New York's private colleges provide $5.7 billion in financial aid to students each year
Whatever your needs and no matter your financial situation, there are programs out there that can help you pay for college. You'll find a listing of some of the most important financial aid programs below.
Grants and Scholarships
Grants and scholarships are funds you do not have to repay. They are available from colleges, your state, the federal government, professional and service organiations, private foundations, and many employers. Some grants are based on your financial need, while others are award for academic merit, a specific career goal, a special talent, or group affiliation.
- Grants and scholarships from NYS private colleges and universities: More than $5.7 billion is award to students in New York each year. Check with each college's financial aid office to determine which forms you need to complete to be considered for all types of need-based and merit-baed aid.
- Federal Pell Grants at NYS private colleges and universities: A grant based on financial need with awards ranging up to $6,095 in 2018-19. To apply, file the FAFSA.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): Awards based on need from $100 to $4,000 per year. To apply, file the FAFSA.
- Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: Awards up to $4,000 per year to students are completing or plan to complete coursework in teaching and intend to teach in a high-need school. There is a required service component.
- Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: Up to the maximum Pell Grant ($6,095 in 2018-19) for eligible children of service members who died during service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11. To apply, file the FAFSA.
- Enhanced Tuition Awards: Enables eligible New York State residents attending participating private, not-for-profit colleges to receive up to $6,000 per year. Applications open during a limited time each year. Click here for more information.
- NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants at private colleges and universities: Eligible students attending a New York college full-time may receive from $500 to $5,126 in 2018-19. To apply, file the FAFSA and TAP applications.
- Part-Time TAP: Helps pay tuition for eligible students attending college part-time.
- ADA Part-Time TAP: Students with a documentable disability may be eligible for ADA Part-Time TAP which allows students time to complete additional semesters in their college program while receiving TAP.
- Scholarships from private sources: Grants and scholarships are available from many community organizations, businesses, corporations, unions, and churches. Check with your school counselor, public library, employer, chamber of commerce, union, church, community and special interest organizations.
- The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP): Provides academic support and financial assistance to young people who might not meet all the traditional college admissions criteria but who show promise of succeeding in college. Click here for more information.
4 out of 10 private college students who borrow to pay for their college education owe less than $10,000 when they graduate.
Other Grants and Scholarships
Click here for more information from HESC or call 1.888.697.4372
- Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)
- Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship
- Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship
- Military Enhanced Recognition Inventive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship, also known as Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS)
- NYS Achievement and Investment in Merit Scholarship (NY-AIMS)
- NYS Aid to Native Americans:
- NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program
- NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship
- NYS Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Service Workers
- NYS Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP)-State Miliary Forces
- NYS Regents Award for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans
- NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence -- contact your school counselor for more information
- NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program
- Veterans Tuition Awards
- World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship