Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Only students who are New York State Residents can receive TAP. As the largest state grant program in the US, the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides more than 330,000 New York State students with awards ranging from $500 to $5,165. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back. You can get TAP for up to four years of undergraduate study, or up to five years for certain approved programs. Students in two-year programs are eligible for up to three years of TAP for full-time study.
What Determines the Amount of TAP that I Receive?
- The amount of tuition charged.
- Your combined family New York State net taxable income (NTI); your financial status (dependent or independent of parents); the type of school you are planning to attend and the year in which you first receive a TAP award.
- Other siblings enrolled in College.
New York State Residents
Information from your completed FAFSA will be provided to NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). HESC will send an Express TAP Application (ETA) to any NYS resident who indicates at least one NYS institution on the FAFSA. Students should complete the application and return it to HESC immediately.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for TAP Recipients in Undergraduate Four-Year Programs
New York State has established criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress that differs from the Federal Standard outlined previously. If a student does not meet the NYS TAP standards the student may apply for a one-time waiver.
| Before Being Certified for This Payment |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
| A Student Must have Accrued at Least This Many Credits |
0 |
6 |
15 |
27 |
39 |
51 |
66 |
81 |
| With at Least This Grade Point Average |
0 |
1.5 |
1.8 |
1.8 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
9th and 10th payments of TAP are available only to students in five-year programs approved by NYS Commissioner of Education.
In addition to the above, New York State financial aid programs require that Program Pursuit be monitored. This means that during the first year that a student receives state aid (s) he must carry to completion (all grades except “W”) six (6) credit hours per semester; during the second year nine (9) credit hours per semester; and during subsequent years twelve (12) credit hours per semester.