Grants | Lehman College

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income first degree undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Grant amounts are dependent on: the student's expected family contribution (EFC); the cost of attendance (as determined by the institution); the student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time); and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less. Students may use their grants at any CUNY college.

In order to apply for a Pell Grant you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can learn more about this process online.

A recent change to the Federal Pell Grant Program allows an eligible student to receive up to 150 percent of the student’s Federal Pell Grant Scheduled Award for an award year beginning with the 2017–2018 award year. To be eligible for the additional Pell Grant funds, the student must be otherwise eligible to receive Pell Grant funds for the payment period and must be enrolled at least half-time in the payment period(s) for which the student receives the additional Pell Grant funds (in excess of 100 percent of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award).

Note that the provisions of the new law state that any Pell Grant received will be included in determining the student’s Pell Grant duration of eligibility (600%) and Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).

More Information on Federal Students Grants click here

Federal SEOG is a campus-based program for which CUNY uses federal funds. To receive FSEOG you must demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority for FSEOG is given to students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. In addition to exceptional need you must demonstrate a willingness to assist in financing of your college education through part-time employment or student loan borrowing.

Formerly known as VISTA , Americorps is a national network of hundreds of local community service programs. Americorps' purpose is to encourage American citizens to volunteer their time and energy towards solving continuing and/or emerging challenges to their local communities in the areas of education, public safety, human needs, and the environment. Americorps participants promise to volunteer one year of community service. In return, they receive a modest living allowance. Volunteers, at the end of their service, are eligible to receive an education award of $4725. Part-time participants are eligible to receive a partial award. This award can be used to help pay for a variety of college expenses such as tuition, fees. It can also be used to repay outstanding student loan balances. For more information visit the Americorps.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation administer a variety of financial educational programs for veterans, reservists, National Guard persons, and their widows and orphans. For information regarding Federal veterans educational benefits call 1-888-442-4551 or visit the GI Bill.

Information regarding the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation family of veterans educational benefits can be obtained by calling 1-888-697-4372 or by visiting the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

Lehman College's Veterans Advisor, Luis Soltero-Rodriguez,, is located in Shuster Hall, Room 201A (718-960-7188).

NYS TAP (NYS Tuition Assistance Program)

TAP is a New York State funded tuition assistance grant. TAP is applied for through filing of a FAFSA and a CUNY TAP/APTS Application. In order to receive a TAP award, economically eligible students must be residents of New York State, have appropriate citizenship status, be matriculated at a New York state college or university and be enrolled full-time, that is, enrolled for at least 12 credits or equated credits that meet the requirements of your major. More information about the TAP (Tuition Assistance Program).

In addition, TAP recipients are required to maintain satisfactory academic standards. For more information, visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

To review your TAP award status go to HESC manage TAP award.

APTS is a New York State funded campus-based tuition grant assistance for part-time students. APTS is applied for through the filing of a FAFSA and a CUNY Supplement Form. Eligibility criteria for APTS parallels the eligibility criteria used by the TAP Program. APTS recipients must enroll for at least three credits but less than twelve credits. Awards provide up to $2,000 per year for part-time undergraduate study at participating institutions in New York State. An APTS award cannot exceed tuition charges. For more information please visit New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

CUSTA is a New York State funded campus-based tuition assistance grant. Like TAP, recipients are required to maintain satisfactory academic standards. CUSTA eligibility criteria are the same as those used by the New York State TAP program with the following additions. Recipients must:

Be a CUNY student,
Have received at least 4 TAP awards,
Be eligible to receive the maximum TAP award,
Be full time.

CUSTA is applied for through the filing of a FAFSA and a CUNY Supplement Form. CUSTA funds are limited and are awarded to students on first come first served basis. Therefore, the earliest applications have the best possibility of receiving CUSTA. CUSTA awards are $50.00 per semester.

SEEK is a New York State funded academic support program of CUNY. SEEK's mission is to strengthen and encourage the academic development of the "educationally and economically disadvantage students" of CUNY. SEEK offers program participants counseling, specialized academic courses, tutoring and limited financial aid. Students request consideration for admission in to the SEEK Program by answering appropriate questions on the CUNY Freshman Admissions Application. Certification of eligibility for program participation is done during the immediate months prior to the first semester of a student's college attendance. Continuation of eligibility for receipt of SEEK financial aid, however, is determined annually, through the submission of a FAFSA application.

To apply for aid as a Non-New York State resident, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, if desired, follow the instructions on our Direct Loan page (click here) to request a Direct Loan.

The following states (along with the District of Columbia) make grant amounts available to students who are residents attending school in any state. For information on financial aid grants from these states, please contact your state’s Department of Higher Education. Further information is available on the following websites:

The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered grants and scholarships that support their higher education costs. The DREAM Act opens the doors of higher education to thousands of students, providing access to the new Excelsior Scholarship, the Tuition Assistance Program, as well as other state‐administered scholarships that were not previously available to them.

For additional information, please click here:

Apply here
Senator Jose Peralta New York State Dream Act General Information
NYS Dream Act Interested In College
NYS Dream Act (MOIA)
NYSHESC Dream Act Flyer

Federal Pell Grant

More Federal Grants

NYS TAP (NYS Tuition Assistance Program)

More State Grants