New York State Grants

Grants are often called “gift aid”—financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. See below for the different types of New York State grants.

New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides grants to students to assist them in paying tuition. The TAP program is administered by the NY State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).

Application Form

The first step in the TAP application process is the completion of the FAFSA. When you get to the FAFSA on the Web Confirmation Page, there will be a link for New York State residents to complete an application for TAP. You must submit a FAFSA and TAP application before June 30, 2021 for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Residence and Citizenship

Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen and be a legal resident of New York State.

To be eligible for TAP, students must:

Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Be a legal resident of New York State for at least one year prior to the start of the term.
Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
Be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing with at least a “C” average as of the 4th semester payment.
Be enrolled as a full-time student taking twelve or more credits applicable toward the degree program, per semester to receive TAP.
Not be in default on any state or federal student loans and not be in default on any repayment of state awards.
Be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award; and
Meet income requirement.

Income Limits

Families with New York State Net Taxable Income (gross income less deductions and allowances for exemptions) of $80,000 or less qualify to receive a TAP grant.

Award Amounts

TAP awards range from $500 to $5165 a year.

Qualifying Program and Credits

You must be admitted into a degree program and be matriculated.
You must register for at least 12 credits or equated credits, which are creditable toward your declared major.

Pursuit and Progress

You must make academic progress towards a degree. You must maintain a minimum GPA for each payment requested.
Additional information on TAP.
If you are pursuing an associate’s degree you must declare a major before the beginning of your second year (before 31 credits).
If you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree you must declare a major before the beginning of your third year (before 61 credits).
HESC will Verify the income tax information on your TAP application with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
You are allowed a total of 48 TAP points for your entire undergraduate degree. You use six points for each full-time TAP payment. You may receive up to six semesters as an associate degree student. For some special programs you can earn up to 10 semesters and are allowed at total to 60 points.
Disabled students may be eligible to combine coursework from more than one semester to meet the full-time attendance requirement (see your college for more information).

Go to FAFSA

APTS is a grant from New York State for students pursuing a degree as a part-time undergraduate student. The amount of the grant is determined by CUNY and is based upon the availability of funds from New York State.

Application Form

To apply you must have completed the FAFSA, TAP application and the CUNY Financial Aid Supplement form.

Qualifying Program and Credits

You must be a matriculated student.
For this program at CUNY part-time study means being enrolled for at least 6 but less than 12 credits per semester.

Resident information

You must be a New York State resident.

To be considered for an APTS award, students must:

Enroll part time as matriculated students in approved undergraduate degree programs or registered certificate programs at degree-granting institutions in New York State.
Meet the program income limits.
Be New York State residents and either United States citizens or qualifying non-citizens.
Not have used up Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility.
Maintain good academic standing.
Not be in default on any Federal or State student loan or on any repayment of state awards.
You must maintain a “C” average after having received the equivalent of two full years of payment of State-sponsored student financial aid.
Have graduated from high school in the United States, or earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), formally known as GED, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.

Income Limits

Eligibility for an APTS award is based on New York State net taxable income from the preceding calendar year.

If students were eligible to be claimed as tax dependents by their parents, family New York State NET taxable income can be as much as $50,550 to qualify for an award. Family income includes student AND parents’ income.
If students were not eligible to be claimed by their parents as tax dependents, their New York State NET taxable income (including spouse’s income) can be as much as $34,250 to qualify for an award. Spouse’s income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.
If students were not eligible to be claimed by their parents but were eligible to claim tax dependents other than self and/or spouse, New York State NET taxable income (including spouse’s income) can be as much as $50,550 to qualify for an award. Spouse’s income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.

Go to FAFSA

New York State Grants

New York State Grants

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program

FACTS – Financial Aid Certification Tracking System

Frequently Asked Questions

How much TAP am I eligible for and when will I receive it?

I received TAP last year, do I have to apply again?

How much TAP can I receive each semester?

For how many semesters can I receive TAP?

Can I get TAP for repeating a course?

Can I get TAP for remedial courses?

Where could I go for more information about my TAP award?