Financial Aid

Financial assistance consists of two major types of aid: institutional aid, for which The Graduate Center itself is the funding source, and federal and state aid.

Institutional Aid
Institutional aid is based on a combination of need and merit. With the exception of a few special awards and the Student Employment Program, institutional aid is awarded to students based on the nomination of the music program.

Dissertation-Year Awards
A number of fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis by the Graduate Center to students who are in the final stage of their doctoral studies. In most cases, it is assumed that the recipient of a dissertation-year fellowship will complete the dissertation during the fellowship year. In all cases, students who will have completed the dissertation, oral defense, and revisions within the first semester of the fellowship year will receive half the award. Most fellowships require special application procedures, which are noted under each description. Where no special procedures are listed, The Graduate Center's single-page Application for Financial Assistance is the only application required.

Dissertation-year Fellowships for topics dealing with any aspect of music and musical life in New York City, in the past or at present, are awarded on a competitive basis by the Music Program from Baisley Powell Elebash Endowment. Students may also apply top the Endowment for support for smaller scale pre-dissertation projects dealing with music in New York City.

Other Financial Support
Many students also benefit from adjunct teaching positions and research assistantships on other campuses within CUNY.

International Student Eligibility
All prospective international students must complete the Request for Certificate of Eligibility and Declaration & Certification of Finances contained in The Graduate Center Application Packet and return it with the necessary supporting financial documentation. It is important to keep in mind that the estimate of expenses is a minimum figure, and that actual costs may vary. International students should also bear in mind that the University financial assistance for which they are eligible to compete is extremely limited and usually not adequate to fund the student's total expenses. Eligibility for off-campus employment is also limited.

The Application for Financial Assistance (available directly from the Office of Financial Aid) is the only form required to apply for most institutional aid. The Office of Financial Aid collects and evaluates all applications and informs each program of the names and relative financial need of its financial aid applicants. Programs consider financial need and academic merit when making awards, as well as other practical and academic factors that vary by program. Once a program has made a nomination, the Office of Financial Aid notifies the student of the award and collects the required documentation needed to pay the award.

Federal and State Aid
In all cases, federal and state aid is based solely on financial need. Federal aid for graduate students includes Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans. New York State provides the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for eligible graduate students who are New York State residents.

Federal aid is awarded directly through the Office of Financial Aid in accordance with requirements established by federal law. Federal aid requires a separate application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who apply by the deadline for federal aid established each spring (usually in April) are considered for Federal Work Study Positions and/or Federal Perkins Loans for the upcoming academic year. Students interested in Federal Direct Loans may apply by submitting a loan application in addition to filing an FAFSA. First-time borrowers must attend a personal pre-loan interview before the loan is disbursed. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is awarded directly by New York State. Students apply for TAP by first filing the FAFSA and then completing the follow-up application for the New York State program.

Deadlines
An admissions applicant seeking financial assistance should make every possible effort to have all admission and financial aid forms submitted by the earliest deadline listed. Applicants for admission and financial aid for the Fall term who have not yet taken the Graduate Record Exam are encouraged to take the exam no later than October for admission the following September.

Music Programs • The Graduate Center, CUNY
365 Fifth Avenue • New York, New York 10016-4309
(212) 817-8590 • music@gc.cuny.edu