must first determine if you are eligible to receive Federal Work Study wages. To do this, you can indicate on your FAFSA application if you are interested in the program. Once you have completed the FAFSA (WWW.STUDENTAID.GOV) , a work study award will be included in your financial aid package (if approved) on MyMaria. You may also follow up with the Financial Aid Office at sfs@mariacollege.edu or 518-861-2586 to see how much Federal Work Study you are eligible for in the current award year. You must complete a new FAFSA every year you are interested in working in the Federal Work Study program.
To learn more about specific jobs, you can inquire with Rosalyn Vazquez in our Human Resources Department at rvazquez@mriacollege.edu. You may also ask in a department you are interested in if there are any positions available.
Federal Aid to Native Americans
An applicant must be a member of a Native American tribe within New York State. Applications can be obtained from the Native American Education Unit, NYS Department of Education, Albany, NY 12230.
New York State Aid
NYS Tuition Assistance Program
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York State residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year in which study begins, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,665. The award range is dependent upon NYS taxable income from the previous year. For associate degree students, there is a limit of six (6) payments. For bachelor’s degree students, there is a limit of eight (8) payments. Associate degree students may apply using the TAP Code 2093. Bachelor’s degree students may apply using the TAP Code 6093. You must be registered full-time (12 or more credit hours) to be eligible for a NYS TAP grant.
NYS Aid for Part-Time Study
New York State aid to part-time students is available to NYS residents registered for three but fewer than 12 credit hours a semester. Eligibility is dependent on a student’s NYS net taxable income and the status of the NYS budget. An APTS award cannot exceed tuition charges. Applications are available at the Financial Aid Office and online.
NYS Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship
New York State offers scholarships to volunteer fire and volunteer ambulance companies to use as a recruitment and retention incentive for new members. Students should request the application from their volunteer company official.
NYS Memorial Scholarships
NYS Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the state of New York. Students must establish eligibility by submitting a Memorial Scholarship Supplement available at www.hesc.ny.gov.
NYS Veterans Tuition Awards
Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) provide up to $1,000 per semester for full-time study or $500 per semester for part-time study to eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
NYS Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
Regents awards to children of deceased or disabled veterans are independent of family income or tuition charge, and are in addition to other grants or awards. Information regarding eligibility may be obtained from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation