The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents attending in-state post-secondary institutions pay for tuition. Depending on the academic year in which the student began study, an annual TAP award can be as high as $5,000. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible for TAP, a student must:
- Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Be a legal resident of New York State.
- Study full time (at least 12 credits per semester) at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State.
- Have graduated from high school, or have a GED, or have passed a federally-approved exam demonstrating that the student can benefit from the education offered.
- Be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing.
- Have, at least, a cumulative “C” average after receipt of two annual payments.
- Be charged at least $200 tuition per year.
- Not be in default on a student loan guaranteed by HESC and not be in default on any repayment of State awards.
- Meet income eligibility limitations.
WHAT ARE THE AWARD AMOUNTS?
Awards cannot exceed the maximum amounts shown or 100% of tuition, whichever is less.
Undergraduate Students At Degree-Granting and Not-for-Profit Institutions
| Dependent Students or Independent Students Who Are Married or Have Tax Dependents | Independent Students Who Are Single With No Tax Dependents | |||
| First Year in Which Student Received an Award | Award Range | First Year in Which Student Received an Award | Award Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 – 2001 and thereafter | $275 – $5,000 | All years since 1994-95 | $425 – $3,025 | |
| 1994-1995 through 1999-2000 | $275 – $4,125 | 1992-93, 1993-94 | $425 – $2,575 | |
| All years prior to 1994-95 | $275 – $3,575 | All years prior to 1992-93 | $425 – $2,450 | |
Undergraduate students enrolled in four-year programs may receive up to four years of assistance for full-time study, and up to five years of assistance in an approved, specialized program.
STUDENTS AT PROPRIETARY REGISTERED NON-DEGREE PRIVATE BUSINESS SCHOOLS
A. For dependent students or independent students who are married or have tax dependents, awards range from $100 to $800.
B. For single independent students with no tax dependents, awards range from $100 to $640.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
A. For all graduate students, awards range from $75 to $550.
B. Graduate or professional students may also receive an additional four years of TAP. Eligible students can receive a maximum of eight years of combined undergraduate/graduate assistance.
WHAT ARE THE INCOME LIMITS?
Dependent Undergraduate Students or Students Who Are Married or Have Tax Dependents -$80,000 NYS Net Taxable Income.
Single Independent Undergraduate Students With No Dependents – $10,000 NYS Net Taxable Income.
Single Independent Graduate Students With No Dependents – $5,666 NYS Net Taxable Income.
Dependent Graduate Students or Independent Graduate Students Who Are Married or Have Tax Dependents – $20,000 NYS Net Taxable Income.
WHAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD?
Academic year in which first payment of TAP or any State award is received.
Type of post-secondary institution and the tuition charged.
Combined family New York Net Taxable Income.
Financial status (dependent or independent).
Other family members enrolled in college.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can get a FAFSA from a high school guidance office, the local library, or your college’s financial aid office. You can also file your FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you are a New York State resident, and include a New York school in “Step Six” of your FAFSA, HESC will mail you an Express TAP Application (ETA). Information from your FAFSA and your family’s calculated New York State Net Taxable Income will be preprinted on your ETA. Review this information, change any incorrect items, complete any missing items, then SIGN AND MAIL THE FORM USING THE RETURN ENVELOPE. If you received TAP in the 2004-2005 year, and your information remains the same, you may not need to file the ETA to receive an award. The final filing deadline for TAP is May 1 of the academic year for which aid is sought (Example: for 2005-2006, application deadline is May 1, 2006).
1-888-NYS-HESC
1-518-473-1574 / 1-518-455-5234 (TDD)
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
99 Washington Avenue · Albany, New York 12255
www.hesc.com