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Student - LaGuardia Community College - CUNY

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March 2012<br />

<strong>Student</strong><br />

NEWS<br />

Taking Responsibility for your<br />

Academic Life!<br />

Challenging Expectations<br />

Xiao Xiao Li<br />

First, we want to welcome our entering class to<br />

<strong>LaGuardia</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>College</strong>. We are excited<br />

that you have chosen us to be a part of your<br />

educational journey. We also want to extend a<br />

warm welcome to our returning students.<br />

As the Spring 2012 semester is in full swing we,<br />

the academic advisors, are gearing up for another<br />

advisement period. For the advising staff, peak<br />

advisement time (May/June and November/<br />

December) conjures up images of extended office<br />

hours and multiple meetings with frazzled<br />

advisees, some of whom are ill-prepared and<br />

eventually become overwhelmed. So for a more<br />

mutually fulfilling and beneficial experience it is of<br />

vital importance that students take more<br />

responsibility for their academic life and that they<br />

do so earlier in the semester - even as early as the<br />

beginning of the semester!<br />

As academic advisors we are here for you,<br />

however, ultimately you must take ownership of<br />

your education. Taking ownership requires you to<br />

become an active participant, so here are a few tips<br />

to consider BEFORE you meet with your advisor.<br />

Come prepared for the advisement session.<br />

This preparation entails the following:<br />

1) Make a decision about your major and then<br />

begin to ask yourself questions about your field of<br />

study and your specific occupation. You can also<br />

start to formulate questions and get some more<br />

self-study by accessing eCareer at<br />

http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ecareer/.<br />

2) Review your degree audit using DegreeWorks<br />

and/or the <strong>College</strong> Catalog. Review the course<br />

descriptions, the pre-requisites and co-requisites<br />

and the classes you are required to take during the<br />

various sessions either Fall or Spring I or II. Since<br />

students are acclimatizing themselves to the<br />

college environment I encourage you to meet with<br />

us at your earliest convenience.<br />

3) Very often we meet students who choose to<br />

change their major so we encourage them to first<br />

meet with their academy coordinator to discuss<br />

the advantages, disadvantages, and when to<br />

change your major so it does not affect your<br />

financial aid and degree requirements.<br />

4) Integrate your career goals with your<br />

academic goals, so then we can explore and begin<br />

to plan for your future beyond <strong>LaGuardia</strong>.<br />

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, continued p. 4<br />

“I didn’t know myself,<br />

and I wanted to change to<br />

lead a purposeful life,” says<br />

Xiao Xiao Li about her<br />

move to the United States.<br />

She arrived five years ago<br />

as an international student<br />

from China and immediately<br />

started at<br />

<strong>LaGuardia</strong>, first as a TELC<br />

student and now as a major in Liberal Arts: Social<br />

Science and Humanities.<br />

Xiao Xiao wants to become an oral interpreter<br />

and teacher. She will be graduating in fall 2012<br />

when she will transfer to Queens <strong>College</strong> and major<br />

in Linguistics. “I want a career in something I like,<br />

and I have the capacity and am passionate about<br />

language,” she says. She will start learning Spanish<br />

next semester, and wants to master Japanese,<br />

Korean and Cantonese.<br />

PROFILE, continued p. 2<br />

<strong>Student</strong> News Editorial Policy<br />

The <strong>Student</strong> News is a college publication for the benefit of<br />

the student body. All articles accepted for publication are<br />

reviewed and edited as needed for style and length. The<br />

Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs and the Office of Marketing and<br />

