State Grants and Scholarships for New York Residents in 2025

What state grants and scholarships are available to New York State residents?

Considering attending college in New York? Whether you’re a high school senior preparing to apply or a current student looking for financial aid options, New York State offers several grants and scholarships to help make higher education more affordable. The best part? These rewards are free money: they don’t need to be redeemed! Let’s break down the options available to New York State residents.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

One of the most well-known financial aid programs in New York is the Tuition Assistance Program (FAUCET). TAP is a grant that helps eligible New York State residents pay for tuition at the state’s accredited colleges and universities.

Who is qualified?

• You must be a Resident of New York State attend a state-approved college.
• You must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 new credits per semester) in an approved program of study.
• The one in your family Taxable Income in New York State must respect the eligibility limits. (According to recent guidelines, the maximum income allowed for dependent students is $125,000.)

You must maintain good academic performance.

How much can you get?

• TAP rewards range from $1,000 to $5,665 per yearbased on income and tuition fees.
• The grant applies directly to your tuition billthereby reducing what you owe out of pocket.

How to apply?

• Submit it FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Complete it New York State TAP request via the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website.

Excelsior Scholarship

THE Excelsior Scholarship allows eligible students to participate SUN (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) tuition-free colleges.

Who is qualified?

• You must be a Resident of New York State for at least 12 months before applying.
• Your household income must be $125,000 or less.
• You must be enrolled full-time at a SUNY or CUNY college.
• You must commit to live and work in New York State after graduation, for the same number of years that you received the award.

How much can you get?

• The scholarship covers the cost of tuition at SUNY and CUNY colleges after other grants and scholarships have been applied.

How to apply?

• Complete it FAFSA® and TAP applications.

Submit it Excelsior Scholarship Application on the HESC website.

Enhanced Tuition Grants (ETA)

THE Improved tuition scholarships (ETA) program helps students who attend private New York State colleges pay tuition.

Who is qualified?

• You must be a Resident of New York State.
• Your household income must be $125,000 or less.
• You must attend a participating private college in New York State.
• As with the Excelsior scholarship, you must agree to live and work in New York State after graduation.

How much can you get?

• Eligible students can receive up to $6,000 per year.

How to apply?

• Complete it FAFSA® and TAP applications.

Apply via the HESC website at the opening of the application period.

NYS STEM Incentive Program

Are you considering pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)? THE NYS STEM Incentive Program offers full tuition scholarships to top students.

Who is qualified?

• You must be in the top 10% of your high school class.
• You must register in a STEM Curriculum at a SUNY or CUNY college.
• You must commit to work in a STEM field in New York State for at least five years after graduation.

How much can you get?

• The price covers full SUNY/CUNY tuition (after other grants and scholarships).

How to apply?

• Submit your FAFSA® and TAP applications.

Apply directly via HESC.

NYS Part-Time Scholarship Program

Not a full-time student? THE NYS Part-Time Scholarship provides tuition assistance for part-time students at SUNY and CUNY schools.

Who is qualified?

• You must be a Resident of New York State.
• You must be enrolled in at least six but less than 12 credits per semester at a SUNY or CUNY school.
• You must maintain a Minimum GPA of 2.0.

How much can you get?

• Until $1,500 per vacation.

How to apply?

• Complete it FAFSA® and TAP applications.

Apply via HESC.

Other grants and scholarships for residents of New York State

New York State offers additional scholarships and grants to students with specific career backgrounds and interests, including:

Flight 587 & World Trade Center Memorial Scholarships – For the families affected by these tragedies.

There are many grants and scholarships available to New York State residents, but deadlines count! Many of these grants and scholarships have limited funds and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Stay ahead of the curve by:

• Filing the FAFSA® early (as soon as it opens in October!).
• Apply for TAP and other NYS scholarships right away.
• Visit the HESC website for updates and deadlines.
• Talk with your school counselor or financial aid office to guide you.

Paying for college doesn’t have to be overwhelming! With the right planning and resources, you can maximize your financial aid and focus on what really matters: your education. Good application!

Disclaimer: This blog post provides educational information about personal finance and is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

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