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. HS diploma/transcript should be included especially for those seeking NYS aid. Review registration guidance and academic advisement options Set up Multi-Factor Authentication using your CUNYfirst credentials. Activate your CUNYfirst account and email. Submit your FAFSA, read your FAFSA Submission Summary, and check your to do list in CUNYfirst. NYS residents should be sure to complete the New York State TAP application 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. Join us for an upcoming Admitted Student Webinar, which cover a variety topics. You’ll receive information to register via email. 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
FINANCIAL AID
(646) 664 8709 advisement@sps.cuny.edu
(646) 664 8720 financialaid@sps.cuny.edu
ADMISSIONS
HELP DESK
PUBLIC SAFETY
(646) 664-8600 publicsafety@sps.cuny.edu
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
(646) 664-8535 scholarships@sps.cuny.edu
Text: (646) 517-8625 SEEK@sps.cuny.edu
(646) 664-8640 bursar@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 or virtually. Your advisor works with you to:
We offer a variety of online and on campus tutoring services, free of charge.
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Understand the Degree Audit and how transfer credits apply to degree requirements. .
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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 SUCCESS studentsuccess@sps.cuny.edu Student Success at CUNY SPS directly addresses the needs of adult learners, devoting our time and effort towards professional development opportunities and organizations such as:
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Student driven leadership conference that promotes networking by connecting you with faculty and fellow students. 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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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.
The Writing Consultants and Quantitative Reasoning Fellows 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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Access to job and internship postings, and resources such as resume samples, career research, and job search videos.
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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.
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:
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An education expense each semester. A laptop is available through our laptop loan program. Additional tutoring hours.
STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES
BILLING AND PAYMENT
counseling@sps.cuny.edu
bursar@sps.cuny.edu • Check your tuition bill at CUNYfirst -> Student Center
CUNY SPS Counseling Services provides confidential and free mental health support (short-term psychotherapy, crisis intervention and referrals services) to enrolled students.
ACCESSIBILITY 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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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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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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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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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 at https://sps.cuny.edu/preferred-name-change.
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES helpdesk@sps.cuny.edu • 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.
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To set up your Multi-Factor Authentication, please follow the instructions at https://sps.cuny.edu/multifactor-authentication.
sps.cuny.edu • 119 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001 • 646.664.8544
-> Financial Account.
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Tuition payment plans offered.
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Third party vouchers/letters of credit are accepted from employers.
Other payment methods: e-check or credit card online; mail in personal checks or money orders.
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING pla@sps.cuny.edu Explore how you can earn college credit now and throughout your time at SPS. Bring in credit for exams, certifications, evaluated training, and military learning, and continue earning credit by preparing for new exams or completing certifications aligned with your degree. CPL can be applied toward general education (Pathways) requirements, elective credit, and in some cases, major courses. Portfolio options are available for specific courses and require demonstrating how your learning meets course outcomes. Learn more at sps. cuny.edu/academics/credit-prior-learning.
ORIENTATION orientation@sps.cuny.edu Join your classmates in your required Orientation: a two-week online course where you’ll meet your peers; speak to experienced students, graduates, faculty, and staff; and learn about tools and resources to help you accomplish your goals.
MILITARY & VETERANS SERVICES veterans@sps.cuny.edu The CUNY SPS Office of Military and Veteran Student Services supports the academic success of veterans, service members, and their families, serving as the primary point of contact for benefits counseling and resource referrals.
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:
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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 FAFSA SUBMISSION SUMMARY
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 FAFSA Submission Summary 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 ProEd. To access ProEd, 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 FAFSA Submission Summary. Double check the data on the FAFSA Submission Summary and make sure it’s accurate.
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Review the comments on the first page of the FAFSA Submission Summary 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 FAFSA Submission Summary and your CUNYFirst profile has been created.
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If you have a loan default flag on your FAFSA Submission Summary, 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 ProEd. To access ProEd, 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 3-11 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 with at least 3 credits lasting the full 15 weeks of the term (rather than only courses in sessions) 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.
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:
If you are interested in applying for a federal loan, please visit sps.cuny.edu/loan for undergraduate loans. 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.
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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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