Communications produce the <strong>Student</strong> News collaboratively.<br />

Inside <strong>Student</strong> News...<br />

Spring<br />

Into<br />

Spring!<br />

page 2<br />

Financial Aid<br />

Dollars<br />

& Sense<br />

page 5<br />

National<br />

Nutrition<br />

Month<br />

page 7


From the Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs<br />

Spring into spring!<br />

Michael Baston,<br />

Vice President<br />

“If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn.”<br />

-- Irish proverb<br />

Welcome to the Spring semester! If you are new<br />

to the <strong>College</strong>, we’re thrilled to have you join our<br />

community. If you’ve been here a while, we hope<br />

you’re excited to start the new term. We have been<br />

lucky enough to enjoy a mostly mild New York City<br />

winter, so it’s not too hard to transition into springlike<br />

thinking. Every new semester offers you an<br />

opportunity to renew your commitment to your<br />

studies. But just like a springtime garden, your<br />

identity as a student needs nurturing.<br />

As you chart a course toward success this term<br />

and beyond, you can check on the progress you’re<br />

making toward your goals and even set new ones.<br />

We can think of goal setting in terms of SPRING<br />

itself:<br />

S – significant: Make your goals meaningful<br />

and special to you. Everyone wants to get good<br />

grades; what about that is important specifically<br />

to your own progress?<br />

P – positive: Your goal should be written down<br />

using words that keep you motivated. “I can meet<br />

people who share MY interests by joining a club!”<br />

is one example.<br />

R – realistic: Can you achieve the goal in the<br />

time you’ve decided to achieve it? If you want to<br />

try the free tutoring the <strong>College</strong> offers this<br />

semester, perhaps telling yourself you will see the<br />

tutor six times in 12 weeks will be manageable.<br />

I – improving: Think about how this goal will<br />

make you a better student overall. If you decide<br />

to study for one extra hour each day, those study<br />

habits will help you with all your classes.<br />

N – necessary: The goal you set should be an<br />

important part of your student identity. Running<br />

for <strong>Student</strong> Government Association officer for<br />

next year may be one way you can express your<br />

interest in political science.<br />

G – gratifying: How will you feel if you achieve<br />

your goal? Imagine the end result of following<br />

through.<br />

You can cultivate your scholarly self by setting<br />

goals with SPRING in mind. The new semester<br />

gives you the chance to engage new professors<br />

and mentors, seek new perspectives, and find new<br />

successes. As you grow and move toward<br />

completing your degree, we wish that your time<br />

with us is filled with experiences that enable you to<br />

exchange ideas with new friends and explore all the<br />

resources the campus has to offer. Best wishes for<br />

a great semester!<br />

Have an idea or a concern<br />

regarding your<br />

<strong>LaGuardia</strong> experience?<br />

Tell VP Baston!<br />

Michael Baston, Vice President for<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Affairs, is interested in knowing<br />

your ideas and concerns for improving<br />

the student experience at <strong>LaGuardia</strong>.<br />

Email TellVPBaston@lagcc.cuny.edu<br />

What is a Generalist? Profile from p. 1<br />

The <strong>Student</strong> General Services Department<br />

(SGS) is the <strong>College</strong>’s one-stop customer service<br />

area supporting the functions of both The Office of<br />

the Registrar and <strong>Student</strong> Financial Services. SGS<br />

connects students to various support services on<br />

campus and manages general inquiries regarding<br />

student registration, billing, financial aid<br />

application status, etc.<br />

SGS opened in July 2010 as part of an<br />

Effectiveness Plan put forward by the Division of<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Affairs to improve the Enrollment Services<br />

Center (ESC) C107. SGS’s specialized staff,<br />

hereafter referred to as Generalists, includes<br />

full/part time staff that underwent extensive<br />

“cross-training” supporting both Registrar and<br />

Financial Aid functions. This service model allows<br />

students to get all the assistance they need and the<br />

confidence that their issues will be handled in an<br />

expedient fashion.<br />

The creation of the SGS department and the<br />

Generalist has improved student services and<br />

virtually eliminated students standing in line, even<br />

at C107’s busiest times. Please look out for more<br />

information on our services in our soon to be<br />

launch website.<br />

Currently, Xiao Xiao is president of the<br />

<strong>College</strong>’s honor society and the <strong>Student</strong><br />

Advisory Committee Liaison for the Chinese<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Club, for which she was previously the<br />

president as well. The <strong>LaGuardia</strong> Foundation<br />

has awarded her two scholarships for the<br />

2011-2012 academic year.<br />

Eventually, she wishes to join a non-profit<br />

organization that will allow her to teach in<br />

impoverished areas. Her ultimate goal is to<br />

return to her country to open a gratuitous<br />

middle school. “I want to be like my teachers<br />

in China. They taught me that education is<br />

everything,” she adds.<br />

Watch for the next issue of <strong>Student</strong> News in April 2012!<br />

2<br />

The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s


Important Dates To Remember<br />

From the Registrar's Office<br />

New York Needs <strong>LaGuardia</strong><br />

<strong>Student</strong>s!<br />

Welcome to the start of a wonderful Spring semester. During each<br />

semester there are critical dates and deadlines for students to remember.<br />

Please find them listed below.<br />

Dates<br />

Thursday, March 1<br />

<strong>Student</strong>s should check their e-SIMS accounts before the start of the<br />

Spring Semester (and before the start of each semester). This is helpful in<br />

order to verify if there have been any classroom changes.<br />

Thursday, March 8th<br />

Last day to add a class to your Spring schedule or change/swap a course<br />

section.<br />

Monday, March 26th<br />

Last day to drop a course from your Spring Schedule. It is also the last<br />

day to submit a change of major and apply for Spring 2012 graduation.<br />

Tuesday, March 27th<br />

Last day to apply for: Health Science candidacies, Dietetic Technician,<br />

Nursing, LPN, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy<br />

Assistant, and Radiologic Technology.<br />

<strong>Student</strong>s who wish to order a transcript, or check the order status of a<br />

transcript, please send your e-mail to transcriptingquiry@lagcc.cuny.edu.<br />

<strong>Student</strong> may also order transcripts online at the <strong>LaGuardia</strong> Webpage<br />

http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/Registrar/Order-Transcript/.<br />

