New York State Aid Programs
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) provides eligible students and their family financial aid programs towards paying for college tuition. It is important that you take advantage of all the financial aid programs available to you by making sure you submit your financial aid applications early every year!
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Grant
The TAP grant provides tuition assistance for students enrolled in an approved certificate or undergraduate degree program. To determine your eligibility for a TAP grant, you must submit the NYS Student Aid Payment application every year. You must also meet TAP eligibility requirements, such as being a legal resident of NYS and having earned a high school diploma or TASC (formerly known as GED).
The Office of Financial Aid also offers financial aid workshops throughout the year to help you complete your NYS financial aid applications, so make sure to check your Guttman email daily!
Part-Time TAP (PTAP) Grant
NYS HESC provides PTAP grants for students attending Guttman Community College on a part-time enrollment basis.
To be considered for a Part-time TAP award, students must:
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Submit NYS Student Aid Payment Application (TAP application)
In addition to meeting the NYS TAP eligibility requirements, you must also meet the following:
- Enrolled for at least 6 credits but less than 12 credits per semester.
- Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
- Have not exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant eligibility.
Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) Grant
NYS HESC provides APTS grants for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies at SUNY, CUNY and not-for-profit independent degree-granting colleges.
To be considered for a Part-time TAP award, you must submit:
- The CUNY Financial Aid Supplement form (via your CUNYfirst account)
- A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- The NYS Student Aid (TAP) Payment Application
In addition to meeting the NYS TAP eligibility requirements, you must:
- Be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credits but less than 12 credits per semester
- Have a minimum tuition charge of at least $100 per year
- Have not exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant eligibility.
Excelsior Scholarship
The Excelsior Scholarship is a New York State funded grant program that, when combined with other types of financial aid (i.e. grants and scholarships), will allow eligible students to attend Guttman tuition free. The goal of this program is to help lower your out-of-pocket tuition costs, promote on-time degree completion, increase graduation rates and reduce the need for student loan borrowing.
How Does Excelsior Work?
The Excelsior Scholarship is a “last dollar” tuition only scholarship which means it will make up the difference in tuition if the other financial aid grants, waivers, and scholarships (TAP grant, Pell grant, other tuition-based scholarships, waivers) you receive do not cover the full tuition charge. The amount of the Excelsior Scholarship depends on how much other grant aid you receive each semester. You must apply for and accept any grant assistance offered before you may be considered for an Excelsior Scholarship award.
In addition to meeting the NYS Excelsior eligibility requirements, you must:
- Must submit a NYS Student Aid Payment Application every year
- Be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a CUNY college
- Be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward your degree program
- Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by a NYS award that you have previously received
- Execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS
You may receive the Excelsior Scholarship for up to two years (four semesters) as an associate degree student. After completing an associate degree, you can receive an additional two years of funding to earn a bachelor’s degree at a CUNY or SUNY college.
How Do I Apply for Excelsior?
As part of the eligibility requirements, you must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a New York State TAP application each year. You must also submit an Excelsior Scholarship application by an established deadline to be considered for your first Excelsior award. Please note that current Excelsior Scholarship recipients do not need to reapply. Visit the NYS Excelsior Scholarship website for information about the application process and dates.
Lost your Eligibility for NYS Financial Aid?
All students who receive NYS financial aid (i.e. TAP, APTS or PTAP grants) are required to meet NYS academic progress standards to maintain their NYS awards. Failure to meet NYS Satisfactory Academic Progress will result in the loss of current or future NYS grants and scholarships.