CUNY SPS Admitted Student Guide

SPS

SPS.CUNY.EDU

ADMITTED

STUDENT GUIDE

CUNY SPS Next Steps Checklist Prior to the beginning of the semester: Send final transcripts (if you had courses in progress when you applied) to Admissions.

Meet with your academic advisor and register for classes.

Activate your CUNYfirst account and email.

Submit your FAFSA, read your Student Aid Report (SAR), and check your to do list in CUNYfirst.

Log in to CUNYfirst to view and pay your bill by the deadline.

Submit immunization records and health forms, which can be found on the CUNY SPS website.

Participate in the required Orientation, a two-week online course during which you will meet with your peers, learn about available resources, participate in discussions, and complete assignments.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION: ACADEMIC ADVISING advisement@sps.cuny.edu

ADMISSIONS

FINANCIAL AID

PUBLIC SAFETY

(646) 664 8720 financialaid@sps.cuny.edu

(646) 664-8600 publicsafety@sps.cuny.edu

HELP DESK

REGISTRAR

Phone: (646) 664-8544 Text: (646) 517-7876 admissions@sps.cuny.edu

(646) 664-8592 helpdesk@sps.cuny.edu

registrar@sps.cuny.edu

BURSAR

SCHOLARSHIPS

Text: (646) 517-8625 SEEK@sps.cuny.edu

(646) 664-8640 bursar@sps.cuny.edu

(646) 664-8535 scholarships@sps.cuny.edu

sps.cuny.edu • 119 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001 • 646.664.8544

SEEK

WELCOME! On behalf of the entire CUNY School of Professional Studies community, we want to take this time to congratulate you again on earning admission to CUNY SPS. This new student guide will provide you with some key information as you take the next steps in the enrollment process and prepare for your first semester with us.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT

TUTORING

advisement@sps.cuny.edu

sps.cuny.edu/tutoring

Academic advisors help you identify educational goals, select courses, communicate with faculty, prepare for the online learning environment, and balance academics with work/personal life. They are available via phone, virtually, or in person.

We offer a variety of online and on campus tutoring services, free of charge.

Your advisor works with you to:

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Assess credit for prior learning through earned college credits, exams, certifications, and workplace experience.

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Track your degree progress online through DegreeWorks.

Change your major or add a minor.

Select classes for your first semester.

STUDENT LIFE AND SERVICES studentservices@sps.cuny.edu Student Services at CUNY SPS directly addresses the needs of adult learners, devoting our time and effort towards professional development opportunities and organizations such as:

CUNY doctoral students provide support with writing, math, and computer skills, and offer diagnostic quizzes to help identify where academic help is needed most.

Additionally, one-on-one tutoring is offered 24/7, via audio/ video/whiteboard conference, from Tutor.com either on demand or by appointment.

CAREER SERVICES career.services@sps.cuny.edu Our Career Services team is committed to helping you reach your academic, personal, and professional goals by providing:

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Career advising, including interview preparation, resume review, networking strategies, LinkedIn advice, career transition, and more through CareerLink, a career management software.

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Student driven leadership conference that promotes networking by connecting you with faculty and fellow students.

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Access to job and internship postings, and resources such as resume samples, career research, and job search videos.

Professional development grants that can be used for conferences, association registrations, or development with a demonstrated link to academic or professional goals.

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Professional development events including virtual job fairs, webinars, workshops, and networking opportunities.

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Support for experiential learning such as micro-internships and credit bearing internships.

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Student clubs and organizations that develop leadership skills, expand professional networks, and provide unique engagement with faculty and staff.

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The Student Association, which serves as a forum to discuss student interests. They administer social and leadership programming for all students.

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The National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi), which is the nation’s largest, invitation-only leadership honor society for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

SEEK seek@sps.cuny.edu Admitted students can apply for the SEEK program if they were previously enrolled in an HEOP, EOP, CD, or SEEK program, and are a NY State resident. Each semester, SEEK students receive:

• • •

An education expense each semester.