KEEP IN TOUCH!<br />

When the <strong>College</strong> needs to get in touch with you, it’s very important<br />

that we have your accurate address and telephone number. If you have<br />

changed your cell phone number or address within the past 6 months,<br />

let us know. You can update this information by visiting the Enrollment<br />

Services Center in C-107.<br />

VIOLETTA CICCOTTO AND GINO TARABOTTO<br />

Sixty students reaped the benefits of a workshop focused on helping<br />

them apply to the New York Needs You Fellowship Program (NYNY).<br />

Violetta Ciccotto and Gino Tarabotto, two current <strong>LaGuardia</strong> NYNY Fellows,<br />

shared their experience and advice on the essays and application process,<br />

followed by a Q&A session.<br />

In addition, the 2011-2012 President’s Fellow, Sihyun Kim ’09, spoke about<br />

the importance of networking, one of the main features of the program.<br />

NYNY’s mission it to connect ambitious, first-generation college students<br />

with leading industry professionals in various organizations and agencies<br />

like Goldman Sachs, The New York Times, and the Department of Homeland<br />

Security. Fellows are paired with mentors who guide them through resume<br />

drafting, interviewing and networking. <strong>Student</strong>s are also placed in<br />

internships and receive a $2500 stipend.<br />

“As someone who has gone through law school, I know firsthand that<br />

getting a good job isn't all about getting good grades. It's really about who<br />

you know.” Kim is a law student at the University of Chicago Law. “I wish<br />

we had this program when I was a student at <strong>LaGuardia</strong>,” he added.<br />

The Office of the President arranged the workshop to help boost the<br />

appeal of its first-generation students in the job market.<br />

For more information on NYNY, contact Sihyun Kim at<br />

sikim@lagcc.cuny.edu or visit www.newyorkneedsyou.org.<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Life <strong>Student</strong> News: March 2012<br />

Mon., March 12th, 1pm-2:30pm; Room E 500<br />

African Heritage/Women’s History Month 2012:<br />

Celebrating the Diaspora<br />

Panel Discussion<br />

In collaboration with the Women's Center, the<br />

African Heritage Committee extends an invitation<br />

to a Panel Discussion highlighting this year's<br />

National Women's History Month Theme,<br />

“Women’s Education: Women’s Empowerment”.<br />

Panelists will share personal narratives of their<br />

educational trajectory illustrating similarities, as<br />

well as differences, within the feminine struggle<br />

across cultures. Reception to follow. For more<br />

information email: africanheritage@lagcc.cuny.edu<br />

or Joanna De Leon at 718-482-5102;<br />

jdeleon@lagcc.cuny.edu<br />

Now through Monday, March 26th at 7pm;<br />

Room M115<br />

Accepting Applications for <strong>Student</strong> Government<br />

Positions & <strong>Student</strong> Faulty Review Board<br />

Want to have your voice be heard in student<br />

governance, policies and the planning of events on<br />

campus? Come and pick up an application for<br />

either a <strong>Student</strong> Government or a <strong>Student</strong>/Faulty<br />

Review Board Position.<br />

Tuesday, March 27th; 10:30am -12:45pm;<br />

Room E-242<br />

Global Conversations: A Presentation w/ Educator<br />

Michael Hooper on The Historic Ocean Hill /<br />

Brownsville School Movement for <strong>Community</strong> Control<br />

of Schools.<br />

Noted educator Michael Hooper presents an<br />

overview of the Ocean Hill / Brownsville movement<br />

for community control of public schools.<br />

Information regarding upcoming trips to historical<br />

Black colleges and museums will also be presented.<br />

For more information call or email Jeffrey “Kaz”<br />

Batts at 718-482-5195; jbatts@lagcc.cuny.edu<br />

Fridays in March, 2:30pm-4:30pm;<br />

Room MB10<br />

Leadership & Diversity Workshops<br />

These workshops will aide in preparing you to<br />

perform at your best in any environment. The skills<br />

and experience you gain will give you an edge in all<br />

areas of your life.<br />

Also in March:<br />

Look out for The Women’s Center documentary<br />

film screening of: Miss Representation<br />

The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s 3


<strong>CUNY</strong> Newswire<br />

February 14, 2012<br />

Budget Letter Alert? Action time is limited<br />

Dear Member of the <strong>CUNY</strong> community:<br />

Please take a moment to visit www.supportcuny.org.<br />

The 2012 13 New York State Executive Budget for <strong>CUNY</strong> is currently<br />

under review by the State Legislature. Time is of the essence. This year the<br />

Legislature has accelerated the budget timetable. Budget conference<br />

committees will be starting early and the Legislature is aiming to finish<br />

passage of the budget one week prior to the April 1st deadline. We need<br />

your help now to seek improvements to the budget for <strong>CUNY</strong>.<br />

