Financial Aid Deadlines Approaching

Ann

As the semester winds down, it’s a great time to check your financial aid and current tuition balance to make sure everything is in place for the upcoming term. Here are a few important reminders and deadlines to help you stay on track:

Review Your Tuition Balance:
Log in to CUNYfirst and click on “Student Center” > “Financial Account” to review your current tuition balance.
An unpaid balance will result in a “Bursar Hold”, which will prevent you from registering for next semester—so it’s important to take action now.

Make Sure Your Financial Aid is Complete:
If you expect financial aid to cover your balance, be sure to:

  1. Submit the 2024–2025 FAFSA (Deadline: June 30, 2025)
    studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
  2. Submit the 2024–2025 TAP Application (Deadline: June 30, 2025)
    www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw
    If you are not eligible for FAFSA, you may apply for TAP via the NYS DREAM Act
  3. Check and Complete All Financial Aid Tasks
    Log into CUNYfirst and click on “Student Center” > “Tasks” to check your “To Do” list. Be sure to complete any outstanding Financial Aid Tasks.
  4. Complete TAP Requirements
    Log into your 2024-2025 TAP application at: webapps.hesc.ny.gov/hescpub/main to confirm all requirements are submitted. Need to fix errors or upload documents? Watch HESC’s step-by-step video tutorial guide.

Explore Additional Aid Options:

  • Federal Student Loans:
    If you’re interested in borrowing student loans, submit your request before the Spring 2025 application deadline: May 9, 2025.
  • Income Adjustment Appeal:
    Have you (or your family) experienced a recent loss of income or financial hardship? You may qualify for an Income Adjustment, which allows the Office of Financial Aid to review and potentially update your FAFSA based on your current financial situation. Click on Income Adjustment Appeal to learn more. Deadline: May 1, 2025.

Need help?

Taking these steps now can help avoid delays and ensure a smooth start to your next semester. Let us know how we can support you!

ASAP Peer Mentor Job Opportunity!

Ann

We’re excited to announce that ASAP Financial Aid is hiring for a “Peer Mentor: Digital Media & Design” position! We’re looking for a creative and motivated student who’s passionate about design, social media, and supporting their peers in navigating financial aid.

View the full job description below. If you believe you’re a great fit for the role, please submit your resume and cover letter to ASAPfinaid@bmcc.cuny.edu with the subject line: “ASAP Peer Mentor Application” by the deadline 4/30/2025.

ASAP Peer Mentor- Digital Media and DesignDownload

Apply for 2025-2026 Aid by March 1st

Ann

Submit your 2025-2026 FAFSA and TAP applications by our priority deadline: March 1, 2025.
(For non-FAFSA filers, submit your TAP application through the NYS DREAM Act Application)

5 Reasons to File by the Deadline:

  1. Plan Ahead!
    Get your financial aid package on time so you can plan, budget, and explore additional funding options if necessary.
  2. Unlock Summer Aid!
    Taking classes in Summer 2025? Filing on time helps determine your eligibility for summer grants, scholarships, and book funding.
  3. Reduce Stress!
    Filing on time gives you extra time to submit required documents and resolve any questions with the Financial Aid Office—no last-minute rush!
  4. Meet ASAP Requirements!
    Filing by the March 1st priority deadline is a mandatory ASAP requirement. Filing on time ensures your financial aid package is ready to meet Bursar tuition payment deadlines and keep you eligible for ASAP support.
  5. Access More Opportunities!
    Limited funds, like Federal Work-Study, are often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Filing on time boosts your chances of securing these resources!

Don’t wait—take the first step toward securing your financial aid today!

Spring 2025 Excelsior Scholarship Application

Scarlet Hernandez

The Spring 2025 Excelsior Scholarship Application is now available for new applicants! Find out if you qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship and apply by the deadline: February 3, 2025:

*For Non-FAFSA filers (Dreamers, undocumented, other students): To be considered for New York State financial aid awards like TAP or Excelsior, you must apply through the Jose Peralta NYS DREAM Act Application.

DREAM Big! A Guide to the Senator José Peralta DREAM Act

Scarlet Hernandez

Applying for financial aid can be a challenge for many, but it doesn’t need to be a challenge for you with regards to your immigration status! The NYS Dream Act is designed to help undocumented and other eligible students access the financial support they need for higher education and that’s why this guide is here to help!

DREAM-Big-DREAM-ACT-Guide_Page-1 DREAM-Big-DREAM-ACT-Guide_Page-2 DREAM-Big-DREAM-ACT-Guide_Page-3

What’s New? A Guide for the new 2024-2025 FAFSA Form

Scarlet Hernandez

In the past year, the FAFSA Form has undergone several exciting changes, and we’re here to guide you through these updates and show you how they impact your FAFSA application process. Let us help you navigate these new adjustments with ease with our guide below.

ASAP_FAFSA-Guide-24-25_Page-1 ASAP_FAFSA-Guide-24-25_Page-2

Need help with filing for the new 2024-2025 FAFSA Form?

We’ve got you covered! The CUNY Financial Aid Support Team (FAST) provides students with support to complete the FAFSA, TAP and DREAM Act applications! With CUNY FAST you can receive 1-on-1 text support with a FAST Coach or you can attend a virtual or in-person CUNY FAST event.

Spring 2025 Textbook Information

Scarlet Hernandez

ASAP students who meet the requirements below qualify for textbook assistance to help cover the cost of textbooks and required course materials. The allocation for Spring 2025 is $250.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  1. ASAP Enrollment: You must be an active ASAP student at BMCC for Spring 2025.
  2. Class Registration: Register for Spring 2025 classes. For assistance with enrollment, contact your ASAP Academic Advisor.
  3. Financial Aid Applications:
    • Complete the FAFSA and TAP applications for the 2024-2025 academic year
    • If you’re not eligible for FAFSA, complete the TAP application via the NYS DREAM Act
    • If you’re not eligible for FAFSA or the NYS DREAM Act, email us at ASAPfinaid@bmcc.cuny.edu

HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR TEXTBOOK FUNDS:

You will receive your book funding by Direct Deposit or a Mailed Check. 

  • Direct Deposit:
    • Funds will be deposited into your bank account if you’ve set up Direct Deposit on CUNYfirst.
    • Click HERE for Direct Deposit setup instructions.
  • Mailed Check:
    • If you don’t have Direct Deposit, funds will be mailed to your address on file in CUNYfirst.
    • Click HERE to update your mailing address.

WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR TEXTBOOK FUNDS:

  • Direct Deposit: Estimated disbursement 01/24/2025 to 01/31/2025
  • Mailed Check: Sent by 01/31/2025 (arrival depends on mail carrier)

Possible Reasons for Delayed Funds:

If you did not receive the funds according to the dates above, it may be due to one or more of the following reasons:
1. Late class registration
2. Late financial aid submission
3. No direct deposit set up
4. Incorrect mailing address
5. Late enrollment in ASAP

If you have any questions about ASAP Book funding, please email us at ASAPfinaid@bmcc.cuny.edu.