A laptop is available through our laptop loan program.

Additional tutoring hours.

98%

OF GEN ED COURSES HAVE ZERO TEXTBOOK COST

STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

counseling@sps.cuny.edu

helpdesk@sps.cuny.edu

CUNY SPS Counseling Services provides confidential and free mental health support (short-term psychotherapy, crisis intervention and referrals services) to enrolled students.

ACCESSIBILITY

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Help Desk provides troubleshooting and problem-solving tools for students.

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Electronic and on campus resources are available through the Baruch Newman library.

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CUNY provides Microsoft Office 365 for Education to all students. The license remains active until you leave the University.

disabilityservices@sps.cuny.edu CUNY SPS’ Disability Services provide programs, resources, and support services to students with disabilities, making higher education accessible for all.

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BILLING AND PAYMENT bursar@sps.cuny.edu

Examples of accommodations include extended time for testing, provision of alternate format texts, and training in the use of assistive technologies.

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Check your tuition bill at CUNYfirst -> Student Center -> Financial Account.

Delta Alpha Pi (DAPi) is a student-led honor society for students with disabilities. Students attend optional monthly meetings and are awarded pins and cords to complement their commencement cap and gown.

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Tuition payment plans offered.

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The Disability and Access Coalition (DAC) is a student organization that centers, supports, and celebrates the lives and experiences of people with disabilities/disabled people through meetings and events.

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Third party vouchers/letters of credit are accepted from employers.

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CUNY SPS is committed to inclusive practices by using your preferred name during your time as a student. If you would like to change how others refer to you, please follow the instructions on our website at https://sps.cuny. edu/preferred-name-change.

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sps.cuny.edu • 119 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001 • 646.664.8544

Other payment methods: e-check or credit card online; mail in personal checks or money orders.

How to Apply for Financial Aid As An Undergraduate Student To apply for federal and NY state aid (if NY state resident), you need to complete the FAFSA and TAP applications. The applications are free to submit. The following steps will help guide you along the way.

1. COLLECT DOCUMENTS You’ll need the following:

• • • •

Social Security number.

An FSA ID. W-2 forms and other records of money earned.

Federal income tax returns (Spouse’s tax return is needed for independent students who are married. For dependent students, the parents’ income tax returns are required.)

GLOSSARY • CUNYfirst: the system you’ll use to register for courses and view your class schedule, financial aid, and tuition liability • FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid • FSA: Federal Student Aid • HESC: Higher Education Services Corporation

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Current bank statements.

• SAR: Student Aid Report

Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records.

• TAP: Tuition Assistance Program

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Alien registration card, if you are not a U.S. citizen.

2. GET AN FSA ID

You’ll need an FSA ID to sign your FAFSA electronically.

Create an FSA username and password: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

3. COMPLETE THE FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-foraid/fafsa. For free help in completing your FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

4. LINK TO TAP

The TAP application is for NY State residents to apply for NY State financial aid. Once you complete your FAFSA online, you will be taken to a confirmation page. Click on the link to apply for NY State-based financial aid and you’ll be directed to the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website to fill out your TAP application. If you miss the link, you’ll receive an email from HESC after your FAFSA is processed on how to complete your TAP application. The Application can be found at www.hesc.ny.gov.

5. RECEIVE STUDENT AID REPORT

The office of Federal Student Aid at the U.S. Department of Education will send you a summary of the FAFSA data you submitted within 24 to 48 hours after you submit your FAFSA. Review it carefully to make sure it’s correct and complete.

6. VERIFY YOUR DATA

A process called “verification” is used to determine the accuracy of your FAFSA information. If your application needs to be verified, you will have comments on your SAR indicating the actions you need to take. Verification must be completed before any federal financial aid eligibility can be determined.

7. RECEIVE THE AWARD NOTIFICATION

Once your FAFSA is complete and you demonstrate financial need, you’ll receive an award notice if you are eligible for grants.

