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NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,165. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

TAP Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have a valid TAP application on file with the Higher Education services Corporation (HESC); Buffalo State must be listed on the application.  Our school code is 0905 or we are listed as SUNY Buffalo State University (Elmwood Ave). 
  • Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and a resident of New York State.
  • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
  • Study full-time undergraduate (at least 12 credits per semester) at an approved postsecondary institution in New York (such as Buffalo State), be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing with at least a cumulative "C" average (2.0) as of the 4th semester payment.
  • Be charged at least $200 tuition per year.
  • Not be in default on any state or federal student loans and not be in default on any repayment of State awards.
  • Meet income requirements:
Student Type NYS Taxable Income Limit
Dependent undergraduate students or Independent students who are married and have tax dependents, or Independent students who are unmarried and have tax dependents $80,000
Independent undergraduate students who are married and have no other tax dependents $40,000
Single independent undergraduate students with no tax dependents $10,000


How Is the TAP Grant Disbursed?

  • Around the 5th week of the semester, TAP Grants are disbursed from the state government and applied to the student's account.  

Annual & Lifetime Limits

Annual Limit

The minimum per-semester TAP award is $250 and the maximum per-semester award is $2,582.50
Lifetime Limit

Students may receive up to 8 semesters of TAP (10 semesters for students admitted through the EOP program)

 

Duplication of Benefits

A duplicative benefit is an award that duplicates the purpose of another award. Duplicative benefits are those that duplicate the purpose of TAP, APTS, or Veterans Tuition Awards—i.e., tuition awards (They have no effect on other NYS programs). The total of TAP, APTS, and/or Veterans Tuition Awards and the duplicate benefit cannot exceed the student’s tuition liability. When other benefits are duplicative, the TAP, STAP, APTS, and/or Veterans Tuition Awards are reduced accordingly.

Example: A student's semester tuition charge is $3,000 and they qualify for a TAP award of $3,000 and a Chapter 33 award for $3,500 (to cover tuition and fees).  The student can only receive the Chapter 33 award since that fully covers all the tuition charges.  The student is ineligible for TAP since there are no unpaid tuition charges.

More Information

More information about the TAP program is available through HESC.

Aid for Part-Time Study

The Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) program is a grant program financed by New York State in conjunction with participating educational institutional throughout the state. The program provides up to $2,000 per year to help part-time undergraduate students meet their educational expenses

Application Process

  • Complete the Aid for Part-Time Study Application, available on the Forms page.
  • For the fall semester, students should submit the application by mid-October.  Students that submit the application for fall will automatically be reviewed for spring.
  • For the spring semester, students should submit the application by the end of February.

APTS Eligibility Requirements

  • Have a valid TAP application on file with the Higher Education services Corporation (HESC); Buffalo State must be listed on the application.  Our school code is 0905 or we are listed as SUNY Buffalo State University (Elmwood Ave). 
  • Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and a resident of New York State.
  • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
  • Be enrolled as a part-time student at an approved postsecondary institution in New York (such as Buffalo State), and matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing with at least a cumulative "C" average (2.0) after having received the equivalent of two full years of payment of state-sponsored student financial aid.
  • Be charged at least $100 tuition per year.
  • Not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility (see above).
  • Not be in default on any state or federal student loans and not be in default on any repayment of State awards.
  • Meet income requirements:  Income means the taxable income as taken from the New York State income tax return plus any state, local or federal pension and annuity income, if applicable.
Student Type NYS Taxable Income Limit
If you were claimed as a tax dependent by your parents, family income (i.e. taxable income of student and parents) cannot exceed: $50,550
If you were not eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent by your parents, income (i.e., income of student and/or spouse, if married as of December 31), cannot exceed: $34,250
If you were not eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent by our parents but you were eligible to claim dependents of your own other than yourself and/or your spouse, income (i.e, taxable income of student and spouse) cannot exceed: $50,550


How Is APTS Disbursed?

APTS is disbursed in late-October.  Since applications are accepted after the semester begins and the awards cannot be determined until all applications are received, APTS awards are NEVER deferred on a student's bill, nor can they be used to qualify for a book deferment. Once the money is sent to Buffalo State, it is credited to the student's charges.  If this creates a credit balance (refund), the student will be sent a refund.

Duplication of Benefits

A duplicative benefit is an award that duplicates the purpose of another award. Duplicative benefits are those that duplicate the purpose of TAP, APTS, or Veterans Tuition Awards—i.e., tuition awards (They have no effect on other NYS programs). The total of TAP, APTS, and/or Veterans Tuition Awards and the duplicate benefit cannot exceed the student’s tuition liability. When other benefits are duplicative, the TAP, STAP, APTS, and/or Veterans Tuition Awards are reduced accordingly.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If a student’s employer is reimbursing their tuition it is considered to be a duplicative benefit with APTS. If they are reimbursing 100% of the tuition charge the student would not be eligible for APTS. If the employer reimburses just a portion of tuition the student can still receive APTS but the combined total of APTS and the reimbursement cannot exceed the full tuition charge.

