Tuition Assistance Program(TAP)

TAP is a grant program for New York State residents attending college full time in New York State. There is neither a qualifying examination nor a limited number of awards. The applicant must:

1. be a New York State resident, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien
2. be enrolled full-time and matriculated at an approved New York State post-secondary institution
3. have, if dependent, a family net taxable income below $80,000; or independent and single with no tax dependents, a net taxable income below $10,000
4. be charged tuition of at least $200 per year. All income tax data are subject to verification by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Undergraduate students generally may receive TAP awards for four years of study. Currently, the amount of the award is scaled according to level of study, tuition charge, and net taxable income. Funding levels for the program are set by the state appropriations each year. The award is credited to the student's account on a semester basis.

Applicants must apply annually by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Start the TAP application process by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. New York State will use FAFSA information as part of your application for TAP. If you apply using FAFSA-on-the-Web, you will be able to link to your online TAP application at the end of the FAFSA session.

You will be asked to establish a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for TAP. The TAP PIN will allow you complete your application, keep track of your application information, or make changes, later. After establishing your PIN, you will be able to complete your TAP application online. Information from your FAFSA and your family's calculated NYS net taxable income will be pre-filled on your TAP-on- the -Web application. Follow the instructions provided.

If you don't apply for federal aid online, you will have to get a paper FAFSA from a high school guidance office, the local library, or your college's financial aid office. Even if you use a paper FAFSA to apply for federal aid, you may still choose to complete your TAP application on the Web. Approximately 3 weeks after submitting your FAFSA, HESC will notify you, by post card or e-mail, that you can go to hesc.org, apply for a PIN, and complete your TAP application online. Follow the online instructions for completing the TAP-on-the-Web application.

If you choose not to apply online, HESC will mail you an Express TAP Application (ETA). Information from your FAFSA and your family's calculated NYS net taxable income will be preprinted on your ETA. Review this information, change any incorrect items, complete any missing items, then SIGN AND MAIL THE FORM USING THE RETURN ENVELOPE.

If you have previously received TAP, and your information remains the same, you may only have to file a FAFSA to get an award.

If you provide an e-mail address on your FAFSA, HESC will use that address to contact you about your TAP application, give you processing updates, or award information. Please respond to any requests or instructions sent by HESC. If you have submitted applications, you can check the status of your TAP at any time.

The TAP application deadline is May 1 of the academic year for which aid is sought.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - TAP requires that students accumulate a specified number of credits and achieve a specified cumulative grade point average each term, depending on the number of state award payments students have received. Institutions are required to use a standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress, approved by the New York State Commissioner of Education, when determining academic progress. The following charts are used by Paul Smith's College:

For All Associate Degrees and Certificate Programs:
Before Being Certified for This Payment	A Student Must Have Accrued at Least This Many Credits	With at Least This Grade Point Average
1st	0	0
2nd	3	.5
3rd	9	.75
4th	18	1.3
5th - 6th	30-45	2.0
**This includes successful completion of credit-equivalent work as set forth in 145-2.1 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

For Baccalaureate Programs:
Before Being Certified For This Payment	A Student Must Have Accrued at Least This Many Credits	With At Least This Grade Point Average
1st	0	0
2nd	3	1.1
3rd	9	1.2
4th	21	1.3
5th - 10th	33-105	2.0
**Only students in five-year programs, approved pursuant to Section 145-2.7 of the Regulations, are eligible for more than eight semesters of undergraduate awards (exclusive of STAP)

The Financial Aid Office evaluates academic progress according to New York State's requirements for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) at the completion of each semester.