New York State Aid Requirements At A Glance

New York State Grants & Scholarships
Requirements At A Glance

New York State offers a variety of grants and scholarships to help eligible students cover college costs. Many of these programs are based on income, academic performance, and full-time or part-time enrollment status.

You can apply for most NYS aid by submitting the FAFSA and completing the TAP application. If you’re a DREAM Act-eligible student or cannot complete a FAFSA, an alternate NYS aid application may be available.

For full details and the latest updates, visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website.

Requirements At A Glance (State Aid)

Program	Award Amounts	Income Limits	Residency & Citizenship	Minimum Credits Required	Academic Requirements	Major Requirement	Post Graduation Requirement
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)	$1,000 to $5,665 annually	NYS net taxable income cannot exceed $125,000 for dependent students; $60,000 for married students with no dependents; $30,000 for independent single students with no dependents.	U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen; NYS legal resident for ≥ 12 months	Full-time: 12 credits per term Part-time: 3-11 credits per term (for Part-Time TAP)	HS graduate or GED/Ability-to-Benefit	Students must have a valid degree bearing major by junior status (57 earned credits)	No Post Graduation Requirement
Excelsior Scholarship	Up to $7,070 annually	Adjusted combined federal household income of $125,000 or less	U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen; NYS legal resident for ≥ 12 months	Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term in their program of study and complete 30 credits per year Continuously enrolled without any pauses in enrollment.	HS graduate or GED/Ability-to-Benefit	Students must have a valid degree bearing major by junior status (57 earned credits)	Reside in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years you received the scholarship and If employed during such time, be employed in New York State.
STEM Incentive Program	$7,070 annually	There are no income limits for this Scholarship.	U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen; NYS legal resident ≥ 12 months	Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term in their program of study Must earn 12 credits per term Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.	HS graduate or GED/Ability-to-Benefit Be ranked in the top 10 percent of your high school graduating class at a New York State high school.	Students must have a valid degree bearing major by junior status (57 earned credits) Students must be in approved STEM major.	Recipients must agree to reside in New York State for five years and be employed in an approved STEM occupation
NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence	$500 or $1,500 annually	NYS net taxable income cannot exceed $125,000 for dependent students; $60,000 for married students with no dependents; $30,000 for independent single students with no dependents.	U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen; NYS legal resident for ≥ 12 months	Full-time: 12 credits per term	HS graduate or GED/Ability-to-Benefit	Students must have a valid degree bearing major by junior status (57 earned credits)	No Post Graduation Requirement
NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship	Covers the Cost of Attendance annually	NYS net taxable income cannot exceed $125,000 for dependent students; $60,000 for married students with no dependents; $30,000 for independent single students with no dependents.	U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen; NYS legal resident for ≥ 12 months	Full-time: 12 credits per term	HS graduate or GED/Ability-to-Benefit	Students must have a valid degree bearing major by junior status (57 earned credits)	No Post Graduation Requirement
NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program	$7,070 annually	There are no income limits for this Scholarship.	U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen; NYS legal resident for ≥ 12 months	Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term in their program of study and complete 27 credits per year Graduate students in Masters Teaching Programs must be enrolled in at least 9 credits in their program of study Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.	HS graduate or GED/Ability-to-Benefit	Undergraduate students must be in a valid teachers certification major by junior status (57 earned credits) Graduate students must in a masters degree program leading to teacher certification in secondary education (grades 7-12)	Recipients agree to teach full-time for five years, regardless of the number or amount of award payments received, in the field of math or science at a secondary school (grades 7-12) located in New York State. Teaching must commence within two years of completion of the degree program and receipt of initial certification.