More Information

More information can be found on HESC's Website. 

SUNY Tuition Credit

The SUNY Tuition Credit is awarded to all students that also qualify for NYS TAP (see above).  The award is meant to offset a portion of increase in tuition.  There is no additional application required for the SUNY Tuition Credit.

 

NYS Part-Time TAP

Legislation enacted in 2006 created a Part-time TAP program, effective for the 2007-08 academic year. Part-time undergraduate students at approved institutions in New York State who were first-time freshman in academic year 2006-07 or thereafter, may be eligible for Part-time TAP to help pay for college beginning in the summer of 2007. Students who have attended college and/or received TAP prior to academic year 2006-07 are ineligible. 

Part-time TAP is an entitlement program that uses up TAP eligibility (a maximum of 48 points for four years of full-time or eight years of part-time undergraduate study or 60 points for students enrolled in approved five-year programs).

Eligibility Criteria

  • Be matriculated and enrolled in an approved undergraduate program at SUNY, CUNY, or an independent (not-for-profit) NYS institution
  • Be enrolled for at least 6 but fewer than 12 semester hour credits or the equivalent
  • Have earned 12 credits in each of two consecutive prior semesters (credits from New York State not-for-profit institutions only); a full-time summer term can be used to meet the prior study requirement
  • Maintain a C average and meet good academic standing requirements
  • Meet income eligibility limitations (income limits are the same as for TAP)

 

Other Comments

  • A student must meet the 24-semester credit prior study requirement only once to be eligible for Part-time TAP.
  • A Part-time TAP award is calculated using the student's actual part-time tuition charge and the number of credits taken.
  • Note: The “C average” for Part-time TAP is an eligibility requirement that cannot be waived using the C average waiver.

Further information is available at the HESC's Part-Time TAP website.

 

TAP Point Consumption When Receiving Part-Time TAP

Partial payment will be made for students taking 6-11 credits as indicated in the charts below:

Points Accrual for Part-time TAP Payments - Semester Schools

Credits

Percent of Full Award

Points Accrued

6

50.00%

3

7

58.34%

3.5

8

66.67%

4

9

75.00%

4.5

10

83.34%

5

11

91.67%

5.5

 

 

Other NYS Grants

New York State offers a variety of other grants and scholarships administered through HESC.  Be advised that some may require additional applications, require a service obligation, or not be offered at Buffalo State.

NYS Scholarships 

Scholarships are "free money" awarded based on various factors.  Some may require certain conditions be met or have a service component.

Scholarship Summary
Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship Provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009.
Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship For the families and financial dependents of victims of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 on November 12, 2001.
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship, also known as Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS)  Provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or of a state organized militia who, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, while a New York State resident, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities. For study in New York State.
NYS Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship The New York Lottery is not currently awarding any new scholarships. Recipients of a prior LOT Scholarship will continue to receive any unpaid balance subject to the original requirements.
NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship Provides grants to eligible full-time undergraduate or graduate students in approved programs that lead to math or science teaching careers in secondary education.
NYS Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Service Workers Provides financial aid 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. For study in New York State.
NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence Awarded to outstanding graduates from registered New York State high schools. Awards are based on student grades in certain Regents exams. For up to five years of undergraduate study in New York State.
NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of the victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts.
Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship The Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship program seeks to increase the number of educators and adjunct clinical faculty teaching nursing education in New York State.
NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides a full SUNY or CUNY tuition scholarship for the top 10 percent of students in each New York State high school if they pursue a STEM degree in an associates or bachelor degree program and agree to work in a STEM field in New York State for 5 years after graduation.
New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program The New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program is offered to encourage recent college graduates to pursue careers in farming in New York State. This program provides loan forgiveness awards to individuals who obtain an undergraduate degree from an approved New York State college or university and agree to operate a farm in New York State, on a full- time basis, for five years.

 

NYS Awards 

Award Summary
NYS Aid to Native Americans Provides aid to enrolled members of tribes listed on the official roll of New York State tribes or to the child of an enrolled member of a New York State tribe. For study in New York State.
NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans Provided to students whose parent(s) have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Provided to New York State residents interested in high quality opportunities in community service.
Veterans Tuition Awards Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible combat veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State are eligible for awards for full or part-time study.

NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program

The Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program provides students who (a) have achieved academic excellence in their undergraduate studies, (b) are pursuing a master’s degree program in education, and (c) agree to teach for five years in a classroom at a NYS public elementary or secondary school with a full tuition scholarship to a State University of New York (SUNY) or City University of New York (CUNY) college or university.

