STEP 4: Apply for the NYS Tuition Assistance Program

WHAT IS TAP?

New York's TAP can help you pay for college.

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State.Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,000.

TAP is a grant — it does not have to be paid back.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible for TAP, you must:

• Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Be a legal resident of New York State.
• Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State.
• Have graduated from high school, have a GED, or have passed a federally-approved exam that demonstrates 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 or on any repayment of state awards.
• Meet income eligibility limitations.

Effective for the 2007-08 academic year, TAP will also be available for students attending SUNY, CUNY and not-for-profit independent degree-granting colleges on a part-time basis.To be eligible for Part-Time TAP you must be a first-time freshman in 2006-07 academic year or thereafter, have earned 12 credits or more in each of two consecutive semesters, and maintain a "C" average.

WHAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD?

The award amount is determined by:

• Academic year in which first payment of TAP or any state award is received.
• Type of postsecondary institution and the tuition charge.
• Combined family NYS net taxable income.
• Financial status (dependent or independent).
• Other family members enrolled in college.

AWARD AMOUNTS AND INCOME LIMITS

TAP Awards cannot exceed the maximum amounts shown or 100 percent of tuition, whichever is less.

Undergraduate Students at Degree-Granting and Not-For-Profit Institutions

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

• For dependent students or independent students who are married or have tax dependents, awards range from $100 to $800.
• For single independent students with no tax dependents, awards range from $100 to $640.

Graduate Students

• For all graduate students, awards range from $75 to $550.
• 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.

HOW TO APPLY FOR TAP

First, Apply Online for Federal Aid

The TAP application process begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).HESC will use the FAFSA as part of your online TAP application.

As indicated in Step 3, you can start your online FAFSA here, or you can go to the HESC Web site, www.hesc.org, click on Students, Families and Counselors and then the hot button, Complete the FAFSA, and follow the simple instructions.

Next, Complete Your Online TAP Application

After completing your FAFSA, complete your online TAP application by linking to it directly from your FAFSA Confirmation Page, or by going to the quick link button, Apply for TAP, on the HESC Web site.

You will be prompted to get a HescPIN (Personal Identification Number).You will use your HescPIN to "sign" your TAP application, to keep track of your application information, or to make changes.

Paper FAFSA Instead of Online?

If you don't apply for federal aid online, you must get a paper FAFSA from the high school guidance office, the public library, or your college's financial aid office.

Even if you use a paper FAFSA, you can still do your TAP application online.

Paper TAP Application Instead of Online?

If you don't apply for TAP online, HESC will mail you an Express TAP Application (ETA).Information from your FAFSA and your family's calculated NYS net taxable income will be preprinted on your ETA.Review this information, make any necessary corrections, complete any missing items, and then sign and mail, using the return envelope.

If HESC has enough information from your FAFSA to make a state TAP award determination, you may not receive an ETA.

Checking the Status of Your TAP Application

You can go to Student Account to check the status of your TAP application online, at any time.

If you provide an e-mail address on your FAFSA, HESC can use it to tell you about your TAP application or award status, or to ask you for information we need to complete your application.Please be alert to HESC e-mails and respond to any requests or instructions.

TAP in Subsequent Years

If you received TAP the year before and your application information is unchanged, you may only have to file a FAFSA to get TAP in subsequent years.

TAP Application Deadline

The TAP application deadline is May 1 of the academic year for which aid is sought.

HELPFUL SITES

• www.hesc.org — New York State Higher Education

STEP 5: FILE OTHER FINANCIAL AID FORMS >>>