We are asking for additional support, consistent with record student<br />

enrollment increases and the importance of maintaining and enhancing the<br />

quality of education and student services. <strong>CUNY</strong> is seeking a community<br />

college base aid increase this year of at least $100 per full time equivalent<br />

(FTE )student. Over the past four years base aid has been reduced by over<br />

20% or $553 per FTE.<br />

We need to expand the highly successful ASAP program to all associate<br />

degree programs. ASAP graduation rates have soared. Such an investment is<br />

the key to a productive, well‐educated State and City workforce.<br />

The University is requesting capital construction and renovation funds to<br />

continue creating modern and safe classrooms and laboratories at the senior<br />

and community colleges to replace antiquated facilities. This will help<br />

stimulate economic development, promote job growth, and meet today's<br />

educational technology standards.<br />

We need to restore funding at all colleges for disabled students, childcare,<br />

and related student support. Improved student services are essential to<br />

higher retention and ultimately graduation.<br />

Please contact state legislators now. Visit www.supportcuny.org. You can<br />

easily send letters to many legislators by utilizing those drafted to assist you<br />

or by sending your own. Thank you very much for your help.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Jay Hershenson<br />

Sr. Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Board Secretary<br />

Please go to: www.supportcuny.org , scroll to the middle of the page<br />

and choose one of the letters to send to New York State legislators.<br />

Please act today.<br />

Take Responsibility from p. 1<br />

We care about your academic well-being and urge you to develop a sense of<br />

purpose and to become self-motivated. By doing so, you will engage in skills<br />

such as self-reflection, critical thinking and decision-making which will be<br />

invaluable skills to you now and in the years to come, both personally and<br />

professionally.<br />

Your academic advisor acts as one of your primary resource persons at the<br />

<strong>College</strong>. We encourage you to feel comfortable approaching us for information<br />

about your majors and educational opportunities. We want you to be proactive<br />

in your college advisement process. Think ahead! Write down your questions<br />

and bring them with you. Do your research – review the college requirements<br />

for your major or area of interest either in your catalog, academic calendar or<br />

the college website and attend our informa-tional sessions. Follow these few<br />

simple steps and you will become a better advocate for yourself and your<br />

advising experience will be more rewarding and less stressful. So here’s to you –<br />

take charge and assume responsibility for your academic life and it will be one<br />

of the best decisions you will ever make!<br />

Have a great semester!<br />

Sincerely, The First Year Academies<br />

2012-2013<br />

IMPORTANT<br />

CHANGES<br />

FAFSA<br />

ALL LAGUARDIA STUDENTS APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID<br />

FOR THE 2012-2013 ACADEMIC YEAR PLEASE NOTE THE<br />

CHANGES FOR THE FAFSA AND THE VERIFICATION PROCESS!<br />

IRS DATA RETRIEVAL - WHEN FILLING OUT THE FAFSA, STUDENT FINANCIAL<br />

SERVICES STRONGLY RECOMMENDS ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS<br />

(IF APPLICABLE) TO UPLOAD THE 2011 TAX INFORMATION TO THEIR FAFSA<br />

USING THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL. TO USE THE TOOL,ALL PARTIES MUST<br />

HAVE ALREADY FILED 2011 TAXES AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO FILLING<br />

OUT THE FAFSA.<br />

THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL WILL BE AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 1, 2012.<br />

VERIFICATION<br />

STUDENTS WHO USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL AND ARE<br />

SUBSEQUENTLY SELECTED FOR VERIFICATION, THE DEPARTMENT<br />

OF EDUCATION WILL NOTIFY LAGUARDIA WHICH ITEMS<br />

MUST BE VERIFIED FOR EXAMPLE:<br />

- ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (AGI) - HOUSEHOLD SIZE<br />

- NUMBER IN COLLEGE - CERTAIN UNTAXED INCOME REPORTED<br />

- U.S. TAXES PAID<br />

STUDENTS WHO ARE SELECTED FOR VERIFICATION<br />

AND DID NOT USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL:<br />

ARE REQUIRED TO:<br />

-COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE VERIFICATION WORKSHEET.<br />

-SUBMIT AN OFFICIAL TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT OBTAINABLE FROM THE IRS AFTER THE<br />

2011 TAX RETURN HAS BEEN FILED. FOR STUDENTS AND/OR PARENTS (IF APPLICABLE).<br />

TO THE<br />

IRS DATA<br />

RETRIEVAL<br />

NOTE: LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT COPIES OF TAX RETURNS<br />

