Covid-19 Financial Aid Updates & FAQs

Updated 8/20/2021

 For the latest information please visit: 

 

Note: The below is archived information applicable to prior academic terms. 

This information will be updated regularly as it becomes available to inform our students, faculty, staff, and larger community regarding any possible financial aid implications related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  

FALL 2020 - Financial Aid FAQs related to COVID-19

Will modality of my course(s) change my expected financial aid?  No, the modality of your classes will not change your aid.  Changes in federal and state aid policies were made to safeguard student financial aid and military benefits.  Students must continue to maintain minimum program and enrollment requirements to receive aid.

Due to COVID-19, my family is really struggling financially.  Our income has drastically changed since 2018 (income for FAFSA).  What can I do?  You may be eligible for a process called an income adjustment.  Please reach out to Jay Express or Financial Aid to further explore your options.

How do I submit all of my financial aid documents since the college is mostly remote?  Documents can be submitted through Dynamic Forms (preferred) or uploaded through CUNYfirst. 

Will federal work study be available for the Fall 2020 term?  Yes! Our office is closely working with other areas of the college and external partners to offer remote Federal work study positions.  In addition, all required documentation for placement can be submitted online!

I was notified that I am not making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and now have no financial aid. What can I do?  You should have been notified of the process to submit an appeal.  If your appeal is not COVID-19 related, please visit - https://nextgensso.com/sp/startSSO.ping?PartnerIdpId=http://sts.jjay.cuny.edu/adfs/services/trust&SpSessionAuthnAdapterId=johnjayDF&TargetResource=https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/Submit/Form/Start/3b67ebe1-dcef-4adb-b105-00b480b0164d

If your academic performance was directly impacted by COVID-19, please submit - https://nextgensso.com/sp/startSSO.ping?PartnerIdpId=http://sts.jjay.cuny.edu/adfs/services/trust&SpSessionAuthnAdapterId=johnjayDF&TargetResource=https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/Submit/Form/Start/d3ce53aa-a9a2-4d94-bb67-eb2349e0ce0b

CUNY COVID-19 Resource page

SPRING 2020 Information related to COVID-19

 

*UPDATE ON THE CREDIT/NO CREDIT GRADING POLICY*

Federal Aid Updates

We are awaiting further guidance from the University and US Department of Education.

In general, students must continue to maintain minimum program enrollment requirements to receive aid. 

  • Current Pell Grant awards should not be affected

 

  • Current Federal Direct Loan awards should not be affected 

 

If you are planning to officially withdraw from all of your Spring 2020 courses, please consult with an academic and financial aid advisor before doing so.  Withdrawing from all courses can negatively affect your Spring 2020 aid.

Federal Work Study -    

  • FWS students should continue to report to their job locations (on or off campus) for as long as the location remains open. Please confirm with your supervisor. 
  • Any student scheduled to work on March 11, 2020 (college closed) and March 16, 2020 (college open for essential employees only) will be compensated for those hours.
  • Students can work remotely during the Recalibration Period (March 27 - April 1) and Spring Recess (April 8 - April 10). Please speak with your supervisor. 
  • If your office is closed and you cannot report to work, you will be paid your regular scheduled hours. Please ask your supervisor to send an email indicating the office was closed for payment.
  • If your office is closed and you have not been offered remote work, you will need to submit a COVID-19 form to continue to receive payment. Please use this link to print and sign the form . Please return the form via email to Federalworkstudy@jjay.cuny.edu
  • The expectation for externships, internships and clinicals is that unless your site is closed, or deemed essential, students should be working remotely.  If your office is closed and you have not been offered remote work, you will need to submit a COVID-19 form. 
  • FWS students may work remotely. Your job description should reflect work that can be accomplished off-campus. Please speak with your supervisor for further details.
  • As always, supervisors must oversee the work of any FWS recipient and submit timesheets in a timely fashion by required deadlines.  

