John Jay College Of Criminal Justice | The City University of New York

Grant money is awarded based on financial eligibility and does not have to be repaid. The following are the most common Grant programs available at John Jay:

• ACG and SMART Grants
• APTS (Aid for Part-Time Study)
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
• SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) 
• TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)
• Tuition Benefits for Active New York State National Guard Members 
• Uniformed Services Tuition Waiver Program
• Veterans Benefits: Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty (Chapter 30)
• Veterans Benefits: Montgomery G.I. Bill – Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606)
• Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA) and Persian Gulf College Tuition Benefits

ACG and SMART Grants
The U.S. Department of Education has launched two new grant programs in 2006: The Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants.

• Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
  An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study.  To be eligible for each academic year, a student must  meet certain criteria including, but not limited to, being a U.S. citizen, being a Federal Pell Grant recipient, and being enrolled full-time in a degree program.  Most potential recipients will be notified by the U.S. Department of Education and will be given a website link that will help them determine whether they meet eligibility requirements.

• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants
  An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study.  To be eligible for each academic year, a student must meet certain criteria including, but not limited to being: a U.S. citizen, a Federal Pell Grant recipient, and enrolled full-time in a degree program.  Under the National SMART Grant Program, CUNY will identify Pell-eligible federal student aid recipients who are majoring in accepted academic programs for SMART Grant eligibility.

APTS (Aid for Part-Time Study)
This grant program is for part-time matriculated undergraduate students and is financed by New York State and open only to state residents.  In addition, an applicant must be a United States citizen, or have permanent resident or refugee status.  Awards vary according to financial ability and the funding given to The City University of New York each year.  Students must be enrolled for 6 to 11 credits.

Federal Pell Grant
This federal entitlement program was instituted to help undergraduate matriculated students meet the cost of their education.  Pell grants are awarded to eligible students enrolled in a full-time program (12 or more credits).  Reduced grants are available to students enrolled part-time.  Applicants must demonstrate financial need.  Awards range from $200 to $2,155 per semester.  Students must apply each year.

Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
This federal grant is awarded to students who are enrolled at least half-time and demonstrate the greatest financial need.  Awards are $200 per semester.

SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge)
This special program is for a limited number of students entering college for the first time who are in need of academic and economic support.  To be eligible, a candidate must attend college as a full-time day student, and must be a New York State resident.  Financial eligibility is determined by two factors: a correlation between a household’s total annual income before taxes and the number of family members that income supports.  Students who apply to the SEEK program must also file for the Pell Grant (see Pell Grant section of this chapter) and TAP (see TAP section of this chapter).  Furthermore, if students show need under federal financial aid guidelines, they may be eligible for funds to cover the student activity fee and the cost of books, and may be granted a stipend (a fixed allowance that helps pay for educational expenses other than tuition).  For further information regarding academic criteria, visit the SEEK Program.

TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)
This New York State tuition grant program is available to full-time matriculated students who have been legal residents of New York State for at least one year.  Awards, which range from $250 to $2000 per semester, vary according to financial ability and may be used solely to pay the cost of tuition.  Applicants applying as independent students must meet special requirements.  Awards are granted for only eight semesters.  SEEK students are eligible for ten semesters.

Tuition Benefits for Active New York State National Guard Members
This is a New York State tuition assistance program for active members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard and the New York Naval Militia.  It provides tuition assistance for active members enrolled in a first degree program of study.  The award covers tuition after all other financial aid has been applied to the tuition charges.  Students must apply for federal and state aid and file a DMNA 96-1 form, which can be obtained from their individual National Guard unit.  Continuation of the award will be dependent on good military standing, making satisfactory progress toward the degree and on maintaining good academic standing for financial aid purposes.

Uniformed Services Tuition Waiver Program
This program provides waiver funds for students employed as non-supervisory personnel in New York State as a uniformed member of a police, fire, corrections, or court agency.  Funding for this program varies each year.

Veterans Benefits: Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty (Chapter 30)
Under Chapter 30, individuals who entered military service on or after July 1, 1985 and had their basic military pay reduced by $100 per month for the first 12 months of service are generally eligible.  Active duty for three years, or two years active plus four years in the Selective Reserve or National Guard, entitles an individual to $1,101 per month basic benefits for 36 months, or the equivalent in part-time training.  All questions regarding Veterans Benefits should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Veterans Benefits: Montgomery G.I. Bill – Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606)
Under Chapter 106, individuals who are satisfactorily participating in required training or who are fulfilling an obligated service of not less than six years in the Selective Reserve are eligible for benefits.  Eligible reservists are entitled to a maximum of 36 months of educational assistance based upon full-time training, or the equivalent in part-time training.  Benefits for full-time study are presently $317 per month.  Questions regarding Veterans Benefits may be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA) and Persian Gulf College Tuition Benefits
Vietnam veterans and veterans of the Persian Gulf War who are undergraduates may be eligible for up to $1,000 per semester for full-time attendance and up to $500 per semester for part-time attendance, to a maximum of $10,000 total.  They must meet specific state residency and service requirements to be eligible for this state award.  Veterans can obtain an application from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYHESC), 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255.  As part of the application process, the student veteran must also apply for TAP and the Federal Pell Grant.