TO COMPLETE THE VERIFICATION PROCESS.<br />

4<br />

The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s


Dollars & Sense<br />

FINANCIAL AID FOR 2012-2013.<br />

All <strong>LaGuardia</strong> students applying for Financial Aid<br />

for the 2012-2013 Academic year, please note the<br />

changes for the FAFSA and the Verification<br />

process!<br />

Submit your FAFSA by April 15th<br />

for Fall 2012 – Spring 2013<br />

Our Resource Center in C-109 is available<br />

for you to reapply. File your electronic FAFSA,<br />

TAP application, and obtain a PIN number<br />

to access and sign your FAFSA on the<br />

Web application. Resource Center:<br />

Monday – Thursday 9:00am to 6:00pm<br />

IRS Data Retrieval<br />

When filing the FAFSA, <strong>Student</strong> Financial<br />

Services strongly recommends all students and<br />

parents (if applicable) to upload the 2011 tax<br />

information to their FAFSA using the IRS Data<br />

Retrieval Tool.<br />

To use the tool, all parties must have filed their<br />

2011 tax return at least two weeks prior to filling<br />

out the FAFSA.<br />

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool will be available<br />

February 1, 2012.<br />

VERIFICATION PROCESS CHANGE NOTICE:<br />

<strong>Student</strong>s that are selected for verification and did<br />

not use the IRS Retrieval Tool are required to:<br />

→ Complete and submit the Verification<br />

Worksheet.<br />

→ Submit an official TAX RETURN<br />

TRANSCRIPT obtainable from the IRS after<br />

2011 tax return has been filed.<br />

→ Submit TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPTS<br />

for students and/or parents (if applicable).<br />

<strong>LaGuardia</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>College</strong> is no longer<br />

allowed to accept signed copies of Tax Returns<br />

filed to complete the verification process.<br />

List of documents required to complete your<br />

Financial Aid Application for 2012 - 2013:<br />

• 2011 Federal and State Tax Returns<br />

• 2011 W-2 Forms<br />

• 2011 Records of untaxed benefit received<br />

(SSI payments, Public Assistance)<br />

• 2011 Bank Statements<br />

• Social Security Card<br />

• Alien Registration Card<br />

• Driver’s License<br />

Documents should show your, your spouse’s or<br />

your parents’ financial aid data (for dependents).<br />

Dependent students should also know their<br />

parent(s) legal name, Social Security number, date<br />

of birth, date of marriage, date of separation<br />

and/or divorce, and, if a parent is disabled, the<br />

month and year of the disability<br />

Pell Grant Book Advance<br />

<strong>Student</strong>s who have a Pell balance on record and<br />

have been processed for financial aid by January<br />

19th, 2012 will be eligible to receive a book advance<br />

check during the first weeks of classes. <strong>Student</strong>s<br />

are eligible to receive a maximum of $573.00 as an<br />

advance payment from their Pell grant to cover the<br />

cost of books.<br />

Book Advance Payment Schedule:<br />

March 7th<br />

<strong>Student</strong>s receive the book advance payment as<br />

they prefer: In a paper check, direct deposit, or on<br />

a <strong>CUNY</strong> Scholar Support prepaid card.<br />

<strong>CUNY</strong> Scholar Support Prepaid Cards<br />

Get your financial aid faster and easier!<br />

<strong>Student</strong>s eligible to receive financial aid may<br />

receive payments on a <strong>CUNY</strong> Scholar Support<br />

Prepaid Card. This is not a credit card; it is a<br />

prepaid “MasterCard” card accepted at any store<br />

or ATM where MasterCard debit is accepted.<br />

<strong>Student</strong> payments will be automatically deposited<br />

to the card and can be used immediately. Sign up<br />

for the <strong>CUNY</strong> Scholar Support Prepaid Card at<br />

www.cuny.edu/scholarssupport.<br />

Direct Deposit Through Any Bank<br />

Arrange your Financial Aid to go to your bank<br />

account and avoid checks lost and delays!<br />

Simply fill out the Direct Deposit<br />

Request/Authorization Form available on our<br />

website under “Download Forms” or you may<br />

pick one up at the Bursar’s Window (M Building,<br />

Basement Lobby).<br />

Financial Aid Academic Program Appeal<br />

Academic Year 2011 – 2012<br />

Financial aid academic program appeals will<br />

only be approved by the Appeals Committee<br />

within the current academic year. Documents<br />

supporting the appeal must be attached to the<br />

appeal form for review. The dates for supporting<br />

documentation must be within the current<br />

academic year the appeal is being requested.<br />

The decision of the committee is final.<br />

The Financial Aid Appeal Waiver Form is<br />

available online: http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/<br />

