State Grants

New York State

The New York Excelsior Scholarship Application Deadline  for Fall 2025-2026 Academic Term is August 31, 2025.

New York State 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 $5,665. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

A FAFSA application MUST be completed prior to filling out the TAP application.  When you complete the FAFSA, click the link that says "Apply for TAP."  If you missed the link on the FAFSA you should receive information from HESC about how to apply.

Determine your eligibility for TAP by visiting the New York State Tuition Assistance Program. You can link directly to the TAP Application .

TAP Applications are available for 2025-2026.
FIT's New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Codes are: 

Lower Division (all associates degree students) - 2070
Upper Division (all bachelor's degree students) - 0975

Full-time eligibility requirements involve three factors:

  1. Satisfactory academic progress
  2. Program pursuit in the previous TAP semester
  3. A minimum of 12 credits fulfilling requirements for your current degree program.

If you fail to meet satisfactory progress or program pursuit, the regulations allow for one waiver during your undergraduate career, if there was an extenuating circumstance. The waiver will become part of your records and you are expected to make satisfactory progress thereafter. The waiver is not automatically given and you must apply and be approved. More detailed information and waiver forms are available at Financial Aid Services, Dubinsky Student Center, Room A212A. 

For more information on Satisfactory Academic Progress for TAP students:

Students who received their first TAP award 2009 academic year and earlier (.pdf)
Students who received their first TAP award 2010 academic year and later (.pdf)

Excelsior Scholarship

The New York State Excelsior Scholarship application is now available and the deadline for the 2025-2026 Academic Term is August 31, 2025. Please note:  If a student has not applied for Excelsior previously and is meeting the credit requirements, they can still apply for the the 2025-2026 academic year. The student would be eligible for the 2025-2026 academic year and going  forward, as long as they meet the requirements, but will NOT be eligible retroactively for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Current Excelsior recipients should not complete this application. 

Excelsior Scholarship Information

A New York State Excelsior Scholarship award equals full tuition minus any amounts received for TAP, Pell, or other grants and scholarships. 

If you are a current Excelsior Scholarship recipient, you do not have to complete the application again.

ALL recipients and applicants must complete:

  • the FAFSA application for each academic year and
  • the TAP application for each academic year (New York State residents attending NYS schools can link directly to the TAP Application from the FAFSA.)

Income and Financial Requirements for 2025-2026 must meet eligibility requirements, including but not limited to the following criteria:

  • Have an adjusted combined federal household income of $125,000 or less
  • Be entering college in the Fall 2025 term
  • Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college full-time  
  • Agree to live in New York State and not be employed out of state for a duration equal to the number of years you received the scholarship 

New FIT students, including NYS Dream Act applicants, must complete and maintain additional eligibility requirements:

  • Citizenship and NYS Residency Requirements
  • Academic Requirements
  • Continuous Enrollment and Credit Requirements

These requirements and be viewed online for the both the application and how to maintain their Excelsior Scholarship eligibility.

For extensive information regarding the Excelsior Scholarship, go to Excelsior Scholarship FAQs.

Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Eligibility for the Part-Time Study Program is based on New York State regulations. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in 3 -11.5 course credits that are NOT:

  • bridge courses
  • prerequisite courses for lower division
  • admission requirements courses for lower division
  • admission-conditional courses for upper division
  • courses that ONLY fulfill a requirement for liberal arts minor

For more detailed information regarding APTS regulations and eligibility, please visit HESC website for  Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program. 

New - Alternate Eligibility Path

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has launched a new application pathway for eligible students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who do not want to complete a FAFSA due to concerns related to the privacy of their information, but want to apply for New York State financial aid.

Updated guidance, eligibility criteria, and FAQs are available on the application information page. Go to New York State HESC to login to apply, or register to create an account for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. 

Please note - Students who apply for state-funded financial aid through this Alternate pathway, will not be eligible for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship or the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) program, both of which require a completed FAFSA as part of their application process. They will also not be eligible for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans, unless they submit a FAFSA.

The Senator José Peralta DREAM Act 

The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered grants and scholarships that support their higher education costs. Please visit the HESC website to view the DREAM Act  eligibility requirements for applying under the DREAM Act. 

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grant

EOP grants are available to students who are legal residents of New York State who are educationally disadvantaged as indicated by their high school records and who meet the financial requirements established by the State. Admission to this program is coordinated by  the Office of Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP),  the Admissions office, and Financial Aid Services.

Other States

Some states have grant programs that enable a student to receive grant monies for out-of-state programs of study.  We suggest you check with your State Education Department to determine if you qualify for aid from your state of residency. You may find links to your state at NASFAA State Financial Aid Programs.