Financial Aid: Grants and Scholarships

Grants and Scholarships

Work Study Programs

Loan Programs

Programs for Parents

Sample College Financial Aid Package

Grants and Scholarships - Grants and scholarships are funds for college that you do not have to repay.

Grants and Scholarships from New York State's private colleges and universities = $3.2 billion (approx.)

• More than $3.2 billion awarded each year
• In 2008-2009 students attending New York's private colleges and universities received more than $3.2 billion in aid from their colleges.
• Aid from a college may range up to $40,000 or more, per year, covering part or all of your tuition, fees, and related costs. Eligibility is determined primarily by financial need as calculated from the financial aid forms you completed (need-based awards). Colleges may also take into account academic achievement, or talent in athletics, music or other fields (merit awards).
• To be considered for aid from many private colleges and universities, you'll be asked to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An additional college financial aid application or the PROFILE may also be required for the college's own grants and scholarships. Check with each college's financial aid office to determine which forms you need to complete to be considered for need-based and merit-based aid. See Campus Profiles for college addresses and phone numbers. File the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of your high school senior year. File all other financial aid forms by their specified deadlines. Reapply each year.

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• APTS awards range up to $2,000 per year or the cost of tuition (whichever is less) for part-time undergraduate study at participating New York State colleges. You must be enrolled for at least 3, but less than 12 credits per semester, or 4 but less than 8 credits per trimester. The colleges select students based on financial need as determined by your NYS net taxable income and funding available for the program at each college.
• For additional information and an APTS application, contact the college's financial aid office or visit www.hesc.org.

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• A scholarship program for members of a NYS tribe and their children who are attending, or planning to attend, a college in NYS and are also NYS residents. Awards for full-time students are up to $2,000 annually.
• For additional information, visit www.hesc.org.
• To apply, contact the Native American Education Unit at the NYS Education Department at 518-474-0537.

• A scholarship program providing financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of those whose died as a direct result of the Continental Airlines Flight 3407 in Clarence, New York on February 12, 2009.
• The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program.
• For more information or to receive an application, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372, or visit www.hesc.org.

• A scholarship program providing 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, New York on the morning of November 12, 2001.
• The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years in an approved five-year bachelor’s degree program.
• For more information or to receive an application, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372, or visit www.hesc.org.

• A scholarship program that provides an annual award up to the maximum annual tuition charged to NYS resident students in an undergraduate program at the State University of New York (SUNY) for students, either at the bachelor or master’s degree level, who enter into a contract with NYS HESC agreeing to teach full time for five years in the field of math or science in a middle or secondary school in New York.
• Awards are made upon the successful completion of the academic year.
• For more information on how to apply, contact NYS Higher Education Services Corporation at 1-888-697-4372, or visit www.hesc.org.

• Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid for college to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York.
• The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (up to amount of SUNY tuition plus average mandatory educational fees and allowances for room and board, books, supplies and transportation), or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program.
• For more information, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372, or visit www.hesc.org.

• Part-time TAP is now available for NYS resident students who were freshmen beginning in the 2006-2007 academic year or thereafter. Students must earn 12 credits or more in each of two consecutive semesters, and maintain a "C" average.
• If you have any questions about the TAP application process, visit www.hesc.org or call NYSHESC at toll-free 1-888-697-4372.

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• Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students enrolled full or part time in a degree or approved certificate program. In 2012-13, Pell Grant awards may range from $400 up to $5,550 per year (contingent on Federal fundiing). Eligibility for Pell is based on financial need determined by a national formula that takes into account total income, net worth (excluding home and family farm equity), family size, and the number of children in college.
• To apply, file the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
• For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov

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• A scholarship program for NYS residents attending a NYS college or university for 12 or more credits in an approved undergraduate program. Students are selected based on the weighted average of their scores on certain Regents exams taken prior to the senior year.
• The top graduating senior of each high school in the state will receive a $1,500 award; $500 awards will be awarded to other eligible students based on the selection criteria and the size of each high school's graduating class.
• If you receive a scholarship, you must file the FAFSA and the TAP on the Web application.
• Student must not be in default on a student loan made under a NYS or federal loan program.
• Contact your school counselor for additional information or visit www.hesc.org.

• Grants and scholarships are available from many community organizations such as Rotary or Dollars for Scholars (matched by some colleges), businesses, corporations, unions, and churches. The key to finding out about these scholarships is research and persistence.
• Check with your school counselor, public library, employer, Chamber of Commerce, union, church, community and special-interest organizations for additional information.