financial-aid/financial-aid-policies/<br />

Appeals must be requested within 30 days of<br />

notification. <strong>Student</strong>s can only apply for a onetime<br />

waiver for TAP<br />

Check your Financial Aid Status via<br />

The <strong>CUNY</strong> Portal - eSIMS<br />

Be a proactive manager of your education<br />

at <strong>LaGuardia</strong>.<br />

The <strong>CUNY</strong> Portal is a gateway to <strong>CUNY</strong><br />

applications, services and <strong>CUNY</strong> resources.<br />

With a single sign-on, you can access many <strong>CUNY</strong><br />

applications. Now you can check your student<br />

information; check financial aid application status<br />

(both Federal FAFSA and State TAP); view financial<br />

aid awards; fix errors; link to the Education<br />

Department’s Online Entrance Interview for Direct<br />

Loans; and link to the interactive loan request page,<br />

all through the <strong>CUNY</strong> Portal.<br />

- Go to www.cuny.edu.<br />

- Click “Log-in” at bottom left of navigation bar<br />

- Type in your Username and Password.<br />

Click the “Log In” button. (If you do not<br />

have an account, click “Register Now!”<br />

to get a username and password.)<br />

- Click the link to <strong>CUNY</strong>’s Online Center<br />

for Admissions and Financial Aid under<br />

the “Apply to <strong>CUNY</strong>” section.<br />

- Click Financial Aid on the left of the<br />

navigation bar.<br />

- Click on Application Status – this will lead<br />

you to FAFSA and TAP applications<br />

- Click on Award Summary to view a display of<br />

Pell, TAP, campus-based aid and direct loans.<br />

You will also find links to:<br />

• Guide to Financial Aid<br />

• FAFSA on the web<br />

• Higher Ed. Services Corporation (HESC)<br />

• Summary of Financial Aid Programs<br />

• Federal Tax Benefits for Tuition and Fees<br />

• Preventing Financial Aid Scams<br />

• Identity Theft Prevention<br />

Federal Work Study Grant - Use It or Lose It!<br />

Job placement is on going for On Campus and<br />

Off Campus positions, why pass up the<br />

opportunity to obtain great work experience?<br />

Position hourly rates range from $8.00 to $10.00<br />

an hour.<br />

Be sure to check with the Financial Aid Office<br />

if you were awarded a Federal Work Study Grant,<br />

or check your Financial Aid Awards through<br />

<strong>CUNY</strong> Portal: If you have any questions, please<br />

contact Jennifer Aponte, at 718-482-6087<br />

Perkins Loan - Entrance Interview<br />

All students who have been awarded a Federal<br />

Perkins Loan for 2011-12 must take the online<br />

Pre-Loan Entrance Interview before a check can<br />

be issued. Follow these four simple steps:<br />

• Log on to www.lagcc.cuny.edu/financialaid.<br />

• Take the Entrance Interview.<br />

• Print the confirmation page upon<br />

completion of the Entrance Interview.<br />

• Bring the confirmation page to Mr. Stanley<br />

Rumph, in C-107, for final approval of your<br />

Perkins Loan. We will accept only electronically<br />

signed Promissory Notes.<br />

Direct Loan - Entrance Counseling<br />

All students applying for a Federal Direct Loan<br />

must complete the Department of Education's<br />

online “Entrance Counseling for Borrowers’ Quiz.”<br />

Just follow these 5 simple steps:<br />

• Log on to www.dlservicer.ed.gov.<br />

• Take the quiz.<br />

• Print out the rights and responsibilities page,<br />

and sign it.<br />

• Bring the signed rights and responsibilities<br />

page, within 30 days, to <strong>Student</strong> Financial<br />

The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s 5


Dollars & Sense from p. 5<br />

Services (C-107), where you will complete<br />

your loan application.<br />

• E-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN)<br />

at http://dlenote.ed.gov using your PIN.<br />

If you do not have a PIN, you can request one<br />

at www.pin.ed.gov.<br />

Once the MPN is completed, you will receive<br />

a disclosure notice from the Department of<br />

Education approximately 10 days before the<br />

scheduled disbursement date. The Disclosure<br />

Notice will indicate the approved gross loan<br />

amount(s), fees, net loan amounts, and<br />

anticipated disbursement dates. All loans are<br />

disbursed in at least 2 disbursements.<br />

Attention <strong>Student</strong> Borrowers!<br />

If you are graduating, drop below 6 credits,<br />

or are leaving <strong>LaGuardia</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>College</strong>, and<br />

