FAFSA
The FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form that must be completed to apply for federal student aid for college. The application is free. This form also determines a student’s eligibility to apply for state aid and additional school aid.
TAP
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program helps eligible New York residents pay for tuition at schools in New York State. TAP is a grant and does not get paid back.
Excelsior Scholarship Program
The Excelsior Scholarship assists students who meet certain criteria to afford an education in the state of New York. As per the Excelsior website, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
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Be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
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Have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved & "Ability to Benefit" test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
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Have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $120,000 or less;
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Be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University;
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Be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program;
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If attended college prior to the 2017-18 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship;
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Be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS Award;
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Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by a NYS award that you have previously received; and
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Execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.