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• Funded jointly by the federal government and the colleges, SEOG awards range from $100 up to $4,000 per year to full- or part-time enrolled undergraduate students with financial need who are Pell Grant recipients. Colleges select recipients and determine award amounts based on the SEOG funds available at their college.
• To apply, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• For more information visit www.studentaid.ed.gov

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Federal
TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Initial eligibility requirements for the TEACH Grant:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although you do not have to demonstrate financial need.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student in a postsecondary educational institution that has chosen to participate in the TEACH Grant Program.
• Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Such coursework may include subject area courses (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher).
• Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25).
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

Note: Not all institutions participate in the grant program. Contact your financial aid office to see if your institution is a participating college or university. For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov

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• TAP is a grant program for NYS residents attending a NYS college full time. In 2011-2012, awards for first-time freshmen at NYS private colleges and universities ranged up to $5,000 per year for up to four years (five years for certain programs).
• Eligibility for TAP is based on NYS net taxable income (federal adjusted gross income minus NYS exemptions and deductions). However, if you itemize your deductions, your estimated NYS taxable income will be lower and your TAP award will be higher.
• Part-time TAP is now available for NYS resident students who will be freshmen in the 2006-2007 academic year or thereafter. Students must earn 12 credits or more in each of two consecutive semesters, and maintain a "C" average.
• To apply for a TAP grant, you must first file the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). Students completing the FAFSA online may file the TAP application by linking to it directly from the FAFSA confirmation page. If you do not begin the online TAP application when you file the FAFSA online, or if you complete a paper FAFSA, you will receive notification from HESC by e-mail or postcard inviting you to complete the online TAP application. You may also request a paper Express TAP Application (ETA) at this time by contacting HESC at www.hesc.org or calling 1-888-697-4372.

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• A scholarship program for children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased or severely and permanently disabled victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States or the subsequent rescue and recovery operations.
• This includes victims at the World Trade Center site, Pentagon or on Flights 11, 77, 93, or 175. The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (up to amount of SUNY tuition plus average mandatory educational fees and allowances for room and board, books, supplies and transportation), or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program.
• For more information, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372, or visit www.hesc.org.

Military Personnel and Veterans Education Benefits

• A scholarship program for 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 Aug. 2, 1990, while NYS residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities. MSRS provides funds to help meet the cost of attending college.
• The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program. To apply, you must provide the information requested on the supplement and submit it and the necessary supporting documentation to the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).
• For more information, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 or visit www.hesc.org.

• A program for NYS residents who are New York Army/Air Guard and Naval Militia members. This Educational Incentive Program will award up to $4,350 per calendar year toward tuition costs at participating colleges and universities in the state. Students must be matriculated for at least six credit hours per semester and remain in good academic standing.
• For additional information, call your local Army National Guard recruiter (listed in the telephone directory)
  or visit http://dmna.state.ny.us/education/education.php?page=rirp.

• An award program for NYS residents 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.
• For more information or to receive an application, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372, or visit www.hesc.org.

• The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force offer financial assistance to qualified students. Scholarships may range up to full tuition plus fees, books and uniform; a monthly stipend may also be awarded. Students incur a service obligation (generally for a total of eight years) in return for a four-year scholarship (some three-, two- and even one-year scholarships are available).
• Contact your high school counselor for details, or call your local Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force recruiting office (listed in the telephone directory). The application deadline is usually in December of the high school senior year.

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• For veterans with active duty service, there are a number of programs available to help with the costs of college. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides students attending private colleges and universities in New York State up to $17,500 per academic year. In some cases, this benefit can be transferred to other family members. For program overviews, visit www.gibill.va.gov.
• In addition, several private, not-for-profit colleges and universities in New York State are participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a matching program that will cover some or all of any tuition and fee charges not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• For additional information, visit www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.html.

• A scholarship program for Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible combat veterans matriculated full- or part-time at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State. Academic year awards are capped at $5,295 or tuition, whichever is less.
• Note: The combined tuition benefits available to a student cannot exceed the student’s total tuition costs. Tuition payments received by a student under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33 veteran benefits) and Yellow Ribbon program are considered duplicative of any VTA and/or TAP award. Students receiving tuition assistance through these programs may, and in most cases will have their State VTA and/or TAP payment reduced or denied due to these other benefits. However, payments received under the Montgomery GI bill do not duplicate the purpose of the VTA and/or TAP.
• For more information about VTA and how to apply, contact the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 or visit www.hesc.org.

Education Opportunity Programs

Student eigibility for CSTEP:

• New York state resident
• African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaskan native
• Economically disadvantaged
• For more information, visit www.nysed.gov, or for a list of institutions that offer CSTEP programs visit www.apacs.org

HEOP is a comprehensive program for academically and economically disadvantaged NYS students. It provides financial aid to cover the majority of college costs, academic tutoring and educational counseling. For more information about HEOP, visit www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/COLLEGIATE/. The colleges listed below offer HEOP.

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STEP serves secondary school students all over New York State. To be elibible to participate in STEP, students must be:

• Enrolled in grades 7-12
• Economically disadvantaged, or Black, Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian; and will benefit from academic enrichment.
• For more information, visit www.nysed.gov or for a list of institutions that participate in STEP, visit www.apacs.org