New York State Student Aid Programs

TAP is a tuition grant awarded to eligible New York State residents. You may receive a maximum of six full-time semesters of TAP at a two-year college. Awards are based on New York State net taxable income. Must be enrolled in at least one 15-week course to be eligible.

Learn more about TAP

Part-time Tap is available to New York State residents who were first-time freshman during or after the 2006-07 academic year, must be taking between 6-11 credits, and have a 2.0 GPA. Must be enrolled in at least one 15-week course to be eligible.

Learn more about Part-time TAP

The Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies. To be considered for an APTS award, you must:

  • Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Be a legal resident of New York State
  • Have graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
  • Be enrolled as a part-time student (3-11 credits)
  • Be matriculated in an approved program of study
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility
  • Not be in default on any Federal or State student loan or on any repayment of state awards
  • Meet income eligibility limitations
  • Must be enrolled in at least one 15-week course to be eligible

 

To apply for APTS obtain an application from the Financial Aid Office located in Room 101. Since funds are limited, you are encouraged to complete the application and return it to the college by the end of the first week of classes for processing.

Learn more about the APTS program

New York State Native American Aid is available to enrolled members of a New York State tribe and their children who are New York State residents and attend Tompkins Cortland.

You are eligible to receive grant awards up to $2,000 per year for up to four years of full-time study (five years for specific programs requiring five years to complete degree requirements). If you are registered for less than 12 credit hours per semester will be considered part-time and will be funded on a prorated basis.

If funding is available, you may receive aid for summer course work. Any aid you receive for summer school study is deducted from your maximum entitlement for four years of full-time college study.

Applications must be postmarked by July 15 for the fall semester, by December 31 for the spring semester, and by May 20 for the summer session. There are no fees for submitting an application. You must apply for each semester (not annually). Specific eligibility criteria, information and applications can be found at the Native American Education Unit. Learn more about NYS Native American Aid.

The NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts.

Requirements:

  • Be children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased or severely and permanently disabled victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States or the subsequent rescue and recovery operations. This includes victims at the World Trade Center site, at the Pentagon, or on flights 11, 77, 93, or 175.
  • Be survivors of the terrorist attacks who are severely and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the attacks or the subsequent rescue and recovery operations.

Additionally you must:

  • Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State
  • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester
  • Be matriculated in an approved program of study
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Not be in default on a State or federal student loan or on any repayment of state awards.

World Trade Center Memorial Scholarships provide funds to help meet the cost of attending college. The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program) and includes the following components:

  • Tuition: The actual amount of your tuition at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
  • Non-tuition Costs: These include room, board and allowances for books, supplies and transportation up to the average cost at SUNY colleges. The Commissioner of Education sets the non-tuition cost allowances each year.
  • Residence: If you live on campus you will receive a higher room and board allowance than a commuter student. 

Receipt of other grants and scholarships may reduce the WTC award. The total of all aid received cannot exceed your Title IV cost of attendance.

Learn more about the NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship

Education Law §6456 defines the population of students eligible to receive funding under the FYCSI. There are four important matters to be aware of:

  1. FYCSI funding is available to all students who meet the definition of Ed Law §6456 and are enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY college or university OR at a private college or university that hosts* a HEOP project.*A student attending a private college or university is not required to be enrolled in its HEOP program to be eligible of FYCSI funding.*

  2. An eligible student includes any student – including undocumented youth – who is currently a resident of New York state and who is an orphan or spent time in foster care at any time after their 13th birthday.

  3. Institutions of higher education (IHEs) must award FYCSI funds to eligible students based on their need, as determined by the IHE. FYCSI funds can be used for costs necessary for eligible students to attend college, as listed in Ed. Law §6456 and 8 CRR-NY 153-3.4(c), including but not limited to:
  • tuition and fees
  • books
  • transportation
  • meals and housing, including recess/intersession/winter break/summer break supplemental housing
  • summer college preparation programs
  • advisement, tutoring, and academic support
  • medical expenses including vision, dental, behavioral and primary health care which is not otherwise covered by an eligible student's health plan

For questions contact the Financial Aid Office.