 

FWS Supervisors should contact Ms. Ana Ramos, aramos@jjay.cuny.edu with any additional questions.

Federal Direct Loans - 

All borrowers with federally held student loans will automatically have their interest rates set to 0% for a period of at least 60 days. In addition, each of these borrowers will have the option to suspend their payments for at least two months to allow them greater flexibility during the national emergency. This will allow borrowers to temporarily stop their payments without worrying about accruing interest.

Visit StudentAid.gov/coronavirus for forthcoming details. 

Verification Documentation

Students submitting documentation for 2020/21 verification should follow instructions provided through the "to-do" list on CUNYfirst.

New York State Aid Updates

Based on guidance received by HESC and the University, at this time, NYS Aid Programs for the Spring 2020 term should not be substantially affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  In general, students must continue to maintain minimum program enrollment requirements to receive aid.

Students unable to complete the term due to direct impact by Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be advised to file for an appeal in future term.  Documentation will be requested.  

Further information from HESC can be found at: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/coronavirus

Veteran/GI Bill/Active Military Information

GI Bill Benefits

What is the impact, if any, to GI Bill recipients when their schools are either closed or has directed their students to take classes online as a result of precautions taken due to COVID-19?

The answer will depend on the type of action taken by the school, the timing of the action, and the current program approval.

  • If a school temporarily closes due to an established policy based on an Executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation, VA may continue benefit payments (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) for up to 4 weeks during a 12-month period.  This authority, and limitation, are codified in statute (38 U.S.C. § 3680(a)(2)(A).
  • If the school remains open (virtually, rather than physically), and students are transitioned to pursuit solely through online classes, then benefit payments will be impacted as follows:
    • If the switch from training in-residence to online classes occurs during the term, and the program has been approved by the State Approving Agency for delivery through an online modality, then benefit payments (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) will remain unchanged for the remainder of that term.
    • However, for any subsequent terms pursued solely online, the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be reduced to one-half of the national average of DoD’s Basic Allowance for Housing rates for an E-5 with dependents.  The limitations on MHA rates are codified in statute (38 U.S.C. § 3313(c)(1)(B)(iii).
    • Lastly, if the program has not been approved by the State Approving Agency for delivery through an online modality, benefit payments will completely stop (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) when students begin training online.  

 

 If you have questions about your specific circumstance, please contact the Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.

National Guard and Reserve students called to active duty for COVID-19 support

Any John Jay military student (National Guard or Reserve) who receives orders to active duty to provide COVID-19 support IMMEDIATELY should contact each of their instructors and Mr. Richard Pusateri, Military and Veteran Services Manager, at rpusateri@jjay.cuny.edu.   Attach your orders or memorandum concerning your activation to the email if available.

With remote instruction, instructors and students may be able to agree to various accommodations that allow activated students to finish their courses. Mr. Pusateri can assist in those discussions as needed.

In rare instances when a student considers withdrawing from classes, they should contact Mr. Pusateri before withdrawing to discuss options and, if necessary, procedures for a military service withdrawal.

CUNY’s military policies regarding military mobilization and activation are found at: https://www.cuny.edu/about/university-resources/veterans-affairs/returning-fromleaving-for-active-duty/.  

Attention Veterans and Family members who have a Veteran Education overpayment.

If you are affected by the COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS), have a Veteran education benefit debt and need temporary financial relief, please contact the VA's Debt Management Center (DMC) at 1-800-827-0648 to request assistance.

Campus Contacts

For further information, John Jay College Veteran/Active Military students should contact: 

 

Other Financial Aid Programs 

Information will be updated as it becomes available.

College scholarships already awarded for the Spring 2020 term will not be affected.  Students can apply for 2020/21 scholarships at http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/scholarships  The deadline is June 1, 2020.

We highly recommend that you setup direct deposit to receive refunds, if you have not done so already.  Further information can be found here.

Additional Questions?

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@jjay.cuny.edu