The New York State
Tuition Assistance Programs*

• Tuition Assistance Program

• Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program

• Part-time TAP/Aid for Part-time Study

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Sponsored by the State of New York, TAP provides tuition assistance for full-time degree (matriculated) students (that is, students enrolled for 12 or more credits and/or equated credits) depending upon the family net taxable income. All students should apply for TAP each year to the New York State Higher Education Service Corporation (HESC). The students at Queensborough should apply for TAP using the CUNY TAP Application. This form is mailed to each student as the answer to the Federal Application for Free Student Assistance (FAFSA) arrives at the University Application Processing Center. (UAPC). This application starts with the Summer semester, continues with the Fall, and ends with the Spring.

Students whose applications for TAP are approved will receive an award certificate from HESC, which states the amount of aid. The amount of the TAP award is scaled according to the level of study, tuition charged the net taxable income as indicated on the CUNY-TAP application, and the number of TAP payments. A student enrolled in a two-year program cannot receive more than three years of TAP while completing the program. If the award certificate is received before that student’s registration date, tuition will be reduced by the amount stated on this certificate. If the certificate is received after classes have begun, the student will pay the tuition at the time of registration and will be reimbursed later in the school year.

Eligibility for TAP

To be eligible for TAP, students must be
(1) New York State residents and U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
(2) enrolled as full-time matriculated students in an approved New York State postsecondary institution; and
(3) have, if dependent, a family net taxable income below a specified amount, or, if independent, a taxable income below certain specified amounts as stated in the application.

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Satisfactory Academic Standing to Continue TAP Awards

All students receiving TAP must maintain satisfactory academic standing as determined by New York State. Any student who fails to “pursue a program of study” or to “make satisfactory academic progress,” as defined by the New York State Education Department, will lose TAP eligibility for the following semester. Therefore, students must meet both of the following minimum standards set by the New York State Department of Education:

Pursuit of Program

Students are required to complete a certain minimum number of credits or equated credits each semester as specified in the chart below:

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Academic Progress

This requirement means that students must accumulate a specified minimum total number of credits and achieve a specified cumulative grade point average (GPA) to be eligible for the TAP award number as indicated below.

For all students who were first-time undergraduates in the 2006-07 academic year, the following chart is in effect:

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For all students who were enrolled as undergraduates in the 2005-06 academic year or prior, the following chart is in effect:

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Important State Notes

1. Loss of TAP eligibility: Students who fail to meet the standards of academic program pursuit, academic progress, and/or attendance, will lose their TAP eligibility. In addition, any student who registers for courses without having met these standards will be liable and billed for the full amount of his or her TAP award. Also, any student who registers for courses not required by their curriculum will lose the TAP.

2. Students on probation or continued probation who make satisfactory academic progress during this probationary period and continue to maintain their academic standing will maintain their eligibility for financial aid.

3. A repeated credit course cannot be included as part of a student’s minimum full-time or part-time course load for New York State financial aid purposes except in the following cases: (1) when the repeated course was previously failed; (2) when the course was previously passed but with a grade too low to be accepted in the student’s curriculum; or (3) when a repeated course earns credit earned each time.

4. A repeated noncredit (remedial) course cannot be included as part of a student’s minimum full-time or part-time course load for New York State financial aid purposes: (1) if the student has already received two payments for that course, or (2) if the student received a passing grade for that course.

5. Transfer students or students making a change of curriculum should review their status with an academic adviser and a financial aid counselor in order to insure their TAP eligibility status.

6. Waiver Policy: Students who can demonstrate that exceptional circumstances beyond their control caused them to have a substandard record may be eligible for a one-time undergraduate waiver of TAP regulations. Waivers will be granted in these exceptional cases only when (1) there is a reasonable probability that the student will regain good academic standing; (2) the student is able to present full documentation; (3) the waiver is recommended by the Academic Senate Committee on TAP Waivers after the student has met with an appropriate college official; and (4) the waiver is approved by the TAP Waiver Officer. Students who wish to apply for a TAP waiver must make an appointment with the TAP Waiver Officer.

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Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

The Aid for PART-TIME Study (APTS) program, sponsored by the State of New York, was established to provide tuition assistance for part-time matriculated students. The students of Queensborough should use the CUNY-TAP application to apply for APTS. This form is sent to all students after they have completed the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA).

Eligibility for APTS

APTS is not an entitlement program. There are limited resources. The institution (CUNY) selects and determines the individual award amounts. To be eligible, students must: (1) be enrolled as a parttime student in an approved undergraduate degree program in New York State (part-time is defined as at least six [6] but no more than eleven [11] equated credits); (2) meet the income limits — if a student is not eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent, the student’s net taxable income cannot exceed $34,250; if a student is claimed as tax dependent, the family’s net taxable income cannot exceed $50,500; (3) be a New York State resident; (4) be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; (5) have a tuition charge of at least $100 per year; and (6) have remaining TAP eligibility.

APTS awards

The money available for all participating institutions is set each year in the State budget. The amount received by a particular college is determined by the school’s percentage of the total parttime enrollment at all participating institutions. The number and the amount of awards is determined by the participating institution based on its allocation of funds.

Satisfactory Progress for APTS

Recipients must be in good academic standing in accordance with New York State’s rules and regulations (GPA must be above 2.00) and must not be in default of a student Loan.

Part-Time TAP is new TAP program available to part-time students who have earned 24 or more credits and enrolled as a CUNY freshman in Fall 98 or later. The student applies in the same manner that he or she applies for the APTS award. (See above).