COVID-19
Last updated March 21, 2020
Federal Student Aid Updates
We are bound by the rules of SUNY, the Governor and the Board of Trustees. We are not able to issue refunds or change tuition without their directive. SUNY Upstate has not closed Geneva Towers or asked students to move, therefore we will not be adjusting housing costs. Summer session bills will be going out the last week of March for programs that begin the summer session on May 4th. We will continue to send financial aid packages for 20/21 and proceed as normal unless we are directed otherwise. We are awaiting further guidance from SUNY and/or The US Department of Education.
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.
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
- Current NYS Aid programs will not be affected
- Federal Work Study for Summer start is being delayed until July 1st. We will let students and supervisors know if there is any change.
- College scholarships already awarded for the Spring 2020 term will not be affected.
If you are planning to officially withdraw from all of your Spring 2020 courses, please consult with your department, the registrar’s office and financial aid advisor before doing so. Withdrawing from all courses can negatively affect your Spring 2020 aid.
We highly recommend that you setup direct deposit to receive refunds, if you have not done so already. Further information can be found at the CUNY JohnJay Website.
Additional Questions?
We are here to help. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@volamdolong.com or we can set up a phone call or a virtual meeting through webex.
Verification Documentation
Documentation for 2019/20 and 2020/21 verification can be emailed to finaid@volamdolong.com.
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.
Veteran/GI Bill/Active Military Information
GI Bill Benefits
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.