Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a New York State grant program that provides eligible students with up to $5,665 annually to help cover tuition expenses at approved colleges in New York State. TAP does not have to be paid back and is available to students attending full-time, part-time, and in non-degree workforce credential programs. To qualify, students must be legal NYS residents for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling (or qualified under the NYS DREAM Act), meet specific income requirements based on their financial dependency status, and be enrolled in a degree-granting program at an approved New York State college. Award amounts are determined by combined income, number of family members enrolled in college, financial status, cost of tuition, and when the student started receiving TAP or other NYS awards. The program supports undergraduate students for the duration of their degree program: 3 years for associate degrees, 4 years for bachelor's degrees, and 5 years for approved five-year degree programs. Students must complete the FAFSA and TAP application (or DREAM Act application) each year to receive payment and must maintain good academic standing while taking 12 or more credits each semester.