Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The New York State noticed the need of the residents to have assistance regarding their post-secondary education. However, the existing federal financial aids can no longer cover for other students applying. This is why an assistance program such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is made available.

TAP is a program of the Higher Education Services Corporation (HECS) that replaced the previous financial aid program, which is the TRR (Tuition Remission and Reimbursement Program). TAP is a grant sponsored by the New York State for those New York residents who attend in the selected NY institutions. You can apply for a TAP grant by submitting an application via FAFSA or CUNY. TAP financial aid is willingly granted by the state, so this should not be paid back to the state.

TAP Grant Eligibility

Tap grant is to be given to those students who need financial aid provided that a person:

• Is a citizen of United States or a non-citizen but is eligible
• A legal resident of the State of New York
• Studies at NYS approved post-secondary institutions
• Graduated HS in the US and passed the test for “ability to benefit”.
• Enrolled full-time and currently taking at least 12 credits
• Must have a good academic standing and is matriculated
• Charged at least $200/year
• Not in default of federal student loans or federal financial aids
• Meet income limitations

TAP grant deadline is every June 30 of every academic school year.

TAP Application Process

TAP application can be done either by the use of paper or online application. Whatever the method of submission you will choose, the same application process is applied.

Before applying for TAP, you have to submit first a FAFSA form since this will be the basis for HESC whether you are eligible for TAP or not. TAP application is mostly done online because it is a more convenient way to apply. You can visit the website of HESC to know more about how to apply for TAP online.

To check the status of your application, you also need to visit HESC.org. You can do this anytime you want. If you have provided an email address, HESC will just notify you when you passed. HESC might also send you alert emails to ask some questions regarding your application. If you have not provided any emails, you will most likely receive a postcard sent to you by HESC. In case your application is denied, you will also be notified by a denial notification letter.

TAP grant is only valid for a specific term, so if you are previously a TAP grant receiver, you just have to renew your application. In the renewal, you need to update all necessary information from your FAFSA and TAP. If you opt not to change any information, the same process is also needed.

HESC, as a financial aid agency in New York, wanted to help those college students who want to finish a degree, but could hardly do so because of financial incapability. TAP is just one of the 18 financial aid programs prepared by HESC that is considered as a very successful and helpful program for most students.