COMMON ERRORS TO AVOID WHEN COMPLETING THE FAFSA

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE SELECTED FOR VERIFICATION?

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If your application is selected for verification, the following will occur:

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Filing a FAFSA for the wrong academic year: Complete the FAFSA for the academic year in which you plan to enroll. For FAFSA purposes, the new academic year begins in the summer.

Using the wrong school code; since we share our code with the CUNY Graduate School and University Center, you will see its name rather than ours when you have selected 004765.

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Forgetting to sign and submit the application.

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Using the wrong tax information.

Forgetting to complete the TAP application if you are a NYS resident.

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CUNYFirst will generate a To Do List.

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Complete the verification worksheet included in your To Do List and emails.

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Upload the documents to Student Forms. To access Student Forms, log into your CUNYFirst Student Center, navigate to your To Do List and click on Verify My FAFSA, and follow the prompts.

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Our Office of Financial Aid will review your documents.

COMMON ERRORS TO AVOID WHEN VERIFYING YOUR FAFSA •

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU SUBMIT THE FAFSA? •

You will receive an email from ‘Federal Student Aid’ with a link to your SAR. Double check the data on the SAR and make sure it’s accurate.

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Review the comments on the first page of the SAR for any flags.

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Begin collecting the documentation to resolve the comments.

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Our Office of Financial Aid will receive your information approximately 5 business days after you receive the SAR and your CUNYFirst profile has been created.

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If you have a loan default flag on your SAR, log into https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans to review your financial aid history. If you have a Pell overpayment or a loan in default, you will not be eligible for financial aid.

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If your citizenship status is not confirmed, submit your Confirmation of Citizenship form, a copy of a valid photo ID, and a copy of your U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization by uploading the documents on Student Forms. To access Student Forms, log into your CUNYFirst Student Center, navigate to your To Do List, click on Verify My FAFSA, and follow the prompts.

sps.cuny.edu • 119 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001 • 646.664.8544

Instructions will be sent to your preferred email address on CUNYFirst.

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Calculating the incorrect household size:

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Do: include your spouse, children, and other persons for whom you provide more than half of the financial support.

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Do Not: include persons living with you for whom you do not provide financial support, such as guardians who are economically self-sufficient.

Forgetting to submit each individual document requested to resolve the verification flag.

THE FINAL STEP! •

If you are eligible for Pell or TAP, you will receive an offer letter to your preferred email. You may also view the offer letter in your CUNYFirst Student Center.

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For a full TAP award, students must be registered for at least 12 credits applicable to the degree each semester.

Part time TAP may be available for those registered from 6-11 credits, applicable towards the degree.

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Your award is based on an anticipated enrollment of 12 credits. If you are registered for fewer than 12 credits, please allow 2-3 business days for your award package to be adjusted.

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TAP requires that you be enrolled in at least 12 credits applicable to your degree each semester. If you believe that you meet the requirements for TAP, but have not received a TAP award, please contact our Office of Financial Aid.

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Once awarded financial aid, you must make satisfactory academic progress as defined by CUNY to maintain your eligibility.

Review the criteria at sps.cuny.edu/eligibility.

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If you are interested in applying for a federal loan, please visit sps.cuny.edu/loan for undergraduate loans.

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While we process requests, a notation will be placed on your account to prevent your courses from being dropped due to nonpayment. A notation will not be placed on your account if you were selected for verification and have not submitted the requested documentation. Note: this does not guarantee that you will receive aid.

HELPFUL TIPS •

Apply for your FAFSA and federal loans early, as it may take up to 3 weeks for us to view your information during peak periods.

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Request your tax return transcript to reduce delays in case your FAFSA is selected for verification. You can request it by:

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Visiting www.irs.gov to request it online.

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Visiting your local IRS office and request it in person.

Calling the number on the website to request it over the phone.

Make sure that your email address in CUNYfirst is current and check it regularly.

119 West 31st Street New York, NY 10001

sps.cuny.edu

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