New York State Programs -- TAP

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Application Procedures

Applicants must apply annually to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255, no later than May 1 for the academic year. Students can apply for TAP by using the express TAP application (ETA). The ETA is generated by HESC and mailed to the student after the student files the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available at any high school guidance office or college financial aid office.

Before submitting the application, the applicant should review it with a high school counselor or college financial aid officer to be sure the information is complete and accurate.

HESC determines the applicant's eligibility and mails an award certificate directly to the applicant indicating the amount of the grant. Ithaca College will normally provide a temporary deferment of payment based on an estimate of the applicant's TAP award or the TAP amount on the award certificate from HESC. As long as Ithaca College is listed on the HESC award certificate, it is not necessary to submit this document to the College. Actual payment is received after the College certifies the student's eligibility.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is an entitlement program. There is neither a qualifying examination nor a limited number of awards. The applicant must be a New York State resident and (1) be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, paroled refugee, or conditional entrant to the United States; (2) be matriculated full time in an approved New York State postsecondary program; (3) have, if dependent, a family net taxable income below $80,001, or if independent and single with no tax dependents, a net taxable income below $10,001; and (4) be charged a tuition of at least $200 per year. The income measure is the family's or independent student's state net taxable income from the preceding tax year plus certain nontaxable income and, for dependent students, support from divorced or separated parents. This income may be further adjusted to reflect other family members enrolled full time in postsecondary study. All income information is subject to verification with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Independent Status

The 2001-2002 definition of independent status is as follows:

1. 35 years of age or older as of June 30, 2000; or

2. honorably discharged from the United States armed forces, not claimed as a dependent by either parent on state or federal income tax returns for 2000, and will not be so claimed for 2001; or

3. under 35 years of age as of June 30, 2001, not a veteran, and not

a) resident for more than six weeks in an apartment, house, or building owned or leased by your parents in 1998, 1999, or 2000;

b) claimed as a dependent by parents on their federal or state income tax returns for 2000 or 2001;

c) a recipient of gifts, loans, or other financial assistance in excess of $750 from parents during 2000, 2001, or 2002; or

4. under 22 years of age as of June 30, 2001, being able to meet all of the basic conditions listed in the preceding item (3), and being able to meet and document at least one of the following conditions:

a) both parents deceased, disabled, or incompetent;

b) receiving public assistance other than Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) or food stamps;

c) ward of a court;

d) unable to ascertain parents' whereabouts;

e) unable, owing to an adverse family situation, to submit information on parents' income.

The New York State definition of independent status applicable to New York State aid programs is different from the federal definition of independent status applicable to federal and institutional aid programs.

Graduate students and married undergraduates are exempt from provision (4) in determining financial independence.

Undergraduate students generally receive TAP awards for four years of study. Students enrolled in approved five-year programs or in a state-sponsored opportunity program may receive undergraduate awards for five years. Graduate students may receive awards for four years. No student may receive awards for more than a total of eight years of undergraduate and graduate study.

Award Schedules

The amount of the TAP award is scaled according to type of school, level of study, tuition charge, and net taxable income. Seven award schedules are in effect and awards will be made according to the following award schedules during the 2002-2003 academic year. Award schedules may be changed by subsequent legislative action. All income data reported are subject to verification by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Higher Education Services Corporation.

Undergraduate Award Schedules

For students who are dependent on their parents, or who are financially independent and are married, or have tax dependents. A $150 reduction in the annual award will be made after four semester payments (or the equivalent) have been received.

Schedule A --- For students who received awards in the 1993-94 academic year or earlier. Maximum award $3,575 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $275-$425, if New York State net taxable income is $60,000-$80,000

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$7,000 or less	$0
7,001-11,000	7% of excess over $7,000
11,001-18,000	280 + 10% of excess over $11,000
18,001-80,000	980 + 12% of excess over $18,000
80,001 or more	No award

Schedule D --- For first-time recipients in the 1994-95 through 1999-2000 academic years. Maximum award 4,125 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $275-$425 if New York State net taxable income is $60,000-80,000.

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$7,000 or less	$0
7,001-11,000	7% of excess over $7,000
11,001-18,000	280 + 10% of excess over $11,000
18,001-80,000	980 + 12% of excess over $18,000
80,801 or more	No award

Undergraduate Award Schedules

For students who are independent and single without dependents.

A $150 reduction in the annual award will be made after four semester payments (or the equivalent) have been received.

Schedule E --- For first-time recipients in the 2000-01 academic year and thereafter. Maximum award 5,000 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $275-425 if New York State net taxable income is $60,000-80,000.

NYS net taxable Income	Reduction in award
$7,000 or less	$0
7,001-11,000	7% of excess over $7,000
11,001-18,000	280 + 10% of excess over $11,000
18,001-80,000	980 + 12% of excess over $18,000
80,001 or more	No award

Schedule K --- For students who received awards in the 1991-92 academic year or earlier. Maximum award $2,450 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $425.

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$3,000 or less	$0
3,001-10,000	31% of excess over $3,000
10,001 or more	No award

Schedule L --- For first-time recipients in the 1992-93 and 1993-94 academic years. Maximum award $2575 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $425.

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$3,000 or less	$0
3,001-10,000	31% of excess over $3,000
10,001-or more	No award

Schedule M --- For first-time recipients in the 1994-95 academic year and thereafter. Maximum award $3,025 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $425.

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$3,000 or less	$0
3,001-10,000	31% of excess over $3,000
10,001-or more	No award

Graduate Award Schedules

Schedule U --- For students who are dependent on their parents, or who are financially independent and are married or have tax dependents. Maximum award $640 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $75.

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$2,000 or less	$0
2,001-20,000	7.7% of excess over $2,000
20,001 or more	No award

Schedule V --- For students who are financially independent, single, and without tax dependents. Maximum award $550 or 95% of tuition, whichever is less; minimum award $75.

NYS net taxable income	Reduction in award
$1,000 or less	$0
1,001-5,666	26% of excess over $1,000
5,667 or more	No award

Responsibilities of Recipients

Recipients must be in good academic standing (see "Academic Standing and Progress," p.662) in accordance with commissioner's regulations and must not be in default of a loan guaranteed by the Higher Education Services Corporation. Source: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, Albany, NY 12255.