What the New York TAP Grant Covers and Who Can Get It

The Tuition information Program (TAP) is a New York State grant that pays part of your tuition at approved colleges and universities in New York. Unlike a loan, you do not repay it. TAP is for undergraduate students only — graduate students are not covered. The amount you receive depends on your income, the cost of your school, and whether you attend full-time or part-time.

TAP is available to New York residents who are U.S. citizens or may be able to access non-citizens, have a valid Social Security number, and are enrolled in an approved degree program. You must also meet income limits that change each year. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the income cap is roughly $80,000 for a family of four, though this varies by family size. If your family income exceeds the limit, you do not may have access to, regardless of other factors.

The maximum TAP award for the 2024–2025 year is $6,335 per year at four-year colleges and $3,665 at two-year colleges, though most students receive less. The actual amount depends on how much tuition your school charges and how much other aid you have already received.

Key Takeaways

  • TAP is a New York State grant for undergraduate students at approved colleges; you do not repay it, and the amount depends on your family income and school costs.
  • You must be a New York resident, a U.S. citizen or may be able to access non-citizen, and meet income limits that vary by family size each year.
  • TAP is awarded through the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so you must complete the FAFSA first to be considered.
  • Your school's financial aid office determines your TAP amount and notifies you; you do not explore directly to the state.
  • If your family income exceeds the state limit or you do not meet residency requirements, you will not receive TAP regardless of other circumstances.

Income Limits and How They Affect Your Award

New York sets a maximum family income each year. For 2024–2025, that limit is approximately $80,000 for a family of four, $65,000 for a family of two, and $95,000 for a family of five. These numbers change annually, usually in the fall. If your family's income is above the limit, you are not may be able to access, even if you have other financial need.

Within the may be able to access income range, your award amount decreases as your income rises. A student from a family earning $20,000 per year receives a larger TAP grant than a student from a family earning $70,000 per year, assuming both attend the same school. The state publishes an income-based award schedule each year that shows exactly how much you would receive at each income level.

Your family's income is calculated from your FAFSA submission. If your parents are divorced or separated, only the custodial parent's income counts. If you are independent (usually age 24 or older, or meeting other specific criteria), only your own income is considered.

Residency Requirements and How Long You Must Live in New York

You must be a New York resident to receive TAP. This means you must have lived in New York for at least one year before you start college, or your parents must have lived there for at least one year if you are a dependent student. straightforward attending a New York college does not make you a resident.

Residency is determined by where you lived on the date you first enrolled in college. If you moved to New York to attend college, you do not meet the requirement. If you lived in New York before enrolling, you do meet it, even if you move out of state later while still in school.

Some students lose residency status if they move out of New York during college. If you move out of state and establish residency elsewhere, you may become ineligible for TAP in future years. Check with your school's financial aid office if you plan to move during your studies.

How to Complete the FAFSA and Get Considered for TAP

You do not explore for TAP directly. Instead, you complete the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and TAP consideration happens automatically if you meet the basic requirements. The FAFSA opens October 1 each year and remains open through the following June, though many states and schools have earlier important date.

On the FAFSA, you will enter your family income, assets, and other financial information. You will also list the colleges you want to attend. Make sure you include the school's federal code number so your information reaches the right place. The FAFSA is free; do not pay anyone to help you complete it.

After you submit the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that shows what the federal government calculated about your financial need. This information goes to your colleges. Your school's financial aid office then uses it to determine your TAP award and sends you a financial aid package that lists TAP alongside other aid you may have received.

What Happens After Your School Receives Your FAFSA Information

Once your school has your FAFSA data, its financial aid office checks whether you meet New York's TAP requirements: residency, citizenship, income, and enrollment status. If you do, the office calculates your award using the state's income-based schedule and the cost of attendance at that school.

Your school will notify you of your TAP award in writing, usually as part of a financial aid package that also lists federal grants, loans, and any institutional aid. The letter will show the amount you will receive each semester or term. TAP is typically disbursed directly to your school account to cover tuition and fees; any remaining balance may be refunded to you.

If you do not receive a TAP award, your school should explain why in the financial aid package or in a separate letter. Common reasons include income exceeding the limit, not meeting residency requirements, or not being a U.S. citizen or may be able to access non-citizen. If you believe there is an error, contact your school's financial aid office to ask for a review.

Maintaining TAP may be able to access Year to Year

TAP is not automatic once you receive it. You must meet certain requirements each year to keep it. You must remain a New York resident, maintain satisfactory academic progress (usually a minimum GPA set by your school), and stay enrolled as a full-time or part-time student. You must also continue to meet income limits if they explore to your situation.

If you change schools within New York, your TAP follows you as long as the new school is approved. If you transfer out of state, you lose TAP may be able to access. If your family income rises above the limit, you become ineligible. If your GPA falls below your school's satisfactory progress standard, your school may suspend your TAP until you improve.

You do not need to reapply for TAP each year if you remain at the same school and your circumstances do not change. However, you must complete the FAFSA each year, even if nothing has changed, because TAP is awarded based on the current year's FAFSA and current income limits.

What to Do If Your Income Changes or You Do Not Receive TAP

If your family's income drops significantly during the school year — because of job loss, reduced hours, or other hardship — contact your school's financial aid office. Some schools can recalculate your aid based on a change in circumstances, though TAP itself is determined by the FAFSA you filed. Your school may be able to offer other aid to help bridge the gap.

If you did not receive TAP and you believe you should have, ask your financial aid office to review your file. Errors in FAFSA submission, missing residency documentation, or miscalculation of income can sometimes be corrected. Bring any documents that support your claim — proof of New York residency, tax returns, or citizenship papers — and ask the office to explain exactly why you were denied.

If you are not may be able to access for TAP because your income exceeds the limit, explore other funding sources. New York offers other grants for students with higher family incomes, and your school may have institutional grants or scholarships. The financial aid office can point you toward these alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get TAP if I am a part-time student?

Yes, TAP is available to part-time students, but the maximum award is lower than for full-time students. For 2024–2025, the maximum for part-time students is roughly $2,000 per year at four-year colleges. Your school determines whether you are classified as part-time or full-time based on credit hours.

What if I am an international student or do not have a Social Security number?

TAP requires U.S. citizenship or may be able to access non-citizen status and a valid Social Security number. International students on student visas do not may have access to. Some non-citizens with permanent resident status or other may be able to access immigration status may may have access to; ask your school's financial aid office whether your status makes you may be able to access.

Do I lose TAP if I take a semester off?

If you do not enroll in any courses during a semester, you are not may be able to access for TAP that semester. If you take a planned leave of absence and then return, you may regain may be able to access as long as you meet all other requirements. Discuss your plans with your financial aid office before taking time off.

Can TAP be used at private colleges in New York?

Yes, TAP is available at many private colleges and universities in New York, as well as public schools. However, not all private schools are approved for TAP. Check with your school's financial aid office or the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website to confirm that your school participates in the program.

What happens to my TAP if I transfer to a school out of state?

TAP ends when you transfer to a college outside New York. You will no longer receive the grant, even if you are still a New York resident. If you are considering an out-of-state transfer, ask your current school's financial aid office what other aid you might be able to use at your new school.