New York State Programs

The State of New York offers a number of grant programs that provide assistance to eligible students. To apply, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the TAP on the Web (TOTW) application and the CUNY Supplement, which will be available after the FAFSA data has been received by the University. The principal New York State Aid programs at CSI are the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for full-time students and Aid for Part-Time Studies (APTS) for part-time students. The criteria listed below are common to all State Aid programs listed unless otherwise noted.

A student should:

  1. be a New York State resident for the year preceding the award, and
  2. be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as defined in the Federal Title IV aid guidelines, and
  3. be a matriculated student, and
  4. meet the TAP Progress and Pursuit guidelines, and
  5. not be in default on a Federal Loan or if in default, have completed the required process to obtain "Renewed Eligibility," and
  6. be economically eligible based on current New York State criteria.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): This program is designed to provide tuition grants for full-time students. These grants are awarded by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. Students must meet the TAP Progress and Pursuit guidelines prior to the start of each term. These guidelines are also published in the Semester Bulletin each semester.

If a student does not meet either the Progress or Pursuit standard(s), he/she loses his/her TAP eligibility. The Registrar will notify a student if he/she fails to meet these standards and outline how he/she may apply for a waiver. The Committee on Course and Standing reviews all appeals. Only one waiver may be issued during a student's undergraduate years.

Conditions/Restrictions for the waiver are:

  1. A student must have a good overall record with academic difficulties concentrated in one term.
  2. The appeal must be based on circumstances outside the College, such as a car accident or an eviction.
  3. The reason must be extenuating, extraordinary, or unusual. Normal family responsibilities, work, and fear of failing a class do not meet this standard.
  4. The student must provide documentation to support the waiver request.

TAP will not pay for a student to repeat a course to get a better passing grade unless the College requires that the course be repeated. Students who take several remedial courses that carry no credits must make sure that they also take at least three degree credits for their first TAP and six degree credits for all other TAP awards. See the TAP/APTS Progress-Pursuit Chart to determine the number of degree credits that must be accumulated before a TAP/APTS award can be credited to the tuition bill.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS): Undergraduate students who complete the CUNY Financial Aid Supplement and are matriculated part-time students enrolled for at least six credits applicable to the major are considered for this award at CUNY. This award uses up a portion of the student's TAP eligibility.

Part-Time TAP: To be eligible for an award a student will have to:

  • be a freshman in academic year 2006-2007 or later
  • be a New York State resident
  • be enrolled for six to 11 credits/equated credits in the semester for which the award is granted
  • have earned at least 12 credits in each of two consecutive semesters
  • maintain a C average or better

Vietnam Veteran Tuition Awards: Vietnam Veteran Tuition Awards provide up to $500 per semester (full-time attendance) or $250 per semester (part-time attendance) to Vietnam veterans enrolled in an undergraduate program at a degree-granting institution in New York State.

Eligibility:

  1. residency in New York State on April 20, 1984, or at the time of entry into service and resumption of residency by September 1, 1987;
  2. service in the U.S. Armed Forces in Indochina between January 1, 1963 and May 7, 1975;
  3. discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces under other than dishonorable conditions;
  4. enrolled in an approved undergraduate program in a degree-granting institution in New York State;
  5. files an application for TAP and PELL.

If a TAP award is also received, the combined awards can be no greater than tuition. Where the combined awards exceed tuition, the TAP award will be reduced accordingly.

Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK): Students wishing to enter the SEEK program must meet family income and academic guidelines. When filling out the application for admission, the student should indicate a desire to enter the SEEK program. Applicants will be contacted by the College's SEEK Office and invited to a SEEK financial aid workshop where the SEEK program will be explained in detail. At this workshop, applicants will be guided through the financial aid applications and asked to supply required documentation. Financial aid reserved for students in the SEEK program is in the form of grants for stipends, to purchase books, and to pay the Student Activity Fee. To be eligible for SEEK financial aid, the student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) and also apply for TAP.

Other New York State Programs: Regents Nursing Scholarship, Regents Award for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans, State Aid to Native Americans. Information on these programs is available from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255, telephone number 888.697.4373.

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