Financial Aid 
                                                                                                                                                                Campus Center G-25 
                                                                                                                                                           1400 Washington Avenue 
                                                                                                                                                                     Albany, NY 12222 
                                                                                                                                            PH: 518-442-3202   FX: 518-442-5295 
                                                                                                                                       http://www.albany.edu/financialaid 
                          
                          
                         We recently sent the Fall UAlbany bill and financial aid package. You may have questions. Here are 
                         answers to the most common questions: 
                          
                         Q: Where is my NYS Excelsior Scholarship? 
                         Q: Where is my NYS TAP Grant? 
                         Q: Why are my loans not showing on my bill? 
                         Q: How can I pay my outstanding balance? 
                         Q: I was selected for verification, what does that mean?  
                         Q: Am I able to appeal the fees listed on my bill? 
                          
                         Q: Where is my NYS Excelsior Scholarship?  
                                 New/First time Excelsior recipient for fall 2018 
                                      a.  Make sure you have completed the 2018-19 FAFSA. 
                                      b.  Make sure you signed the Excelsior Scholarship contract. This contract is emailed to you by 
                                            HESC. Contact HESC with questions.   
                                                   i.   Please note, it takes up to seven days from signing the contract until the award 
                                                        shows on your account.  
                                 Returning Excelsior Recipients (Received award in 2017-18) 
                                      a.  Make sure you have completed the 2018-19 FAFSA. 
                                      b.  Make sure you have completed the NYS Student Aid Payment Application.  
                                      c.    Excelsior guidelines are complex and require you meet academic and other criteria. Please 
                                            review the Excelsior Scholarship eligibility requirements.  
                                      d.  Go to HESC to check the status of your application or for additional information.  
                          
                         Q: Where is my NYS TAP Grant?
                                                                           
                                      a.  Verify that you have completed the TAP application.  
                                      b.  Make sure the University at Albany’s school code 0895 is on the application.  
                                      c.    Make sure you have signed up for at least 12 degree applicable credits.  
                                      d.  We receive TAP updates weekly. If your application was recently approved, check your 
                                            student account on Friday.  
                                                                       for important dates and to review other eligibility requirements.  
                                      e.  Visit our website
                          
                         Q: Why are my loans not showing on my bill? 
                                      a.  Log in to MyUAlbany and check your checklist items. Students may need to accept their 
                                            loans, complete the Master Promissory Note, and/or complete entrance counseling.  
                          
                                                                                            
                         Q: How can I pay my outstanding balance?
                              Consider the following options: 
                                      a.  Split your balance into four equal installments by enrolling in the University’s Payment Plan.  
                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                           Financial Aid 
                                                                                                                                     Campus Center G-25 
                                                                                                                                 1400 Washington Avenue 
                                                                                                                                         Albany, NY 12222 
                                                                                                                    PH: 518-442-3202   FX: 518-442-5295 
                                                                                                                http://www.albany.edu/financialaid 
                      
                               b.  Apply for a Direct PLUS Loan. A PLUS Loan allows for a dependent’s parent to finance the 
                                     remaining cost of attendance.  
                               c.    Apply for a private student loan. The student is the primary borrower and will likely require 
                                     a cosigner. Visit NYS Higher Education Services Corporation for additional information on 
                                     private student loans.  
                               d.  Seek on or off campus employment.  
                      
                     Q: I was selected for verification, what does that mean?  
                               a.  The United States Department of Education may select you for verification of your FAFSA. 
                                     Verification confirms the accuracy of income and other items reported on your FAFSA. 
                                     Please log in to MyUAlbany and review your “important items.” You will need to upload all 
                                     requested documents to our secured portal.  
                               b.  Once you have submitted all documents, please allow 2-3 weeks for a counselor to review 
                                     your records. We will contact you if we are in need of additional information.  
                               c.    Please note, financial aid awards including: Pell, SEOG, Direct Loans, and NYS Excelsior 
                                     Scholarship will not be reflected on your bill until the verification review is completed by a 
                                     financial aid counselor.  
                                                                                                               using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool 
                               d.  Helpful hint and time saver: You can update your FAFSA
                                     (DRT). This is an automated way to securely transfer your income information from the IRS 
                                     to the FAFSA. Please take advantage of this resource as it streamlines the verification 
                                     process. 
                      
                     Q: Am I able to appeal the fees listed on my bill? 
                               a.  No, fees are mandatory with the exception of the Student-Alumni Partnership Fee. You may 
                                     opt out of this fee if you do not believe you will benefit from it. Please note, you must opt 
                                     out of the fee by September 10, 2018.  
                      
                      
                     Sincerely,  
                     Office of Financial Aid 
                     University at Albany