STEM FAQ for Financial Aid Professionals

What certification code should be used for students on a STEM roster who have max TAP/SUNY Tuition Credit (and therefore no STEM money)? 
Schools will need to certify the student as code 1—eligible, even if the student is not receiving an actual STEM award. Keep in mind, if a student becomes eligible for STEM in a future semester, the five-year service commitment would be applicable whether they receive one STEM award or eight STEM awards.

If a student's GPA is below 2.5 after the fall (first term), are schools obligated to defer against STEM for spring, even though there is reason to believe that the student will not meet the cumulative 2.5 GPA requirement after spring?
Yes. If the student’s GPA is below 2.5 for the first semester but is 2.5 or higher at the end of the academic year, the student retains this award. If the cumulative GPA at the end of the academic year is below 2.5, this award must be returned to HESC.

Would a STEM recipient who is not yet required to declare a major and has more than one “intended” major noted in the academic record (e.g., Intended Math and Intended English) be eligible for STEM as long as at least one of the “intended” majors is a STEM program of study?
For purposes of certifying a STEM recipient, the recipient must be following a program of study in an approved STEM program. 

If a student is taking coursework that would lead to an approved STEM program (even if such coursework consists of core courses required of all students), the student should be certified. 

Will there be a waiver provision for STEM recipients who don’t meet the cumulative 2.5 GPA requirement?
No. There is no waiver provision for STEM. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 each semester.

Are STEM recipients required to meet a good academic standing requirement as of the first day of classes?
STEM recipients must have a cumulative 2.5 GPA at the end of each term (second semester and thereafter) and must have completed at least 12 credits in the student’s program of study to receive the STEM award. The pursuit of a program and satisfactory academic process used for other NYS Grants and Scholarships is not required for STEM.

If a STEM recipient withdraws after the fall term ends (earning a 2.5 GPA) and isn’t returning to any school for the spring term, is the student still eligible for the fall STEM payment?
Yes. The student would be eligible for the fall STEM payment.

In this case, the student would be out of compliance and needs to contact [email protected] to discuss their STEM repayment. Any payments received would be converted into a ten-year, interest-bearing loan.

What happens if a STEM recipient needs to take a leave of absence from their education or employment?
If a STEM Incentive Program award recipient takes a temporary leave of absence from study due to circumstances such as maternity/paternity leave, death of a family member, or military duty, such a recipient remains eligible for the award upon his or her return to full-time study. If a recipient takes a temporary leave of absence from employment due to such circumstances, the temporary leave shall not be considered part of the recipient’s five-year service obligation; instead, the five-year service obligation will recommence when the recipient returns to work on a full-time basis.

Is there a grace period between graduating and working?
Yes. There is a six-month grace period between the time a student completes their final degree and the time by which they must be employed in an approved STEM job.

Is the STEM award available for the summer term?
The STEM award is available for the summer term, provided the student is enrolled for 12 credits or more applicable to their program of study for the summer term.