Grant Programs - State

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)*

Who is eligible: NYS residents enrolled in a degree or certificate program for at least 6 credit hours in any given semester at a NYS college or university. NOTE: The credits CANNOT include any repeated courses for which the student already received credit (unless a certain grade is required for the student's program) and must be required for the student's primary SUNY Adirondack degree or certificate program. TAP is also available to ADA-eligible students who have provided the appropriate documentation to SUNY Adirondack’s Accessibility Services Office.
How award is determined: Based on NYS taxable income (after exemptions and deductions) with students falling into one of three categories: dependent students, independent students with no dependents or independent students with dependents; combined student/parent NYS taxable incomes less than or equal to $125,000; single independent students with no dependents whose NYS taxable income is less than or equal to $30,000; or independent students with dependents whose NYS taxable income is less than or equal to $60,000. Awards range from $500 to 100% tuition per semester at SUNY Adirondack.
How and when to apply: Complete the FAFSA annually after October 1 preceding the academic year, but no later than June 1 of the academic year. We suggest filing by May 1st if you wish to have aid applied on your fall semester bill. When filing the FAFSA online, a link will be provided at the end to complete the Express TAP application (ETA) electronically if you listed at least one NYS college. Students will also be contacted by NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) about completing the ETA on their website.
Aggregate limits: Students may receive up to eight undergraduate semesters of TAP, however, the 7th and 8th payments must be made at a four-year institution. (part-time awards will be prorated based on credits attempted).

New York State Part-Time Scholarship (PTS)

be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program at a SUNY or CUNY community college;
be enrolled in at least six but less than 12 credits per term;
maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher;
be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award; and
be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

*Your transcript will be needed to complete the application, which can be done at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/new-york-state-part-time-scholarship-pts-award-program.html.

A recipient of a PTS will receive an award that covers the cost of six credit hours or $1,500 per term, whichever is less, at a SUNY or CUNY community college. An award recipient is entitled to award payments for not more than four consecutive academic semesters.

Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

New York State Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)*

Who is eligible: NYS residents enrolled in a degree or certificate program for 6 to 11 credits/semester required for primary degree with at least a 2.0 GPA at SUNY Adirondack. NOTE: The credits CANNOT include any repeated courses for which the student already received credit (unless a certain grade is required for the student's program) and must be required for a SUNY Adirondack degree or certificate program.
How award is determined: Eligibility is limited to students with a family taxable income of $50,550 or less depending on their NYS tax filing status; the limit is $34,250 for those not eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent by parents. Awards will be based on the student’s tuition liability in combination with the amount of APTS funding allocated by NYS to SUNY Adirondack.
How and when to apply: Complete the FAFSA and submit an APTS application annually to the Financial Aid Office along with the appropriate signed NYS tax returns. Funds are limited so you are encouraged to file early.
Aggregate limits: Students may receive an equivalent of 6 full time semesters or 36 TAP points.

New York State Part-Time TAP Grant

Who is eligible: NYS residents enrolled in a degree or certificate program for 6 to 11 credits at a NYS college or university AND who successfully completed, at the same institution, at least 24 credits in the two preceding semesters. NOTE: The credits CANNOT include any repeated courses for which the student already received credit and must be required for a SUNY Adirondack degree or certificate program.
How award is determined: Based on NYS taxable income (after exemptions and deductions) with students falling into one of three categories: dependent students, independent students with no dependents or independent students with dependents - combined student/parent NYS taxable incomes less than or equal to $125,000; single independent students with no dependents whose NYS taxable income is less than or equal to $30,000; or independent students with dependents whose NYS taxable income is less than or equal to $60,000. NYS HESC will initially calculate a full-time award and will then prorate based on the number of credit hours reported on the TAP certification.
How and when to apply: Complete FAFSA annually as soon as possible after October 1 preceding the academic year, but no later than June 1 of the academic year. When filing the FAFSA online, a link will be provided at the end to complete the ETA electronically if you have listed at least one NYS school. Students will also be contacted by NYS HESC about completing the ETA on their website.
Aggregate limits: Students may receive up to eight undergraduate semesters of TAP, however, the 7th and 8th payments must be made at a four-year institution. (part-time awards will be pro-rated based on credits attempted).

Excelsior Scholarship Program

Introduced in fall 2017, this funding will cover the cost of tuition only for those who qualify; a separate application must be filed via NYS HESC. This is considered a 'last dollar' scholarship meaning that any federal Pell Grant, NYS TAP Grant and/or private scholarships not exclusively for non-tuition expenses need to be applied before Excelsior can cover any remaining tuition; therefore, the FAFSA & NYS TAP applications must be filed first. Students receiving enough Pell, TAP and/or private scholarship funds to cover 100% of their tuition charges are not eligible to receive the Excelsior Scholarship. General eligibility rules can be found below.

Student, as well as parents of dependent students, must be NYS residents for at least one year
U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen status
Hold a U.S. high school diploma or GED
Must attend a SUNY or CUNY campus
2023 adjusted gross income of $125,000 maximum *subject to change
Must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester
Must earn 30 credits per year to maintain eligibility
Post-attendance residency: must reside in NYS after leaving college for the same number of years in which the scholarship was received
Intended for undergraduate study, first Associate’s & Bachelor’s degrees only

New York State Veterans Tuition Awards*

Who is eligible: NYS residents discharged under other than dishonorable conditions from the U.S. Armed forces and are: Vietnam Veterans who served in Indochina between December, 1961 and May, 1975; Persian Gulf Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after August, 1990; or Afghanistan Veterans who served in Afghanistan on or after September 2001, are enrolled in a degree or certificate program, and are taking classes required for his/her primary SUNY Adirondack degree or certificate program. NOTE: The credits CANNOT include any repeated courses for which the student already received credit and must be required for a SUNY Adirondack degree or certificate program.
How award is determined: Currently, students are eligible for awards equal to 100% of their base tuition charges. Students receiving benefits under the Post 9/11 Chapter 33 program will be eligible for an award equal to the percentage not covered by the VA (i.e. 70% Chapter 33 plus 30% tuition award from NYS). Veterans receiving Chapter 31 benefits are ineligible for state awards.
How and when to apply: Complete the FAFSA annually after October 1 preceding the academic year, but no later than June 1 of the academic year. If you plan to enroll full-time, complete the ETA and NYS HESC’s Veterans Tuition Award Supplement. Part-time students need to complete the FAFSA and Veteran's Tuition Award Supplement only.

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES - VR)

Who is eligible: Some students with a verifiable disability; determination is made by ACCES-VR.
How award is determined: ACCES-VR determines the student’s need for funding tuition, fees, books, transportation, and living expenses.
How and when to apply: Contact SUNY Adirondack’s Accessibility Services Director, your high school guidance counselor, or ACCES-VR (Albany District Office, 80 Wolf Road, Suite 200., Albany, NY 12205) as early as possible before the start of classes. Students are required to apply for federal and state funding which may be used to offset ACCES-VR funding.

*Regulations and funding for state programs is subject to change based on approval of the NYS budget.