Lana Oconnell
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial aid to students enrolled full-time or part-time in an approved undergraduate program at a New York State college or university. Part-time TAP is available for students attending SUNY, CUNY, and not-for-profit independent degree-granting colleges on a part-time basis. To be eligible for TAP, students must meet residency, academic, and enrollment requirements, as well as income eligibility requirements. Students must also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application (TAP application).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the program | Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) |
| Who can apply | Part-time students |
| Eligibility | Students must be enrolled in an approved undergraduate program at a New York State college or university, meet income eligibility requirements, and be in good academic standing with at least a "C" average |
| Application process | Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application (TAP application) |
| Benefits | Partial TAP payment for students taking 6-11 credits or 4-7 credits |
| Income eligibility | Students who qualified as an orphan, foster child, or ward of the court at any time since the age of 13, independent students (married or single) without tax dependents |
| Academic requirements | Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, successfully complete a minimum number of credits each year, remain enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program |
| Other requirements | Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in the state for 12 continuous months, graduated from high school in the United States or earned a high school equivalency diploma |
| Award amount | Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,665 a year |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Part-time TAP award requirements
To be eligible for the Part-time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in New York State, students must meet the following requirements:
Residency
To be eligible for TAP, students must be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in the state for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling in the program. Alternatively, they can be qualified as a non-New York State resident under the NYS DREAM Act.
Citizenship
Students must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Academic Standing
Students must be in good academic standing with at least a "'C'" average after the 4th semester payment. They must also be enrolled in a degree-granting program of study and maintain good academic standing.
Course Load
Part-time students must be enrolled in 3-11 credits per semester (or 4-8 credits per trimester/quarter) that count toward the degree. Credit-bearing courses in the student's minimum part-time course load must consist of courses applicable to the student's program of study as a general education requirement, major requirement, or elective.
Income
Students must meet the income eligibility limitations set by the program administrator, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).
Loan Status
Students must not be in default on any federal or state student loans or on any repayment of state awards.
Service Conditions
Students must be in compliance with the terms of any service conditions imposed by a NYS award. For certain awards, students must agree to live and/or work in New York State for a required period after graduation.
To apply for Part-time TAP, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application (TAP application). The amount of TAP received depends on family income, the number of family members attending college full-time, the number of semesters of TAP received, and the size of the annual appropriation for the program.
Philadelphia Wage Tax: Do Students Have Exemptions?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Residency requirements
To be eligible for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), applicants must meet certain residency requirements.
To qualify, applicants must be a US citizen or eligible noncitizen and a legal resident of New York State. They must have resided in the state for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling.
If applicants do not meet the residency requirements, they may still be eligible for support under the NYS DREAM Act. This route is available for undocumented and other immigrant students.
Students who are not New York State residents but are charged the NYS resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for a reason other than residency may also be eligible for TAP.
Students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and TAP application or DREAM Act application each year to receive payment.
TAP is a grant, not a loan, so it never has to be repaid. Eligible students can receive up to $5,665 per year, depending on income and other eligibility criteria.
International Students and Taxes: Who Pays What?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Income eligibility
The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial support to eligible New York State residents enrolled in approved colleges and universities across the state. The amount of TAP funding a student receives depends on their income and other eligibility criteria.
For the 2024-25 academic year, the NYS net taxable income cannot exceed $125,000 for dependent students, $60,000 for married students with no dependents, and $30,000 for independent single students with no dependents.
Students must complete the FAFSA and TAP application or DREAM Act application each year for payment. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal aid programs, and the TAP application is used to determine eligibility for TAP awards.
The TAP award for part-time students is based on their part-time credit load and is calculated as a proportional fraction of the normal full-time TAP award. For example, students enrolled in 6 to 11 credits may be eligible for a half-time TAP award, while those enrolled in 12 or more credits may be considered full-time for TAP enrollment purposes.
It is important to note that TAP awards are pro-rated for part-time students based on the number of credits they are taking. Additionally, students must maintain good academic standing, typically with at least a "C" average after the fourth semester payment, to remain eligible for TAP funding.
Students can receive TAP awards for up to six semesters as an associate degree student and eight semesters as an undergraduate student at a senior college. Certain special programs may allow for up to ten semesters of TAP awards for undergraduate students.
