Application Procedures
Scholarships are normally awarded on a yearly basis with the possibility of renewal. Outstanding students may be awarded multiyear scholarships.
Except under extraordinary circumstances, only full-time students are eligible for scholarships and institutional aid.
How to Apply
For Merit-Based Scholarships:
Merit-based scholarships are awarded automatically based on your admission application. When you complete your admission application and submit it to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, your academic credentials (GPA, test scores if provided) will be evaluated for scholarship eligibility.
Decisions on admission and scholarships for new students are made at the same time. If you qualify for a merit scholarship, you’ll receive notification with your admission decision.
For Need-Based Aid:
Students seeking need-based aid should complete FTC Northern’s Financial Aid Application and submit it to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. You’ll need to provide documentation of your family’s household income and assets.
Contact Student Financial Services at sfs@mt.feitian.edu or (845) 256-8200 for specific requirements and to request the Financial Aid Application form.
For Full Scholarship and Scholarship Matching (Competitive Programs):
These highly competitive scholarships require additional application materials beyond your admission application:
- Submit the required supplementary essay (maximum 750 words)
- Essay Topic: “What is beauty and how you incorporate beauty to uplift, enrich and/or enhance your life”
- For Full Scholarship only: Provide two character references from either a professor or employer, and documentation of leadership/service extracurricular activities
- For Scholarship Matching only: Provide documentation of your scholarship offer from another institution
Renewal for Continuing Students
In order to be eligible for renewal of financial aid, continuing students must be in good standing at FTC Northern, which includes making satisfactory academic progress.
Maintaining Scholarship and Financial Aid Eligibility
Students receiving scholarship and aid are expected to remain in good standing at FTC Northern. Failure to maintain good standing can result in sanctions, including but not limited to revocation of financial aid.
To remain eligible for financial aid, students must meet all three measures of satisfactory academic progress:
1. Cumulative GPA Requirements
Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
However, to qualify for specific scholarship tiers, you must maintain higher GPAs as follows:
For Undergraduate Students:
- Merit Scholarship ($17,900): Maintain cumulative GPA 2.8-3.49
- Distinguished Scholar ($18,900): Maintain cumulative GPA 3.5-3.79
- Northern Excellence ($19,900): Maintain cumulative GPA 3.8 or higher
For Graduate Students:
- Merit Scholarship ($8,000): Maintain cumulative GPA 2.8-3.49
- Distinguished Scholar ($9,000): Maintain cumulative GPA 3.5-3.79
- Northern Excellence ($10,000): Maintain cumulative GPA 3.8 or higher
Important: If your GPA falls below your current scholarship tier, you’ll be awarded the next lower tier based on your cumulative GPA. Students with academic or conduct-related disciplinary infractions may become ineligible for part or all of their award.
2. Minimum Pace Required to Complete Degree
- Students are expected to enroll full-time, defined as 12 credits per semester, to maintain good academic standing.
3. Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion
- The maximum time frame for degree completion is 150% of the normal timeframe for the program.
- Students are eligible for 12 semesters of aid without taking into account transfer credits. If students have credits accepted for transfer or students enroll in summer, the maximum number of semesters of aid eligibility is prorated.
- There is an academic progress review at the end of each semester. A financial aid recipient demonstrating unsatisfactory academic progress may be placed on academic probation for the next semester.
Academic Probation and Aid Revocation
- During the probationary period, financial aid will still be available. But if the student fails to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress the next semester, the financial aid will be revoked.
- After the revocation, the student may apply for financial aid if the student is able to meet the end-of-semester review standards for satisfactory academic progress in the following semester.
Scholarship Policies for Course Changes and Withdrawals
If you need to drop courses or withdraw from FTC Northern, it’s important to understand how these changes will affect your scholarship and financial aid.
Dropping Courses While Remaining Enrolled
A student who receives financial aid and subsequently drops a course(s) may have his/her financial aid award adjusted pro rata to match tuition assessment.
However, in the case of a student who receives a scholarship that requires full-time enrollment then drops below full-time status, the scholarship will be canceled for that semester.
Any time a student withdraws from a course, scholarship eligibility could be in jeopardy. If you’re considering dropping courses, please contact Student Financial Services at sfs@mt.feitian.edu before making any changes.
Complete Withdrawal from FTC Northern
If the student does not enroll in FTC Northern or enrolls and then separates from FTC Northern, (s)he may be required to return any “unearned” portion of financial aid received.
The resulting bill may show a credit and/or charges in the student’s financial account. Before a refund can be issued, any existing credit must be applied toward the financial aid programs that administered financial aid.
Any student who receives a FTC Northern Tuition and Fees waiver, or Room and Board coverage who separates from FTC Northern, will have their Tuition and Fees Waiver end the day after the official date of separation from FTC Northern, while their Room and Board coverage will end within 48 hours of the official date of separation from FTC Northern.
Important: Non-attendance and/or failure to officially separate from FTC Northern may result in the cancellation of financial aid and all charges being billed to the student.
Federal Tax Credits for Educational Expenses
Even if you don’t receive federal financial aid, you may be eligible for federal tax credits that can help offset the cost of your education. These tax credits are available to eligible students and families regardless of whether they receive institutional scholarships from FTC Northern.
Important: The information below is for general guidance only. Tax laws change frequently, and eligibility requirements can be complex. Always consult with a tax professional or the IRS for specific guidance on your situation.
American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
Who Can Claim It: Students in their first four years of undergraduate education who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.
Maximum Credit: Up to $2,500 per eligible student per year. The credit is calculated as 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified education expenses plus 25% of the next $2,000 of qualified expenses.
Partially Refundable: Up to 40% of the credit (maximum $1,000) may be refunded if the credit brings your tax liability to zero.
Income Limits: The credit begins to phase out at modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $80,000 ($160,000 for married filing jointly) and is completely phased out at $90,000 ($180,000 for married filing jointly).
Qualified Expenses: Tuition, fees, and required course materials (including books and supplies).
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)
Who Can Claim It: All students enrolled in eligible educational institutions, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses. There is no limit on the number of years you can claim this credit.
Maximum Credit: Up to $2,000 per tax return (not per student). The credit is 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses.
Non-Refundable: This credit can only reduce your tax liability to zero; you won’t receive a refund for any excess credit.
Income Limits: The credit begins to phase out at MAGI of $80,000 ($160,000 for married filing jointly) and is completely phased out at $90,000 ($180,000 for married filing jointly).
Qualified Expenses: Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance.
Important Considerations
- You cannot claim both credits for the same student in the same year.
- You must have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
- Your filing status cannot be married filing separately.
- You (or your spouse if filing jointly) cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
- You cannot claim education tax credits for expenses paid with scholarship money, grants, or other tax-free educational assistance.
Form 1098-T: FTC Northern will provide you with Form 1098-T each year, which shows the qualified tuition and related expenses you paid. You’ll need this form when claiming education tax credits.
Where to Learn More
For the most current information about education tax credits, visit:
- IRS Tax Benefits for Education: www.irs.gov/education
- IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education
Questions?
Our Student Financial Services team is here to help you understand your scholarship and aid options, application procedures, and policies.
Office of Student Financial Services
Email: sfs@mt.feitian.edu
Phone: (845) 256-8200
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
To apply for Financial Aid, please complete the Financial Application Form below.
