Stony Brook University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services administers several federal and state programs that provide funds to assist eligible students in pursuing their academic goals. These programs are the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). The office also manages the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Stafford and PLUS Loan Programs, the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART).

As part of its strategic vision for 2013-2018, Stony Brook University is working on increasing the investment of time and resources into recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff. The university strives to make them more consonant with the makeup of our student body. By having a diverse range of backgrounds employed at the university, Stony Brook faculty and staff will be better able to serve and represent the interests of low income and minority families.

The Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) program and the College Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) are New York State Education department efforts. STEP serves about 200 local students each year. The program at Stony Brook offers enrichment experiences through the exposure to the University’s rich academic resources. CSTEP program serves around 250 underrepresented minority and low income students each year. The goal of the program is to promote academic excellence and provide support services for its participants. The purpose of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is to provide access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students who possessed the potential to succeed in college, but whose academic preparation in high school has not fully prepared them. This program at the State University of New York at Stony Brook offers the following support services to students in the program: Pre - Freshman Summer Academy, Tutorial Services, Personal Counseling & Academic Advising, Workshops and Conferences, and Computer Based Instruction and Tutorial (CBIT) Laboratory time.

Ralph Watkins Memorial Scholarship: To provide support to qualified under-represented students who are admissible under regular criteria, but due to financial constraints may be unable to complete their education. Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship: Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens and must be New York State residents, who will make a contribution to the diversity of the student body in their program or school, primarily by overcoming a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.

In addition to helping to prepare students from low income families for higher education, which in turn aids in a smooth transition for parents as well, the university also is a dedicated member to the organization known as College Parents of America, which provides parents and family members with information and resources on the college experience. Through the resources provided by this partnership, Stony Brook hopes to ease the process of transitioning to the college life for parents.

The STEP program is a New York State Education department effort to encourage and prepare underrepresented minority and low-income secondary school students for entry into scientific, technical, health and health-related professions.. It serves about 200 local students each year.The program at Stony Brook offers enrichment experiences through the exposure to the University’s rich academic resources, which prepares the students for college life at Stony Brook.

Over a third (37 percent) of SBU’s undergraduate students qualify for Pell Grants, and Pell recipients graduate at a rate 3-4 percent higher than the overall student body. SBU will invest $5 million dollars over the next five years in additional academic support, advising, and tutoring for undergraduates as well as expand experiential learning, internship, STEM education, and research opportunities, increasing the annual number of research placements by 400 students by 2019. To maximize the impact of SBU's EOP/AIM program, which graduates students at a significantly higher rate than the general student population, SBU will also be investing an additional $1 million dollars over the next four years. SBU will also hold low-income students harmless from future tuition increases by investing more than $2.2 million dollars in financial aid over the next two years. SBU will also rebuild and expand its focus on data analysis to support student success, and will invest $600,000 over the next five years in the tracking software for early intervention.

Another financial aid program through the state that is available to students is Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP). This state-funded award is provided to graduate students who are NY State residents who previously graduated from an EOP, HEOP, or SEEK program. To receive this award, you must be enrolled full-time (12 credits) in a first-time graduate/professional degree program

There are a series of loan programs available to low income students if they fit the requirements. There is the Federal Perkins Loan. This loan is offered through the federal campus-based aid program. It is awarded to matriculated students with financial need. Payment is owed to the school that awarded the loan. Interest on this loan does not accrue while you are in school and during your initial grace period. Repayment begins 9 months after you graduate or fall below 6 credits. Interest rates during repayment are locked at 5%. There are also Federal Direct Subsidized Loan for undergraduate students. This is a need-based loan available to undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per semester) in an eligible program leading to a degree or certificate. Interest begins accruing once you graduate or drop below six credits.

Through the state, Stony Brook University provides part time students with up to $2,000 through the Aid for Part Students Study (APTS) program. To apply for and receive this award, students must submit an APTS Application and a copy of the student's and parent's (if applicable) New York State Income Tax Return must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services.

The Campus has Stony Book Child Care Services Inc. on campus. The center is nationally accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, which means it has voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study and invited external review to verify compliance with the academy's criteria for high-quality early childhood programs. Parents pay the tuition for The Stony Brook child Care Services Inc. based on personal annual income. The lower the income, the smaller the amount they owe. If their income is less than $35,000, then they can get subsidies from the Stony Brook University.

Adult Learners and non-traditional students are given opportunities from faculty, staff and peers. They have programs and events such as the National Non-Traditional Student Week which celebrates Stony Brook University's adult learners while actively promoting the school's Driving Force efforts. Students can interact with peers via the Non-Traditional Student/Adult Learner Association and the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society, Phi Omega Chapter. The association is a group of self-identified adult learners established a campus organization intended to bring together Stony Brook University's non-traditional student community. Students may include, but are not limited to, undergraduates who are 25+, returning students, veterans, and familial caretakers. The National Honor Society is Stony Brook University's first to specifically recognize the academic achievements of our non-traditional student population.