Student Loan Interest: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Academic requirements
To be eligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in New York State, students must meet several academic requirements. These criteria include:
Enrolment Status
To be eligible for full-time TAP, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits applicable to their degree program each semester. For part-time TAP, the requirement is at least 6 credits but fewer than 12 credits per semester. The number of credits must be applicable toward the degree program and count toward the student's minimum full-time course load.
Academic Standing
Students must maintain good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (a "C" average) after the 4th semester payment. This requirement must be met to remain eligible for TAP funding. Students who fail to meet the academic requirements in a given semester may regain eligibility by meeting the requirements for the subsequent payment or by appealing for a TAP waiver under extenuating circumstances.
Academic Progress
Students must demonstrate academic progress toward their degree by maintaining a minimum GPA for each payment requested. For associate degree students, a major must be declared before the beginning of the second year (before 31 credits). For bachelor's degree students, a major must be declared before the beginning of the third year (before 61 credits).
Credit Completion
Students must complete a specific number of credits each semester. Grades that are considered complete include A+, A, A-, B-, B, B+, C-, C, C+, D-, D, D+, P (Passing), NC (No Credit), INC (incomplete), and F (Failing). Grades that are not considered complete include W (Official Withdrawal), WU (Unofficial Withdrawal), WA (Administrative Withdrawal), WN (Never Attended), and WD (Withdrawal Drop).
Credit Requirements for Part-Time TAP
The number of credits required for part-time TAP eligibility varies. Students taking 6-11 credits per semester may receive a partial TAP payment, and those enrolled in 4-7 credits may also qualify for a partial payment. The TAP award is pro-rated for part-time students based on the number of credits they are taking.
It is important to note that the specific academic requirements for TAP may vary, and students should refer to the official TAP guidelines and consult with their academic institution for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
How Much Do Penn State Football Tickets Cost Students?
You may want to see also
Application process
To apply for the Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in New York State (NYS), students must meet certain eligibility criteria and submit the required applications. Here is a step-by-step guide to the application process:
Eligibility Criteria:
Before starting the application process, ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the Part-time TAP. You must be:
- A legal resident of New York State (NYS), having resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling.
- A U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
- Enrolled as a part-time student taking 6 to 11 credits (or 4 to 7 credits per trimester/quarter) applicable to your degree program each semester.
- Accepted for admission into an approved non-degree workforce development eligible program or a degree-granting program.
- In good academic standing with at least a "C" average after the fourth semester payment.
- Not in default on any federal or state student loans or repayment of state awards.
- In compliance with any service conditions imposed by a NYS award.
Required Applications:
To be considered for the Part-time TAP award, you must complete and submit the following applications:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): This is a crucial step in the process. Make sure to complete the FAFSA accurately and on time. Once you complete the FAFSA, you will receive a confirmation page with a link to the TAP application.
- NYS Student Aid Payment Application (TAP application): After completing the FAFSA, use the link provided on the confirmation page to access and submit the TAP application. You will need to create a HESC-specific username and personal identification number (HESCPIN) to sign your TAP application and access your HESC account in the future.
- CUNY Financial Aid Supplement form (if applicable): Students applying to The City University of New York (CUNY) must also complete this supplemental form.
Application Timeline and Monitoring:
- The TAP application for the 2024-25 academic year is typically open until June 30, 2025. However, if you saved your TAP application before completing the FAFSA, you must submit both by February 15, 2025.
- After submitting your application and uploading any required documentation, you can monitor the status of your application online.
- You will be notified by email when a determination has been made regarding your eligibility for the award. If you are eligible, you will need to accept the award and agree to any associated conditions or requirements.
Students and Taxes: South Africa's Unique Scenario
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
TAP is short for Tuition Assistance Program. It is a New York State program that provides grants to students to help them pay for college.
Yes, part-time students may qualify for TAP under certain conditions. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an approved undergraduate program at a New York State college or university and meet the income eligibility requirements.
The amount of TAP funding a student receives depends on their combined income, including family-earned income and pensions. For the 2025-26 award year, grants range from $1,000 to $5,665 per year.
To apply for TAP as a part-time student, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application (TAP application). You must also meet the residency requirements and be enrolled in at least 3 but less than 12 credits per semester.
