New York State Financial Aid Programs

Financial Aid from New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

• For New York State residents attending college full time; good academic standing required to continue eligibility
• Awards based on family income
• Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov) by May 1 of the applicable academic year
• Can only defer tuition costs
• Repayment not required

This state program is available only if you are a New York State resident attending college full time (12 credits or more). You must be in Good Academic Standing to continue eligibility. Awards are based on family income. Maximum awards may be reduced based on NYS budget levels.

You should complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a NYS resident and list at least one NYS school on the FAFSA, you will receive a pre-printed TAP application which you must sign (your parent's signature is required if you're a dependent student) and return to the state.

Applicants filing the FAFSA on-line may also complete the TAP application online. An award certificate will then be mailed to you. Payment of the award is through the Business Office once your attendance is certified. A TAP award may only be used to defer tuition costs. No repayment is required. Deadline for application is May 1 of applicable academic year (example - May 1, 2003 for 2003-04)

Aid for Part-time Study (APTS)

• For New York State residents attending college part time
• Must have completed six credits at Cayuga while maintaining Good Academic Standing
• Awards are based on financial need, tuition costs, and availability of funds
• Apply directly using an APTS application by July 1 for the fall and November 15 for the spring
• Can only defer tuition costs
• Repayment not required

This state program is specifically for NYS residents enrolled in an approved program for at least three but fewer than 12 credits. You must have completed six credits at Cayuga in addition to maintaining Good Academic Standing according to Cayuga regulations for state aid. Eligibility is based on income.

You can apply directly to Cayuga using an APTS application available in the Financial Aid Office. Deadline dates are July 1 for fall semester and November 15 for spring semester. If you apply late, your application will be considered if funds are available.

Awards are based on tuition costs, availability of funds and financial need and may not exceed tuition. APTS awards may be used to defer tuition costs only. No repayment is necessary.

TAP Standards to Achieve

The following standards are to be achieved by the end of each semester based on current award:

If a student repeats a course in which a passing grade was received, that course will not count for TAP eligibility. Grades of W, I and Audit are not considered course completed. Students may receive six semesters of TAP at a community college.