Eligibility

An applicant must:

  • be a legal resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months;
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • have received an undergraduate degree from a college/university located in NYS and have been a NYS resident while earning this degree;
  • have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher upon completion of his or her undergraduate study;
  • be matriculated in an approved master’s degree in education program at a SUNY or CUNY college or university which leads to a career as a public elementary or secondary education teacher;
  • be enrolled in such program on a full-time basis;
  • not be in default on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award;
  • be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award; and
  • execute a Service Contract agreeing to teach for five years in a classroom at a public elementary or secondary school, including charter schools, located in NYS.

How to Apply

Complete and submit the NYS Masters-in-Education Program Application. Be sure to print, sign and submit the Application Confirmation along with the required documentation, as indicated in the application instructions.

Deadline

Applications are typically due in July for the upcoming Fall semester. 

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.  Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students with exceptional financial need, as defined by the FAFSA.  Both full-time and part-time students can receive a Pell grant, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, below.

Federal Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have a valid FAFSA on file and a Pell-eligible EFC
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Accepted as a regular student working toward a first bachelor's degree
  • Maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree per the policies of the university
  • Cannot be in default on any other federal loan
  • Cannot owe a refund on a federal student grant or loan

How Is the Pell Grant Disbursed?

  • Students that have been awarded a Pell Grant must accept the Terms & Conditions of Federal Aid in Banner
  • Around the 5th week of the semester, Federal Pell Grants are disbursed from the federal government and applied to the student's account.  Like all payments and aid programs, the amount disbursed pays the student's charges first.  Only after the charges are paid in full will a student received a refund.

Annual & Lifetime Limits

Annual Limit
  • Students may receive Pell for the fall, spring, and summer terms depending on eligibility.  
  • The amount of their award depends on their Expected Family Contribution, as determined by the FAFSA.
  • For the 2023-24 academic year, the minimum full-time award is $383 per semester and the maximum is $3698 per semester. These amounts are prorated for enrollment that is less than full-time.
Lifetime Limit
  • Students may receive Pell for up to 12 full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent) or until they have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree; whichever happens first.
  • Students may monitor their Pell grant usage at StudentAid.gov.  

 

Unusual Enrollment History

The U.S. Department of Education has established regulations to prevent fraud and abuse in the Federal Pell Grant Program by identifying students with unusual enrollment histories. 

Students that have received a Federal Grant at multiple institutions in the past three academic years are flagged as having unusual enrollment.  Once flagged, the Financial Aid office must take action and review the prior academic history to determining federal financial aid eligibility for that student.  Therefore, Pell-eligible students that transferred to Buffalo State from one or more instructions previously may become ineligible for aid if they withdraw from Buffalo State and do not earn any academic credit.  Learn more about Unusual Enrollment History. 

More Information

More information about the Federal Pell Grant is available at StudentAid.gov.

Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a campus-based, federal grant program that does not need to be repaid. Campus-based programs are managed by individual campuses and have limited funding which makes it important that students file their FAFSA as soon as it is released each year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have a valid FAFSA on file for the upcoming fall semester
  • Be Pell-eligible (see above)
  • Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0.  If there are remaining FSEOG funds after making awards to all 0 EFC recipients, the students with the lowest EFCs will be considered next. 
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Accepted as a regular student working toward a first bachelor's degree
  • Maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree per the policies of the university
  • Cannot be in default on any other federal loan
  • Cannot owe a refund on a federal student grant or loan

How SEOG Is Disbursed?

  • Students that have been awarded SEOG must accept the Terms & Conditions of Federal Aid in Banner
  • Around the 5th week of the semester, SEOG is disbursed from the federal government and applied to the student's account.

Annual & Lifetime Limits

Annual Limit
  • On-Campus students: $500 per year ($250/semester)
  • Off campus students: $200 per year ($100/semester)
Lifetime Limit None; but the student must remain eligible for a Pell grant which does have a lifetime limit.

More Information

More information about the Federal Pell Grant is available at StudentAid.Gov.

Federal Veterans Benefits

Student veterans and dependents of veterans may be eligible to use their education benefits at Buffalo State.  In many instances, veterans benefits may cover all of tuition. However, students are still encouraged to apply for federal and state financial aid as they may qualify for additional help.  

Students receiving Chapter 33 benefits must have their enrollment certified by Buffalo State for every semester in which they are trying to use benefits.  Therefore, it is very important student-veterans work closely with the Veterans and Military Services Office.

All veterans and dependents of veterans that have questions about their benefits or the application process should contact:

Veterans and Military Services Office
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Cleveland Hall 210
Buffalo, NY 14222
Tel: (716) 878-5907
Fax: (716) 878-5930

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