State Financial Aid Programs

Information on financial aid programs available from New York and other states.

New York State Financial Aid Programs

Information on state aid programs is subject to regulatory change by the state legislators at any time.

NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Tuition Assistance Program, open to residents of New York State, provides awards to full-time students based on net taxable income and the Wells tuition charge. State aid programs are subject to legislative change at any time.

Applicants for TAP must apply annually by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or by completing an online application at www.hesc.ny.gov. The application deadline is May 1.

The New York State Education Department requires that TAP recipients meet attendance requirements, and minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for the payment of TAP, as defined by Wells College. Should a student fail to meet attendance and progress requirements, she or he may, under exceptional circumstances, qualify for a waiver. Eligibility for a waiver will be determined by the director of financial aid, academic dean, registrar, director of advising, and the dean of students upon the student’s formal request. This requirement is outlined in detail under the Satisfactory Academic Progress section.

NYS Aid for Part-time Study (APTS)

New York State students who will be enrolled for between six and eleven credits, and who meet the income criteria limits are eligible to apply. Applications may be obtained from any high school or college financial aid office. The number of awards and the total amount of awards will be limited to the amount of funds allocated by the state. Wells College will award grant funds ranging from $250 to $1,000.

NYS Part-time TAP

Part-time students who are legal residents of New York State who are full-time, first-time freshmen may be eligible for Part-time TAP to help them pay for college. To be eligible for this award, a student must have earned 12 credits or more in each of the two consecutive semesters, for a minimum total of 24 credits earned and maintain a minimum of a “C” average or cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. The student must be enrolled for 6-11 credits per semester, not be in default on a student loan and meet the same income limitations as students applying for TAP. A student’s award will be dependent on the number of credits enrolled in a semester.

Other New York State Scholarships

The following is a list of New York State scholarships. Detailed information and application materials for these scholarships can be obtained at a student’s local high school guidance office or on the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website: www.hesc.ny.gov.

Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS)/Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive & Tribute (MERIT)

MSRS/MERIT provides financial aid to children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who, at any time on or after August 2, 1990, while New York State residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities. Students must establish eligibility by submitting a MSRS supplement form that is available in their local high school guidance office. The tuition allowance is equal to the undergraduate tuition costs at the State University of New York and the non-tuition allowance is determined annually by the Commissioner of Education.

New York State Regents Award for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans (CV)

Awards for students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, died or suffered a 40% or more disability, is classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war. The veteran must have been a New York State resident at the time of death, if death occurred during or as a result of service. Annual award amount is $450.

New York State World Trade Center Memorial Scholarships

The World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and rescue and recovery efforts. This includes victims at the World Trade Center site, Pentagon, or on flights 11, 77, 93, or 175. Students must submit an application with the necessary documentation to the Higher Education Services Scholarship Unit. The tuition allowance is equal to the undergraduate tuition costs at the State University of New York and the non-tuition allowance is determined annually by the Commissioner of Education.

Scholarships for Academic Excellence

This program provides scholarship assistance to outstanding New York State high school graduates. Each year, 8,000 scholarships are awarded — up to 2,000 scholarships of $1,500 and 6,000 scholarships of $500 to top scholars from registered New York State high schools. Awards are based on student grades in certain regents exams. The State Education department will notify those students who have been nominated by their high school to receive the scholarship.

New York State Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program

This program provides awards to students attending school at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree level in exchange for five years of full-time employment as secondary education math and science teachers. Applicants must: (1) be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; (2) be matriculated at a degree-granting institution in NYS leading to a career as a math or science teacher in secondary education; (3) have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better; (4) not have a service obligation under another program and (5) not be in default on a student loan. Successful applicants will be required to complete a service agreement in which they agree to teach full-time for five years in math or science for grades 7-12 and agree to repay the amounts disbursed plus interest if they fail to fulfill their service obligation. Recipients shall receive an annual award for full-time study equal to the annual tuition charged to students attending a SUNY college or actual tuition charged, whichever is less. The maximum award is $6,195. Recipients shall be entitled to an annual award for not more than four academic years of full-time undergraduate study and one academic year of full-time graduate study while matriculated in an approved program leading to permanent certification as a secondary education teacher in mathematics and science.

Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship

Flight 587 Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of American Airlines Flight 587's crash in the Belle Harbor neighborhood of Queens, NY on the morning of November 12, 2001. Recipients need not be NYS residents or U.S. citizens to receive this scholarship, however they must be full-time, undergraduate, matriculated students in an approved program in NYS. The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study and includes an award component about equal to a SUNY four-year tuition and average mandatory fees and allowance for food, housing, books, supplies, and transportation. This amount will be determined each year.

Veterans Tuition Award

Veterans Tuition Awards provide for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated in an undergraduate or graduate degree granting institution in New York State. Awards are available for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study for full-time students and 16 semesters for part-time study. Students must be legal residents of NYS discharged under other than dishonorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces and are: 1) Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975; (2) Persian Gulf Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after August 2, 1990; (3) Afghanistan Veterans who served in Afghanistan during hostilities on or after September 11, 2001 and (4) Veterans of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who served in hostilities that occurred after February 28, 1961, as evidenced by receipt of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. Students must have applied for a NYS TAP Grant and Federal Pell Grant. A recipient shall receive an award of up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition at a SUNY college or actual tuition charged, whichever is less.

Memorial Scholarships

Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Firefighters, including Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service workers, provide financial aid to children and spouses of deceased officers and/or volunteers of New York State who have died as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. Students must establish eligibility by submitting a Memorial Scholarship Supplement which is available in their local high school guidance office. The tuition allowance is equal to the undergraduate tuition costs at the State University of New York and the non-tuition allowance are determined annually by the Commissioner of Education.

State Aid to Native Americans

Enrolled members of a New York State tribe and their children who are attending, or planning to attend, a college in New York State and are New York State residents are eligible to receive State Aid to Native Americans. Awards are made to all eligible applicants; there is no qualifying examination. Awards for full-time students are up to $2,000 annually for up to four years of full-time study. You must apply by July 15 for the fall semester; December 31 for the spring semester; and by May 20 for the summer session. Application materials can be obtained at: Native American Education Unit, NYS Education Department, Room 461 EBA, Albany, NY 12234.

Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarships

Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 in Clarence, N.Y., on February 12, 2009. This program will help families who lost loved ones cover the cost of attending college in New York State. Students must be studying at a postsecondary institution in New York State, be enrolled full-time, and not be in default on any state or federal student loan. The award is equal to the amount of a SUNY four-year tuition and average mandatory fees and allowance for food, housing, books and supplies as determined by the Commissioner of Education annually.

Other State Grant Programs

Vermont State Grant

To be eligible to receive a grant from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, a student must: (1) be a Vermont resident; (2) be an undergraduate student enrolled in a program leading to a degree, diploma or certificate; (3) have financial need as determined by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Grant Program; (4) be maintaining satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the institution); (5) be attending an eligible institution; (6) not have already received the equivalent of 10 semesters of Vermont Grants; (7) not have already received your bachelor’s degree UNLESS you are enrolled in the University of Vermont College of Medicine or any accredited doctor of veterinary medicine program; (8) not be in default on any federal or state student loan and not owe a refund to any federal or state grant or scholarship program; and (9) be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Students will need to fill out and submit a Vermont State Grant application as soon as possible after October 1 if they want to receive grant funds as applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available.

For complete information on this program, please visit www.vsac.org.

The state programs listed above are subject to modification by legislative action and federal appropriation levels.