you have an outstanding Perkins or Direct Loan,<br />

Federal regulations require you to complete an<br />

exit counseling/interview. The exit counseling/<br />

interview serves to remind you of your rights and<br />

responsibilities, and gives you the opportunity to<br />

speak with a financial aid counselor about any<br />

questions that you may have regarding your loan.<br />

What will happen if you leave the college without<br />

taking an exit counseling/interview?<br />

• Your school records, including your academic<br />

transcript and diploma will not be released until<br />

you complete this requirement.<br />

Perkins Loan Borrowers: You must take the online<br />

exit Interview at www.lagcc.cuny.edu/financialaid.<br />

Direct Loan Borrowers: Complete your exit<br />

counseling online at: www.dlservicer.ed.gov.<br />

Don’t Default on Your <strong>Student</strong> Loan<br />

If you default on your student loan, you will<br />

face the following serious consequences:<br />

• Your loan will be reported to national credit<br />

bureaus and it will damage your credit<br />

rating;<br />

• A defaulted loan can make it more difficult<br />

to buy a home or a car;<br />

• Legal action can be taken against you;<br />

• Your wages can be garnished;<br />

• Your income tax refund can be withheld;<br />

• You may not be eligible for additional<br />

student aid.<br />

For information about <strong>Student</strong> Loan<br />

Repayment options:<br />

Federal Direct <strong>Student</strong> Loan borrowers can<br />

visit the NSLDS website: www.dlservicer.ed.gov<br />

Perkins Loan borrowers can visit the<br />

Educational Computer Services, Inc. website:<br />

www.ecsi.net<br />

Important Financial Aid Links & Numbers<br />

Pell/TAP Queries?<br />

Pell application status, to order a duplicate SAR,<br />

or General information about Federal Aid<br />

(800) 433-3243 or http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/<br />

Information about <strong>CUNY</strong> TAP application,<br />

Stafford Loans, TAP or Loan status<br />

(888) 697-4372 or www.hesc.com<br />

Selective Service<br />

(847) 688-6888 or www.sss.gov<br />

VA Education Benefits<br />

(888) 442-4551 or http://www.gibill.va.gov/<br />

Report the grant fraud to Ed. Dept's Office of<br />

Inspector General<br />

(800) 647-8733 or oig.hotline@ed.gov<br />

Report the fraud to the Federal Trade<br />

Commission (FTC)<br />

(877) 382-4357 or www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams<br />

FTC teletype for the hearing impaired<br />

(866) 653-4261<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Financial Services Hours<br />

Monday & Thursday 9:00am - 7:00pm<br />

Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00am - 5:00pm<br />

Friday, Saturday, Sunday CLOSED<br />

Bursar<br />

News<br />

***SPRING PAYMENT DUE DATES***<br />

The following dates are from A – Z:<br />

Feb. 28 - Mar. 01 Mon. 3/05/12<br />

Mar. 2 - 4 Tues. 3/06/12<br />

Mar. 5 Wed. 3/07/12<br />

Mar. 6 Thur. 3/08/12<br />

Mar. 7 - 8 Mon. 3/12/12<br />

TuitionPay Payment Plan from Sallie Mae<br />

For only $16.75 and 1/5 of your current<br />

semester tuition balance, you may enroll in the<br />

02/01 5, 4, 3 PAY SPRING plan by phone at<br />

1-800-635-0120 or via web at:<br />

www.tuitionpay.com/cuny. You may also enroll<br />

in person with a TuitionPay representative on<br />

campus outside the Office of the Bursar<br />

(MB-55) on the following days:<br />

TuitionPay Enrollment Dates<br />

Mar. 1 9 - 7 pm<br />

Mar. 2 9 - 3 pm<br />

Mar. 5 - 8 9 - 7 pm<br />

Mar. 9 9 - 3 pm<br />

Mar. 12 9 - 7 pm<br />

Financial Aid Deadlines<br />

**The FAFSA deadline to apply for Spring<br />

2012 was Dec. 15, 2011. ** All documentation<br />

has to be submitted by Jan. 15, 2012. If you<br />

missed these deadlines, you will be expected<br />

to pay your bill another way, ie. enroll in a<br />

TuitionPay payment plan. Any financial aid<br />

appearing on your bill is ESTIMATED and<br />

subject to change upon certification.<br />

Refund Policy<br />

Spring 2012 SESSION I<br />

Tuition<br />

Refund<br />

Tuition<br />

Liability<br />

Last day for 100%<br />

refund Mar. 2 100% 0%<br />

Nursing Information Seminars<br />

Please take note of the following seminars that will answer<br />

your questions about key courses, candidacy, and more!<br />

Tuesday March 20th<br />

Wednesday April 25th<br />

ursday May 10th<br />

3:25 pm - 4:25 pm<br />

3:25 pm - 4:25 pm<br />

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm<br />

All Seminars will be in Room E-322.<br />

Mar. 3-9 75% 25%<br />

Mar. 10-16 50% 50%<br />

Mar. 17-26 25% 75%<br />

No tuition refunds after March 26, 2012.<br />

Important Telephone Numbers<br />

Bursar (718)482-7226<br />

Registrar (718)482-5242<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Financial<br />

Services (718)482-5242<br />

Admissions (718)482-7206<br />

<strong>Student</strong> Info Center (718)482-5935<br />

We look forward to seeing you there!<br />

6<br />

The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s


Health<br />

Corner<br />

Health Services Center March 2012 Events<br />

Health Services Outreach<br />

Cover the Uninsured Day Thursday, March 15 E-Atrium<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

Food Stamp Program Tuesday, March 20 M-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

