Office of Financial Aid
A college education is one of the best investments you can make, but the cost can often put a strain on your finances. Our mission is to ensure that every eligible Guttman student has access to the financial resources they need to attain their college education.
We’ll help you learn about resources and guide you through the entire financial aid process, from maximizing your options to understanding important policies so you can maintain eligibility throughout your time at Guttman.
Contact Us
646-33-8011
Financial.Aid@guttman.cuny.edu
Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a financial aid advisor on Starfish.
Types of Financial Aid
You may receive financial aid from various sources, such as federal, state, city and outside organizations. The following are the types of financial aid Guttman students typically receive:
- Grants– Money that does not have to be repaid (e.g., Pell and TAP).
- Loans– Money that you borrow and agree to pay back with interest (e.g.,Federal Direct Student Loans)
- Work-Study– money that you earn from a job obtained through the Financial Aid Office.
- Scholarships– money that is awarded on the basis of academic merit or financial need.
Understanding My College Expenses (FAQ)
As you plan for your college expenses, here are some financial aid frequently asked questions:
Why did I receive a tuition bill?
College is not free, and enrolling in courses will result in a bill due to the college. The good news is there are financial aid options available to help you cover your educational expenses. See information on how to apply for financial aid.
There are various reasons why students receive a bill notification, and the most common reasons are (but are not limited to):
- You did not list Guttman on your financial aid applications resulting in the college not receiving your information.
- You may have changed your enrollment by adding or dropping courses after the Financial Aid Certification Date (see academic calendar for details).
- You may have received ineligible grades (for example, WN grades) which resulted in a reduction or loss of financial aid eligibility.
- You decided not to attend college but did not drop your courses prior to the start of the term.
Get additional information about tuition refund deadlines.
Review Guttman’s Academic Calendar for important dates, including tuition refund dates.
How much does it cost to attend Guttman Community College?
For a full-time New York City Resident student, your direct costs (tuition and fees) are $2,596.45 per term, and the total annual costs is $5,192.90 (based on 12 or more credits/equated credits per term).
If you are a full-time student and a non-resident of New York City or an out of state resident, then your direct costs (tuition and fees) are approximately $5,956.45 per term, and the annual cost is $11,912.90 (based on 18 credits/equated credits per term).
See detailed information about tuition and fees.
What is the difference between direct and indirect costs?
Direct costs are those expenses that you have to pay directly to Guttman Community College (in other words, your tuition and fees). Indirect costs are estimated out-of-pocket expenses, such as books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and room and board.
A student budget or Cost of Attendance (COA) is comprised of both direct and indirect costs.
What if my financial aid awards exceed my term bill?
Your financial aid awards are applied to your direct costs, which consist of your tuition and fees per term. If your financial aid awards exceed your tuition and fees, then you may be eligible for a financial aid refund to help you cover indirect costs which are out-of-pocket expenses such as books and supplies.
Your financial aid awards, such as federal or state grants, scholarships or federal direct loans, cannot exceed your total cost of attendance for the academic year.
What happens if I am eligible to receive a financial aid refund?
If the amount of financial aid you are receiving is greater than your tuition and fee charges for the term, then you may be eligible for a refund.
Generally, financial aid awards are disbursed in two or more payments. You can review your award disbursement dates in your CUNYfirst account under “Financial Aid.”
Note: If you have an outstanding item(s) in your CUNYfirst Student Center, then the disbursement of your financial aid awards may be delayed until all pending requirements are fulfilled. Make sure to review your To-Do List (in your CUNYfirst Student Center, Tasks and Holds section) and submit all required documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
How can I receive my financial aid refund?
There are two ways you can receive your refund:
- Paper check mailed to the address you have listed in your CUNYfirst account.
- We encourage you to maintain an accurate, up-to-date mailing address in CUNYfirst.
- For assistance, please visit the HUB Student Information Center.
- Direct deposit using a bank account in your name. It’s safe, secure and a fast way to receive your payments.
- Sign up for direct deposit – see instructions.
What if I have additional questions and need financial aid help?
The best way to receive help with your financial aid is to contact us by:
- Setting up a Starfish appointment to meet one-on-one with a financial aid advisor
- Email the financial aid team at Financial.Aid@guttman.cuny.edu or 646-313-8011
- Visit the HUB Student Information Center (3rd floor)
- Watch your email to sign up for in-person and virtual events held throughout the academic year
Financial Aid Resourses
External resources:
- CUNY Financial Aid Information
- CUNY Financial Aid Calculators
- CUNY Paying for College Guide
- CUNY FAFSA Guide
- NYS HESC – How to Complete NYS (TAP) Student Payment Application
- CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Program – FAQs
- CARES Act Student Emergency Grant
- The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) – Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA)
- HEERF III ARP Student Grant Structure and Methodology
- HEERF IIII ARP Student Emergency Grant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- “Student Right to Know”: Guttman Consumer Information
FAFSA Simplification
The FAFSA Simplification Act redesigned the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process to make applying for federal student aid easier for students and their families/supporters. Most of the changes related to FAFSA simplification will begin with the 2024-2025 application. Due to these changes, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available on October 1 as previous years; the anticipated launch date of the 2024-25 FAFSA will be in December 2023.
What are the Benefits of FAFSA Simplification?
- A more streamlined application process
- Expanded eligibility for federal student aid
- Reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students and students from low-income backgrounds)
- Better user experience for the FAFSA form
What major changes will FAFSA simplification introduce?
- Significant changes to the application process include changes to the FAFSA form, how students and families complete the application, and the eligibility calculation.
- The FAFSA form will be updated and streamlined to improve access.
- Rather than importing their tax information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, applicants will consent to providing their Federal Tax Information (FTI) via a direct data share with the IRS. This enhanced data sharing simplifies the applicant’s experience.
- The FAFSA form will be expanded to the 11 most common languages spoken by English learner students and their parents. Language-specific resources and support will also be available from FSA Information Center.
- Foster, homeless and unaccompanied youth – as well as applicants who cannot provide parental information – will be able to complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI). Students who have their independent student status approved by a financial aid administrator will also be eligible for a renewal of their dependency status in subsequent years if their circumstances remain unchanged.
Eligibility for federal student aid will be expanded in the following ways:
- The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Federal Pell Grant access will be expanded and linked to family size and federal poverty levels, which will allow more students and families from low-income backgrounds to qualify.
Additional Financial Assistance
- Find out about scholarships to help pay for tuition and other educational costs.
- Get help with everyday expenses and the Grizzly Pantry through the Connect Center.