New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Offered by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
About this scholarship
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program is a need-based grant that pays $1,000 to $5,665 per year toward undergraduate tuition at an approved college in New York. It does not have to be repaid. Award size depends on New York net taxable income, dependency status, family members in college, tuition, and the year the student first received TAP or another state award. For the regular full-time program, recipients take at least 12 degree-applicable credits per semester, remain in good academic standing, and incur at least $200 in annual tuition. Separate official TAP pathways cover eligible part-time and non-degree workforce students. Income ceilings for 2026-27 are $125,000 for dependent students and independent students with tax dependents, $60,000 for married independent students without dependents, and $30,000 for single independent students without dependents. Applicants complete the FAFSA and then the New York State Student Aid Payment Application; students using the NYS DREAM Act follow that route instead. A TAP application is required every award year. The 2026-27 application is open and due June 30, 2027. Columbia lists school code 0171, but TAP is statewide and can be used at any participating New York institution.
Eligibility
- Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and a legal New York resident for 12 continuous months, or qualify through the NYS DREAM Act
- Attend an approved college in New York State in an eligible undergraduate program
- For regular full-time TAP, take at least 12 degree-applicable credits per semester
- Be in good academic standing and be charged at least $200 in tuition for the year
- Fall within the applicable New York net taxable income ceiling for the applicant’s dependency and family status
- Be in good standing on state and federal student loans and prior New York award obligations
- Complete the FAFSA and the TAP payment application, or the applicable DREAM Act application, by June 30, 2027