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 TAP Grant

Who is eligible: NYS residents enrolled in a degree or certificate program for 3 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 prorated based on credits attempted).

Non-degree Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Some of our microcredential courses are eligible for New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for non-degree programs to cover a portion of the cost of tuition as long as you are economically eligible as follows and meet other requirements, including:
Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen legal NYS resident for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling or qualified under NYS DREAM Act.
Be enrolled as a part-time student taking the equivalent of one to eleven credits, applicable per semester at a participating college in New York State
Enrolled in an eligible non-degree workforce credential program
Must not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility
Must complete the FAFSA and TAP application, or DREAM Act application if applicable

SUNY Part-Time TAP eligible non-degree programs

New York State Opportunity Promise Scholarship/SUNY Reconnect

Who is eligible: NYS residents enrolled in an approved degree program who are between the ages of 25-55 as of the first day of the semester who do not currently have any college degree. NOTE: You can be eligible if you already have college credits, certificate(s), or microcredential(s).
How award is determined: The amount will be based on the actual tuition, mandatory fees and books & supplies required for your specific degree program.
How and when to apply: To receive scholarship funds, students must apply for TAP, and if applicable, the NYS Dream Act. After all awards are compiled, the program will cover any remaining balance. Students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA form to maximize available aid.
Aggregate limits: Students must take a minimum of 6 credits per semester and complete their degree within ten (10) semesters.

More details can be found at: Frequently Asked Questions on Free CC - SUNY

New York State 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
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.