TC3 - Enrollment Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the school code for Tompkins Cortland Community College?
How do I use my receiving financial to pay my tuition bill?
When and how do I receive financial aid that is due back to me?
What is the fastest way to receive my financial aid check(s)?
What if I have questions or problems with my financial aid and I don’t know what to do?
How do I pay for my books at the Bookstore if I have financial aid?
Do I have to fill out a separate application if my award letter has a student loan recommended on it?  
How much cash do I need to have to start school?

My financial aid form asks for a school code.  What is the school code for Tompkins Cortland Community College?Federal Code: 006788  (Used for the Free Federal Application)

State Code: 2260 (Should appear on your TAP Express application.)
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How do I use my receiving financial to pay my tuition bill?Under most circumstances, the first money received by the college (grant or student loan) will pay your tuition bill.  Any funds not used to pay your tuition bill will be given to you.  Also, your tuition bill may contain other charges that will be paid by your financial aid.  Examples include book charges and on-campus student housing.
back to top
When and how do I receive financial aid that is due back to me?All checks will be mailed to your local address, except for workstudy pay checks.  Following is a list of the most common programs that might send you a check:
Workstudy:Student workers are paid every two weeks for the hours they have worked. 
Federal Pell Grant: If you have a “cleared for payment” Pell Grant by the first day of classes, you can expect a refund for excess funds approximately six weeks into the semester.  Once the first refund to students occurs, there are refunds every Friday.  You can check with the financial aid office to see when to expect your check.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: SEOG grants are processed at the same time as the federal Pell grant.
New York State TAP Award: As long as the College has been made aware of the TAP award, the TAP award will be credited to your tuition bill and you should not expect to get a refund.  In some cases the TAP certificate is received late and other forms of aid will have paid the tuition bill.  In this case, you will receive a refund when New York State sends the award money to the college.  This can take several months.
Federal Student Loan Checks (both Subsidized and Unsubsidized):  All continuing students who have their applications complete by July 1st  should have a refund check issued the Friday of the 4th week of classes. A federal regulation requires first-time borrowers to have their student loan check delayed for 30 days. A refund check for these loans could be expected approximately two weeks after it is received on campus.
Other Scholarships and Grants: Any money from grants or scholarships received by the college in your behalf will be credited to your tuition bill first, with the remainder given to you. A refund check will be issued to the you within two weeks after the Office of Budget and Finance receives the funds.
back to top
What is the fastest way to receive my financial aid check(s)?Apply Early! Applications can be completed and sent anytime after the first of the year.  Check with the financial aid office to make sure you have done everything that you were required to do.  If you are applying for a student loan, make sure you have returned the loan request form you received with your award letter. You will be required to complete a master promissory note.  This can be done online or by paper. Ask questions when you don’t understand something. There are walk-in appointments every Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:30 PM.
back to top
What if I have questions or problems with my financial aid and I don’t know what to do?First, call or stop in and check with the financial aid office staff.  If they can’t help you or if you are uncomfortable speaking in the outer office, you can either phone or schedule an appointment with one of the counselors.  If you are phoning with a question and you need to leave a message, please make the question as explicit as possible.  That way, when a counselor returns your call, he or she may already have the answer for you.  If you would prefer to see someone in person, you can either make an appointment or you can come on any Wednesday afternoon between 1:00- 2:30 PM for a walk-in appointment.
back to top
How do I pay for my books at the Bookstore if I have financial aid?If you have a financial aid package in place, you may open an account at the bookstore one week before the start of classes.  The account will be limited to $30 per credit, or for the remaining financial aid funds available in your award package, whichever is less.
back to top
Do I have to fill out a separate application if my award letter recommends a student loan?The award letter is only the beginning of the student loan process. If you want the loan, then you must complete the loan request form and return it to the financial aid office. Next, your lender will mail you a master promissory note that you must sign and return to your lender. This master promissory note can be completed online if you wish.
You must also complete an entrance interview.  This can be done online. Remember, you do not need to request the entire amount that is being recommended. Should you need less, borrow less.  Student loans must be paid back when you complete your education or drop below six credits per term. Always borrow wisely!
back to top
I have just applied for financial aid. How much cash do I need to have to start school?Anytime there is no financial aid on the system when you want to register for classes and you are not paying cash, you will have to follow a tuition deferral process.  At the time you are registered for your classes you will be required to attend a group meeting. Generally, you will be signed up for the next available meeting. At that meeting you will be instructed on what to expect. The information will change depending on how close we are to the start of classes. 
Basically, you should be prepared to purchase your required books, approximately $350. You should be prepared to pay out of pocket expenses for at least the first six weeks of classes. This would include rent, transportation, and food costs. Once you have attended the tuition deferral meeting, your tuition bill will be put on hold for 30 days.
If you miss the meeting and you reschedule and attend you will be set for the next 30 days.  You will be taken out of the classes for which you are registered if you miss two deferral meeting appointments.

