New York Financial Aid
State grants, eligibility, deadlines, and strategies for New York students
New York offers the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), one of the largest need-based state grant programs in the country, plus the Excelsior Scholarship for middle-income families. New York requires a separate state application in addition to the FAFSA.
New York grant programs
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Need-basedUp to $5,665/year
Eligibility
- New York State resident for 12+ months
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Family net taxable income of $80,000 or less
- Enrolled full-time at an approved NY college
- Maintain good academic standing
Deadline: June 30 (but apply as early as possible)
Official info →Excelsior Scholarship
HybridCovers remaining tuition at SUNY or CUNY after TAP and other grants
Eligibility
- New York State resident for 12+ months
- Family adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less
- Enrolled full-time (30 credits/year) at a SUNY or CUNY school
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Agree to live and work in New York for the same number of years you received the award
Deadline: Typically July — check HESC website for current year
Official info →NYS STEM Incentive Program
Merit-basedFull SUNY or CUNY tuition
Eligibility
- Top 10% of high school class
- Enrolled in an approved STEM program at SUNY or CUNY
- Agree to work in a STEM field in New York after graduation
Deadline: Varies — check HESC website
Official info →Tips for maximising New York aid
TAP requires a separate application at hesc.ny.gov — filing the FAFSA alone is not enough.
The Excelsior Scholarship has a live-and-work-in-NY requirement. If you move out of state after graduation, the scholarship converts to a loan.
Stack TAP + Excelsior: TAP is applied first, then Excelsior covers remaining tuition. Together they can mean zero tuition at SUNY/CUNY.
Excelsior requires 30 credits per year (not per semester) — plan your course load carefully including summer sessions if needed.
Private college students can still use TAP — it applies at eligible private NY colleges too, though the award is smaller.
Educational guide only. State aid programs, amounts, and deadlines change annually. Always verify current information directly with New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and your college's financial aid office before making decisions.
Put this into action
Find colleges in New York that fit your budget, or learn more about the FAFSA process.