Financial Aid

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There are many forms of Financial Aid that families should be aware of: They include (but are not limited to):

(presented by hesc.ny.gov - click here for actual page)

BEGIN with the FAFSA AND TAP APPLICATIONS

  1. Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by virtually all two and four-year colleges, universities and career schools for the awarding of federal student aid and most state and college aid. To assist in completing the FAFSA, see Completing the FAFSA.

Tell your friends! The official FAFSA is at www.fafsa.gov – not at a .com Web site. If you go to a .com site, you will probably be asked to pay to submit the FAFSA. Remember, the first F in "FAFSA" stands for "free" – so use the official government site to submit your application.

  1. New York State’s TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), New York's largest grant program, 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 $5165. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

Start the TAP application process by completing the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov. New York State will use your FAFSA information as part of your application for TAP; you can link to the online TAP application directly from the FAFSA on the Web confirmation page.

NY EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP & ENHANCED TUITION AWARDS PROGRAM

The Excelsior Scholarship (CUNY and SUNY Colleges)

A recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship may receive up to $5,500.

To determine the award amount, the resident tuition rate charged by SUNY (currently $7,070) or CUNY (currently $6,930) will be reduced by the amount of certain other student financial aid awards which an applicant has or will receive for the academic year, including a NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award and/or federal Pell grant. The Excelsior Scholarship will cover any remaining tuition liability up to $5,500; and a tuition credit will cover any remaining tuition expenses not covered by the Excelsior Scholarship.

For more details and REQUIREMENTS of the Excelsior Scholarship, check HERE. Pay special attention to the Deadline.

The Enhanced Tuition Awards Program (Private Colleges in NY State)

The Enhanced Tuition Awards program provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents attending a private college located in New York State. Recipients will receive $6,000 through a combination of their TAP award, ETA award and a match from their private college.

For more details and REQUIREMENTS of the Enhanced Tuition Awards Program, check HERE. Pay special attention to the Deadline.

YOUR FSA ID

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) site at fafsa.gov.

Your FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. It has the same legal status as a written signature. Don't give your FSA ID to anyone or allow anyone to create an FSA ID for you—not even your parent, your child, or someone helping you fill out the FAFSA. Sharing your FSA ID is like teaching someone to forge your signature; and it could put you at risk of identity theft!

If you’re ready, you can create an FSA ID now.