Tompkins Cortland Community College

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	Tuition and Fees Service Tradition Planning Guide Scholarships Foundation Scholarships Hope Scholarship Student Loans Student Employment Handbook FAQs PACE Related Links Nomination Form Academic Requirements Phone: 607.844.6581 Fax: 607.844.6538 Michael J. McGraw Director of Financial Aid E-mail Michael Sharon D. Karwowski Assistant Director of Financial Aid E-mail Sharon Kenneth L. Mangle Assistant Director of Financial Aid E-mail Kenneth Wen Juan Huang Senior Financial Aid Counselor/Systems Specialist E-mail Wen Sarah Hicks Financial Aid Counselor E-mail Sarah Janet L. Haines Secretary E-mail Janet Mary Bush Secretary E-mail Mary Laura Path-Falso Secretary E-mail Laura Office Hours 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday Please Note: The office is generally open during the lunch hour. Appointments may be scheduled any weekday.	Frequently Asked Questions What is the school code for Tompkins Cortland Community College? How do I use my receiving financial to pay my tuition bill? When and how do I receive financial aid that is due back to me? What is the fastest way to receive my financial aid check(s)? What if I have questions or problems with my financial aid and I don’t know what to do? How do I pay for my books at the Bookstore if I have financial aid? Do I have to fill out a separate application if my award letter has a student loan recommended on it? How much cash do I need to have to start school? My financial aid form asks for a school code. What is the school code for Tompkins Cortland Community College? Federal Code: 006788 (Used for the Free Federal Application) State Code: 2260 (Should appear on your TAP Express application.) back to top How do I use my receiving financial to pay my tuition bill? Under most circumstances, the first money received by the college (grant or student loan) will pay your tuition bill. Any funds not used to pay your tuition bill will be given to you. Also, your tuition bill may contain other charges that will be paid by your financial aid. Examples include book charges and on-campus student housing. back to top When and how do I receive financial aid that is due back to me? All checks will be mailed to your local address, except for workstudy pay checks. Following is a list of the most common programs that might send you a check: Workstudy: Student workers are paid every two weeks for the hours they have worked. Federal Pell Grant: If you have a “cleared for payment” Pell Grant by the first day of classes, you can expect a refund for excess funds approximately six weeks into the semester. Once the first refund to students occurs, there are refunds every Friday. You can check with the financial aid office to see when to expect your check. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: SEOG grants are processed at the same time as the federal Pell grant. New York State TAP Award: As long as the College has been made aware of the TAP award, the TAP award will be credited to your tuition bill and you should not expect to get a refund. In some cases the TAP certificate is received late and other forms of aid will have paid the tuition bill. In this case, you will receive a refund when New York State sends the award money to the college. This can take several months. Federal Student Loan Checks (both Subsidized and Unsubsidized): All continuing students who have their applications complete by July 1st should have a refund check issued the Friday of the 4th week of classes. A federal regulation requires first-time borrowers to have their student loan check delayed for 30 days. A refund check for these loans could be expected approximately two weeks after it is received on campus. Other Scholarships and Grants: Any money from grants or scholarships received by the college in your behalf will be credited to your tuition bill first, with the remainder given to you. A refund check will be issued to the you within two weeks after the Office of Budget and Finance receives the funds. back to top What is the fastest way to receive my financial aid check(s)? Apply Early! Applications can be completed and sent anytime after the first of the year. Check with the financial aid office to make sure you have done everything that you were required to do. If you are applying for a student loan, make sure you have returned the loan request form you received with your award letter. You will be required to complete a master promissory note. This can be done online or by paper. Ask questions when you don’t understand something. There are walk-in appointments every Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:30 PM. back to top What if I have questions or problems with my financial aid and I don’t know what to do? First, call or stop in and check with the financial aid office staff. If they can’t help you or if you are uncomfortable speaking in the outer office, you can either phone or schedule an appointment with one of the counselors. If you are phoning with a question and you need to leave a message, please make the question as explicit as possible. That way, when a counselor returns your call, he or she may already have the answer for you. If you would prefer to see someone in person, you can either make an appointment or you can come on any Wednesday afternoon between 1:00- 2:30 PM for a walk-in appointment. back to top How do I pay for my books at the Bookstore if I have financial aid? If you have a financial aid package in place, you may open an account at the bookstore one week before the start of classes. The account will be limited to $30 per credit, or for the remaining financial aid funds available in your award package, whichever is less. back to top Do I have to fill out a separate application if my award letter recommends a student loan? The award letter is only the beginning of the student loan process. If you want the loan, then you must complete the loan request form and return it to the financial aid office. Next, your lender will mail you a master promissory note that you must sign and return to your lender. This master promissory note can be completed online if you wish. You must also complete an entrance interview. This can be done online. Remember, you do not need to request the entire amount that is being recommended. Should you need less, borrow less. Student loans must be paid back when you complete your education or drop below six credits per term. Always borrow wisely! back to top I have just applied for financial aid. How much cash do I need to have to start school? Anytime there is no financial aid on the system when you want to register for classes and you are not paying cash, you will have to follow a tuition deferral process. At the time you are registered for your classes you will be required to attend a group meeting. Generally, you will be signed up for the next available meeting. At that meeting you will be instructed on what to expect. The information will change depending on how close we are to the start of classes. Basically, you should be prepared to purchase your required books, approximately $350. You should be prepared to pay out of pocket expenses for at least the first six weeks of classes. This would include rent, transportation, and food costs. Once you have attended the tuition deferral meeting, your tuition bill will be put on hold for 30 days. If you miss the meeting and you reschedule and attend you will be set for the next 30 days. You will be taken out of the classes for which you are registered if you miss two deferral meeting appointments.
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