Student Accounts

TAP is a New York State grant entitlement program that assists in the payment of undergraduate tuition at NYS colleges and universities. The program is limited to undergraduate NYS residents and may be awarded for up to eights semesters of study. Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students may receive up ten semesters of TAP awards.

TAP applications must be completed annually by June 30th of the academic year for which the award is desired. A FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be filed in order to apply for TAP. The Higher Education Services Corp (HESC) offers all students the opportunity to apply for TAP on the Web and avoid the paper application process. Applicants who miss the web link from the online FAFSA, or those who applied using a paper FAFSA, will have an additional opportunity to apply online for TAP. Visit HESC's website (www.hesc.ny.gov) where you can obtain a PIN to complete the application. The TAP application is also used to apply for other NYS grant programs and scholarships.

Certain eligibility requirements must be satisfied to qualify for receiving a TAP award. These include:

• US citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Legal residency in New York State for at least one year
• Possession of a U.S. high school diploma, GED, Equivalency Diploma, or providing proof of having passing grades on a federally approved Ability To Benefit exam
• Matriculation in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing
• Maintaining a minimum "C" average after two annual payments of TAP awards
• Registration for twelve (12) or more credits per semester in an approved program of study at a NYS college or university. Please note; Repeated courses are NOT included in the twelve credits, and are only allowable when the original grade achieved does not satisfy the minimum grade requirement for the student's major. Likewise; classes that are not required for a student's primary major do not meet HESC's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, and are not considered as part of the 12 credits required to cover the Pursuit of Program requirements. Please make sure you are registered for at least 12 credits required toward your degree. 
• Major declaration is required by the time a student has earned 60 credits.
• A minimum $200 in tuition charges per year
• Not being in default of a student loan or repayment of any NYS awards

Students receiving New York State grant awards are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and Program Pursuit according to the chart below. Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined as accruing a minimum number of credits with a minimum grade point average before being certified for the next payment (lines #2 and #3). Program pursuit is defined as the ability to complete a minimum number of credit hours before being certified for the next payment (line #4).

* for approved 5 year programs: EOP

TAP Waiver Procedures for SUNY New Paltz

A student may apply for a TAP waiver in “exceptional or extraordinary cases” in which he\she has not met the criteria to receive a TAP award.

Good Academic Standing Waiver

In certain cases, the requirements regarding Academic Progress or Program Pursuit “may be waived once for an undergraduate student if the institution maintains documentation that such waiver is in the best interest of the student.”

The following principles must be kept in mind when applying for a one-time TAP waiver:

• The waiver is not automatic.
• The waiver is intended only to accommodate extraordinary or unusual cases.
• The waiver process includes an assessment of the reasons a student has failed to meet the requirements.
• The waiver may only be granted when there is a reasonable expectation that the student will meet future requirements.
• All waiver requests must be made in writing and include a letter of explanation along with any pertinent documentation supporting the waiver application (ie: doctor's note, death certificate, etc).

TAP Waiver Request forms are available in the Office of Student Accounts. Please complete a TAP Waiver Request Form as soon as you become aware of your potential TAP de-certification status. All waiver request forms should be filed with a letter of explanation and any supporting documentation demonstrating exceptional and extraordinary circumstances regarding the TAP de-certification. Please submit the completed TAP Waiver Request Form to the Office of Student Accounts.

**Please Note: Applying for a one-time TAP waiver is not a guarantee that you will be approved. Payment arrangements for the entire balance MUST be made no later than the due date stated on your invoice to avoid potential holds, penalty fees and/or de-registration from classes.

Upon the beginning of the TAP certification process for the semester in question, approximately four (4) weeks after the semester begins, a review panel will evaluate all waiver requests submitted. In most cases, a determination will be made within two (2) weeks and the student will be notified in writing.

Please be aware that the decision made by the review panel is final and not subject to appeal. However, in the event that a request is denied, the student may submit additional documentation for review if they feel that it is pertinent to the original TAP Waiver request.

Waiver of the C-Average Requirement

According to HESC Programs, Policies and Procedures, a student may also apply for a waiver if they do not meet the C-Average requirement to receive TAP.

As with the Good Academic Standing Waiver, the C-Average requirement may be waived for undue hardship based on:

• The death of a student's relative;
  The student’s personal illness or injury; or
  Other extenuating circumstances.

The C-Average waiver is separate from the one-time Good Academic Standing Waiver and may be granted more than once if circumstances warrant.

For more information regarding your TAP Award and the policies that govern waiver requirements, please visit HESC at www.hesc.ny.gov.