Student - LaGuardia Community College - CUNY
Student - LaGuardia Community College - CUNY
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