Smoking Cessation Program<br />

Elmhurst Hospital<br />

Health Services Center<br />

Outreach Activities<br />

AIDS Center of Queens County<br />

Free HIV and STI testing<br />

AMERIGROUP - Child & Family<br />

Health Plus Insurance Enroll.<br />

HIP Child and Family Health<br />

Plus Insurance Enrollment<br />

Fidelis - Child & Family<br />

Health Plus Insurance<br />

Health First Child & Family<br />

Health Plus Insurance Enroll.<br />

Metro Plus Child and Family<br />

Health Plus Insurance Enroll.<br />

Tuesday, March 6<br />

Thursday, March 22<br />

Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27<br />

Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29<br />

Wednesday 14, 22<br />

Child and Family Health Plus - Insurance Enrollment<br />

Steinway Child & Family<br />

Services, Inc. CAPE Program<br />

Health Plus Child & Family<br />

Health Plus Insurance Enroll.<br />

Evening Outreach<br />

Mondays 5, 12, 19, 26<br />

Fridays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30<br />

Wednesdays<br />

7, 14, 21, 28<br />

Thursdays 8, 15, 22, 29<br />

Monday 5, 12, 19, 26<br />

Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29<br />

Friday 2, 9, 16, 23, 30<br />

Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27<br />

Wednesdays 7, 14, 21, 28<br />

Mondays 5, 12, 19, 26<br />

Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27<br />

Thursdays 8, 15, 22<br />

United Health Care Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27<br />

Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29<br />

M-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

M-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

Health Services Center MB40<br />

11:00 AM – 4:30 PM<br />

M-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

E-Atrium<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

E-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

E-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

E-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM<br />

C-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM<br />

M-Building Lobby<br />

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM<br />

Wellcare Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27 C-Building Lobby<br />

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM<br />

Neighborhood Health Providers Monday 5, 12, 19, 26<br />

Wednesdays 7, 14, 21, 28<br />

M-Building Lobby<br />

10:00 AM- 4:00 PM<br />

E-Building Lobby<br />

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM<br />

Please note that the Health Services Center reserves the right to change venue and or location without prior notice.<br />

National Nutrition Month 2012<br />

Healthy Web Surfing<br />

We realize that many people utilize the internet for research purposes<br />

and offer the following suggestion. The National Library of Medicine’s<br />

MedlinePlus Guide to Healthy Web Surfing offers suggestions for<br />

evaluating the quality of health information on Web sites.<br />

The National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus Evaluating Internet<br />

Health Information Tutorial is a 16 minute presentation that also<br />

teaches you how to evaluate health information found on the Web.<br />

National Nutrition<br />

Month 2012<br />

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition<br />

education and information campaign created<br />

annually in March by the American Dietetic<br />

Association. The campaign focuses attention on<br />

the importance of making informed food choices<br />

and developing sound eating and physical<br />

activity habits .The theme for March 2012 is<br />

“Get your Plate In Shape.”<br />

The food and physical activity choices made<br />

today—and everyday—affect your health and<br />

how you feel today and in the future. Eating right<br />

and being physically active are keys to a healthy<br />

lifestyle.<br />

Eating well can lower your chance of<br />

developing cancer and for preventing other<br />

diseases like heart disease, hypertension,<br />

diabetes and obesity. In addition, because our<br />

nutrient needs change as we get older, it is<br />

important to know which foods offer the<br />

vitamins and minerals that will promote good<br />

health as we age.<br />

Help feel your best by learning how to make<br />

healthy food choices – especially those that are<br />

lower in calories and packed with vitamins,<br />

minerals, fiber and other nutrients – and by<br />

being physically active every day<br />

Diet<br />

A “healthy diet” is one that provides enough<br />

of each essential nutrient, contains a variety of<br />

foods from all of the basic food groups, provides<br />

adequate energy to maintain a healthy weight,<br />

and does not contain excess fat, sugar, salt or<br />

alcohol. Information on the Dietary Guidelines is<br />

available on the HealthierUS.gov Dietary<br />

Guidelines for Americans 2005 webpage.<br />

A healthy eating plan:<br />

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains<br />

and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.<br />

• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans,<br />

eggs and nuts.<br />

• Foods low in saturated fats, trans fats,<br />

cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars.<br />

The following are tips on how to practice<br />

good nutrition this month and every month:<br />

-- Eat smaller meals including a vegetable as<br />

the center of the plate, with smaller meat and<br />

starch servings. Include at least one serving<br />

of fruit and vegetable with every meal.<br />

-- Drink more water between meals; try<br />

veggies or a handful of nuts for a snack and<br />

fresh fruit for something sweet.<br />

-- Reduce your intake of deep fried foods and<br />

cancer-causing trans fats found in processed<br />

foods and baked goods.<br />

-- Read food labels and reduce the amount<br />

of added sugar, corn syrup and salt in the diet.<br />

Use fresh herbs and spices to season food<br />

instead.<br />

The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s 7


The Division of <strong>Student</strong> Affairs Newsletter for <strong>Student</strong>s

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