New York State Financial Aid

When you complete the TAP application, you are considered for both the TAP and SUNY Tuition Credit grants through NYS, which do not need to be repaid to the state; and yes, you can receive TAP as a part-time student!

Once you complete the TAP application, you can review the status of your application at any time through your HESC Account Access.

When you complete the Excelsior scholarship application, you are considered for grant money up to the cost of tuition each semester, after all other federal and state grants (PELL, TAP, SUNY Tuition Credit) have been applied.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions about the Excelsior scholarship for guidelines and award eligibility information. To be eligible for the Excelsior scholarship, you need to complete the FAFSA and TAP applications annually, regardless of whether these applications are approved.

Similar to TAP, you can also review the status of your Excelsior Scholarship through your HESC Account Access.

If you fell out of compliance for the Excelsior Scholarship due to severe extenuating circumstances, which affected your ability to complete the annual credit requirement and/or a break in attendance, you can fill out the Excelsior Eligibility Determination Form; our office will review your request and determine if you are eligible to have your Excelsior Scholarship reinstated.

If you fit one of the descriptions below signifying an inability to meet such full-time requirements due to circumstances beyond your control as a student, you may be eligible for a waiver of the full-time study requirement for state financial aid eligibility:

1. You have earned advanced placement or other college credits in high school (e.g., through the New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-TECH) program or the New York State Smart Scholars Early College High School Program (SS-ECHS), that fulfilled all general education requirements and free electives), and subsequently have encountered obstacles posed by course sequence requirements (e.g., prerequisites, co-requisites, etc.) and/or course availability (e.g., the required course is not being offered during that term).
2. You have transferred into the institution, encountering obstacles posed by course sequence requirements (e.g., prerequisites, co-requisites, etc.) and/or course availability (e.g., the required course is not being offered during that term).
3. You have changed majors at the institution, encountering obstacles posed by course sequence requirements (e.g., prerequisites, co-requisites, etc.) and/or course availability (e.g., the required course is not being offered during that term).
4. AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:
   1. You have completed 60-89 credits and are enrolled in at least six degree-applicable credits as part of your full-time courseload (minimum 12 credits) for the semester OR
   2. You have completed 90-119 credits and are enrolled in at least three degree-applicable credits as part of your full-time courseload (minimum 12 credits) for the semester.
5. AND you have received an individual academic graduation plan, developed with your academic advisor and/or general academic advisement staff, that prescribes how you will fulfill degree coursework, which includes a detailed path toward degree completion while maintaining the minimum number of credit hours required for full-time study status toward the approved program of study.

If you fit one of the descriptions above signifying an inability to meet such full-time requirements due to circumstances beyond your control as a student, please fill out the Full-Time Waiver for State Financial Aid Eligibility form to be considered for a waiver of the full-time study requirement for state financial aid eligibility.

Native American Indian Aid is financial assistance for eligible Native American students for study in approved, undergraduate programs at New York State institutions of higher education. It is not available for graduate study, for study that is not at college level, nor for study at institutions located outside New York State.

New York State residents who are on an official tribal roll of a New York State tribe, or the child of such an enrolled member are eligible. New York State tribes include members of the Iroquoian tribes (St. Regis Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca Nation, Tonawanda Band of Seneca, and Tuscarora), the Shinnecock tribe, and the Poospatuck tribe.

• NYS Indigenous Education
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Forms

TAP and SUNY Tuition Credit are both determined using the TAP application, so once you complete the application, you will be considered for both awards.

Yes you can! New York State oversees the Part-Time TAP program, which can be awarded to students if you are enrolled for at least six but less than 12 credits. You are automatically considered for Part-Time TAP eligibility once you complete the TAP application.

The initial process of basic approval/denial takes approximately three days, based on HESC’s timeline for processing. Following the initial approval, there is the income verification process. Once this is complete, awards are finalized. You will be contacted with progress via the email address associated with your HESC account, so keep an eye on your email for any updates from HESC. You will also be contacted via this email if HESC needs additional information to process your application.

Information regarding this assistance program can be found under the TAP/SUNY Tuition Credit tab or by visiting the New York State HESC website.

New York State associates are available via email stateaid@brockport.edu or by phone (585) 395-2439.

Students from mixed status families are now eligible to apply for NYS financial aid without
completing the FAFSA at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/altpath. Students may also reach out to
the Financial Aid Office to learn more about their options to apply for NYS aid.