Financial Aid Calendar

Pre-October

  • Apply for a FSA ID at www.studentaid.gov now so you can electronically sign your FAFSA. Have your parents apply for a FSA ID so they can electronically sign your FAFSA.

October

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting Oct. 1. Don't wait for admissions acceptance. File the FAFSA electronically or obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1.800.433.3243.
  • Complete the NY State Express TAP Application that is linked to the on-line FAFSA or complete the TAP application directly on hesc.ny.gov.
  • Complete individual college financial aid applications where required. Consult the colleges’ catalogs to see if required.
  • Check deadline dates for all applications.

November

  • Review and correct, if necessary, the Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you by the federal processor of your FAFSA.
  • Check the status of your New York TAP application anytime on-line at: www.hesc.ny.gov.

January/February

  • Receive financial aid award letters (packages) from colleges. Compare and evaluate packages carefully using cost of attendance less financial aid to the real “bottom line”.
  • Respond to each college’s package within the stated deadlines. 

May

  • Make your choice of college to attend. (May 1 is a common deadline).
  • Finalize Federal Direct Loan application by signing a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and completing entrance loan counseling.

June/July/August

  • Submit the TAP change form at www.hesc.ny.gov if you decided to attend a college other than the one listed on your award certificate or call NYSHESC at 1.888.697.4372.
  • Attend an orientation session for fall.
  • Follow up on progress of your application for TAP, Federal Direct Loans, and other forms of student aid, if necessary.
  • Arrange for payment of fall tuition bill.

How to Create an FSA ID